|
1) Weight management for children
It is unhealthy to try to put your child on a “diet” and expect him or her to lose weight. Like an adult, there are many contributing factors to your child’s weight problem. Focusing only on your child’s eating habits will make him or her feel like they are being singled out, which may affect their self esteem. In order for your child to be successful in making changes with weight, the entire family has to get involved. Our treatment approach uses positive reinforcement with respect to making healthy food choices, choosing physical/family activities and improve family communication. We help your child to understand their feelings related the weight problem and change the way they react to the emotional triggers of overeating. With both counseling and nutrition therapy, your child and your family can begin to solve their weight problems together and avoid the life long battle with dieting.
- Lisa Szudarski, LCSW
- Lisa Carroll, MS, RD, LDN
2) Personal weight management
If you’ve spent your life struggling with your weight, you’ve probably already realized that diets don’t work to solve the real problem of overeating. Your real problem is likely your emotional attachment to food, or “emotional eating”. People often use food as a response to cope with stress, depression and anxiety . Once you’ve developed an emotional dependency on food, it is difficult to change these habits on your own. With professional guidance from a therapist , we can help you to identify your emotional and sensory triggers to overeating and find healthy alternatives to cope with your feelings. The nutritionist allows you to discover the facts and fallacies about food and nutrition and how they affect your weight and well being. Without “dieting” you can improve your relationship with food and have better control over your food choices. Our professional team can help you change your thoughts, behaviors and reactions to food that will ultimately impact your weight. By probing into the real issues behind overeating, you can expect to see more long lasting results to your health and well being.
- Lisa Szudarski, LCSW
- Lisa Carroll, MS, RD, LDN
3) Infertility
Deciding to have a baby is probably the biggest decision most
women ever make. But when the pregnancy doesn't happen, the biggest
excitement soon turns to be one of the biggest stressors. Facing
the fact that you are infertile can be overwhelming. Whether it's
your first pregnancy or your second or third child, being unable
to conceive is devastating.
The medical progress in the field of infertility treatment has
been tremendous over the past few decades. Women now have many
options if they are unable to conceive. However, the physical
and emotional affects of infertility can, in and of itself, actually
make it even harder to get pregnant. The stress caused by merely
"being infertile" can make it more difficult for a woman
to relax and let nature take its course.
Counseling can benefit a woman and her partner in a number of
different ways. Meeting with a therapist experienced in infertility
can help a woman better understand the physical and medical aspects
of treatment and help reduce anxiety. It can also benefit her
by learning stress management skills and relaxation techniques
to help improve the body's response to fertility treatment. Counseling
can educate a woman on different holistic approaches to infertility
and may provide better options than strictly medical treatment.
Counseling can also provide a woman with new options and alternative
viewpoints on having children. It can also help a woman gain acceptance
and find resolution if she decides to not have a child.
Sharing your thoughts and fears with a therapist who's been through
the same experience can be invaluable. Infertility can be difficult
and complicated, but counseling can be of tremendous help during
this very stressful time of life.
- Lisa Szudarski, L.C.S.W.
4) Males & Eating Disorders
Most people probably don't realize that 10 percent of people seeking
treatment of an eating disorder are male. Anorexia nervosa and
bulimia nervosa are usually thought to be disorders affecting
women. However, in the past few decades, more and more men and
boys have come forward with significant eating-disorder symptoms.
The increase in general "life stress," especially with
adolescents could be one reason. The continued pressure by the
media on all young adults to look "perfect" is probably
another big factor why more males are struggling.
Whatever the reason, males with eating disorders are fairly similar
to their female counterparts in the symptoms they present. They
can obsess over fat and have distorted body images. They usually
struggle with feelings of inadequacy or low self esteem . They
often have difficult family situations and may have another family
member with weight control issues. The excessive dieting or weight
control is used as an unhealthy coping mechanism for difficult
emotional situations. Whether it's restrictive eating, binging
and purging or obsessive exercise, all forms of eating disorder
symptoms are treatable with a good therapist and dietitian.
