The Department of Defense now encourages troops to seek psychological counseling, having recently eased its policy on disclosure mandates. I applaud this initiative, especially since about one in eight of our American soldiers are reportedly returning from Iraq, suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. As treatment, the Department of Defense/Department of Veterans Affairs Practice Guidelines have also placed Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in the highest category, recommended for all trauma populations, at all times.
EMDR is a form of psychotherapy that assists patients in resolving disturbing memories. It is imperative that any lingering misconceptions surrounding its efficacy be dispelled, in order that more soldiers are afforded the opportunity to alleviate their suffering, by applying this remarkable therapeutic approach.
As a Pennsylvania psychologist, I have been using this form of therapy, since 1995. Most of the concerns, about EMDR, seem to have been centered upon the notion that there existed little evidence for its use as one of psychotherapy's "empirically supported treatments." In so much as it is vital that no health care provider do patient harm, my question is to consider the harm that could occur, however, if EMDR is not offered as a timely treatment option.
Throughout the years, it has been my experience that EMDR seems to help patients make a link between what they "know" to what they "feel." This "break-through" is invaluable, especially with the trauma patient who is finally able to resolve their torment. Numerous studies also appear to support this same contention that EMDR offers a protocol and treatment approach that is efficacious, time efficient, and particularly indicated when dealing with patients with trauma-based issues, like many of our young soldiers.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
The Secret Law of Attraction
and The Power of Intention
On my website, I host several inspirational videos, including videos featuring Dr. Deepak Chopra, Dr. Wayne Dyer, and "The Secret." I find the basic tenant of the "The Secret" quite inspirational, in that the things upon which we focus tend to become our reality, as we allow things to happen and do things, consistent with this structured focus, in order to manifest our desires.
Although all the ideas shared within these programs are not necessarily based in science, I do believe that one can still benefit from acting "as if" the ideas are all-true, in order to facilitate success. Furthermore, I believe that the true wisdom of "The Secret" is its ability to captivate a world's imagination, by offering its heartfelt reminder of the true nature of limitless possibilities and the power of human perseverance.
100+ additional FREE ebooks related to "The Secret"
25 Self-help / Inspirational Videos
12+ FREE Inspirational Audio Programs
(Hosted by universallawstoday.com.)
Although all the ideas shared within these programs are not necessarily based in science, I do believe that one can still benefit from acting "as if" the ideas are all-true, in order to facilitate success. Furthermore, I believe that the true wisdom of "The Secret" is its ability to captivate a world's imagination, by offering its heartfelt reminder of the true nature of limitless possibilities and the power of human perseverance.
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Click for ebook The Principles of Successful Manifesting FREE ebook download of 2008 ebook. Image and download hosted by www.dreammanifesto.com |
25 Self-help / Inspirational Videos
12+ FREE Inspirational Audio Programs
(Hosted by universallawstoday.com.)
Monday, February 18, 2008
Learned Helplessness and Self-Esteem
"Living Life on Life's Terms" means that there are certain things concerning life, about which we must adhere. For example, one of the "terms" of life is that we need to breathe air and drink water. One of the other "terms" is that sometimes bad things happen to good people. Nonetheless, we can learn from these experiences. One of the things that we often learn is that we do have choices.
Young circus elephants, for example, have often been trained to keep them from escaping, by tying them to a post, while they are still very young. After countless, fruitless attempts to free themselves, the baby elephants believe that they cannot escape. Eventually, even as strong, adult elephants, they will not attempt to flee. The elephants have leaned to be helpless, despite their new reality.
Not unlike other animals, humans can mistakenly learn to be helpless. Unlike most other animals, however, we have the unique intellectual capacity to understand the nature of our limitations, in order to rise above them.
What we focus upon tends to become our experience. If we believe that we are "bad" and "deserve to be punished," then that becomes our reality. If we understand, however, that we were "victimized," that sometimes bad things do happen to good people, we can learn from our unfortunate experience that we still do have choices, despite our initial feelings of "learned helplessness." We can eventually "accept life on life's terms" that despite what happened, that does not make me who I am. I am a good person who has positive choices and deserves good things. This new, healthier perspective now becomes our reality, as we allow things to happen and to things, consistent with this empowering belief.
