Summit Psychology, PLLC

08/12/2021

Every summer I take the month of August off, and I put a lot of time and effort into discussing and processing this with my patients. This summer I am taking five weeks off, and as you might imagine, patients have lots of reactions to this length of separation: worry, apprehension, excitement, fear, among many others. What I was not prepared for was how many times I heard, “Good for you!” or, “You really deserve it!” It’s a great reminder that our patients are resilient and more often than not keenly aware of how well (or not well) we as mental health professionals attend to our own well-being. I was truly touched by their recognition that their therapist needs to take care of herself, too. Be a model to your patients. Tend to your own mental health and schedule time off!

06/02/2021

This is a great little read that summarizes some very useful psychological principles. I would love to see a middle school or high school class built around discussing and familiarizing students with these useful concepts 💗

A knowledge of basic psychology could help you better understand your mind and benefit your mental health. How many of these terms do you know?...

05/25/2021

Tuesday thoughts. Let’s reframe the notion of “failure.” I encourage my patients to think of failure as an inevitable step towards learning. The more you can lean into failure and use it to get curious, the less fearful and anxiety-provoking it becomes.

12/18/2020

When people think of psychotherapy, they may picture the image of inevitable tears, anger, sadness, various stages of grief, interpretation, reflection and insight. But laughter? And not just giggles that accompany the jitters or chuckles designed to avoid bigger issues — but full on, doubled-over, gut-splitting, tears from your eyes laughter. One of the most surprising aspects of being a psychotherapist that I’ve encountered is how often and how deeply I laugh with my patients. Not at them, but with them. Big difference. It’s not really discussed during our training years except to suggest that we should not deviate from being a “blank slate.” But laughter can relieve stress, pave the way for processing the absurdities of life, boost our mood and let us feel more connected. Some of my most memorable moments in session have involved a deeply shared laugh. And it almost always involves a heartfelt moment of connection and reciprocity. Find a therapist who laughs with you. It really is good medicine.

10/06/2020

Painful or traumatic experiences can get in the way of developing an authentic sense of self. This, in turn, can make it really difficult to connect with others in a genuine way. Psychotherapy can help.

09/08/2020

Congratulations to Valerie Egnot Christopherson of Dearborn Heights District #7! She was randomly selected as the recipient of a $50 Visa gift card. Summit Psychology, PLLC wishes Valerie and all teachers a safe and happy start to the school year.

08/26/2020

Summit Psychology, PLLC recognizes that educators are about to embark on a school year like no other, and they are being asked to give of themselves in a way they never have before. The unspoken expectation is that teachers will be the calm in the eye of the storm, gatekeepers, reassurers and parents by proxy ... all while managing their own anxieties and providing a classroom atmosphere of safety, compassion and learning. This is all before they even begin to write lesson plans and devise the best way to try to provide some normalcy in a year that has been anything but normal. Teachers, please know that Summit Psychology, PLLC sees you, understands the challenges you are facing and values you tremendously! We have no doubt that you will meet and exceed every challenge with your own unique way of doing what is best for your students. As a small gesture of gratitude and appreciation, Summit Psychology, PLLC will be gifting an educator a $50 gift card to use in your classroom as you see fit. If you are a teacher, entering is EASY! Simply follow , tag at least one educator friend, and drop me your district in the comments below! A winner will be randomly chosen on September 8, 2020 (aka: the first day of school for many of us).

06/19/2020

Personal growth is on the other side of your comfort zone. One of the things that therapy teaches us is that we can learn to tolerate and even embrace discomfort. What would your life look like if you no longer felt the need to avoid tough conversations, painful memories, burdensome feelings or difficult relationships?

06/04/2020

05/28/2020

A great little read on why it’s as important as ever to be working on long-term growth; yes, even in the midst of a pandemic.

Is there a point to working on long-term growth when the world is in chaos?

05/16/2020

I miss my office. I miss seeing my patients in person. But I do have magnificent pens! These were a gift from my wonderful sister . She’s been an elementary school teacher for twenty years, and she and her colleagues are going above and beyond every day to find new and creative ways to engage and inspire their students. Teachers, like our front liners, are real life heroes! As we are all safely sheltering in our homes, they are shaping and touching the lives of their kids under extraordinary circumstances, reassuring them, providing normalcy and still encouraging curiosity, critical thinking and connectedness! For these and so many more reasons, teachers hold a special place in my heart and are always seen at significantly reduced rates at Summit Psychology, PLLC. If you know a kid that grew up to be a thoughtful and responsible adult, one who values science, fact, thoughtful discussion and a respectful and open exchange of ideas, thank a teacher 💗Teachers, Summit Psychology thanks YOU!