Evidence-Based Individual, Couples, Family, and Group Counseling + Nutrition Therapy in Miami (Coral Gables)
You know the feeling. You’ve posted a picture, a video, or some thoughts on social media, and now it’s out there, awaiting feedback and commentary from others. You’re vulnerably waiting for likes. You might start to get a little anxious as the clock ticks on without a response. And then, there it is, your firstContinue reading Social Media Likes – How Posting Online Hooks Us Through Variable Reinforcement
What Is Moderation? Do you have some concerns about your drinking but aren’t willing to give up alcohol completely? Have you thought about moderating your drinking? What does this mean exactly? It might be easier to start by defining heavy drinking. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines heavy drinking as: ForContinue reading Drinking in Moderation: A Harm-Reduction Approach
TIP Skills The TIP skills in DBT help you cope with a difficult situation or crisis without making things worse. They represent part of our crisis survival skills. You might use them when flooded with emotion, when in distress, or when you have the urge to engage in a destructive behavior. With the TIP skills,Continue reading TIP Skills: Regulating Our Bodies to Cope with Distress
Going Home for the Holidays For some, the holidays evoke family, connection, and cheer. But, this time of year can be tough for many folks, particularly those in recovery from an eating disorder, substance use disorder, trauma, depression, or other mental health concern. Visiting people or places that bring up uncomfortable memories – or causeContinue reading Home for the Holidays: Coping with Triggers
Love sorrow. She is yours now, and you must take care of what has been given. -Mary Oliver In the midst of loss, life can feel unbearable. Whether it’s the death of a family member, friend, or beloved pet; or the loss of a relationship, job, or dream; grieving the death, end, or closure toContinue reading Coping with Grief
Do Lawyers Drink More than Other Professionals? Over the course of 15 years of working with individuals who struggle with alcohol use disorders, I’ve heard plenty of stories of attorneys entertaining clients for hours on end, of bottles of hard liquor tucked away into desk drawers at the firm, and work cultures that normalize excessiveContinue reading Legal Drinking
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to take a couple of trapeze classes, something I’d done maybe 10-20 times back in in the mid-late 2000s. Aging 10 years has delivered to me a larger body, a weaker core, chronic aches and pains, and a more exaggerated fear response, but I was determined toContinue reading The Psychology of Trapeze
CW: rape/sexual assault The Ford/Kavanaugh case has engendered numerous discussions about the connection between drinking and sexual assault. People – even in the mental health profession – are speculating about the accuracy of Dr. Ford’s report given her (reportedly minor) alcohol consumption around the time of her assault. Others are wondering whether or not KavanaughContinue reading Sexual Assault and Alcohol Use
It’s been a long time since I had a drink. A really long time. The last time I drank was December, 2016. I didn’t intend to stop after this glass of wine, consumed at a dinner party alongside home-cooked Indian food. But then I noticed that a couple of months went by without my havingContinue reading What I Learned from Nearly Two Years of Alcohol Abstinence
Have you ever wondered if you have a drinking problem? Has anyone suggested that your alcohol use is concerning? When you go out drinking, do you have 4 of 5 drinks, maybe more? Do a couple of glasses of wine eventually turn into the whole bottle? Is there a set time of day when youContinue reading Drinking: How Much Is Too Much?
For many, the New Year is filled with cocktails and celebrations, hope and possibility, and family and friends. For others, the holiday might be difficult, potentially fraught with anxiety and regret. Part of the challenge that some of us experience might result from the expectations we typically attach to the new year – expectations ofContinue reading Permission for the New Year
Success of 12-Step Approaches Most people are familiar with AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), NA (Narcotics Anonymous), and other 12-Step (self-help) groups. In fact, many treatment providers, when learning of a client’s alcohol or substance misuse, will immediately suggest that the client begin attending 12-step meetings. But do these meetings work? AA, the largest and most well-knownContinue reading 12-Step Approaches: Pros and Cons for Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders