Equilibria Psychological & Consultation Services

Has your child's therapist requested a family/parent meeting with you and your child? Toriann Clarke, LPC highlights how and why the meeting may be helpful!

For more resources or to connect with a therapist for yourself or your child, visit our website:
https://equilibriapcs.com

or call us at 267-861-3685

You've probably heard the phrase, "Let good enough be good enough." Parents, this one is for you. Modern parents, and especially moms, face so many pressures and expectations in the quest to be a great parent. This can be exhausting and deplete us mentally, emotionally, physically, and financially. Ironically, all of these efforts in pursuit of parental perfection may not even be healthy for our kids. In this article posted on Psychology Today Dr. Corrine Masur re-introduces us to the concept of the "good enough mother" and the benefits this has for parents and children alike. To quote author Jill Churchill, "There is no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."

Is It Even Possible to Be a "Perfect Mom"? Parents, and moms in particular, often expect themselves to be perfect—hurting both their own self-esteem and their children's development. There's a better way.

Australian meteorologist Nate Byrne experienced a panic attack live on air but managed it by calmly informing the audience and asking his colleague to take over. His transparent handling of the situation was widely praised, sparking online discussions about the importance of addressing mental health openly. Experts noted that Byrne's response helped reduce the stigma around panic attacks, offering valuable lessons on how to manage such situations with composure and support.

Read the full article: https://www.aol.com/australian-meteorologist-nate-byrne-had-220929403.html

If you or someone you know experience panic attacks and are interested in seeking therapy, give us a call to meet with therapist at: 267-861-3685 or visit our website: https://equilibriapcs.com

Australian meteorologist Nate Byrne had a panic attack on live TV. What we can all learn from his 'masterful' reaction. It wasn't Byrne's first on-air panic attack, and this time he was prepared with a support system that helped him smoothly navigate through the stressful moment.

Parents, have you laughed with your child today? Check out the article below by Christina Yu and posted on Penn State's website. It explains that a pilot research study has shown that humor is an effective parenting tool that also helps to build positive parent-child relationships. The article explains that in addition to bringing positivity to the parent-child relationship, humor helps teach cognitive flexibility, relieves stress, and encourages problem solving and resilience. Bring on the dad (and mom) jokes!

Parents who use humor have better relationships with their children, study finds | Penn State University In a pilot study, most people viewed humor as an effective parenting tool and that a parent or caregiver’s use of humor affected the quality of their relationship with their children, according to new research led by a team from Penn State College of Medicine and published in PLOS One. Among those...

In a new post, Toriann Clarke, LPC, NCC breaks down the questions you may consider when finding a therapist. Everyone deserves a culturally competent clinician to feel seen, feel heard, and to be validated.

Read her post + other resources on our website! 🎉https://equilibriapcs.com/what-to-look-for-in-a-culturally-competent-clinician/

To schedule a session with one of our clinicians, visit our website or call: 267-861-3685

https://equilibriapcs.com

Many children feel nervous and worried returning to school at the end of summer. Take a moment to listen to your child's concerns and validate their experiences. Discussing expectations about the upcoming year, practicing their school routine, and preparing/ organizing supplies may reduce their worries. Consider reviewing academic skills from the prior school year to help your child build confidence! Small strategies to relax such as deep breathing can be great tools to utilize in any classroom or on the school bus. Once the school year starts, encourage your child to build friendships with their peers :) 🎉 If your child may benefit from speaking with a therapist about their worries, Equilibria is here to help!

Call us at 267-861-3685 to be connected with a child therapist

3 Ways to Foster Assertive Communication by: Toriann Clarke, LPC

https://equilibriapcs.com/3-ways-to-foster-assertive-communication-in-children/

Overthink much?

There are plenty of memes and other humorous observations out there about the tendency to overthink and what it does to our emotions and behavior. But joking aside, overthinking can make people feel trapped or paralyzed. We know our thoughts affect our feelings and in turn affect our behavior. If you feel like you are stuck in a cycle of overthinking and especially if that overthinking is causing you anxiety, depression, or other upsetting emotions, this article by Dr. Samantha Boardman that appeared on Katie Couric Media will likely be helpful for you. Dr. Boardman describes six exercises that can help with overthinking. These exercises are from a therapeutic approach known as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or ACT, which many of our Equilibria therapists incorporate into their clinical work.

To schedule an appointment with a therapist trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or to schedule with any of our clinicians, call us at (267) 861-3685 or visit our website at: https://equilibriapcs.com

https://katiecouric.com/health/mental-health/how-to-stop-overthinking/

Equilibria Psychological and Consultation Services Our psychologists, school psychologists and therapists offer therapy & assessment services for children, teens, families, adults, and couples.

ADHD has received a lot of attention in the media in recent years, including increased recognition that adults can experience ADHD that may have gone undiagnosed in childhood. However, it is important to know that many other conditions can cause challenges with distraction, low motivation, impulsivity, disorganization, and other symptoms associated with ADHD. Without proper evaluation by a qualified clinical professional, someone who assumes they have ADHD may miss out on services and interventions that could be most helpful to them. The article below, which was written by Christina Caron and appeared in the New York Times, describes how a diagnosis should be made and some of the other conditions that can look like ADHD.

