FORT LAUDERDALE COUNSELING AND THERAPY BLOG
From Maesk Counseling in Fort Lauderdale - The Power of Nature
The Healing Power of Nature
One only needs to read a few lines from poets such as Frost, Wordsworth, and Thoreau to recognize the love for and connection to nature human beings have always had. Nature stirs our souls and imagination and brings beauty to our everyday lives. But it turns out, nature also brings a slew of benefits to our mental and physical health.
The Many Benefits of Spending Time in Nature
Research is now clearly indicating that spending time outdoors can have a positive impact on our health. Whether you bike, hike, or simply sit under a tree enjoying the sights and sounds, time in nature has shown to reduce stress, slow heart rate, improve pain, lower cortisol, and stimulate the immune system by boosting the production of natural killer cells that fight disease and infection.
In addition, time outside means time in the sun, and THAT means getting a nice boost of vitamin D, which can do everything from preventing disease, make our bones and teeth stronger, and improve our mood.
Give Ecotherapy a Try
Ecotherapy, which is also sometimes referred to as nature therapy, is a practice in the emerging field of ecopsychology. The idea behind this practice is that many modern people, whether they are aware of it or not, feel a massive disconnect from the natural world. When you think about it, our ancestors spent hundreds of thousands of years living WITH nature, feeling it under their bare feet, being outside, ebbing and flowing with the shifts in seasons.
But today, most of us are only connected to a digital device. Ecotherapy gets us away from our screens and out into the beauty of the natural world. Many clinicians, including myself, believe that the earth has a natural ability to balance us. When we get back in touch with the systems of nature, we can experience improved mental health.
If you are feeling out of sorts and like the idea of trying ecotherapy, you can simply spend more time outside. If you would like someone to help you reconnect with nature, please get in touch with me. I am a big proponent of nature therapy and use it in my practice.
SOURCES:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/how-healing-works/202103/the-healing-power-nature
https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/econature-therapy
https://www.natureandforesttherapy.earth/about/the-practice-of-forest-therapy
From Maesk Counseling in Fort Lauderdale - How Anger Affects the Family
Does My Family Have Anger Issues?
It’s not easy accepting that you or someone in your immediate family has trouble controlling their anger. But the sooner you can accept it, the sooner you and your family can find help and begin to heal and learn more respectful ways to communicate.
Here are some signs you and/or someone in your family has anger issues.
The person becomes overtly angry at a mild or insignificant frustration or irritant.
There are later feelings of shame and guilt over something said or done in anger.
You or a family member has experienced big ramifications because of an angry outburst. These can include lawsuits, physical altercations, school suspensions, etc.).
Extended family and/or friends have suggested you or your loved one get some help for your/their anger.
You or your loved one have chronic physical ailments such as hypertension, anxiety, gastrointestinal difficulties.
As young people, we learn to interact with others based on how our family members interact with each other. Once these communication patterns become established in our young minds, it’s hard to change them as adults. This means that any relational patterns that include angry outbursts or aggressive behaviors are apt to appear in our relationships later in life.
Getting Help
Fortunately, you and your family do not have to live the way you currently are. Family counselors are trained to identify behavioral patterns that have been passed from one generation to the next. Once these patterns are uncovered, your therapist can help your family learn appropriate expressions and communication patterns. He or she can also facilitate healthy communication among the group, allowing each family member to share their thoughts, concerns, and feelings safely and without judgment.
Family issues do not have to be severe to seek guidance from a trained therapist. The treatment provides all families the opportunity to understand one another better and communicate in healthier ways.
If you’re interested in getting your family some help, please reach out to me. I’d be more than happy to discuss treatment options.
SOURCES:
https://www.aamft.org/Consumer_Updates/Effect_of_Anger_on_Families.aspx
https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/family-problems
From Maesk Counseling in Fort Lauderdale - Emotional Support Animals
For “no pets” housing, you will need an Emotional Support Animal Evaluation. It is critically important to have this done by a professional who knows what they are doing. Not a week goes by where we do not receive a call from someone who has received an ESA Evaluation from an out-of-state or internet provider who did not understand the requirements or process, and therefore the client’s letter was poorly written and invalid, and was subsequently rejected by a housing authority.
Remember, the rules changed last year, so it is important to be up to date…we are!
We are used to cleaning up others’ messes! Contact us to schedule your evaluation today.
From Maesk Counseling in Fort Lauderdale - What is Social Anhedonia?
When you boil life down to its very essence, you’ll find what’s left is a series of human emotions. All of the experiences in our life come with emotion, whether it’s joy, sadness, anger, or anxiety. That’s why so many people choose to do everything they can to avoid situations that bring pain and only focus on those experiences that offer them pleasure.
