Don’t Let Cold Weather Freeze You in Your Tracks! Cold Weather Tips
I may be “dating” myself, but I can’t help but think of several holiday song lyrics as I pen type this post. Lyrics like Baby it’s Cold Outside or Let it Snow, let it Snow, let it…
- Anxiety, Christmas, Emotional Support Animals, Grief, Health, Pain Management, Stress Management, Trauma
O Christmas Paw, O Christmas Paws (a doggie Christmas story)
Just a little doggie Christmas story to “take pause paws,” relax, and reflect. A DOG LOVER Ahh…the beautiful sound of Christmas carolers! Can you hear them singing? O Christmas Paws, O Christmas Paws…hmm, what??? Isn’t that supposed…
- Compulsions, Obsessions, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder, Personality Disorder, Psychoeducation
OCD vs OCPD: Differential Diagnosis
Introduction In clinical practice clients may present with symptoms of obsessive thinking or compulsive behaviors. As we evaluate these clients more closely, we may wonder if their overall presentation indicates a diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Or,…
Christmas…past, present, and future (Amish Cinnamon Bread)
With the holidays approaching, I thought it would be fun to change up things a bit and share some cozy, feel-good, and (in this case) tasty topics. Christmas…past, present, and future is about Christmas memories and traditions,…
Helping Clients Deal With Anniversary Reactions
Introduction for Clinicians During the course of my clinical career I have worked with clients who were experiencing anniversary reactions. Some clients were able to quite easily pinpoint the loss or trauma or event that precipitated their…
Book Review: Courageous Faith
I recently had the privilege of reviewing the newly published book, Courageous Faith, by Debbye Turner Bell. After writing a short blurb for Bookish First, I was informed that I had “won” a copy of the book,…
- Bibliotherapy, Chronic Pain, Coping Skills, Guided Imagery, Health, Pain Management, Perception of Pain, Psychoeducation, Stress Management
Pain Management: Alternative Treatment Approaches
Introduction Pain Management: Alternative Treatment Approaches is part 3 in the series: When You or Your Loved One is in Pain. In this article we will explore various mental health and complementary treatment approaches for pain, for…
Pain Versus Suffering
Pain Versus Suffering is part 2 in the series, When You or Your Loved One is in Pain. We will be taking a look at the emotional and psychological aspects of pain…as well as the concept of…
How Do We Sense Pain?
In my 38 years as a Clinical Social Worker in the mental health profession I worked with many people who experienced physical pain. Some had acute pain and others chronic pain. Pain as a result of accidents…
- Bibliotherapy, Change Talk, Decisional Balance, Motivational Interviewing, Psychoeducation, Stress Management
What is Change Talk?
In a recent blog article on The Heart’s Way for Creative Clinicians we explored the therapeutic model of Motivational Interviewing. This article, titled What is Decisional Balance, discussed the concepts of Decisional Balance and Stages of Change.…