Males who are motivated for treatment seem to do very well with
recovery. Finding qualified specialists is key to recovery. A
dietitian, psychiatrist, if needed, and a therapist who specializes
in eating disorders is a must for anyone looking to overcome their
eating disorder. Males can expect to fully recover if they follow
the correct guidelines for treatment.
- Lisa Szudarski, L.C.S.W.
5) Children with ADD/ADHD
What do John Lennon, Albert Einstein, Michael Jordan, Whoopi Goldberg,
Walt Disney, Cher and John F. Kennedy have in common? They all
were either diagnosed with or have exhibited many of the symptoms
of ADD/ADHD. Knowing that we are among such esteemed company is
just one of the insights that help those of us (including myself)
to feel proud of the traits which symbolize ADD/ADHD. Building
from fear and avoidance to acceptance and confidence is the first
phase of treatment of children with ADD/ADHD. Establishing a rapport
during this part of treatment, children and parents come to trust
that ADD/ADHD is something to embrace and that shame is something
to fight off...something we don't deserve.
During the second phase of treatment, an action plan is implemented.
A "coach" (usually a parent) is identified to support
their child in following through with various organizational and
time-management tasks. Children learn to self-regulate by using
cognitive strategies as well as physical relaxation. Contact is
made with schools so that teacher/school social worker and therapist
work together in supporting the student with interventions which
are discreet, empathic and empowering. Teachers and parents are
encouraged to practice using simple, non-threatening prompts.
Prompting can take a number of forms: hand signals, signs posted
on mirrors or walls, note cards or laminated cue cards the student
can carry from place to place and, of course, short and simple
directives which, when used properly, are received by children
as "reminding" rather than
"nagging."
As children learn to adjust independently to the challenges posed
by ADD/ADHD, they learn to channel their creative energy into
activity that is productive and meaningful to their sense of self.
Their ability to both self-monitor and self-evaluate is a process
devoid of shame. During this last phase of treatment, children
use and manage their own day timer to organize their lives without
specific coaching. Treatment options are left open-ended for the
future as ADD/ADHD often poses new challenges during adolescence.
- Patrick Trapp, L.C.S.W
6) Two strategies to help with Depression
Search the Internet for advice on how to treat depression and
you’re likely to find thousands of pages, many of which
suggest the same thing: a combination of medication and individual
therapy. So rather than reiterate treatment modalities, here are
some specific exercises that many of my clients have found helpful.
Hook!
In life there are countless things that happen to us every day,
many of which we can not control. The "hook" exercise
is intended to help recognize that though we often can't control
our environment, we can control our response to it. It is hard
for anyone to recognize this seemingly simple fact, but for the
depressed person, it is often so complex as to be paralyzing.
This is why the "hook" exercise, in all its simplicity
is so often an appropriate and manageable first step in climbing
up out of the darkness of depression. The "hook" analogy
suggests that the client memorize a simple script to self-recite
three times (morning, afternoon and early evening) a day. The
outcome of the script helps clients increase self-awareness and
their ability to recognize life’s external triggers simply
by saying the word "hook." Once the client becomes competent
in impulsively responding with a new awareness (a process that
typically takes about 2 to 3 months), the more difficult task
of replacing unhealthy feelings of fear, anger and hopelessness
with feelings of safety, confidence and acceptance is put into
place. During this phase of the exercise, clients use cognitive
restructuring, relaxation, and rational emotive therapy to effectively
swim off the hook.
It's Good To See You.
In working with adolescents with depression, it is important to
give parents strategies to help their children. This exercise
is the simplest and tends to yield the most immediate results.
