Self Help Tips
Please search the tips below or browse by category. It is our hope that this information will augment your therapy experience.
Addictions
Additions Counseling in Philadelphia: Maybe you've heard the term "addict" before and dismissed it, even though you feel as though you can no longer control your urges to Drink, Eat (Anorexia Bulimia), Gamble, have Sex, or Shop. Or perhaps you have stopped denying that you may be an addict, and realized that your ability to "cure" yourself of the addiction has only lead to new dependencies, and new addictive behaviors. It may be that having an addiction runs in your family, or you're attracted to individuals who are suffering from an addiction. Or, you may simply be interested in learning how to help a loved one recognize their addiction, and ways they can begin to cope. No matter what your concern, you're in the right location and already taking the beginning steps to making a difference in your life, the life of a loved one, and ultimately all parties involved. Self help tips are available on many of these topics, and more. We hope that these tips are useful in your journey towards a healthier lifestyle.Anger Problems
Anger Management Therapy in Philadelphia: Recently you've recognized that your anger is no longer manageable, and acting on your irritability seems like the only way you can cope. When you get upset, do you shut down? Become emotionally unreachable? Acted passive-aggressively? Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your thoughts and not been able to shake it? Are your friends and family scared of you when you get upset? Do you intimidate other people? Have you ever broken things out of frustration? Or hit someone? Anger is a normal, healthy emotion. In fact, anger is a universal feeling. However, when anger feels out of control, it can become emotionally damaging and / or destructive. Uncontrolled anger can lead to problems at home, in the office, or in relationships. There are two primary ways to think of anger * Anger can be thought of as an aggressive response to negative feelings. Taking an aggressive posture allows one to defend themselves from others. Other people tend to notice anger and react. * Anger can be thought of as a “secondhand emotion” because it is preceded by other feelings of hurt and emotional pain. Anger is often considered to be out of control when it is used to demean others, intimidate others, or destroy others. When one expresses anger, common sense boundaries are required. Expressing unfiltered anger is limited. The recipient of the anger, must be able to hear the message. Too much unfiltered anger and the recipient then must become focused on his / her own safety as opposed to resolving the problem. Typically, people cope with anger in one of the following three ways. . * The person identifies their feelings, makes his or her needs known, provides the recipient with a way to meet their needs, and respects the others person boundaries. In others refrains from pushing or becoming mean. * The person holds in their anger, redirects their negative energy and simply stops thinking about it. This style can come out as passive-aggressive, critical of others, hostile, cynical, or demeaning. * The person self-soothes, calms themselves down, controls their outward behavior. This, while very effective risks having the anger turned inward – otherwise thought of as depression. Out of control anger typically occurs when all three approaches fail. Developing anger management skills will help you cope with the emotional feelings / physiological responses of anger (increased heart rate, etc). Anger management skills consists of learning how to redirect your immediate energy, identifying good timing to express ones anger, developing relaxation methods, deep breathing, imagery, cognitive restructuring, developing problem solving skills, communication techniques, diffusing the situation with humor or sometimes becoming aware enough to simply change ones environment.Anxiety and Panic
Anxiety and Panic Counseling in Philadelphia: Lately you've been feeling anxious, possibly have suffered a panic attack, or been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD.) You may be a victim of a social phobia that has decreased your quality of life. Read more about Anxiety and Panic to educate yourself on these various issues, determine whether you are suffering from one, and read up on self-help tips so that you can begin to overcome these disorders on your own.Autism
Autism in children and adults. We provide services both to children and their parents / primary caregivers, as working with adults who have a diagnosis of autism. We are located in Center City Philadelphia PA.Children and Families
Children and their families have unique needs. Depending on the issue, children, ages 3-11 benefit from working with play therapists and families from being with a therapist trained in family therapy. Each style of therapy will speak to the presenting issue in a slightly different way. Here at the Center for Growth, on staff we have clinician's trained in the different styles of treatment. Feel free to call us and speak with one of our clinician's about what style is right for you. Additionally, enjoy the tips we have written that specifically are written to help you better understand the various issues and possible treatment strategies.Chronic Illness and Chronic Pain
Chronic Illness and Chronic Pain Treatment in Philadelphia: Living with a chronic illness or pain can be an extremely difficult. The condition could have begun at birth, or begun recently. No two people react the same way. However, when looking at society at large, certain themes and patterns emerge. Coping requires developing a strong sense of self, developing a realistic plan, and creating a support system. If you are reading this tip to learn more about how to support a loved one with a chronic condition, keep reading.Codependency
