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Bullying
Bullying is a form of emotional/verbal/psychological abuse that can affect people of any age. Often harder to prove due to lack of physical evidence, the fact remains that victims can be seriously damaged for life. Regardless of the person’s age, the following illustrations will hopefully emphasize the need for increased media exposure regarding this topic. Children are vulnerable and unable to defend themselves so often. Lightly supervised or unsupervised playgrounds in neighborhoods, schools, and recreation facilities are common breeding grounds for bullies to flourish. Mark is a 6-year-old boy who is currently in therapy with a child psychologist due to being bullied on his school playground. His specific bullying was…
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Stress and Anxiety
If stress and anxiety are extreme, they will hamper our daily functioning ability. Indeed, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders beset approximately 40 million adults a year. The most common mental health disorder in the US, anxiety can be classified as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and/or post-traumatic stress disorder. Eliminating known triggers of chronic anxiety is crucial. Thoughts, people, situations, and behaviors that send you into a panic attack are triggers to be observed and worked through. In addition, the feeling of powerlessness or loss of control can produce chronic anxiety. To prevent this from activating a panic attack, you…
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The Stress of Yes
Chronic subjugation begins in the mind, the battlefield where choices are made. This particular battle involves choosing truth over compliance. “Shall I say what I really believe, or shall I choose to please no matter what it may cost me?” We must choose to either speak the truth appropriately or comply unwillingly. When we choose the second option, self-condemnation reigns, and stress and anxiety are the result. When a pattern of chronic subjugation develops, subjugation becomes an automatic choice through which an individual habitually and unconsciously attempts to please another person or group. Those who chronically subjugate often ask themselves, Why did I say yes? I have too much on…
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Guided Visualization
Once you have achieved a relaxed state through the deep breathing exercise, guided visualization (also referred to as guided imagery) can further deepen your level of calm. This technique and therapeutic tool brings the use of your imagination to the forefront. Over many decades of studies, the efficacy of this technique has been research-based and confirmed to be effective in improving well-being and health and further reducing the stress you combat. Cofounders for the Academy of Guided Imagery, David Bresler and Martin Rossman, have defined guided imagery as a “range of techniques from simple visualization and direct imagery-based suggestion through metaphor and storytelling.” They observe that guided imagery has existed…
Psychotherapist – National Board Certified – Licensed Professional Counselor