What ARE the CARDIAC RISKS of COVID 19?
What ARE the CARDIAC RISKS of COVID 19? By Alan M. Solomon, Ph.D. Recent blogs have identified a variety of
Read moreWhat ARE the CARDIAC RISKS of COVID 19? By Alan M. Solomon, Ph.D. Recent blogs have identified a variety of
Read moreONE MORE IMPACT of the COVID 19 CRISIS: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
In addition to anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and substance abuse discussed in previous blogs, domestic violence is one more aspect of the COVID 19 pandemic that “lurks in the shadows”.
Read moreInsurance companies are moving towards reducing the benefits for telehealth services. They may be lowering reimbursement levels to pre-COVID 19 levels so that reimbursement to providers will be lower and out-of-pocket co-pays will be higher for patients. They may also re-institute prior authorizations for services, which is a time-consuming process for providers that often discourages them from even providing service.
Read moreNationwide, child abuse experts are observing a worrisome landscape during the COVID 19 pandemic and lockdown: a likely increase of more severe child abuse and neglect.
Read moreSTRENGTHEN YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM TO DEAL WITH COVID 19 By Alan M. Solomon, Ph.D. Recent blogs have focused on helping
Read moreCOVID 19 is a MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS TOO. Two-plus months into sheltering at home due to the COVID 19 crisis, and beginning to re-open our economy, we are in the midst of another kind of health crisis. This one has to do with psychological health and well-being.
Read moreIN the MIDDLE of the NIGHT I CONTEMPLATED LOSS. i was laying there. trying to shut off my brain. but it just wouldn’t. i had past that point. that magical moment when sleep is possible.
Read moreCovid 19 Prompts Grief in Subtle Ways. When we think of grief, we usually think of mourning the death of a loved one, family member, close friend, or perhaps charismatic and important leader (JFK, Martin Luther King, FDR, Nelson Mandela)
Read moreThe previous blog about coping with the COVID 19 pandemic was focused on us adults. How about helping our children?
First, we need to consider how staying at home is impacting kids. As we know our own kids, are they responding as they usually do at times of higher stress? Are their responses the same as usual, but perhaps more intense (as often the case with us adults)?
Read moreHOW DO YOU COPE WITH COVID 19? By Alan M. Solomon, Ph.D. How do you usually cope with stress? Do
Read moreKaiser Permanente in Northern California continues to restrict access to counseling services for its subscribers. In 2013, Kaiser was penalized $4 million for denying services by the California State Department of Managed Care, as discussed in a previous blog on this website.
Read moreBy Alan M. Solomon, Ph.D.
How do you usually cope with stress? Do you quickly take action to deal with a challenge, seek relief and resolution? Do you pause, reflect, perhaps check-in with trusted friends, family members, work colleagues, formulate a plan of action and begin to take steps? Do you try some online research to understand the problem more deeply?
Read moreA recently released survey by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has revealed that teenagers are vaping marijuana and nicotine with much greater frequency, in contrast to reduced alcohol use, cigarette smoking, and use of hard drugs
Read moreDrug overdoses, suicides, and also diseases involving internal organs have caused an increase in middle-aged deaths. So much so that the life expectancy in the US has actually declined since 2014 after increasing for the previous 60 years. The largest increase in deaths was in New England and the Ohio Valley. (Ken Pope: US Life Expectancy Down in Recent Years After Increasing for Decades).
Read moreA recent class action lawsuit against the country’s largest mental health insurer (United Behavioral Health) has produced a ruling with clear cut principles of care that make mental health coverage on par with medical health coverage (known as “parity
Read moreA recent class action lawsuit featured two instances of suffering that proved to be unnecessary, and in one instance tragic. To mental health care professionals, this is an all-too-familiar scenario.
Read moreIn the US, 22% of adults report “…they often or always feel lonely, feel that they lack companionship, feel left out, or feel isolated from others, and many of them say their loneliness has had a negative impact on various aspects of their life.”
Read moreA recent blog, “How Dangerous is Bullying?” is further emphasized by a recent article from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation: “Bullying isn’t just a problem, it should be considered a national emergency based on the stunning statistics.”
Read more“Fifty percent of the patients seeing me for cardiac care are really dealing with psychological issues.” So said a cardiac physician in an informal conversation recently. “So, I quiet myself, listen quite a bit, and then watch for an opportunity to counsel the patient about his anxiety, depression, etc.” This comment was made about patients receiving care after a procedure had been completed.
