Dr. Jen Smith

We are hiring! Seeking a Psychologist interested in joining our team as a Post-Doc in Addiction Treatment. Please share widely! https://indeedhi.re/2XUfviB

Clinically diagnosed anxiety is not just being a bit worried, you can't just "chill out a bit" or "get over it". It eats into your well being, your confidence, your health and your life and it is 24/7. When someone cancels, or ducks out, or makes a pathetic excuse please understand that it isn't personal, it isn't laziness, it isn't being rude. It's because they can't physically do it. When someone needs supporting/encouraging/ hand holding it isn't pathetic, it isn't attenti...on seeking, it isn't childish - it's because they are desperate to beat it but can't do it alone. Anxiety is awful, being isolated and believing your friends don't care sucks even more How many of you have had a night out planned, or arranged coffee or a beer with friends and suddenly the 4 walls you inhabit seem the only safe haven because it's the only place you don't have to pretend you are ok, so you cancel. Or when you are invited out you tell them how terribly sorry you are, but you're already booked up that weekend, when you are actually just really busy holding it together in your safe box. So the first problem starts, all by itself. People stop asking you and the isolation that at first wasn't true becomes your only truth. Please don't give up on your friends. Ring them if they don't reply to a message. They really do want to talk, they just don't know how to say it some days. And in work every passing comment is a negative, you constantly do more to get over the feeling you are not good enough. The exhaustion from not sleeping because you panic all night over what you cannot influence means you make mistakes, you live in a fog and it is a vicious circle. Take the time to put this on your wall to help raise awareness of and for those who have mental health difficulties.

Making sure clients feel comfortable enough to open up is key to helping them make progress in therapy. Here are ten ways therapists can facilitate this process.

The Wholeview Team had a fantastic dinner at Zuma. It was so great to be all together with our amazing team! Check out our new hoodies! #wholeviewteam #wholeviewhoodies

Wholeview Wellness psychologist Dr. Jennifer Smith is in Tallin, Estonia at the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) Forum catching up with her colleagues and here she is with MI Guru Dr. Bill Miller! #MINT #MI #motivation #estonia

I went to a play date the other day at someone's house. Almost the moment I stepped through the front door, the mom giggled "Mimosa time!" and my body froze up.... I wasn't prepared for this. Most times, when I'm heading to a social gathering, I have time to prepare. I mentally prepare, I physically prepare (I always bring a kombucha with me), I emotionally prepare. I think about what I will say when someone asks why I'm not drinking. I think about how deep I want to get in the conversation -- because some days I'm ready to go there, and other days I want to talk about anything BUT that. Today, because I was so caught off guard, I probably looked like a deer in headlights. I almost said "Yes" and thought about just pretending to sip it. But I said "Not right now, I'm good thank you" and the conversation veered to something else. But it came up again about 15 minutes later. And again another 15 minutes later. And I was practically banging my head against the wall mentally thinking "why don't I just tell her I don't drink?" But I didn't. I was afraid she would think I wasn't fun. I was afraid she wouldn't want to have more play dates with me. I read a meme yesterday that said "I determine my kids play dates by which mom I want to drink wine with". Being alcohol free can truly feel ostracizing. And it's strange to think that alcohol is the only drug that we have to explain NOT using. Time to change the narrative. Alcohol free is a choice that should not require an explanation, embarrassment or fear of condemnation. #changethenarrative *** Follow Celeste on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/theultimatemomchallenge

https://www.irishcentral.com//new-york-irish-musician-dave

When you love yourself, you glow for the inside.