Virtual Light and Sound Machine Meditation FREEWARE for Effortless Stress Management
Since 1997, Herbert Benson, of the Harvard Medical School, has reaffirmed that "Sixty to ninety percent of [doctor-patient] visits are prompted by conditions related to stress." Especially in today's world, stress management is truly vital to emotional, relational, and overall physical health. As a psychologist, I understand that most tend to consider meditative exercises as too difficult to learn; and too time consuming to practice.
Although activities like watching television and listening to music can be relaxing, they do not illicit the relaxation response that is most beneficial for managing stress. In order to de-stress, people need to do something that sounds contradictory, namely engage in activity that is not passive. The Surgeon General recommends physical activity for stress management. One can also manage stress by engaging in self-meditations.
"Virtual Light & Sound Machine"
Meditation FREEWARE
Meditation FREEWARE
Even though Light and Sound Machines are effective devices that help to induce healthy meditative states, most also consider them to be too expensive. To sample the positive effects of these devices, "Flasher 1.51" is actually a fully-functional, virtual Light & Sound Machine freeware program, that was created in the early 1990's. It was designed to similarly entrain brainwaves with precisely timed, flickering lights. One can simply choose the settings one wants, sit in front of the computer monitor, and close one's eyes. The software then pulses the monitor so that the flickering is experienced behind one's closed eyelids. It offers a remarkably effective, seemingly effortless feeling of DEEP RELAXATION, within only a few minutes. The effect appears very similar to the experience of using actual Light & Sound Machine goggles.
This meditation enhancer was recently given new life, by an American computer programmer. It now allows the previously out-dated program to function within today's modern Windows environment. I often recommend it to my patients who want to better mange their stress.
Installation InstructionsThe effectiveness and ease of audio hypnotic programs can even be enhanced with the use the meditation enhancer software technology, described above. For some FREE audio hypnosis downloads and complete information on Light & Sound Machine technology, please feel free to visit my website: www.ThePsychologist.com/
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Our Feelings Dictate Our Actions...
If you are like most people (including myself), you probably have brand name toothpaste or soap in your bathroom. Although we both INTELLECTUALLY know that generic toothpaste is basically the same as (and less expensive than) Colgate, we pay more for the brand name, because we FEEL that it will provide us with "fresher breath and whiter teeth."
Advertisers trick our emotional selves into feeling good about their product over their competitor's or generic, often causing us to CHANGE OUR BEHAVIOR to spend more for their product.
How can we use this basic "Psych 101" principle to our advantage, in order to empower ourselves to create our own positive change?
Advertisers trick our emotional selves into feeling good about their product over their competitor's or generic, often causing us to CHANGE OUR BEHAVIOR to spend more for their product.
How can we use this basic "Psych 101" principle to our advantage, in order to empower ourselves to create our own positive change?
Friday, December 7, 2007
Solutions to your 2008 Resolutions!
According to the American Psychological Association, the most popular New Year’s resolutions are losing weight, quitting smoking, and exercising more regularly. Unfortunately, almost sixty percent of those who make resolutions give up, within the first six months. Nevertheless, chances are that if you do make a resolution, you will be ten times more likely to prevail over those without the resolve.
To succeed with your resolution, however, it is vital to pair enough emotional pain to the old behavior and enough emotional pleasure with the new behavior. For example, a smoker might imagine how good it will feel to breathe easier as well as to have more energy, freedom and pride in the accomplishment..
Having a plan is also key to any behavioral change. In that regard, the Internet affords an amazing array of self-help tools. My collection of online, “Solutions to your 2008 Resolutions” offers free software and meditation downloads for managing stress, free ebooks on weight-loss, exercise and smoking cessation, and links to other select online tools: www.SimplifiedHealth.com.
To succeed with your resolution, however, it is vital to pair enough emotional pain to the old behavior and enough emotional pleasure with the new behavior. For example, a smoker might imagine how good it will feel to breathe easier as well as to have more energy, freedom and pride in the accomplishment..