Adolescents with depression are often very frustrating to their
parents. It is common for parents, at best, to feel more detached
from their depressed child and, at worst, (well, there are worse
behaviors) to outwardly exhibit behavior the child perceives as
extreme disappointment and even hatred. "It's Good to See
You" suggests that the parent(s), upon first seeing his or
her child in the afternoon or evening, after having been apart
(child at school...parent at work or home) all day, simply state
"It's good to see you." The parent is not to ask any
questions, even one as seemingly innocuous as "how was your
day?" The parent can address other questions or concerns
later in the evening (after at least 30 minutes have passed).
The point of "It's good to see you" is to slowly plant
in the adolescents’ brain the notion that Mom and Dad think
positive thoughts about him or her throughout their day (even
if this is only true on a subconscious level). Parents have a
right to be angry and frustrated with their children, but most
parents’ anger is based on fear and worry. Beyond these
painful feelings, at the core of everything is love for their
children. In order to remember that love at their core, "It's
good to see you" suggests that parents use an external trigger
like the handle to the door of the home and replace it with a
loving image of their child. The image that seems to work best
most often is that of holding the child for the first time as
a newborn. This helps parents to set aside frustration and stress
and genuinely express when they see their adolescent for the first
time since the morning "It's good to see you." Adolescents
are unaware that their parents have been given this exercise ...
instead, within two weeks they typically report that they feel
their relationship with their parents has improved, and, often,
so have their feelings of confidence and motivation.
- Patrick Trapp, L.C.S.W
7) Nutritional Guide for Eating Disorders
Often times an eating disorder starts out as a “diet”
that escalates into extreme behaviors. Diets are everywhere, and
we are often easily influenced to follow their gimmicks. The mentality
is a quick fix, but those quick fixes can have negative consequences
on our health.
Potential Health Risks
• Cardiac (Heart) problems
• Arrhythmia (irregular heart beat)
• Low pulse rate (below 60 beats per minute)
• Low K+ (potassium)
• Osteopenia / Osteoporosis
• Low bone density (risk for fractures)
• Renal (Kidney) problems
• Kidney stones
• Kidney failure
• Orthostasis
• Irregular electrolyte balance (can lead to passing out)
• Irregular blood sugars
• Hypoglycemia (Low blood sugar)
• Hyperglycemia (High blood sugar)
These are just a few of the potential health risks due to crash
dieting, restricting and/or binge-purging. Luckily, our body is
forgiving when we start to treat it right and provide it the nutrition
it needs to function properly. Here are a few steps to healthy
eating.
Guidelines to Healthy Eating
• Start off your morning with a balanced breakfast of protein,
whole grains and some fruit
• Skipping breakfast can lead to binge eating later in the
day
• Control your blood sugars by eating 5-6 times per day
(3 meals and 2-3 snacks)
• A snack is small serving consisting of fruit a small handful
of granola
• The goal is to rev the metabolism and to prevent over-eating
at the next meal
• Stay clear of artificial sweeteners (splenda, sweet-n-low,
equal)
• The can desensitize your taste buds and can also lead
to binging on sweets
• This includes Diet Coke….drink water (~60-70oz/day)
• Provide your body the vitamins and minerals it needs by
having a fruit and/or vegetable at EVERY meal
• Try to get in a variety of colors throughout the day
• Make sure to get in a healthy amount of fats
• Avocado, almonds, walnuts, flax seed, olive oil, peanut
butter (natural)
- Stephanie Cook, RD, LD
8) Body Image & Self Esteem for women
It seems there is more pressure than ever these days on women.
From young teens to adulthood, there are strong messages women
receive from society about who to be, how to look and what to
do. Perfectionism, pressure to perform, insecurity, self-doubt,
guilt, and low self-esteem are part of a long list of what many
teens and women experience on a regular basis. Often, these feelings
can lead to problems and consequences that only add to the complexities
of life. Some of those problems include depression, anxiety, social
phobias, body image problems, and eating disorders.
The good news is that there is hope in overcoming these issues.
