Category: Professional Development
How a Psychotherapist Deals With ‘Failing’ a Patient
It is certainly difficult to come to terms with treating a patient who seemingly may not be benefiting from therapy. It is also quite easy to view that as a failure on the part of the therapist. However, it is important to remember that patients come to the office with years of trauma. And the expectation on behalf of a therapist to lift the … Read More How a Psychotherapist Deals With ‘Failing’ a Patient
The Painful Side of Narcissism
Narcissism is a term which has roots in Greek mythology, and as the story goes, a nymph named Echo fell in love with a handsome young man named Narcissus who loved nobody but himself. Echo had previously been cursed by a vengeful goddess who took from her the ability to form her own words. Thus, she was only able to repeat the words of … Read More The Painful Side of Narcissism
Running Ragged
I’m a child psychiatrist. Psychiatry has historically had a reputation of being a more “touchy feely” specialty compared to something more “Hulk smash” like orthopedic surgery. Regardless of the specialty, the same ideas apply. What I find ironic about the whole institution of medicine is that we teach empathy and compassion in the delivery of patient care while simultaneously rewarding terribly unhealthy behaviors in … Read More Running Ragged
Embracing Change
It’s been said that the only constant in life is change. If that is the case, then why is change sometimes so difficult to cope with when it happens? Perhaps it is that when change occurs, it doesn’t provide much warning, so there’s little time to prepare. When we are caught off guard, we are forced to react instinctively as opposed to being able … Read More Embracing Change
Staying Healthy at Your Desk
Sitting down all day is one of the worst things we can do for our health. A sedentary lifestyle increases risk for weight gain, heart disease, and pain in muscles and joints among other things. But what about those of us who have a job that requires us to sit at a desk for the majority of the day? We only get one body, … Read More Staying Healthy at Your Desk
Learn How to Love Your Spine: The Lost Art of Sitting
The probability of something life changing happening to me on the way to work is slim. But recently one morning when I was in the car driving to work I listened to a segment on NPR that changed my life. Let me preface this article by saying I’m an active person. I exercise regularly, eat healthy, and live a busy lifestyle. My favorite types of classes … Read More Learn How to Love Your Spine: The Lost Art of Sitting
Navigating Life Transitions
There is something about a big life transition that often forces you to reflect on the life you have lived this far. A short story When I was 24 I just got to medical school. And at my white coat ceremony one of the attendings was speaking and she said “my hope for you all is that you have a serious illness from which … Read More Navigating Life Transitions
Overcoming the Millennial Stereotype
Pew Research Center defines Millennials as being born between the years of 1981 and 1996. For any of us that fall into this category, we are astutely aware of the negative connotations associated with this label. A simple Google search of “Millennials are” returns: lazy, entitled, and broke within the top 10 results. When it comes to proving ourselves in the work place we may … Read More Overcoming the Millennial Stereotype
Healthy Ways to Destress After Work
Regardless of how much we love our jobs, work can be stressful. Some days we keep an eye on the clock waiting in anticipation for the day to be over, and are often consumed by the thought of how we can relax after a difficult day. The trouble is, life doesn’t stop after we get home. Kids have homework, the dog needs to be … Read More Healthy Ways to Destress After Work
Making Peace with Jealousy
Jealousy is a natural human emotion and is often incited at the most inconvenient of times. It is frequently unavoidable given that it usually springs up without warning. Nobody pencils into their calendar, “I plan to be jealous of X today,” but the reality is that this emotion can hold tremendous power over us if we let it. Jealousy frequently stems from some sense … Read More Making Peace with Jealousy
Mental Wellness in the Workplace
Work stress is quite often a significant component of everyday life, and can be hard to handle when your financial well-being is directly tied to your job. While there can still be some stigma against mental health in the work place, attitudes toward such issues are changing. There may be resources either at or through your work place you may not even be aware … Read More Mental Wellness in the Workplace