Read moreDoes reading to children provide more than entertainment? More than stimulation for language development? More even than the cozy comfort of “cuddling” with nurturing adults? Yes, according to a recent “Fixes Column” in the New York Times.
Read moreA more in-depth view of ADHD considers “executive functions”, in addition to issues of attention/concentration, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. Executive functions “organize thoughts and activities, prioritizes tasks, manages time efficiently, and makes decisions”.
Read moreThe previous two blogs presented two letters from the NY Times editorial pages about the limitations of managed care, as well as the benefits of psychotherapy. The same page had a third letter extolling the benefits of a self-care program
Read moreThe previous blog about the impact of managed care on psychotherapy and medication is further enhanced by the following letter also in the New York Times
Read moreThe implication for clients and subscribers to insurance plans is clear: be careful and attentive to what you sign up for. If your plan is a managed care plan, your access to genuine therapy may well be seriously limited.
Read moreIs quality psychotherapy affordable? Our members at the Independent Psychotherapy Network are committed to quality care and affordability.
We are all very experienced therapists, practicing throughout Los Angeles County. Our regular meetings are one way we remain committed to maintain and enhance our skills, as well as renew our commitment to quality, caring psychotherapy that is crafted for each individual client. Much of our time together in monthly meetings is devoted to our own professional training and development, as well as supporting each other’s focus on caring for our clients
Individualized psychotherapy, carefully attuned to each individual and their own issues, family history, and struggles is an effective way to identify these deeper issues. More genuine and ongoing relief – more constructive ways of coping – can develop through the support of an experienced and caring therapist.
Read moreIn fact, if the adults had four or more instances of childhood exposure to stress, they had a greater risk of alcoholism, drug abuse, depression or suicide attempts at a rate of 4 to 12 times greater than adults who had experienced no ACE’s.
Read moreWhat Explains Rebound Weight Gains After Dieting? By Alan M. Solomon, Ph.D. A previous blog on the frequent lack of
Read moreThe language we use in speaking (or writing) about disabilities greatly impacts how we think about the disability, and more importantly the person who lives with that disability. A much-trusted colleague, whose own list-serve and blog often provides material for this blog, addressed this issue recently (Ken Pope Beatrice Wright). Rather than paraphrase or summarize as I often do, it is best to simply quote. It’s well worth a few minutes to read through it:
Read moreWhat is the Trade-Off Between Technology and Privacy? By Alan M. Solomon, Ph.D. Speculation and rumors abound among friends, acquaintances,
Read moreTeenagers who are bullied are at much greater risk of making a suicide attempt. It is critical that mental health professionals, and parents, actively inquire into this issue, rather than minimize it as a typical part of being an adolescent (especially middle school).
Read moreWalking is very beneficial exercise, especially as people age. As little as 4,000 steps a day (less than 2 miles, or perhaps 30 minutes or so) for people 60 and over can benefit mental skills and attention.
Read moreRunning gave him a sense of control over his performance in school, relieved him of the discouragement and depression from performing poorly for so many years, and also reduced his levels of anxiety. In a very general sense, such exercise increases levels of basic brain chemicals (neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine). This actually encourages the brain to grow new receptors in some key areas.
Read moreHow Does Keeping Secrets Harm the Secret-Keeper? by Alan M. Solomon, Ph.D. It’s well known that keeping a secret is
Read moreDo We Worry Too Much as Parents? by Alan M. Solomon, Ph.D. Parenting is by its very nature an ongoing
Read moreWHY THAT SILVER LINING PERSISTS By Sandy Plone, Ph.D. A 2011 article in Time magazine seems more relevant today than
Read moreShoplifters: A Japanese Film of Emotional Truths By Alan M. Solomon, Ph.D. “Shoplifters” is a Japanese film, nominated for Best
Read moreWhat If Medications for Depression Don’t Work? By Alan M. Solomon, Ph.D. The first line of treatment often recommended by
Read moreHow Does Choosing a Therapist Make A Difference? by Alan M. Solomon, Ph.D. Does it matter which therapist you choose to
Read moreWhat is the Impact of More Sleep? By Alan M. Solomon, Ph.D. More sleep absolutely improves performance, athletic performance for
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