Tag: sadness

Handling Distress with Radical Acceptance to Stay Balanced

Sometimes you’ll run into a problem that’s simply out of your control. It can be easy to think, “This isn’t fair..” or “I shouldn’t have this problem..” That kind of mindset only prolongs the pain and the problem. Instead of focusing on your negative emotions, practice radical acceptance in the present moment.

Example: you are in horrible traffic on your way home from work. Instead of becoming belligerent about the situation you are literally stuck in, focus on how you can enjoy this very moment for what it is. Do you listen to a long but intellectual podcast? Do you call someone you haven’t spoken with in a while? Spin the negative situation into a positive and you’ll practice radical acceptance for what it is.

Pain on its own can be difficult. But it’s only when you don’t accept it that it turns into suffering.

Practicing non-attachment does not mean not feeling your emotions. Rather, it refers to an intention of not allowing your pain to turn into suffering.

“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Radical acceptance refers to a healthier way of thinking during already stressful situations. Instead of focusing on how you’d like something / someone to be different, recognize and accept the situation as it is right now. Remember: accepting is not the same as liking or condoning it.

When a person utilizes denial or another defense mechanism, they often end up feeling worse and in more distress because they’re not accepting the reality of the situation. Radical acceptance is a tool to help you see the present moment for what it is and look at it more objectively, rather than purely emotionally.

Learning to accept problems (as they are right now) that are out of your control, will lead to less anxiety, anger, and sadness while you’re dealing with them.

If you’d like information on individual counseling in Long Island, New York, contact Chana Pfeifer, LCSW.

Counseling to Help Deal with Emotional Triggers

Counseling to Help Deal with Emotional Triggers

Emotional triggers can be defined as memories, thoughts, situations or experiences that cause significant distress.

Although they can be a component of trauma-related conditions such as PTSD, they also play a role in anxiety and depression. Whether associated with a traumatic experience of the past or amplified by anxiety, emotional triggers can have negative effects in your life.

The reactivity you may feel to certain events or memories can manifest in a variety of ways.

Emotional outbursts may be directed at others or turned inwards, resulting in immense discomfort. The continued cycle of triggers, distress and avoidance can be exhausting in itself, leaving little space to understand or reduce their frequency and severity.

Common reactions to emotional triggers may include fear, sadness, anger or any number of intense emotions. It may manifest in a physical sense similar to anxiety, with reactions such as a racing heart, nausea, sweating, shaking and/or shortness of breath. When triggered, it may be easy to lash out at others, provoking even more tension and emotional turmoil.

Although one’s immediate reaction to such unpleasant experiences may be to limit exposure to such stressors, avoidance can lead to additional anxiety. It’s important to understand and develop strategies that can help mitigate the stress and fear associated with such situations. Rather than letting such apprehension disrupt your daily activities, learning healthy coping mechanisms can bring immense healing.

A fresh perspective can make a difference in your perception of emotional triggers. Although some triggers may not have a clear origin, taking the time to explore them in a calm, safe environment can be the key to unlocking their mystery.

The guidance of a counselor can help you decode, process and heal from emotional triggers.

In addition to providing a comfortable space to heal from past traumas, therapy can help you develop a holistic plan for the future. Through therapy, one can begin to recognize and take control over situations and memories that trigger emotional discomfort.

Chana Pfeifer can help you begin healing from the effects of triggers and emotional stressors. Together, you can develop a robust plan to experience relief and learn strategies to cope with potential emotional triggers.

Chana offers virtual and in-person, socially-distanced counseling services with a therapeutic plan customized to your individual needs. If you are struggling with the effects of emotional triggers, don’t hesitate to contact Chana today to begin your journey of healing.

For more info. on counseling, call (516) 592-1107 or email Chana Pfeifer, LCSW today.

Social Worker Booking Information:

Accepted Insurance Plans: Aetna

Payments can be made via: Cash, Check, Zelle, Chase QuickPay, American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Visa, Health Savings Account

Seeking Help for Depression

counseling for depressionDo you find it difficult to function in your day to day life?

Have you lost interest in the activities which used to be fun?

Do you find it tough to get up from your bed?

Seeking help for depression is the first step to making a change.

Depression is much more than sadness.

It includes changes in mood and also changes in sleep, energy, appetite, concentration, and motivation.

If your symptoms are causing issues with your relationships or work, and you don’t see a solution; consider seeing a professional counselor.

Talk Therapy

To start, it’s confidential. Therapists are not allowed to release your personal information. This will help you trust your therapist, and you can describe your problems openly to them.

They are not going to judge you & their opinions are solely to help you with your difficulties.

Also, with talk therapy, you can consult a professional who will give you extra support and guidance to point out the factors that contribute to your depression. They will work with you to understand and solve these problems.

Lifestyle Changes

Here’s some lifestyle changes that can be used along with therapy:

● Get enough sleep
● Eat healthily
● Exercise regularly
● Avoid alcohol & drugs
● Meditation

Depression can make it difficult for you to even reach out for help. When you are going through depression, the tendency is to isolate, which makes it hard to connect close family members and friends. Sometimes, even talking and pouring out your feelings can look like a difficult task.