Often women just need a place to “vent” in the form
of a listening ear. Talking with other women and validating these
feelings in and of itself can sometimes bring relief. Increasing
support systems is crucial, and often women struggle to ask for
help. Learning how to delegate, asking for help when needed, and
setting appropriate boundaries and limits are often effective
strategies to overcome the problem. Sometimes our own perceptions,
thoughts and belief systems can influence the way we feel about
ourselves and our place in the world. Often these thoughts can
be distorted, out of line with our values or just need to be challenged
to develop a more adaptive and constructive way of thinking. This
can be done often in brief treatment therapy that focuses on using
a highly effective technique called Cognitive Therapy.
Finally, teens, young girls, and women need to see themselves
in a more positive and accepting way. Unfortunately, it is more
the exception rather than the rule for a woman to feel good about
her body, looks and appearance. Women need to develop gratitude
about their bodies, and learn to create a mental filter around
unrealistic media and societal expectations for beauty, youth
and self-worth. Improving body image and self-esteem can lead
to a more empowered existence and can bring about peace, fulfillment
and gratitude that no size zero or anti-wrinkle cream ever could!
- Gina Graham, L.C.S.W.
9) Helping Teens Cope with Body Image Issues
Being a parent is hard enough, but the incessant bombardment from
society with media images, concepts, and ideas can frustrate even
the most vigilant parent. Every year teens are exposed to literally
millions of media images. Our society is arguably caught in a
crisis of overstimulation, unrealistic expectations, perfectionism,
pressure and rampant consumerism. Teens have a hard enough time
navigating their world. But without a doubt, the high degree of
media influence only complicates things for teens. The fact that
teens have difficulty coping is evidenced by growing numbers of
depression, anxiety, social phobia, OCD, and eating disorders.
We also see teens engaging far too often and at younger ages in
high-risk behaviors, such as drinking, drug use, sex, self-injury,
suicidal thoughts and other dangerous behaviors.
Parents in family therapy quite often tell me that they feel at
a loss how to help their teens. Whether it is from school, television,
music and video or the dramatic increase in time spent on the
Internet, parents are never quite sure how to help, intervene
or set limits. Sometimes “typical teen” behavior,
such as impulsivity, irritability, moodiness, or body image problems
and dieting can be overlooked and something more serious could
be going on. It is for this reason that it is imperative that
parents establish a line of communication with teens about how
they are feeling, how they are coping with their world, and what
they need to talk about in order to align what they experience
in their world to the values they learn at home.
Many parents report feeling “shut out” by their teens,
so establishing an open communication pattern may sound said than
done. If you as a parent are concerned about your teen, don’t
hesitate to ask for help from the school or a therapist to rule
out things like depression, anxiety or self-esteem problems. Short-term
family therapy can often provide a solution to problems with communication
and behavioral issues. Additionally, parents can make it a point
to talk to their teens regularly. Creating family time, eating
meals together or doing community/volunteer work as a family can
help create build bonding experiences and memories for years to
come. This often will open the door to better communication. It
also gives teens the sense that their parents are interested in
what they think and how they interpret their world. Teens most
often want validation, a listening ear, and a hug far more often
than that tough “teen exterior” will let on. Don’t
be afraid to do it. They may act like they aren’t taking
it in, but they really are. And it is invaluable to them.
- Gina Graham, L.C.S.W.
10) Parenting A Difficult Child or Teen
Well,
we have all been there at some time or another, stuck in the
grocery store aisles or checkout counter observing children
screaming at the top of their lungs because they are not getting
their way. Perhaps you have heard rumors about the teen who
lives four doors down who has been suspended again from school
or picked up by the police for staying out past curfew. Whether
we are that child’s parent, a neighbor, friend, or innocent
bystander, we have all observed something similar taking place.
 Being
a parent will be the hardest commitment anyone will ever take
on in life. Parenting is just that…a life-long commitment
with no instruction manual included! There are no “How
To” classes to take before hand or a teacher to stand
over one’s shoulder to point out the right or wrong way
of doing things.
