Whenever I meet with new clients, I always ask about their diet, exercise routine, and sleep hygiene. Some folks seem puzzled about why a mental health professional would be so interested in their physical well-being, so I thought I'd try to explain. This pyramid depicts the "Hierarchy of Needs" developed by Abraham Maslow. Maslow theorized that humans must meet their lower level needs before they can begin to address needs at a higher level. This means that if we don't hav

When our anxiety gets triggered, our breath is often one of the first casualties. We forget to breathe fully and deprive our bodies of oxygen. Without a good supply of this essential resource, we are less equipped to respond to the anxiety in a healthy way. This simple tool helps to regulate our breath by giving us a visual reminder to lengthen our inhales and exhales. By inhaling as the geometric shapes expand and exhaling as they contract, our breath begins to settle. I

As a family lawyer and a therapist, I have worked with numerous clients who struggle to regulate their emotions in the midst of a divorce. Even the most mild-mannered and even-keeled person can have difficulty remaining rational during this process. This article does a nice job of explaining why and offering practical solutions. Essentially, the brain's amygdala can get triggered by an angry spouse just as it would if a grizzly bear attacked. The fight or flight reaction

Many people are interested in beginning a meditation practice, but aren't sure how to start. A recent New York Times piece provides straightforward instructions on meditation as well as several guided meditations. By committing just a few minutes each day to meditation, you can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression and increase calm, happiness, and brain functioning. #Mindfulness #Meditation #Stress #Anxiety #Depression