Codependency Treatment in Center City Philadelphia: Codependency, also known as relationship addiction: Treatment for codependency is available in Center City, Philadelphia. The concept of a relationship addiction has only become popularized in the last ten years. The term was originally coined to describe the partner of a drug or alcohol addict. Codependency is a disease that is thought of as a learned behavior, typically passed down from one generation to the next. People who are codependent typically engage in one-sided, unhealthy and / or abusive relationships. Codependent individuals often have low self esteem, find it hard to be themselves and believe that nothing they do lives up to their expectations and standards. Typical control patterns that a person suffering from codependency might use are: lavishing gifts on those they care about, offering advice without being asked, becoming resentful when others do not let them help, placing value in others’ opinions over their own, and using sex to gain approval. People who are codependent may not feel satisfied in a relationship, and constantly feel as though they are giving too much.Depression
Depression Treatment in Philadelphia : With all the varying diagnoses of depression being used today, it can be difficult to know where to begin in order to learn more about your specific diagnosis. You may be suffering from situational depression, long term depression, clinical depression, clinical depression, and postpartum depression and medication. Read further to understand the nature of your specific depression, and get the tools you need in order to begin the hopeful journey to recoveryDrug Addiction
Drug Addiction Counseling in Center City Philadelphia : Recently you've felt, or been told by loved ones, that your using drugs is negatively affecting your life and the life of those around you. You've wanted to make a change, but are too scared to take the necessary steps to begin to battle your addiction. Read the self-help tips provided in order to begin to improve the quality of your life.Eating Disorders
Eating Disorder Treatment in Center City Philadelphia: Do you, or someone you know, suffer from anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating? Have you tried to take recommendations from others in order to make healthier choices, but have found it futile? Perhaps you've tried to help a friend and noticed that their health is not improving. This section includes a collection of strategies that one can implement to try to affect a positive change, as well as necessary information on healthy dieting and weight loss.Gambling Addiction
Gambling Addictions in Philadelphia: Gambling addiction in Philadelphia has become a growing trend ever since Act 71 was passed in Pennsylvania in 2004, legalizing slot casinos in the state. With the increasing ease of gambling in Philadelphia, the lines between Social Gambling and Compulsive Gambling are becoming blurred. If you have questions about what type of gambler you are, you might benefit from taking our Gambling Quiz. A gambling addiction left untreated is serious, and can resort in an individual stealing from family members, and abandoning their social lives. Gambling leaves individuals feeling out of control. Left untreated, people with a gambling addiction are at risk for developing marital and work problems, experiencing financial instability, severe debt, loss of house and bankruptcy. Gamblers can experience periods of wins and losses, yet unlike other individuals, who play to lose, gamblers play to win. Falsely believing that if they continue to play the will win. Thus, they may keep attempting to gamble even if they have lost a significant amount of money. To learn more about The Four Phases of Gambling. Like other addictions, gambling concerns everyone- especially if the gambler is betting with money set aside for payments on houses, childcare, college, etc. Gambling is a serious addiction that deserves serious attention; treatment for gambling addiction is available in Center City, Philadelphia, at the Center for Growth, Inc. If you live too far away to come in to see us, or you simply prefer recovering quietly in your own home, you may benefit from some reading our Recovery Tips.Grief, Sorrow, Loss and Mourning
Grief Therapy and Loss Counseling in Philadelphia: If you have just suffered the loss of a loved one, it may seem that happiness is an emotion that is out of reach. Taking care of your own mental health during this difficult time may seem impossible, let alone caring for other loved ones. Read this section in order to identify ways to make this transition possible, and to learn about the many faces of grief. We have broken down the types of tips written on grief, sorrow, loss and mourning into the following four categories: * Children and loss * Overcoming loss and moving forward * Stages of grief * Types of loss, grief and sorrow If after reading all of our self help tips, you find yourself wanting more support and you live in Center City Philadelphia or the surrounding regions, including the Main Line, Montgomery County, Bucks County, Chestery County, Cherry Hill and Southern New Jersey area and want to schedule an appointment for grief counseling / grief therapy call (267) 324-9564.Other
