by Julia Rosengren, Psy.D. “A theory that is wrong is considered preferable to admitting our ignorance.” – Elliot Vallenstein, Ph.D. Julia Rosengren, Psy.D. is the Clinical Coordinator at Practical Recovery’s outpatient office (Practical Recovery Psychology Group). She has compiled a list of common misconceptions about treatment from her experience in the field. Myth #1: “I have a chemical imbalance. Talking doesn’t seem helpful.” From my experience, this way of thinking actually hinders treatment progress. Not only is this an oversimplification of what occurs in the brain, but externalizing the problem allows for feelings of helplessness. For example, if a problem is due to deficits in one’s brain chemistry, then theoretically there is little someone can do to remedy the issue be...

Physical and emotional health are very much connected. If you are not feeling well physically, it is difficult to manage feelings of anger, sadness, or anxiety. In order to improve your physical well-being (and in turn your emotional well-being), focus on the following areas: Sleep—Restful sleep is an important part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle. If you have difficulty sleeping, try reducing your caffeine intake. Creating a sleep routine can also be helpful. Go to bed at the same time each night, and practice a relaxing nightly ritual such as meditation. Exercise—Physical exercise is not only beneficial to your body, but also to your mood. Exercise does not need to be strenuous to be beneficial; simply taking a walk can make you feel better. If you have not exercised for a whil...

Original article by Mackenzie Dawson first appeared in the NY Post on September 11, 2014 “I try to forget #WhyIStayed because #WhyILeft is a much more enjoyable story with a fairy tale happy ending.” So writes one Twitter user in a post that neatly sums up much of the reaction to the Ray Rice domestic abuse scandal, involving a video of him punching his then-fiancée, now wife, in the face and then dragging her out of the elevator of an Atlantic City casino. The video is shocking. Horrifying. And, as we are all so quick to do whenever a narrative doesn’t progress exactly as we would like it to, we commenced pointing fingers. First — and most deservedly — at the NFL, which initially reacted to the incident by suspending the Ravens running back for a mere two games. (Thi...

Jessica Yaffa responds to the NFL's reaction to Ray Rice's abusive behavior (NBC 7 San Diego):

In recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently released a report titled “Preventing Suicide: A Global Imperative.” While knowledge about suicide has been steadily increasing, it is still a major problem around the globe, with more than 800,000 people dying by suicide each year. Here are some of the key points outlined in the WHO report: Suicide is a serious problem. Approximately every 40 seconds, somebody dies by suicide. Among young adults between 15 and 29 years of age, suicide accounts for 8.5% of all deaths and is ranked as the second leading cause of death. Among those aged 30-49, it is the fifth leading cause of death. Suicide accounts for 50% of all violent deaths in men and 71% in women. Despite increased underst...

by Kevin Murphy, Psy.D. Suicide is a quiet epidemic in the US. Although the media in this country lends much of its attention to murder, with nightly news stories and documentaries on the perils of living in a country with over 300 million guns, suicide never receives the same degree of focus. The broad coverage surrounding Robin Williams’ death represents an exception, and has directed attention to a long neglected issue that actually dwarfs the size of this country’s problem with violence. In recent years, the annual suicide rate has tripled that of homicides in the US. As the murder rate has dramatically dipped in this country over the last 20 years (from an all-time high of 24,000 murders in 1991), the suicide rate has held steady over that time period. According to the FBI's web...

Discomfort is an unavoidable feeling. Anxiety, depression, anger, urges… these can be uncomfortable, even painful, experiences. While you may be tempted to avoid discomfort or to attempt to make it go away as quickly as possible, struggling against discomfort typically intensifies it. Alternatively, accepting that pain is just a part of life can actually make a painful experience easier to bear. In other words, the most effective way to deal with discomfort/pain is often to learn how to tolerate it. Your beliefs play a role in your ability to tolerate discomfort. If you tell yourself that discomfort is unbearable or that you shouldn’t have to feel any pain, then you will likely make the situation more challenging. Instead, try using coping statements such as “I can get through this” ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 03, 2014 Practical Recovery announces the opening of The Restoration Inn Press release SAN DIEGO, CA - Practical Recovery, an addiction treatment system located in San Diego, CA is thrilled to announce the opening of The Restoration Inn, a place where women from all over the world are invited to come and renew their sense of self following a traumatic event or set of events. The specialized team at The Restoration Inn is committed to addressing the unique needs of survivors that have endured any sort of relationship trauma, including but not limited to child abuse, molestation, relationship violence, sexual assault and stalking. While all of our clients will present to treatment with some form of substance misuse, our intention to address not only...

More Herbs, Less Salt A healthy diet is extremely important, not just for recovery, but for overall physical and mental health. A good rule of thumb when it comes to a balanced diet is “everything in moderation.” Our bodies need some sodium to function properly, but many people go overboard when it comes to salt consumption. Most Americans consume at least 1.5 teaspoons of salt per day, which contains far more sodium than our bodies need. Too much sodium in the diet can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and other health complications. “But salt makes everything taste better,” you may say. Don’t worry, we have a simple solution-HERBS! Adding herbs to our diet is a great way to lay off the salt but still add amazing flavor to the foods we eat. Herbs have the power ...

Being kind to others feels good, and research shows that it also has beneficial effects. Did you know that kindness actually increases happiness? When we do something nice for others, the dopamine levels in our brains increase, making us feel happier. This feeling is known as a “helper’s high.” Kindness also improves our relationships by making us feel more bonded to other people. Kindness has even been found to slow the aging process. In honor of “Be Kind to Humankind Week,” consider making an effort to spread some extra cheer. Here are a few simple things to try: 1. Random acts of kindness—Simply do something nice for somebody else! You could pay for a stranger’s Starbucks order, put a quarter in a meter that will soon expire, or offer to do some yard work for a neighbor. 2. ...