Every child is different and develops their own unique set of
needs and personality. Often parents begin to feel helpless
or lost as to how to assist their son or daughter while going
through life’s social and emotional challenge. That gap
in communication can grow wider and wider with every passing
month. During those sensitive times, working on the relationship
and receiving some guidance can be just what is needed to re-establish
open communication with your children.
Four key points when working with challenging children and teens:
1. Set firm limits and rules early and often. Everyone has the
old expression, “if you give them an inch, they will take
a mile!” Curfew is at 10:00 p.m., not 10:15. When teens
prove that they are responsible and respectful of the rules
set within the home, you can loosen the reins a little and allow
for some more leeway once in a while … but not in the
beginning.
2. Both parents need to be on the same page and be consistent
with consequences. If you disagree with one another, don’t
do it in front of the kids. Discuss a middle ground and agree
to support one another during highly emotional times. Kids will
pick up on the fact that you are not supporting one another
and will try to “split” the two of you. Be consistent,
be together.
3. Children and teens need and want structure. They feel safe
when rules and limits are set in the home by both parents. Yes,
they will test those limits, but they want to see if you can
handle them, and their distress. It is one of the many tests
of parenthood to deliver and follow through with consequences.
4. Do not minimize your child’s feelings. There is a direct
connection between how a child feels and how they behave. Parents
need to listen to their children without telling them how they
should feel.
Parents
should avoid minimizing phrases such as:
“Oh, you just had a bad day.”
“There is no reason for you to feel that way.”
“I think you are overreacting.”
When children cannot verbalize their thoughts and feelings in
a safe and
accepting environment, free from criticism or judgment, they
often shut down and begin to show you how they feel through
their behaviors.
-
Deborah Davero, Psy. D. |
11) The Dietician in Your Road to Recovery
Having a dietitian on your eating disorder treatment team helps to keep a separation between the food and therapy pieces of treatment, which is vital for recovery. While classified as psychiatric illnesses, eating disorders encompass several nutritional and medical aspects which require the knowledge of a registered dietitian. For example, eating disorders involve abnormal eating behaviors that need to be normalized with an individualized meal plan. You will work with your dietitian to set goals and establish a plan to help you achieve those goals. You will also receive valuable education about body weight regulation, energy balance, misconceptions about dieting and weight control, and the physical effects of eating disorders.
While eating disorders stem from emotional issues and are not about food, nutrition therapy is essential to your physical recovery. As you regain your health, you may be surprised at how more effective your therapy sessions become. A dietitian can help you achieve a healthy weight range in a slow, reasonable way and can work with you in breaking difficult cycles often associated with an eating disorder.
When deciding to add nutrition therapy as a component to your treatment team, it is important that you find a dietitian who is a good match for you. A dietitian who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders is knowledgeable of how difficult it is to recover from an eating disorder, but knows that it is very possible and will be dedicated to help you achieve recovery. It is the dietitian’s goal to help you achieve this normal relationship with food without the fear, obsession, guilt, or anxiety which is associated with an eating disorder. When combined with psychotherapy, nutrition intervention is invaluable for effective treatment of eating disorders.
-
Lindsay Calvario, M.S., R.D., L.D.N.
12)
Intuitive Eating – Reconnecting with your Internal Cues
Many people today have gotten away from truly healthful eating and have moved to being obsessed with food. It is not uncommon for people to actually be fearful of food. If you have struggled with an eating disorder, you may have temporarily lost touch with your internal hunger and fullness cues. If you are tired of spending your life thinking about food, know that you do not need a special diet or plan to be healthy and happy.
Your quality of life will be significantly improved by adopting a healthy relationship with food. Intuitive eating is an approach that teaches you how to create this healthy relationship with food, as well as your body. By learning to listen and respond to your inner cues, you will eat the way you were naturally born to eat. Your body will also find a weight where it is most healthy and comfortable.
