Archives for May 2013

Behavioral Interventions to Conquer Emotional Overeating

As infants we instinctively knew when to stop eating. A physical sensation or trigger in our mind acknowledged that our physical needs had been met and that our body was no longer in need of nourishment. The body and mind were satisfied. Then as we aged and our responsibilities grew, we began to associate different emotions and situations with food. We used eating as an easy way to fill needs or solve problems not being dealt with in our lives. As a child, you may have been anxious about a … [Read more...]

Oklahoma’s Recent Tornado Devastation Means Reflection for Many on the Jersey Shore

As I watched the televised pictures of the devastation in Oklahoma, I  thought  about how the adults and children there are suffering. Some are suffering from the trauma of experiencing the tornado, some from watching loved ones get injured, some from the loss of their homes, and others even more so from the loss of the lives of loved ones. It was a small step from there, to reflect on the trauma that the people on the Jersey Shore suffered as a result of Superstorm Sandy last October. At a … [Read more...]

Verbal Abuse in a Relationship: Know the Signs

The proverb “Home is where the heart is” conjures up warm feelings of good times with family, as our close relationships provide us with the encouragement and comfort needed to live fulfilled, happy lives. Life can be challenging with its financial, emotional and social stresses, and the people who surround and support us at home help us to feel relaxed and comfortable. However, for some, the home is not a sanctuary of love and acceptance; instead, it can be a stressful place where conflict is … [Read more...]

The Mother’s Day Gift That Will Keep On Giving

Recently, my younger brother found out that my mother, who had been a concert pianist, had really wanted to be a lawyer.  He was stunned by that revelation. It  got me thinking about how well we know any of our parents.  With all of the advertising for Mother’s Day, and all of the possible gifts and flowers that you can buy, I wondered if there was a more appropriate gift – really getting to know your mom, not just as a mother, but as a person in her own right.  What questions could you ask that … [Read more...]

Power of Pink or the Problem? Breast Cancer and Early Detection

More than 20 years ago, I ran a support group for women with metastatic breast cancer. The group was supposed to run for eight weeks, but it ran for just over two years, until the last woman in my group passed away. At that time, metastatic breast cancer was a death sentence, and people asked me how I could do such depressing work. I explained to them that despite the loss of group members, each week I received more gifts of insight, kindness and love from those women than I was ever able to … [Read more...]