What is EMDR?

Posted on April 21, 2015 by admin

emdr-therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an innovative and exciting form of therapy that we are excited to offer at Jupiter Counseling. It is a therapy process that involves desensitizing negative thoughts and feelings and reinforcing positive networks of thought and feeling.

Benefits of EMDR

EMDR therapy was originally developed to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is a widely respected treatment for trauma, and is also highly effective in the treatment of depression, anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, grief, addiction, compulsive behaviors, and adjustment to adverse life events. EMDR is also an extremely useful treatment for emotional issues that have a pattern of surfacing in relationships, such as feeling abandoned, unheard, or not good enough. Your clinician will talk to you about what issues you want to work on, and together you will identify the negative thoughts, feelings, and body sensations connected with this issue. The clinician will then do EMDR reprocessing to help you find resolution and relief.

What is the process of EMDR?

During EMDR reprocessing, you are exposed to a back-and-forth stimulation (watching a light move side-to-side, headphones buzzing back-and-forth, etc.) while your clinician guides you in thinking and talking about your targeted issue. This allows your mind to work through the issues and let in more positive and adaptive thoughts and feelings. Researchers believe the bilateral stimulation of the back-and-forth motions works similar to our REM sleep cycle, which is the phase of sleep where your eyes dart around and your mind problem solves.

EMDR therapy is recognized worldwide for its benefits and is backed by a great deal of peer-reviewed scientific research, as well as thousands of case studies. EMDR therapy is recognized and endorsed by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Department of Health.

Usually a minimum of 3-5 weekly sessions is recommended for optimal results.

For more information, you can visit www.emdria.com or call Jupiter Counseling and Wellness at (561) 575-0575.

Eating for Your (Mental) Health

Posted on April 1, 2015 by admin

Salmon for Mental Health

We’ve all heard of eating for better heart health and to lower the risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, and even certain types of cancer – but what about eating to improve your mood?

Scientists are finding an increasingly large body of evidence to support the idea that the foods we put into our bodies play a substantial role in how we feel on a psychological level. That is, what we eat and drink directly affects our mood, behavior, thought patterns and learning ability.

The brain is an immensely powerful organ, and like any other organ in your body, it requires the proper nutrients to keep things running smoothly. Through some simple dietary changes, you possess the power to both boost cognitive function and decrease feelings of anxiety and depression.

Active Relaxation: An Antidote to Stress

Posted on April 1, 2015 by admin

health-wellness

Stress is an inevitable and unavoidable part of life, but suffering the harmful effects of it doesn’t have to be. In fact, within each of us lies a natural stress-defense system, and with a little practice it can be accessed easily and frequently. The relaxation response is a state of deep yet mentally-active rest. Unlike laying on the couch, sleeping, or zoning out in front of the television, this type of relaxation leaves you feeling calm yet energized and alert. Activation of the relaxation response has been shown to increase energy and focus, combat illness, relieve aches and pains, heighten mental alertness, and boost motivation and productivity. Think of it as a natural alternative to a cup of coffee, without the adverse effects of caffeine.

Next time life has you feeling stressed and overwhelmed, skip the Starbucks line and resist the temptation to crash on the couch – the following techniques will have you feeling blissed-out in no time!

A wide variety of techniques can be used to evoke the relaxation response. In this post, we’ll highlight three techniques that we find particularly user-friendly: deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and yoga.

Cheers to a New Year!

Posted on April 1, 2015 by admin

Happy-New-Year

The holiday season has passed, and we’ve entered into another new year! Collectively, the human race often enjoys a sense of renewed motivation and inspiration around this time. However, many of us may find ourselves feeling sluggish, unmotivated, drained, or a little “down” emotionally. While there may be many reasons for this, at the top of the list is the dietary overindulgence so common during the holiday season. By cleaning up your diet, you’ll not only give your liver a break, but you’ll also experience

More mental clarity
Less irritation, fatigue, anxiety, and depression
Better sleep
Increased energy levels

Working towards new goals and resolutions can be challenging when you’re not feeling your best, whether it be physically, mentally, or emotionally. In order to experience an increased sense of overall wellbeing, we at Jupiter Counseling always suggest a holistic approach.

Click here for a few recipe sugestions

Shift Your Awareness, Shift Your Life!

Posted on April 1, 2015 by admin

Poo-Favorite-Day “The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness.” –Abraham Maslow

Multitasking is becoming an increasingly popular, and seemingly necessary, means of getting through everyday life – cooking dinner while watching the kids, folding the laundry while planning tomorrow’s schedule, driving to work while talking on the phone. But in the midst of accomplishing goals and completing tasks, you may find that you’ve lost a sense of connection with the present moment.

It seems that so many of us are hung-up on the past or preoccupied planning for the future, that the present moment gets disregarded. This tendency to mentally gravitate away from the present can be detrimental to our wellbeing, as this is where true happiness and peace of mind lie. Fortunately for us, psychologists have been busy at work devising ways to help us stay on track, and at the forefront of these techniques is mindfulness.