Having a plan is also key to any behavioral change. In that regard, the Internet affords an amazing array of self-help tools. My collection of online, “Solutions to your 2008 Resolutions” offers free software and meditation downloads for managing stress, free ebooks on weight-loss, exercise and smoking cessation, and links to other select online tools: www.SimplifiedHealth.com.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
FREE Hypnosis for Smoking Cessation
Imagine a disease that causes more annual premature deaths than HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides and murders combined. Imagine that this disease robs each of its sufferers of an average of seven years of life, with their final years often characterized as painfully debilitating.
The annual American health care costs of this condition reach over $50 billion. The disease is responsible for more than 7% of all deaths, throughout the world. Within about a decade, this same estimate will likely increase to nearly 18% of worldwide deaths. Although it is not contagious, an average of over 3,000 American children and non-afflicted adults, who surround themselves by the afflicted, will consequently experience disease and premature death, each year.
The devastating "disease," of course, is Nicotine Dependence. This year, the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout is scheduled for November 15th. The annual event encourages smokers to quit for a day in the hope they may quit for good. Over 80% of smokers actually admit that they do desire to be smoke-free.
Despite smoking’s horrendous health effects, a practically free, curative treatment has existed for many years. It has been demonstrated that the treatment is generally effective for more than 30% of those who embrace it. In fact, since 1992, according to New Scientist, it has been known that "Hypnosis is the most effective way of giving up smoking." Its quote was based upon a study cited within the Journal of Applied Psychology, earlier that same year. These findings appear to hold true, even in today's healthcare environment that demonstrates an overemphasis upon pharmacological approaches.
QuitForFree.com
The annual American health care costs of this condition reach over $50 billion. The disease is responsible for more than 7% of all deaths, throughout the world. Within about a decade, this same estimate will likely increase to nearly 18% of worldwide deaths. Although it is not contagious, an average of over 3,000 American children and non-afflicted adults, who surround themselves by the afflicted, will consequently experience disease and premature death, each year.
The devastating "disease," of course, is Nicotine Dependence. This year, the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout is scheduled for November 15th. The annual event encourages smokers to quit for a day in the hope they may quit for good. Over 80% of smokers actually admit that they do desire to be smoke-free.
Despite smoking’s horrendous health effects, a practically free, curative treatment has existed for many years. It has been demonstrated that the treatment is generally effective for more than 30% of those who embrace it. In fact, since 1992, according to New Scientist, it has been known that "Hypnosis is the most effective way of giving up smoking." Its quote was based upon a study cited within the Journal of Applied Psychology, earlier that same year. These findings appear to hold true, even in today's healthcare environment that demonstrates an overemphasis upon pharmacological approaches.
QuitForFree.com
As a Pennsylvania psychologist and certified hypnotherapist, I advocate the use of clinical hypnosis for smoking cessation, one of the least expensive and most effective approaches to becoming smoke-free. Since the American Medical Association approved the use of clinical hypnosis in the 1950's, hundreds of thousands of people have found hypnosis to be an effective way to stop smoking, lose weight, and otherwise improve their lives.
 Download a FREE copy of Allen Carr's Scandal: "This is the Book That the Government, the Pharmaceuticals, the Tobacco Companies, the NHS, QUIT and ASH Don't Want You to Read" Image and ebook hosted by allencarr.com. |
According to the World Health Organization's Former Director-General, Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, "A cigarette is the only consumer product which when used as directed kills its consumer."
To learn more about the Great American Smokeout; to request a FREE sample pack of nicotine gum; and to download a FREE Hypnosis Audio Program for Smoking Cessation, visit www.greatsmokeout.org/ and www.quitforfree.com/.
Addiction's True Nature
The negative impact of abuse, which originates with the addict, slowly permeates into his or her family and ultimately throughout the community. Efforts to educate our communities, regarding these consequences, are critical in initiating positive change.
The tangible losses associated with addiction are often readily apparent. Crime and the eventual losses of health, jobs, family, friends, and money are only the manifestations of a more intangible loss, which is likely the real culprit behind abuse: loss of one’s self through the insidious and consistent detachment of one’s feelings through addiction.
Feelings serve the useful purpose of guiding one in better understanding oneself. The avoidance of feelings (particularly through addiction) robs oneself of the valuable, directional information which feelings can afford. A “gut instinct”, for example, can be viewed as a crystallization of all of one’s life experiences into a single guiding feeling. Nobody can be consciously aware of every life experience, as it may relate to a presenting concern. One can, however, benefit from one’s guiding feeling.