Here are a couple of things you can do along with counseling:

● Join a support group: No one can understand your situation better than another person going through the same. You will find people going through the same type of issue as you or similar.
● Indulge in social activities (online or offline): Depression makes it hard to indulge in social activities, but being around other people will make you feel better. Go out for a walk, join a hobby class, or maybe join a local book club.
● Bring a pet home: Pets can fill your life with love and compassion. Having a furry companion can reduce your sense of isolation.

For more info. on counseling for depression, call (516) 592-1107 or email Chana today.

Social Worker Booking Information:

Accepted Insurance Plans: Aetna

Payments can be made via: Cash, Check, Zelle, Chase QuickPay, American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Visa, Health Savings Account

Childhood Depression / Anxiety

Can kids have depression / anxiety? Yes! Children may insist that they’re not experiencing any mental problems, and parents often ignore a child’s rage as part of their ‘growth phase’. However, persistent irritable behavior can be a sign of childhood depression / anxiety. Moreover, this condition can be worsened if you neglect your kid’s mental health.

What is childhood depression / anxiety?

Childhood depression is different from normal ‘sad’ emotions. If your child’s sadness becomes persistent, interferes with daily activities, family life, or schoolwork, it may indicate that she/he has an issue.

Parents must pay attention to their kid’s emotions. Your children can feel anxious about different things at different ages. However, anxiety can be a problem when it starts to get in the way of daily life. For example, a child becomes so anxious on exam day that he/she cannot manage to go to school that day.

The main causes of depression in children:

Depression in childhood does not have a single cause. However, the significant causes of depression in children are:

  • Parental conflicts
  • Parental neglect
  • Divorce
  • Family disputes
  • Verbal, sexual or physical abuse
  • Social violence / bullying in school
  • Genetic issues
  • Financial issues
Common symptoms of depression include:
  • Depressed mood, crying / feeling angry often
  • Lack of energy
  • Loss of pleasure in favorite activities
  • Excessive sleeping or insomnia
  • Feelings of guilt / shame
  • Inability to make decisions
  • Thoughts of death / suicide
  • Changes in eating

A treatment plan depends upon the individual nature and severity of your child’s condition. Counseling and social support are considered the best option to reduce depression / anxiety.

Depression / anxiety can have a severe impact on physical, mental, and social well-being for everyone, including kids. It’s essential to keep an eye for warning signs in your child’s behavior. Parents should be willing to know what their child is feeling and be careful to remain non-judgmental and supportive. Early attention to a child’s behavior can reverse severe disorders of anxiety and depression in the future.

For more info. on counseling, call (516) 592-1107 or email Chana Pfeifer, LCSW today.

Social Worker Booking Information:

Chana Pfeifer, LCSW

Accepted Insurance Plans:

Aetna

Payments made via:

Cash, Check, Zelle, Chase QuickPay, American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Visa, Health Savings Account

Overcoming Depression: How Counseling is Helpful

How counseling is helpful in dealing with and overcoming depression with Chana Pfeifer, Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Depression remains one of the most misunderstood issues we can suffer from. Everyone feels down from time to time, but depression is something very different, which is why sufferers need more help than being told to roll their sleeves up and just get on with it.

In fact, around 7% of Americans live with depression, that’s 16 million people, and there are many approaches to help them. At the heart of that help is therapy, but as depression itself is often misunderstood, so is the role of therapy in helping sufferers to deal with depression, and eventually overcome it.

Expressing the Problem

For many suffers of depression, talking to a counselor may be the first time they ever express the problem clearly. Just having someone who will listen can itself help, but for many, it’s the reassurance that the problem can be overcome.

Many sufferers feel ashamed that they are weak or a failure to succumb to the condition. Of course, this is not true, but for a sufferer, it can feel that way until it is otherwise explained. Therapy is often the first step to understanding the problem for sufferers.

Understanding the problem is the start of any journey to recovery, and during therapy, there may be many techniques used to help build the awareness of issues and the tools needed to overcome them, here’s an example..

A New Perspective

One of the ways counselling can be so helpful is by allowing patients to see the kind of behavior that reinforces the depression. Talking with a counselor can help sufferers to see things from a new perspective, in a very literal sense.

Those suffering from depression often have continual negative thoughts about past behavior, and that affects their view for the future too, assuming failure before trying to do anything.

This way of thinking often manifests physically too – staring at one area, often the floor, all the time and never looking up. During therapy, this kind of behavior can be identified and explained, and when encouraged to look up and look around physically, it can also be a catalyst to help the patient do the same with their thoughts. A new perspective can help you think differently about those key parts of life. Body posture affects your self-confidence!

Trusted Support

Chana Pfeifer, LCSW * The Happier MeEach journey to overcome depression is unique, but the constant from any therapy is complete support. By providing a safe space where issues can be discussed in a trusting, non-judgmental environment, the cause of depression and the behaviors it causes, can be addressed over time. This allows patients to build a tool set that helps them to overcome their problem and cope with future issues too.

For more information on overcoming depression through counseling, call (516) 592-1107 or email Chana Pfeifer, LCSW today.