How different life would be if we weren’t able to feel the pleasure that human experiences offer us. Some people, however, go through life not being able to feel pleasure. These people suffer from what’s called anhedonia.
What is Social Anhedonia?
Anhedonia is a term used to describe a condition where someone is unable to enjoy the good or pleasurable things in life. Physical anhedonia describes when someone cannot experience pleasure from physical sensations such as the taste of food or the loving caress of a partner.
Social anhedonia describes someone who cannot experience the joy of human companionship.
Of the two disorders, social anhedonia is far more common. Though having said that, it’s important to point out that social anhedonia is not the same as introversion, shyness, or social anxiety. Instead, social anhedonia describes a condition where the person’s ability to feel pleasure and enjoyment from social interactions is diminished or totally missing.
Some of the most common symptoms of social anhedonia are:
Social withdrawal
Lack of relationships
Reduced emotional responses
Depression
Poor social adjustment
Decreased overall positivity
Monotone or flat vocal expression
Causes and Treatment Options
At the root of anhedonia is often depression, though not everyone who experiences social anhedonia is depressed. Unfortunately, many prescription medications for depression can actually cause anhedonia.
Other risk factors for developing anhedonia include:
A family history of schizophrenia or depression
A traumatic or stressful event
A history of neglect or abuse
A chronic illness that impacts your quality of life
A major and sudden illness
Disordered eating
If you believe you or a loved one may be suffering from social anhedonia, it’s important to make an appointment with your healthcare provider to determine if your symptoms are the result of some type of vitamin deficiency or a thyroid disorder.
If everything checks out physically, then it’s important to begin working with a mental health therapist. He or she can develop a customized treatment plan that will focus on what is called “behavioral activation interventions.” I have found in my own practice that by prompting clients to take external actions and focus on savoring or noticing positive experiences, healing can occur, and it can become more commonplace to feel joy from social interactions. In addition, if you are suffering from depression and your social anhedonia is a result, that can be addressed through therapy as well.
If you or a loved one are not enjoying life to the fullest and would like to explore treatment options, please be in touch with me. Contact me HERE. Thanks so much.
SOURCES:
https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/Indicators-of-Social-Anhedonia
https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/anhedonia#causes
From Maesk Counseling in Fort Lauderdale - Surfside
My heart is heavy tonight seeing news of the horrible tragedy in Surfside, FL.
If prayer is your thing, please say a prayer for the lives lost, those left behind, and those awaiting the fate of their loved ones. If you aren’t the praying type, perhaps take a moment to reflect on what happened, and to remember that life is fragile and precious.
From Maesk Counseling in Fort Lauderdale - 5 Signs That You Might be Struggling with Anxiety
It’s normal to feel anxious from time to time. Perhaps you get a bit nervous speaking in front of people or going on a job interview. But for some people, anxiety becomes a frequent and forceful occurrence that completely takes over their lives.
Since anxiety comes in many forms, for instance panic attacks, phobias and social anxiety, it can often be difficult to tell if what you’re experiencing is “normal” or has crossed the line into a mood disorder.
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may want to speak with a counselor who can help you cope with your anxiety.
Excessive Worry
General anxiety disorder (GAD), the broadest type of anxiety, is characterized by excessive worry. People with GAD worry too much about everyday things, both big and small. But what constitutes “too much worry?”
With GAD, people are plagued with persistent, anxious thoughts most days of the week. This anxiety can become so overwhelming it interferes with their daily life. If you are worrying to a degree that you have trouble doing daily tasks and are suffering with your emotions, it may be time to speak with a therapist.
Trouble Sleeping
Sleep issues such as falling asleep or staying asleep have been associated with a myriad of health conditions, both physical and psychological. It’s normal for people to have trouble sleeping from time to time. Perhaps you find yourself tossing and turning before a big job interview or giving a presentation.
However, if you find yourself night after night lying awake, anxious about specific problems (such as relationship problems or financial difficulties), or even about nothing in particular, it may be a sign of an anxiety disorder.
Muscle Tension
Anxiety disorders can often be accompanied by persistent muscle tension. Do you find yourself clenching your jaw or balling your fists throughout the day? You may have lived with this chronic muscular tension for so long you don’t even realize it anymore. While exercise can help relax muscles, therapy will get to the root cause of the anxiety.
Digestive Problems
While anxiety lives in the mind, it is often manifested in the body through chronic digestive problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome. Our guts are very sensitive to emotional and psychological stress. Unfortunately, digestive upset can often make a person feel even more anxious.
Panic Attacks
Panic attacks can be a frightening experience. You are suddenly gripped with an overwhelming feeling of dread and fear. These are often accompanied by physical symptoms such as shortness of breath, racing heart, dizziness, and profuse sweating. Though not everyone who has an anxiety disorder will experience panic attacks, but those that do live in constant fear.
