Lively Therapy

12/16/2021

It’s been a rough couple of years. While we focus on our physical wellness, let’s not forget the need to address mental wellness.

“It would be a tragedy if we beat back one public health crisis only to allow another to grow in its place.”

07/28/2021

Codependency is NOT a mental health diagnosis. It is a pattern of behavior that keeps individuals locked into unhealthy relationships. Change is possible and healthy; the first step is awareness.

Codependency is often misunderstood. Its not just a label to slap on the spouse of every alcoholic. It encompa

03/31/2021

Grief is a journey. It’s about loss, but it’s also about love. Sometimes it helps to have someone along for that season- counseling can help.

03/01/2021

I’m certainly seeing this in my practice, from both the patient, family and medical provider’s perspective.

COVID-19 is taking a serious toll on people’s mental health, with a new study showing that 30 percent of COVID survivors develop PTSD.

02/24/2021

These are difficult, complex times we are in. Make sure you’re practicing good self care. 🤗

02/08/2021

A light hearted look at some serious issues.

01/01/2021

Best wishes for a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

01/01/2021

Here’s to new beginnings 🌟

12/11/2020

Struggling with the many changes created by COVID? Help is available (and not just for seniors). If you’re in the South Shore or Brandon area, help is available at no cost to you. This is a very limited grant (ends December 31, 2020).

This is what mental health issues look like. COVID-19 has caused emotional turmoil for everyone. The South Shore Mental Health Initiative is here to help the couples working through quarantine stress, the students who are struggling, the seniors who are experiencing brain fog caused by isolation and depression, and most importantly, you. You don't have to go through it alone - there are 9 counselors waiting for your call. Reach out today and receive the support you deserve at no cost to you. But, HURRY, our funding for these free services runs out soon! Visit https://bit.ly/3omkFhn or call 813-582-3600 to submit your contact information - you will be contacted within 48 hours.

11/30/2020

We exist in a world with others who may not think or believe the same as we do. Learning how to “agree to disagree” can sometimes be challenging- but it is possible. If you feel triggered, angry, anxious or depressed as a result of disagreements wth others- counseling can help.

11/19/2020

Thank you Lois Kindle for getting the word out. This is a wonderful opportunity for our community.

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11/17/2020

Many clients have expressed feeling uncomfortable at meeting via a Telehealth platform. The platform is video, encrypted and secured. It’s been my experience that most clients end up liking the Telehealth plantform: it’s simple, they don’t have to leave home, and most of all- it’s effective. You owe it to yourself to give it a try.

From this article:
“Telepsychiatry for the treatment of depression offers equal or better patient satisfaction and symptom relief compared with face-to-face interventions, according to a systematic review published online in Community Mental Health Journal

Telepsychiatry for the treatment of depression offers equal or better patient satisfaction and symptom relief compared with face-to-face interventions, according to a systematic review published online in Community Mental Health Journal.

11/16/2020

Technology helpers 😁

11/09/2020

Clients and friends sometimes ask”how long should therapy take?” A detailed (and long) article on that very subject.

Consider what it takes to master any new and complex skill, say learning a language, playing a musical instrument, or becoming adept at carpentry. If someone promised to make you an expert in six months, you’d suspect they were selling snake oil. Meaningful personal development takes time and effo...

11/09/2020

Your life matters. Your pain matters. You’re not alone.

10/26/2020

Pandemic fatigue: it’s here and it’s real.

From the corridors of Washington to the cobblestones of Paris, the coronavirus is roaring back and authorities are ramping up restrictions again. This time around, however, everyone is tired.

10/10/2020

This. Hits. Hard. 🖤🔥 (unknown author, speaks volumes)

The inability to receive support from others is a trauma response.

Your “I don’t need anyone, I’ll just do it all myself” conditioning is a survival tactic. And you needed it to shield your heart from abuse, neglect, betrayal, and disappointment from those who could not or would not be there for you.

From the parent who was absent and abandoned you by choice or the parent who was never home from working three jobs to feed and house you.

From the lovers who offered sexual intimacy but never offered a safe haven that honored your heart.

From the friendships and family who ALWAYS took more than they ever gave.

From all the situations when someone told you “we’re in this together” or “I got you” then abandoned you, leaving you to pick up the pieces when s**t got real, leaving you to handle your part and their part, too.

From all the lies and all the betrayals.

You learned along the way that you just couldn’t really trust people. Or that you could trust people, but only up to a certain point.

Extreme-independence IS. A. TRUST. ISSUE.

You learnt: if I don’t put myself in a situation where I rely on someone, I won’t have to be disappointed when they don’t show up for me, or when they drop the ball... because they will ALWAYS drop the ball EVENTUALLY right?

You may even have been intentionally taught this protection strategy by generations of hurt ancestors who came before you.

Extreme-independence is a preemptive strike against heartbreak.

So, you don’t trust anyone.

And you don’t trust yourself, either, to choose people.

To trust is to hope, to trust is to be vulnerable.

“Never again,” you vow.

But no matter how you dress it up and display it proudly to make it seem like this level of independence is what you always wanted to be, in truth it’s your wounded, scarred, broken heart behind a protective brick wall.

Impenetrable. Nothing gets in. No hurt gets in. But no love gets in either.

Fortresses and armor are for those in battle, or who believe the battle is coming.

It’s a trauma response.

The good news is trauma that is acknowledged is trauma that can be healed.

You are worthy of having support.
You are worthy of having true partnership.
You are worthy of love.
You are worthy of having your heart held.
You are worthy to be adored.
You are worthy to be cherished.
You are worthy to have someone say, “You rest. I got this.” And actually deliver on that promise.
You are worthy to receive.
You are worthy to receive.
You are worthy.

You don’t have to earn it.
You don’t have to prove it.
You don’t have to bargain for it.
You don’t have to beg for it.

You are worthy.
Worthy.
Simply because you exist.

10/07/2020

Medication is sometimes an important PART of mental wellness, but there can be side effects including the possibility of addiction and other long term effects. Talk therapy can help reduce the dependency on some medications by reducing the negative symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Benzodiazepines have high potential for abuse and can cause addiction.