We are all fighting a difficult battle and are unified by our collective suffering. These unrelenting circumstances directly force us to face our fragility, vulnerability, and mortality. The lack of uncertainty and loss of control puts many of us in a perpetual state...
This year has had its challenges. I experienced the shocking and traumatic loss of my almost 16-year-old nephew. I also shared in the travesties experienced by my patients. The unexpected and premature loss of my long-term patient’s young adult daughter, a patient...
And What To Do Instead I work with patients who are in considerable pain. Deep and intense pain surfaces because of expected and unexpected challenging life circumstances. I connect with my empathy and deep compassion while I attune and support them through their...
A Collaboration By Michelle Maidenberg, Ph.D., MPH, LCSW-R, CGP & Dana Carretta-Stein, MS, LPC, LMHC owner & founder of Peaceful Living Mental Health Counseling in Scarsdale, NY. Both of us are committed and advanced trained EMDR therapist and are active in...
A Tribute to My Nephew Sammy Farkas As I write these words, I'm still completely overwhelmed with grief over the loss of my dear son, Sammy. He died one day before his 16th birthday. This tragedy began when he had gotten locked out of my apartment. As teenagers are...
I’m constantly reminded in my personal and professional life how precarious life can be. Things can change on a dime and life the way we know it can transform into something wonderful or something horrific. Over the past week, a patient I’m working with was awarded a...
I’m sorry for.. Assuming that I know what you needed, without asking you what you needed. Being distracted when you spoke to me because I have 1001 things on my mind which you shouldn’t have to suffer for. Rationalizing that I needed to be thinking about or doing...
Our humanness dictates our varied perceptions, evaluations, judgments, and expectations. These develop over time based on our physiology, history, and experiences. For some people, they perseverate or hyper-focus and complain that “they can’t get their mind off of...
Negotiation tips with family members come in handy during the holiday season, especially when a vast amount of decisions need to be made collaboratively and efficiently. The general rule is if someone reaches out and wants to speak, it’s best to approach them rather...
Best Method for Self-Improvement: Strengthen Your Frustration Muscle I’m sitting here on a flight going back to New York and I can’t help but smirk as I realize my frustration tolerance is being tested yet again. I didn’t have the opportunity to meditate this morning...
