Tapas Wellness Counseling and Therapy

09/27/2022

We've added a simple website to the practice. Take a look and let us know what you think. One of the best features is the ability to book appointments directly through the website. We are happy to be able to offer immediate availability for counseling and therapy services.

https://tapas-wellness.clientsecure.me

01/12/2018

It's been a busy time lately. I am currently facilitating a mindfulness training with Transitions Mental Health Services staff to help them bring these practices to their company and clients. This is my One Mind Mindfulness Training, which I wrote myself based on over a decade of mindfulness practice and study as well as research and work with clients.

I would love to bring this training to your workplace or company - as a single presentation, multi-day event, or anything in between. I am now scheduling for early spring and beyond - comment or PM for details.

12/05/2017

I've been working with a number of couples lately. Nurturing is part of a healthy relationship. This means that working on it - taking care of one another, meeting the others' needs in an intentional, conscious, and active way - is a big part of successful relationships. And once you begin to see returns in the form of increased affection, friendship, and bonding, you will find that it is joyous work. On the other side, this also means asking for what you need from your partner - which is slightly less romantic that expected them to "just know" when you need something, but eminently more practical.

"Once the realization is accepted that even between the closest human beings infinite distances continue to exist, a wonderful living side by side can grow up, if they succeed in loving the distance between them which makes it possible for each to the see the other whole against the sky." - Rilke

11/27/2017

“...controlling our respiration, even merely focusing on one’s breathing, yield additional access and synchrony between brain areas. This understanding may lead to greater control, focus, calmness, and emotional control.” Translation: breathing can change brain function.

During times of stress, or when heightened concentration is needed, focusing on one’s breathing or doing breathing exercises can indeed change the brain.

11/24/2017

One of my specialties is mindfulness. For about 12 years I have studied mindfulness as a practitioner, working with teachers via Skype, sitting with groups, attending retreats. As a professional I utilize mindfulness in some form with nearly every client, and stay current with the research. This winter I will be facilitating trainings, instructing a course, and implementing mindfulness-in-the-workplace programs in the area. And so, with all that expertise, I can say that this image gets it right! Simplicity is a wonderful thing. This is the work of mindfulness practice: slowly channel energy and habits away from incessant thinking and toward conscious feeling.

10/26/2017

Fear is selfish. By its nature it is self-interested and will distort our perceptions of the world to fit its purposes. This also true of fear's most common form in the modern world - anxiety. This emotion is isolating and makes us feel we need to put our own needs first. Things are urgent and serious! Anxiety disrupts empathy and our ability to connect with others. And yet one of the best approaches to dealing with anxiety is connection with others. Push through the resistance and do something caring for someone else and see what happens.

10/18/2017

Self-worth follows from self-care. Taking care of yourself can help you value yourself, even if it feels artificial in the moment. The best way to maintain a self-care routine when you don't feel like it is to stick to a schedule. This can work when dealing with cycles of doubt, depression, or anxiety, or in the wake of a traumatic or upsetting event when everything seems unreal.
There is a sense of honor and compassion that we can tap into when we take self-care seriously. Each of us deserves this for ourselves, and for one another.

10/15/2017

I am beginning to integrate the Muse headband into some therapy sessions. This device teaches focus and calm by sensing brain waves and giving real-time feedback. I'm finding it's a good way for clients to settle and focus for our sessions, as well as learning these skills for day-to-day living. I also offer sessions just for using the Muse - PM me to schedule a time to try it out. Finally, I am an ambassador for the company and can offer a discount if you want to purchase one. PM for details on that as well.

10/13/2017

We always do the best we can do deal with adversity. There is no shame in any reaction, and always the opportunity to learn and improve for next time. Crisis and conflict come when they will and there is a whole family of conditions that more or less mean: "difficulty adjusting to new circumstances." Keeping an eye on and tending to basic needs can help: diet, sleep, and exercise. Take steps to normalize these when they are disrupted, even if it feels like you are merely going through the motions at the time. When one or more seems to be getting serious, it may be time to get some help.

10/11/2017

There are many helpful ways to work with unhappy emotions - grief, fear, anger. This article draws from Buddhist thinking and in doing so shows that even in a wisdom tradition such as that, the desire to ignore and dismiss negative emotions can be strong. "Why are you still upset about that? That was yesterday. Live in the present moment!" But this is merely denial in a new guise. The flaw in this thinking is that emotions ARE happening in the present moment. Always. And they are there for a reason. The come again and again, asking to be understood, experienced, and integrated.

Grief, fear and despair are part of the human condition. Each of these emotions is useful, says Miriam Greenspan, if we know how to listen to them.

10/10/2017

Sometimes you have to get creative.