EMILY LEVIN THERAPY

Now that Thanksgiving is over it may be worthwhile to devote a few posts to conflict resolution, however, we can always revisit that idea, and a little time to blow off steam is never a bad thing. A pertinent issue that is relevant year round is sleep and our reluctance to actually go to sleep. 'Bedtime Procrastination' is a relatively new term coined by Dutch researchers and it affects many. Whether watching another episode of whatever it is you are currently watching on Net

Politics not your piece of pie this year? I laughed out loud reading suggestions by the New York Times of engaging topics to discuss at the Thanksgiving table this year that are not related to politics. Among the list are travel to Mars and whether you should let your dog lick your face. As of now we've covered various topics related to Thanksgiving, among which are understanding that there are many people having a difficult time and choosing to opt out of the meal, as well a

I was delighted to find this article, especially after recently blogging about people opting out of Thanksgiving this year due to political divides. If you are choosing to stay, these tools by the New York Times can help you argue your way through it - fairly. 1) Listen fully - not half-heartedly. Try to really understand what it is they have to say and not make it about proving that you are right. 2) Don't "Drop the Anchor" - meaning that a lot of people begin an argument wi

I never thought I'd be praising Tinder, but here I go, and even on a few accounts. Tinder is leading the way of inclusivity in allowing users to identify as transgender or gender nonconforming identities. As Liam Stack of the New York Times reports, Tinder is setting an example for other social media platforms with "almost 40 options, including Transgender Woman, Transgender Man, Transmasculine, Two-Spirit, Neutrois, Non-Binary and Other. If none of those fit, users can write

If the impending Thanksgiving holiday is causing you some anxiety, or making you feel more worry than gratitude, you're not the only one. As the New York Times reports, the recent controversial election is significantly impacting interpersonal relationships, and even causing some to forgo the festivities all together. (Note the lack of bodies in the carefully chosen accompanying image, except for that of the bird, of course. ) Holidays can be difficult, even when they don't c

In preparing for sessions with children, I was humbled and inspired to realize that the skills we develop when we are young, are still incredibly pertinent and meaningful to practice as we grow older. Being mindful to stay kind to ourselves, and to use positive self talk so that our words and thoughts build our self-esteem rather than be the source of our insecurity, is so important. It seems simple, and yet, if only it was. Being kind to ourselves is a lifelong learning proc

Yesterday evening, outside the office window, the Empire State Building was lit up in red, white and blue, and today the streets are filled with people taking action to ensure a different tomorrow. From ten stories up the chants are audible, forcing one to stop and take notice. Pausing to feel, to engage, to listen, and to offer support or be supported, are some of the most meaningful activities we can be partaking in, whether in or outside of therapy. #processing #adjustment

In a piece entitled "Her Loss", Lindy West articulates so profoundly the deep pain experienced by many women, who for a moment felt the hope of "the birth of a world in which women's inferiority isn't a given." Lindy West writes, "I cried because I want my daughters to feel that blazing pride, that affirmation of their boundless capacity — not from their husbands, but from their world, from the atmosphere, from inviolable wells of certainty inside themselves. I cried because

The importance of controlled breathing cannot be overemphasized and is an immediate way to help calm the nervous system. Regardless of what's going on in one's surrounding environment, practicing controlled breathing is a great way to relieve stress and feel more centered in one's body. Whatever the feeling in the current moment, whether depression, anxiety, grief, fear, stress, or any other emotion, a few controlled breaths can have an instantaneous effect on one's ability t

"Listening and paying attention to our various thoughts and emotions can be hard, however, it provides invaluable information in helping us