If you are concerned that you or your child may have ADHD, Equilibria has psychologists on staff who specialize in ADHD assessment for both children and adults and these evaluations are often covered by insurance. Call us to schedule an appointment at (267) 861-3685.

Impulsive and Hyperactive? It Doesn’t Mean You Have A.D.H.D. Many other conditions have similar symptoms, experts say, so avoid the pull of self-diagnosis.

Today, July 16th, is the 2-year anniversary of the National Su***de Prevention Lifeline number: 988! In May 2024, over 600,000 calls were routed to connect people with professionals. PLEASE KNOW you can call or text this number for mental health distress, substance use crisis, or thoughts of su***de. Alternatively, you can go online at chat988lifeline.org. Support is available 24/7 to anyone who needs it! Keep this number handy or share it with a friend/ family member who may need it.

For more information visit:https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/988-factsheet.pdf

#988 ***deprevention

The Week of Visibility for Non-Monogamy starts today! There are several events happening in-person and online to celebrate and advance acceptance for non-monogamous families and relationships! For more information, click the link below: https://www.weekofvisibility.com

For many kids, especially those already prone to anxiety, one part of the summer or another can bring increased anxiety. For some kids it's the transition to unstructured time and time away from friends, teachers and school year activities. For others it's new or unfamiliar experiences, like camp. For many, it's the August jitters--the anxiety that comes as a transition to a new school and away from the freedoms of summer approaches. In this article posted on NYU Langone News two psychologists offer parents tips to support their children with these summer time anxieties. If you think your child may benefit from speaking with a therapist about their anxieties, please contact us at Equilibria now. Rather than waiting until the start of the school year, summer time can be a very helpful time for a child to begin working with a therapist to prepare them for a successful start to the new school year.

Helping Your Child Manage Anxiety When School’s Out for Summer NYU Langone child psychologists Dr. Becky Lois and Dr. Katya Viswanadhan offer tips to help your child manage anxiety during summer break. Learn more.

Individuals with disabilities deserve to live a life of self-determination. This July we mark the 34th anniversary of the ADA, a landmark legislation that helped create a more inclusive society. While we acknowledge the work that has been done, there is still so much do to!

Be an advocate by using inclusive language and remember "don't judge a disability by it's visibility"

Happy 4th of July from Philadelphia 🎉! We hope everyone has a safe and wonderful Independence Day. We encourage everyone to be mindful of those who may be affected by fireworks: the elderly, veterans, individuals who have experienced gun violence, animals, children and more. Please be sure to take care of yourself (drink water, stay in the shade, drink responsibly) and use noice protection if needed!

July is BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month! At Equilibria, we want to raise awareness to the injustices of BIPOC communities within the mental health field. These include: misdiagnosing/ over diagnosing individuals with psychotic disorders in comparison to mood disorders, directing BIPOC youth to juvenile justice systems instead of speciality care facilities, and sustained levels of stress and distress due to discrimination and prejudice. Check out Mental Health America for more information about the impact of racism (interpersonal and systemic) on mental health ✨

We are so excited to announce that our ✨NEW✨ Lafayette Hill office is open and accepting new clients! Robert Finley, has immediate openings for individuals, families, and couples. Robert uses a psychodynamic approach, incorporating EMDR and neurological-brain based principles, to help clients understand how their challenges may be rooted in different relationships they've had in their lifetime. For more information about Robert, Equilibria, or to schedule an appointment, please visit our website: https://equilibriapcs.com or call us at (267) 861-3685

Small changes to the way we think can have a ✨BIG✨ impact on how we feel and how we behave! Try one of these thought replacement strategies today or consider working with a CBT-trained therapist to help you shift your mindset and address negative thoughts. Call us today at: (267) 861-3685 or visit our website: https://equilibriapcs.com

Did you know that men are less likely to seek services for mental health issues even though research shows that annually, over 6 million men experience depression and over 3 million men have anxiety disorders. Research also shows that men are at higher risk for substance use disorders and su***de. Everyday, we must continue to end the stigma against men seeking mental health services.

If you or someone you know is in need of mental health services, please call us at (267) 861-3685 or visit our website: https://equilibriapcs.com

Our clinicians are looking forward to celebrating Narberth's PRIDE at the park! Please come join us or stop by and say hello :) We'd love to see you there!

When: Saturday June 15th from 12:30-2:30
Where: Narberth Park, Narberth PA 19072

For more information about the event: https://prideatthepark.org

Check out this awesome event TODAY 6/11 @ 4:00 PM and again on 6/25 located at the Bushrod Branch Library: Free Library of Philadelphia! Celebrate PRIDE by moving your body ✨

Mindful Movement with PRIDE! Mindful Movement - w- PRIDE!   Tuesdays: 06/11/24 & 06/25/24   Join us as we discover different methods of Meditation: moving, sitting and sou

Many children struggle with transitions. As the school year comes to an end, the summer break can be an opportunity for children to process challenges they had the previous school year and plan for ways to make the next year better and more successful. Caitlin Foley, LPC, has immediate openings for children, teens, and young adults (ages 6-25) at our ✨NEW✨ Lafayette Hill office!

