Skip to content

Therapist Blog

Achievement Grief: Why Success Can Feel Empty for High Achievers | Amority Health

Achievement Grief: Why Success Can Feel Empty for High Achievers | Amority Health Written By: Rachel Cooper, MS, LPC Associate  Supervised by Dr. Amber Quaranta Leech, LPC-S This article was originally published on Amority Health’s Blog – Shifting Perceptions:  Read the original article You Did Everything You Set Out to Do… So Why Does it Feel […]

Common Habits that Worsen Sleep Problems

Dr. Pam Heilman

Quality sleep is essential for physical and mental health. As a psychologist, I frequently discuss sleep problems with my clients. On the surface, many of the habits I mention below will seem like they could be helpful. However, they are disruptive to processes such as circadian rhythm and sleep drive, which are essential for quality […]

Evidence-based Treatment for Panic Disorder

Dr. Pam Heilman

A panic attack is an abrupt surge of intense fear or discomfort that lasts for approximately 10-15 minutes. Panic attacks are associated with many physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, chest pain or discomfort, sweating, and dizziness. Individuals experiencing panic often have a fear of dying or going crazy. Panic attacks commonly co-occur with other […]

The Impact of Unforgiveness on Mental Health

Dr. Pam Heilman

Forgiveness can be challenging to discuss in therapy. In my work with clients, the topic of forgiveness frequently comes up. The reality is, if we want to sustain any relationship, we will need to have the ability to forgive. We hurt each other in big and small ways through judgments, misunderstandings, betrayals, and criticisms. Unfortunately, […]

Flexible Thinking for Relationship Improvement

Dr. Pam Heilman

In a world that feels uncertain and scary, people can develop more rigid thinking to regain a sense of control or safety. Unfortunately, this can lead to broken relationships, loneliness, and isolation. Below, I address common thinking pitfalls related to relationships and how to manage them. Black and white thinking (also known as “all-or-nothing thinking”)- […]

Exposure and Response Prevention: Evidence-based treatment for OCD and anxiety related disorders

Dr. Pam Heilman

As an OCD and anxiety specialist, one of the main treatments I utilize is called Exposure and response prevention (ERP). The name itself can sound somewhat intimidating. When we think of the word, “exposure” it sounds like “exposed” which can make a person feel vulnerable right out of the gate. ERP can be very challenging, […]

Social Anxiety: What it is and How to Manage it.

Dr. Pam Heilman

It is normal for human beings to experience feelings of nervousness or shyness from time to time. Some people are naturally shy or introverted so they may have less desire for social interaction. Social anxiety disorder or social phobia occurs when an individual experiences marked fear or anxiety about one or more social situations in […]

How a History of Trauma Impacts Intimate Relationships

Luis Maimoni

Guest Post by Steven Kilmann, LMFT, MD When someone begins the journey of healing, it’s often because past pain has started to echo into their present—especially in their closest relationships. I know this firsthand. After surviving childhood abuse, I struggled for years to feel truly safe with anyone. Even when I found someone kind and patient, […]

BURNOUT: Strategies for Self-Care

Burnout is a form of emotional exhaustion that can occur in response to persistent and unrelenting stress. Since COVID-19 lockdowns, many people struggled to establish boundaries between work and home, and, in some cases, to juggle the twin demands of work, home school and childcare with no supports in place – the perfect combination of […]