Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be developed because of numerous reasons, including when you have witnessed or lived through a traumatic event. Counseling can be very helpful to overcome certain triggers of PTSD and get to the root of the problem. The truth is that the symptoms of PTSD only increase with time and do not decrease on their own. Though people experience PTSD differently, the symptoms fall into three main categories, and if you are experiencing these symptoms, you should contact Lifeworks to schedule a consultation: Are you re-experiencing symptoms or reliving the traumatic event in any of these forms? Intrusive, upsetting thoughts, memories Flashbacks – of an event particularly Nightmares – either of the event or anything negative Intense distress brought about by reminders of the event Strong physical reactions to reminders of the trauma – nausea, -rapid heartbeat, -shortness of breath, -muscle tension, or -sweating Are you avoiding events or activities that trigger memories of the trauma? Specific places, activities, feelings or thoughts (large crowds, frightening movies Selective memory loss – forgetting certain aspects of the traumatic event Anhedonia – loss of enjoyment in activities and loss of interest Feelings of emotional numbness or disinterest Hopelessness Anxiety…
There are moments in everyone’s life when they experience extreme sadness or happiness. At times we also experience stress, grief, and conflict. But, when is it time to seek help? Well, the truth is more often than not, Americans who need a professional do not either have one or are unaware that they need one. There are some identifying psychological factors that promote suffering needlessly, and those in distress may actually make the problem worse by avoiding professional help. In our fast-paced culture, many people find it difficult to juggle idealistic work and home life demands. Dealing with high levels of daily stress can negatively affect our physical and mental health. Some common physical ailments, such as headaches, digestive problems, high blood pressure, insomnia, and an impaired immune system, can be due to stress. This same idea applies to psychological issues, such as anger, irritability, depression, and anxiety. On a daily basis, we find ways to lower our stress levels is consequently extremely important for our overall health. Anything from eating right, exercising, getting enough sleep, and meditating on a systematic basis are all factors that can contribute to a well-adjusted lifestyle. However, when these self-care techniques fail to help us feel better, seeking help from a third party may be…
Our counseling center, Lifeworks, employs excellent grief therapists to help cope with loss. Dealing with grief can be very difficult because it forces one to confront very painful emotions. Loss and grief can happen simultaneously or independent of one another. Grief is an inner sense of loss, sadness, and emptiness; mourning is a way to express those feelings. For many people acknowledging their feelings may be a difficult step to complete. If you don’t face your grief, your wounds might never quite go away. Accept that the pain you’re feeling is part of dealing with grief and moving toward a state of healing and acceptance. Grief begins as a natural response to loss. Generally, more significant the loss, the more intense grief can be. Some examples of loss include: Relationship breakeup Health related problems Being fired, quitting, or retiring from your job Financial loss Death of a pet Grieving is an individual experience; there’s no right or wrong way to grieve. How you grieve depends on many factors, including your temperament and coping style, your life experience, your faith, and how momentous the loss was to you. For some people, the healing process starts within weeks or months, for others, it…
Since the release of the Netflix Original Show “13 Reasons Why,” parents, educators, and teenagers all across the nation have been raising questions and concerns about the TV shows representation of a best-selling novel. This TV show has created a viral storm across the nation, and especially for psychologists and therapists across the nation. At Lifeworks, we pride ourselves on remaining up to date with mental health issues. So, why should you come to Lifeworks for your counseling and therapy needs? We have compiled a list of 13 reasons why Lifeworks may be the right for you: Counseling of Anxiety and Panic Therapy The presence of excessive anxiety and worry about a variety of topics, events, or activities can be extremely overwhelming. Sometimes you may feel worried in a mannerism that is clearly excessive. This means you worry even when there is nothing wrong or in a manner that is disproportionate to the actual risk. You may see yourself spending a many waking hours worrying about something, or maybe have feelings of anxiety or panic without any warning. At this time, it helps to seek intervention by a professional. Counseling for Depression From time to time, we all feel down, or…
Lifeworks in Dallas and Carrolton, Texas is dedicated to your counseling needs. Our psychologists are board-certified and at your service for whatever you may need. We understand that there are many reasons married couples decide to seek counseling. Our counseling service provides a supportive environment that allows couples to overcome barriers interfering with their relationship potential. Our therapists individually study and learn each couple to help them find the resolution they are seeking. In the United States, divorce rates vary with the partners’ level of education, religious beliefs, and even financial status’. For adults, divorce can be one of life’s most stressful life events. The decision to divorce often is met with unsureness and hesitation about the future. While divorce may be necessary and the healthiest choice for some, others may wish to try to rescue whatever is left of the union. When couples encounter problems or issues, they may wonder when it is suitable to seek marriage counseling. As time goes by, what are some of the signs you should be aware of that you may need counseling? Here are some good reasons to seek marriage counseling: First, and foremost, what is communication like? Has it become negative? Once communication…
Going to couple’s therapy can be a stressful decision. But, our therapy centers in Dallas and Carrolton, Texas, are specialized to your couple needs. Today we want to discuss with you some key ideas on how to maintain a successful relationship. To help better understand, we have condensed the keys into five main topics – positivity, empathy, commitment, acceptance, and mutual love and respect. These five topics are further emphasized by proper and continuous communication. Many couples feel that they are alone when they start questioning their relationship, but they are not alone. Approximately fifty percent of marriages in the United States end in divorce, defying the phrase, “happily ever after.” Yet, marriage continues to be an important goal for most people, with an overwhelming ninety percent of adults getting married at least once in their life. Initially, all couples aspire to creating an excellent married life, and then things may change and life happens. All relationships change over time. To begin the conversation about a successful relationship, we start with positivity. Experts have found the main difference between stable and unstable relationships is the amount of positive thoughts and actions people have towards each other. If there is too…
Learning to problem solve is often difficult even for some adults, but it is one of the most important skills we learn and need in life. So why not start teaching our children to solve problems at an early age. Im not talking about the “how can you get the triangle into the box kind of problem.” Im referring to the “what if she would have pushed you back,” kind of problems.
My favorite thing (or least favorite), is when I have a family come in and mom and/or dad is complaining about the child’s behavior, and all the mean time the parent has cussed, hit, or discussed an adult matter right in front of the child. My response is “Monkey See Monkey Do….sometimes.”
If you counted how many times a day you tell your child not to do something, then counted how many times you tell them you like what they are doing; which number do you think would be higher?? Yup, most likely the what not to do number, right? Several research studies have been done finding that children who are praised for their behaviors are more likely to continue repeating the good behaviors. I wanted to blog about the different types of praise and how to give it appropriately.