How to get a job, employment, and job satisfaction.Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression in Philadelphia: is motherhood not what you expected? Are you feeling fatigued, anxious, depressed, extreme sadness, worried, guilty or simply not yourself? Many pregnant women and new mothers are not prepared for the wide range of negative feelings that they are experiencing. Pregnancy and motherhood were supposed to be wonderful. Because motherhood is typically discussed only in positive terms, many women have unrealistic expectations. Therefore when new mothers’ experience the full range of emotions (both positive and negative) they feel isolated. Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression is a time when support from others is most needed and often least sought out. Get to know the risk factors of prenatal depression, On the journey to parenthood, we strongly recommend becoming educated about typical issues that pregnant mothers / new moms and fathers experience. For example, the decision to breastfeed or give your child formula, handling friends and family who love you, but are not helpful, or offer unwanted advice, hiring a doula to help with the birth of the child or identifying basic strategies for surviving the first few months of motherhood. everyone will experience the journey through parenthood the same. Each of us are unique, however, we can learn from one another as to how other people have experienced similar issues and survived it. Learn basic support techniques. If you are experiencing baby blues or postpartum depression, help is available. Do not be shy about asking for support. Support can come in many different forms: * Spending time with other new moms * Joining a new mom’s group * Individual therapy * Group therapy * Asking a loved one to care for your basic needs (cooking, cleaning, watching the baby while you sleep) while you focus your energy on caring for the newborn * Medication To determine if you are most likely experiencing typical baby blues or something more serious like postpartum depression. take our postpartum depression quiz, . In either scenario, we strongly encourage you to force yourself to get out of the house and socialize with other new moms. If you can't physically leave the house, than at least pick up the telephone and call a friend. If you do not help yourself, your baby may suffer. You need to care for yourself so that you will have enough energy to care for your child. If at any point you feel like you or your child is in danger go to the closest ER. Additionally if you are experiencing postpartum psychosis immediate help is required. Remember, depression after the birth of a child, according to research is one of the most common complications of pregnancy. One out of eight women experience it. Feelings of depression, while unsettling are frequently temporary and treatable with the help of professional care and / or a social support group.Pregnancy and Parenting
Although many books have been published on parenting, there is no essential guideline, no bible on this joyful, yet difficult, title. Raising a child elicits a struggle for a parent, as no child responds well to all styles of parenting. Our goal is to provide you with a basic outline: how to set limits, teach responsibility, parent a child with special needs, and establish an important emotional connection with your child. Additionally, we have dedicated a whole section on taking time for yourself and continuing to cultivate your marriage.Quiz
Go ahead, diagnosis yourself! You may just have a Gambling Addiction, Sex Addiction, Perinatal Depression, Eating habits that will prevent you from losing weight, Codependent personality, or simply bad habits that you are uncomfortable with. Take the challenge. Test yourself.Relationship and Marital Problems
Marriage Counseling and Relationship Counseling in Center City Philadelphia : Perhaps you've experienced a divorce, or have simply been single for a while and are hoping to enter a new relationship. Maybe you're not sure if the one you have now is worth saving, as the passion may have waned and you've begun fighting with your partner. This section is designed to help you answer all those questions and to develop the skills needed to work through common relationship problems.Sexuality and Sexual health
Are you experiencing sexual problems? Are you in needs of some tips, tricks and ideas about how to overcome Erectile Problems , ImpotencePremature ejaculationPainful intercourse / Dyspareunia Having an orgasm Having an overactive sex drive / sexual addiction or No sex drive, maybe you are trying to become pregnant, can can’t, or simply don’t know how to have sex. Are you gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender and needing someone safe to talk with. Have you experienced any of the following sexual issues: Sexual Aversions , Sexual Boredom , poor body image, Sexual Embarassement and / or Anxiety, Depression, Chronic Pain, Cheating Spouse / Infidelity, Medical Problems, Sexual Trauma Marital Problems or basic Sexual Communication Problems. If so, sex therapy will help you. For some this will be simply improving sexual performance (improving sexual techniques IST), for others it will be about sexual communication and intimacy and for others it may be about becoming more comfortable with oneself.Spirituality
Spiritual Counseling in Philadelphia: Individuals heal in various ways, though the essence of healing involves a combination of mind, body and spirit. There is no one specific way to reach spirituality, which is why we are providing a series of tips to help you find the way that suites you the best. Ultimately, none of us know the "right" answers towards your most personal questions, and the tips are not geared to define specific questions; however, they were created to help you along your own unique journey.The Glossary
Glossary of termsTrauma
Trauma articles written by therapists located in Philadelphia. We are here to help you either via the Internet through these articles or in person in our Center City Philadelphia office.Glossary of Terms »
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