Anxiety disorders keep people from living a joyful and fulfilling life. Luckily there is help. A therapist can assist in uncovering the root cause of the anxiety and offer tools to cope.
If you or a loved one is interested in exploring treatment, please contact me today. I would be happy to speak with you about how I may be able to help.
From Maesk Counseling in Fort Lauderdale - 3 Ingredients to a Happy Marriage
Have you ever wondered why some marriages last decades while others barely go two years? Why do some couples thrive and grow together while others crash and burn?
The secret? There are three secrets, actually; three ingredients to a happy and successful marriage. Without all three of these, many couples will struggle to remain connected and committed.
Communication
Communication is to a marriage what gasoline is to an automobile: without it, you’re not going anywhere. And the better the communication, the longer the “motor” will last.
The words we choose to connect with others are incredibly important. Use the right ones and you generate feelings of love, safety, and security. Use the wrong ones and your partner is apt to feel anger and resentment.
It is often said that HOW you say something is as important as WHAT you say, and in many ways, this is true. When you ask your spouse a question, is their answer thoughtful or dismissive? Do they say, “Yes, that sounds like a great plan,” or “Whatever?” Both are affirmative, but only the first sentence is positive and respectful.
But perhaps the most important factor of good communication is listening. Many marriages have been improved when one or more people learn how to be a good listener.
How exactly do you become a good listener? Two ways: Start caring more about your partner – when you care for someone, you are truly interested in what they have to say. Second, when they are speaking, don’t think about other things – don’t think about your day or what you’d like to have for dinner – don’t even think about how you’d like to respond to what your partner is saying, simply LISTEN to them. Give them your full attention.
The better listeners and communicators you both are, the better partners you can be to each other.
Know Yourself and Your Partner
The sad fact is, most people spend more time trying to understand how their smartphone or tablet works than how their own personality - or that of their partner -works. We’re all individuals with unique quirks and behaviors. The more we understand about ourselves and our spouse, the less conflict we’ll experience.
Put Each Other First
Happy and successful marriages are the ones where each person is putting their partner’s needs first. When both are doing this, all needs are being met. Problems arise when only one individual meets their partner’s needs. When this happens, one person is happy, the other is left out in the cold.
If, after reading this, you have become aware that your marriage is missing some of these critical ingredients, don’t be afraid to seek help from a therapist. Sometimes an impartial third party can help both individuals get their priorities straight.
If you or a loved one is interested in exploring treatment, please contact me today. I would be happy to speak with you about how I may be able to help.
From Maesk Counseling in Fort Lauderdale - Can Long-Term Isolation Lead to an Addiction?
We are living through some of the most stressful times in recent history. With the global pandemic raging on, many of us are still worried about our own health and the health of our loved ones, especially our older friends and family members.
Many of us have also been hit with financial burdens. Some have lost jobs and others have had to close their businesses. How will the mortgage and bills get paid?
To make an already bad situation worse, a lot of us are still experiencing lockdown and quarantine. Many are working from home for the first time and still, others are unable to travel and be with loved ones.
This has left a majority of people feeling alone and isolated when they are already feeling they are most vulnerable.
The Link between Isolation and Drug Use
During stressful circumstances, it is a natural tendency for people to turn to drugs and alcohol as a way of coping. A study reported in the American Journal of Epidemiology found there was a 25% increase in alcohol consumption in the weeks following 9/11.
The stress and isolation of the current pandemic are putting those people who are prone to addiction at great risk. Virtual cocktail hours are now officially a thing. But how many of those cocktail hours end when the computer is shut off?
Human beings are social creatures. When you take our ability to be social away, it can lead to depression and anxiety. Even people who have no history of addiction are at risk of developing a drinking or drug problem during the pandemic as a way of coping with social isolation.
When coping with stress, it can be hard to self-monitor our behaviors, but it is incredibly important for our overall health and well-being. If you suspect you have been drinking or using any drug more than you should at this time, it’s important to be honest about that.
Ask yourself a few questions:
Has cocktail hour started earlier or gone later than usual lately?
Does the bottle of wine that used to last 3 days barely last one night?
Do you ever feel like you SHOULD cut down on your drinking or other drug use?
Have you noticed you’re thinking about drinking or using drugs more and more?
Have loved ones commented on the amount you’ve been drinking?
It’s important that you are honest with yourself at this time. And if you answered yes to one or more of these questions, it’s important that you get some help.
Many treatment centers remain open during this time. You may also want to think about speaking with a mental health counselor. Here at Maesk Counseling we offer telehealth solutions. This means you can receive treatment online.
Times are tough for everyone right now. You are not alone. If you are turning to drugs and alcohol to deal with the stress and isolation, please know that we are here to help. Consider scheduling your appointment today.