To schedule with Caitlin, call (267) 861-3685 or visit her bio here:

https://equilibriapcs.com/our-therapists/caitlin-r-foley-msed-lpc/

Equilibria's Child Therapy Center of Excellence hosted a highly informative and engaging training yesterday with Dr. Erica Sirrine, PhD, LCSW, FT, and Director of Social Work at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, who shared her expertise on helping children and adolescents cope with grief and loss. This training was so beneficial and will allow our clinicians to provide the highest quality services to children and their families who are seeking support with grief.

To learn more about Dr. Erica Sirrine and her work:
https://www.hopeandgrief.com

To learn more about Equilibria Psychological and Consultation Services:
https://equilibriapcs.com

Equilibria stands with survivors of gun violence. We hope you will join us and WEAR ORANGE this Friday, June 7th, and participate in local events in our community to bring awareness to gun violence and the need for reform.

June 6 at 11am - St. Christopher's Hospital for Children
https://www.phila.gov/2024-06-04-wear-orange-this-weekend-and-support-an-end-to-gun-violence/

June 7 at 2pm - Northwest Victim Services
https://forms.everytown.org/a/pa-philadelphia-wear-orange-gun-violence-awareness-workshop

June 8 at 7am - Philadelphia Walk to Save Black Men's Lives - The African American Male Wellness Agency
https://aawellness.org/philadelphia-pennsylvania/

June 8 at 10am - Peace Walk and Block Party
https://www.chestercity.com/event/2024-wear-orange-peace-walk-and-block-party/

June 8 at 11am - Gun Violence Victim and Remembrance Rally ()
https://forms.everytown.org/a/pa-phl-wear-orange-gun-violence-victim-remembrance-rally

If you or someone you know have been affected by gun violence and are looking for support, please call Equilibria Psychological and Consultation Services at 267-861-3685

Dr. Axel believes that evaluations empower individuals by providing valuable information that can be used for diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Axel's experience with adult assessments can help adults with life-long questions by providing clarity and hope!

Check out Dr. Axel's bio here:
https://equilibriapcs.com/our-therapists/avery-axel-psy-d/

Call to schedule: (267) 861-3685

The LGBTQIA+ community is one of resiliency and PRIDE! It has been 55 years since the Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan- a pivotal moment in LGBT liberation movement. Today (and everyday) we celebrate diversity and acceptance reject discrimination and violence towards the LGBT+ community. Everyone is welcome at Equilibria 💖

As Mental Health Awareness Month draws to a close, at Equilibria we believe it is important to acknowledge that although discussions of mental health and mental illness are more open than in the past, stigma around these topics and experiences persists. Stigma about mental health challenges and mental illness leads to embarrassment, shame, silence, and reluctance to seek help and support. We encourage everyone to adopt practices to reduce mental health stigma. In this article posted on The Mighty, author Kelly Douglas offers 18 ways we can all contribute to reducing stigma around mental health and illness.

https://themighty.com/topic/mental-health/how-to-reduce-mental-health-stigma/

During this Memorial Day weekend Equilibria recognizes the service and sacrifice of military service members and their families. We acknowledge that the burdens of service are significant and sometimes overwhelming. The su***de rates of veteran and active duty service members remains tragically high. In this article posted on the Conversation, April Smith of Auburn University shares information about her research to better understand su***de among veterans and active service members and what may help to reduce the frequency of this tragedy. If you or someone you know is considering su***de, please don't suffer alone. Call 988; military members can press 1 or use https://www.veteranscrisisline.net

https://theconversation.com/more-military-veterans-and-active-duty-service-members-are-dying-by-su***de-than-in-battle-understanding-why-can-help-with-prevention-229876

Did you know that Equilibria accepts medicare plans? Dr. Ward works with seniors, adults with ASD, chronic pain, and SO much more! NJ clients (virtual) are also welcome! ☺ Check out Dr. Ward's bio here: https://equilibriapcs.com/our-therapists/martin-ward/

To schedule a session with Dr. Martin Ward or another clinician, call (267) 861-3685

Clinician Spotlight: Josh Feldman, LCSW! As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Josh utilizes a number of treatment modalities to help you make meaningful change. Learn more about Josh and his work with children and adolescents, family/ interpersonal conflict, and trauma by checking out his bio here: https://equilibriapcs.com/our-therapists/joshua-feldman/

If you'd like to schedule an intake with Josh or any of our other clinicians, call: (267) 861-3685

Thank you Rep. Gina H. Curry for an amazing Mid-Week Senior Fun Fair! Our wonderful clinician Cristine Cappo, LPC and her dog Pippy were a huge hit! What a wonderful event centered around connecting with others through music, games, and laughter. We appreciate the work and dedication of supporting our seniors and are grateful for the collaboration with Rep. Curry and her team.

Check out Cristine, Pippy, and a few of their new friends ☺️