While this way of eating, which honors and respects your body is very natural, the process of getting back in tune with your own intuitions can be quite complex. When you have a history of chronic dieting or rigid rules about eating, it can be difficult because you will need to learn to trust yourself. Typically, this process is most effective when guided by a registered dietitian who can help you explore your own personal feelings of hunger, fullness, appetite, and satiety. You will learn to listen to what your body is telling you, distinguish between physical and emotional feelings of hunger and fullness, and ultimately become the expert of your own body.
- Lindsay Calvario, L.D.N., M.S., R.D.
13)
Sports Nutrition – Fuel for Optimal Performance
Athletes often spend hours each week or even each day working to improve their athletic performance. While there is no perfect diet for an athlete, making some simple changes in what and when you eat and drink can help you to improve strength, increase endurance, and feel and perform your best. While diet alone won’t improve your times or win your competition, sports nutrition can provide you an extra edge over your competitor and is an essential component to being a high-performing athlete.
Sports nutrition information can often be misleading, so if you are confused on how to eat right for your body and sport, a registered dietitian can work with you on a personalized sports nutrition plan. Here are a few simple but important sports nutrition tips:
1. Stay hydrated – Our bodies are made up of 55-65% fluid and therefore, a major key to successful workouts is staying well-hydrated before, during, and after your exercising. Even being slightly dehydrated can impair performance. Carry a water bottle with you all day and refill it frequently. Remember that our body’s thirst indicator is imperfect and by the time you feel thirsty, it is often too late.
2. Fuel yourself regularly – For most athletes, it is impossible to meet nutrition needs with less than 3 meals and 3 snacks a day. Eating every 2-4 hours helps to maintain energy throughout the day and during practice. Eating a carbohydrate-containing snack after a hard workout will help prevent you from feeling fatigued when exercising the next day.
3. Consume adequate carbohydrates – Carbohydrates should make up at least half of our diets. Carbohydrates are the body’s main source of stored energy in the muscles. If your diet is deficient in carbohydrates, you are at a greater risk for fatigue, injuries, and a decrease in performance. Aim to get a variety of carbohydrate-containing grains and fruit at each meal and snack.
4. Eat Enough Protein – Protein helps active muscles stay strong and healthy. Include protein with each meal and immediately after strength training to help repair tissues and build muscle. Good sources of protein include meat, beans, fish, poultry, nuts, eggs, and dairy products.
5. Pay attention to pre and post exercise eating – Most bodies function best with a high carbohydrate meal or snack (such as a bagel and fruit) 1-2 hours before exercise, followed with a snack with both protein and carbohydrate (such as an energy bar and chocolate milk) shortly after exercise.
- Lindsay Calvario, L.D.N., M.S., R.D.
15)
Eating Disorders: How Can Clinical Hypnosis be Helpful
Hypnotherapy in the treatment of eating disorders has a high success rate, and is beneficial in many ways. It helps individuals identify the psychological origins of their behaviors so that they are then able to process the emotional aspects of that problem. Hypnotherapy is used to help break negative and repetitive cycles (or “stuck points”) in which individuals, especially those struggling with eating disorders, often find themselves. This can become extremely frustrating and discouraging to those who are trying to move toward recovery. With hypnotherapy, negative thinking patterns and behaviors are replaced with more positive and healthy attitudes and eating behaviors. In general, hypnotherapy will help improve overall body image, self-esteem, and confidence.
Here are some ways in which hypnotherapy can be utilized for specific eating disorders:
• Anorexia - By helping individuals feel better about themselves and their bodies;
• Bulimia - By giving individuals control over their lives;
• Binge Eating - By learning to escape the urge to overeat;
• Emotional Eating - By identifying which emotional need(s) are being satisfy through food, and then by finding healthy ways to meet these needs.
- Eve Miceli, Psy. D
|
|
