Steps to Use Opposite Action: Tip of the Day
Dara Podos, LAC, NCC and Tia Baranosky, LAC, NCC, adult clinicians for High Focus Centers in Lawrenceville, NJ, share their comedic re-enactment that demonstrates how many of us may be thinking, feeling and acting during COVID-19 while stuck in a unmotivated behavior pattern. Using a fun and lighthearted approach, they present 4 simple opposite action steps designed to interrupt that pattern of unproductive behavior both mentally and physically.
Taking a Time Out from Media: Tip of the Day
Lisa Miller-Samber, LPC and member of the Adult Clinical Team at High Focus Centers in Freehold, NJ, encourages us to put down our phone, turn off the TV and close our computer to help minimize the feelings of anxiety, helplessness and racing and ruminating thoughts – even PTSD – caused by everyday news about the coronavirus pandemic. Create a better sense of wellness and balance during a media time out with the creative activities on her list. Happy unplugging!
Trauma & Anxiety Coping Skills: Tip of the Day
Christine Pancurak, LSW and Lead Trauma Clinician on the Adult Psychiatric Team at High Focus Centers in Freehold, NJ, demonstrates a common technique used to reduce feelings of anxiety and negative bodily sensations called ABS or Alternative Bilateral Stimulation. Follow Christine as she moves her hands rhythmically in an alternating left-right pattern that allows the logical and emotional sides of the brain to communicate. This simple, 5 minute exercise is most effective when used at the onset of anxious feelings to prevent escalation and can be repeated as many times as needed.
Focus on: Reducing Stress via Guided Visualization
Danielle Minkin, Licensed Professional Counselor and Board Certified Registered Art Therapist for High Focus Centers in New Jersey, shares a guided visualization reading - a powerful tool used to help reduce stress, relieve tension and strengthen the immune system by allowing the imagination to relax. Settle into a quiet, comfortable spot, close your eyes and breath deeply while Danielle's soothing voice transports you to a calm, peaceful place of your imagination. Engage your senses and explore soothing sounds, sights and smells that you can return to anytime you feel anxiety, stress or uncertainty.
Insights On: Safety Planning
Dr. Kai-ping Wang, Chief Medical Officer of High Focus Centers, identifies and defines Safety Planning as an important facet of mental health care often used to mitigate suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, symptoms of eating disorders, explosive anger or any intense emotions that could lead an individual to partake in unhealthy or dangerous behavior as a result of compromised judgment or reasoning ability. Best developed under the guidance of a qualified medical professional such as a therapist or counselor, Safety Planning includes 6 distinct steps from identifying triggers to seeking a safe environment to contacting professionals that an individual can practice [...]
A Pet’s Unconditional Love: Tip of the Day
Erica Stern, LSW, Coordinator of Adolescent Services for High Focus Centers in Branchburg, NJ, shares how animals can help bring us a sense of calm during stressful times. While in quarantine, we may be feeling lonely. This is when you should turn to your pets for company. They can show unconditional love and bring us happiness when we need it most.
Self-Care Tips for Parents During Times of Heightened Stress: Tip of the Day
Michele Feinberg, MD, Psychiatric Director for High Focus Centers in Norwalk, CT, shares the importance of self-care for parents during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are in stressful times, and these can have an adverse impact on parents as they juggle work, parenting and other responsibilities. It's more important than ever for parents to take time for themselves and to recharge. Diet, exercise, sleep and self-care all play critical roles. Learn how to apply these in everyday life.
Managing Grief and Loss: Tip of the Day
Jenna Welsh, MA, LAC, Associate Coordinator of Adolescent Psychiatric Services at High Focus Centers in Cranford, NJ, shares some helpful tips for managing feelings of grief and loss during the coronavirus pandemic. Grief and loss can be felt as a result of many things - the death of a loved one, loss of a job, family conflict or cancellation of events. It's important that we recognize that our feelings are valid and that we take the time to deal with them. Learn some of the many ways that you can cope with these feelings, including self-care, mindfulness, exercise and connecting [...]
Focus on: Self-Compassion Strategies During Quarantine
Marlena Mignano, LSW with High Focus Centers in Freehold, New Jersey, discusses the importance of self-compassion during this time of quarantine and social distancing. Much of the discussion on the internet today focuses on just getting through the pandemic and increasing productivity. But what's missing is learning how to make time for self-compassion. In this Focus On: video, Marlena shares three ways that we can show self-compassion. These include how we speak to ourselves, how we can challenge our negative self-talk, and how we can learn to take a self-compassion break.
Healing Heavy Emotions: Tip of the Day
Morgan Crease, LSW, Adolescent Clinician at High Focus Centers in Lawrenceville, NJ, discusses how mindfulness can help you deal with heavy emotions such as anger, sadness, or anxiety. Especially during this time of quarantine, you may be feeling lonely or depressed. Learn how this simple mindfulness activity can provide a non-judgmental approach to working through your emotions so that you can let them go.
Creating a Self-Soothing Kit: Tip of the Day
Michael Fenimore, LPC, an adult psychiatric clinician at High Focus Centers in Freehold, New Jersey, discusses self-soothing as a coping skill during times of stress. Learn how to create a “self-soothing kit” for yourself that engages all five senses and can be a calming resource when you experience feelings of distress or vulnerable moments in your life.
Focus On: Quarantine and Regression in Children
Dr. Navjot Khinda, Psychiatric Director of High Focus Centers in Paramus, New Jersey, discusses the effects that quarantine can have on children’s behavior. A child – of any age – may be experiencing regression if you notice sudden changes in their behavior. Temper tantrums, defiance, or avoiding responsibility are all signs that a child could be struggling with stress or anxiety. Children are very sensitive to changes in their environment. Especially now, as we are practicing social distancing and quarantine, children’s schedules have been significantly disrupted. This can lead to increased feelings of helplessness and anxiety. Learn how to reduce [...]