Nancy Sakmar MSEd, LPCC Clinical Counselor

04/10/2024

It has been a financial nightmare. Still here trying to provide services.

Patients and health care providers have been struggling following a recent cyberattack on Change Healthcare, which is owned by UnitedHealth Group.

12/20/2023

A Very Happy Holiday Season is Wished to my Clients and their Families!

Office is now closed till 12/26/23. Use the Portal for your scheduling needs. Thank You!

09/25/2023

Good Article on increase of Depression to lesser thought of reasons.

Reminder to all with Seasonal Affective Disorder, as we transition to Fall Get out your Happy Lights and Use them 20min per Day. Increase Social and Exercise even if you don't want too! Negative thinking will seem to make more sense, so be Extra Careful about what thoughts you give permission too!

Depression often co-occurs alongside other mental health concerns, like anxiety, PTSD, substance use disorder, and more. Untreated, it can wreak havoc on all areas of a person’s life, from work and school to family and physical health.

12/15/2022

Repeat after me: I am allowed to be a work in progress and help others at the same time. How are you doing today?

12/15/2022

12/14/2022

Exceptional Thoughtfulness from Clients I work with. So Very Grateful.

10/20/2022

Mental health conditions aren't "simple things" that people can get over. This is why education, understanding and empathy are needed to help remove the stigma surrounding mental health.
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Image via traumabreakthrough on IG

10/20/2022

Close to Classy

07/03/2022

9-8-8 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Su***de Prevention Lifeline.

While some areas may be currently able to connect to the Lifeline by dialing 988, this dialing code will be available to everyone across the United States starting on July 16, 2022.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3LknUB5

03/03/2022

Next time you feel the urge to correct your partner's behavior, try connecting with them first.

This means making an effort to understand our partner’s experiences, perspective, and reasoning before jumping in to correct them or “fix” what you think they’re doing wrong.

When we engage our curiosity, we may access vulnerability and emotions that deepen our connection.

The Candidly spoke with Gottman Institute Research Director Dr. Don Cole about the importance of curiosity over correction. Read more: https://bit.ly/3zHjsbv

02/08/2022

PSA: Your thoughts are not facts! Your thoughts lie, they lie a lot! Develop a disciplined mindset to challenge your thinking patterns.

01/30/2022

I've been hearing about counselors being overbooked. I keep my schedule open for New People in Need! In- person(T,W) and Telehealth(M, Th) availability.
Easy to schedule yourself

TherapyPortal improves patient/therapist communication by allowing for self-scheduling, appointment reminders, and much more.

01/17/2022

We talk about this in therapy. Measure (1-10) your upset level. Don't continue above a 7. Be specific that you plan to return to the conversation.
Retreat, Restore to a 4, Return

"One of my favorite strategies to teach people is that they’re actually allowed to pause difficult conversations. The Gottman Institute's research illustrates how we can become emotionally flooded and actually completely unable to communicate properly during emotionally charged conversations. This is why the whole “don’t go to bed angry” advice is actually super flawed. You can and should take breaks when you’re overwhelmed and talking about something hard.

I know some of us want to finish convos like NOW and we want a resolution. So, when someone asks you to table a conversation or to take a break, it can really create anxiety.

Whenever you decide you need a break, it’s important to address it, make it clear, and give some type of security that you will be returning to the conversation later. The goal here is to create safety, calm down, and come back to it later. This isn’t the strategy to use when you want to avoid talking about something and brush it under the rug.

If you need more time than you initially said, fine. Tell them! What’s important here is that you’ve stated your need, used the time to regulate yourself and gain clarity, and then returned to the conversation to either continue or let them know what you may need."

Learn how to love smarter by taking a break. Read more on the Gottman Relationship Blog: https://bit.ly/3nK4HQJ

Illustration and copy by Whitney Goodman, LMFT (Whitney - sitwithwhit)

01/10/2022

"Instead of resolutions, I remind myself of certain behaviors I believe I can accomplish."

01/10/2022

Everyone has basic human needs. No one can be perfect, but continuously ignoring your personal needs is harmful. Things like poor diet, an overly messy or unsanitary living space, and poor hygiene are all signs of self-neglect. Self-neglect isn’t usually intentional; it is typically the result of low energy, low motivation, or apathy.

Any mental health condition can involve self-harm, but some conditions are especially linked with self-harm. These include borderline personality disorder (BPD), eating disorders, depression, and addiction.

Self-harm is a habit that can be hard to stop. It can even become an addiction. Even though these behaviors harm you, they are still ways of coping. As you reduce your self-harm behaviors, you’ll need to replace them with other, healthier coping mechanisms. Seek out support from people who care about you, and remember that lasting change takes time.

Learn how to identify types of self-harm and how you can reach out to someone for support: https://bit.ly/3oFugB2

11/03/2021

It was an answer to Freudian analysis: a pragmatic, thought-monitoring approach to treating anxiety, depression and other mental disorders, and it changed psychiatry.

11/02/2021

I just finished up with alot of clients so if you have been waiting to get in..Nows the time! Openings available M and Th telehealth and Tues and Weds in office for vaccinated folks.
Self schedule at www.therapyportal.com/p/44444