Addiction has the real potential to dull this and other types of valuable feelings, which can ultimately, further alienate the addict from him or herself and others, leading to confusion, poor direction, and despair. This cycle can continue to create a pattern which can lead to the more tangible aforementioned losses. Education (whether through the media, therapy, or the like) is key to breaking this pattern and changing ultimate despair into real hope for the future.
The Jellinek Curve offers a graphical representation of the insidious path of addiction and recovery: www.SimplifiedHealth.com/links.htm#jellinek
The tangible losses associated with addiction are often readily apparent. Crime and the eventual losses of health, jobs, family, friends, and money are only the manifestations of a more intangible loss, which is likely the real culprit behind abuse: loss of one’s self through the insidious and consistent detachment of one’s feelings through addiction.
Feelings serve the useful purpose of guiding one in better understanding oneself. The avoidance of feelings (particularly through addiction) robs oneself of the valuable, directional information which feelings can afford. A “gut instinct”, for example, can be viewed as a crystallization of all of one’s life experiences into a single guiding feeling. Nobody can be consciously aware of every life experience, as it may relate to a presenting concern. One can, however, benefit from one’s guiding feeling.
Addiction has the real potential to dull this and other types of valuable feelings, which can ultimately, further alienate the addict from him or herself and others, leading to confusion, poor direction, and despair. This cycle can continue to create a pattern which can lead to the more tangible aforementioned losses. Education (whether through the media, therapy, or the like) is key to breaking this pattern and changing ultimate despair into real hope for the future.
The Jellinek Curve offers a graphical representation of the insidious path of addiction and recovery: www.SimplifiedHealth.com/links.htm#jellinek
Mental Health Parity - The Equity Between Physical and Emotional Health Care Insurance Coverage
Considering the current legislative debate, it is vitally important for voters to understand the need for a fair balance between physical and emotional medical health care coverage. More than a decade ago Dr. Herbert Benson, of the Harvard Medical School, even emphasized the fact that "60 to 90 percent of [doctor-patient] visits are prompted by conditions related to stress."
We seem to live in a culture within which we are indoctrinated with the idea that medication is the answer to our health care problems. Although medications can certainly be quite beneficial, most people do not realize that many clinical studies indicate that specific meditations, for example, have the potential to lower blood pressure better than medication alone.
Counseling or psychotherapy are proven and effective treatments for a wide range of medical problems, including stress, depression, high blood pressure, insomnia, drug addiction and pain management. The unparalleled benefit of the combination of mental and physical health therapies is unquestionable. Although many insurances also offer coverage for psychotherapy, the inequality within and across coverage plans absolutely needs to be resolved.
As a licensed psychologist and certified hypnotherapist, I advocate the use of hypnosis for stress management. Additionally, "Light and Sound Machines" are relatively new, affordable devices that help users experience near effortless states of deep relaxation, within only a few minutes. In order to try this intriguing way to de-stress, I recommend the following FREE software download, from Tucows. It acquaints computer users to the relaxing effect, via one's monitor.
FREE "Virtual Light & Sound Machine" Software For Effortless Meditation:
http://www.tucows.com/preview/509052
We seem to live in a culture within which we are indoctrinated with the idea that medication is the answer to our health care problems. Although medications can certainly be quite beneficial, most people do not realize that many clinical studies indicate that specific meditations, for example, have the potential to lower blood pressure better than medication alone.
Counseling or psychotherapy are proven and effective treatments for a wide range of medical problems, including stress, depression, high blood pressure, insomnia, drug addiction and pain management. The unparalleled benefit of the combination of mental and physical health therapies is unquestionable. Although many insurances also offer coverage for psychotherapy, the inequality within and across coverage plans absolutely needs to be resolved.
As a licensed psychologist and certified hypnotherapist, I advocate the use of hypnosis for stress management. Additionally, "Light and Sound Machines" are relatively new, affordable devices that help users experience near effortless states of deep relaxation, within only a few minutes. In order to try this intriguing way to de-stress, I recommend the following FREE software download, from Tucows. It acquaints computer users to the relaxing effect, via one's monitor.
FREE "Virtual Light & Sound Machine" Software For Effortless Meditation:
http://www.tucows.com/preview/509052
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