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Ariel Sheeger

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Give the Gift of Mental Health: 5 Present Ideas

The holidays are just around the corner, and many of us are struggling to come up with gift ideas our friends and family will love. With so many people dealing with stress and anxiety these days over the recession, layoffs and threat of nuclear war, the best gift you can give this season is the gift of mental health.

With this in mind, here are some very thoughtful, practical and creative gifts ideas for loved ones who may be struggling with stress or anxiety:

1. Weighted Blankets

Weighted blankets have been shown to decrease a person’s anxiety. The weight of the blanket applies gentle pressure to the body, eliciting the same response as a hug or cuddle. These blankets are also great for helping people with sleep issues.

2. Art Supplies

Some people, adults and children alike, have a hard time expressing how they feel through language. But expression through art helps people get their feelings out.

Why not head to your local craft store and get your loved one something to help them tap into their creative side. It could be a paint set, adult coloring book, or modeling clay. Creating art has a meditative and calming effect as well.

3. Journal

Some people need to write things down in order to process them. You can find really nice journals for under $20 for that person in your life who is introspective and needs to get those thoughts, feelings and ideas onto paper.

4. Meditation & Mindfulness Subscription

Practicing mindfulness and meditation has been shown to provide mental, physical and emotional benefits. But it can be hard to get started with the practice. Help your loved one find Zen and calm with a subscription to a meditation and mindfulness app.

5. Mind Over Mind

There are many wonderful mental health books out there. One I recommend is called Mind Over Mind, which uses proven Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) exercises to shift an individual’s feelings, thoughts and behaviors.

And if you or your loved one would like to explore CBT with a licensed therapist, please reach out to me. Sometimes talking to someone can really make all the difference.

SOURCES:

https://www.choosingtherapy.com/mental-health-gifts/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/gifts-struggling-mental-health_l_5fc8f6ecc5b6933ec7dd0b9e

https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/gift-guide-ideas

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Does the Gender of Your Therapist Matter?

Finding a therapist that you feel totally safe and comfortable with is very important for your healing journey. Because of this, some people wonder whether it’s important for your therapist to be a certain gender.

Some have theorized over the years that the gender of a therapist should not matter. After all if they have both been trained and licensed and have a solid track record of helping clients, why should it matter?

While this attitude may make sense with other professionals, such as a dentist or veterinarian, gender can have a much more profound impact when it comes to seeking mental health counseling.

Beliefs and Comfort Levels Affect Treatment

Wishing your dentist was a woman instead of a man will not effective the outcome of your root canal. But feeling safer with a female therapist will affect your outcomes. Or believing that only another man can truly understand what you are going through will certainly impact the effectiveness of your treatment.

A woman who is dealing with the trauma of a rape may certainly not feel safe enough in the presence of a male therapist. Conversely, a woman who has been traumatized by a narcissistic mother may only feel safe with a male therapist.

Parents bringing their child in for therapy may specifically seek either a female or male therapist, depending on the specific scenario or issue. A young boy without any positive male role models may need the guidance provided by a male therapist. A female child who is scarred by an abusive alcoholic father may need the safety and comfort of a female therapist.

You Have Every Right

You should never be made to feel guilty because you have a preference for a therapist who is of a certain gender. Your comfort should be your number one priority.

If you would like to explore treatment options, and feel I may be a good fit for your needs, please reach out to me.

SOURCES:

https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/faq/does-sex-or-gender-of-therapist-matter

Does The Gender Of Your Therapist Matter?

Therapist Gender Does it Matter?

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Introducing Your New Partner to Your Parents

Falling in love is amazing. You and the other person talk on the phone for hours, complete each other’s sentences, and give each other butterflies when you see each other in person. Life feels perfect. Could this special someone be “the one?”

Well, before you can spend the rest of your life together, you’ve first got to introduce your new partner to your parents. *Gulp*

There is no denying that introducing new partners to parents can be nerve-wracking. What if they don’t like your new girlfriend? What if your boyfriend doesn’t like them?

Here are some suggestions for making that first meeting go as smoothly and peacefully as possible:

Get Them Primed

Parents are far more likely to give this new person a real chance if they know things are serious between you two. So don’t just show up for dinner one day with your S.O. Do a little prep work by sharing photos and stories of how you met, a recent date, etc. When they know this person really matters to you, they’ll be more apt to come to the meeting with an open mind and heart.

Draft Your Siblings

If you have siblings, introduce your partner to them first. No need to make the meeting a big deal, keep it casual. Take your S.O. with you when you swing by your brother’s place to pick up those golf clubs. Text your sister to have her stop by the diner. If you can show how happy you are to your siblings, they’ll pass this information on to your parents.

Chill

Your new partner shouldn’t feel like they are going on a job interview. If they are anxious, worried or nervous, how can they really be themselves? If you are relaxed, they will feel relaxed.

And last but not least, remember that your parents love you and just want what’s best for you. At the end of the day, they just want you to be happy. So don’t be to outraged if they don’t warm up immediately.

SOURCES:

https://lifehacker.com/how-to-introduce-a-new-partner-to-your-parents-1847030548

https://www.romper.com/p/7-ways-to-introduce-a-new-partner-to-your-family-avoid-a-meet-the-parents-situation-3520

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How to Deal with Family Drama Around the Holidays

For many of us, spending time with family during the holidays is something straight out of a Hallmark movie with days filled with comfort and joy. But for others, the holidays with family are scarier than Halloween. From the stress of traveling to the pressure of buying and wrapping gifts, and the fact many family members can’t be in the same room with each other without a fight erupting, holidays can be stressful!

While you can’t necessarily stop family drama from occurring, there are some simple and effective ways you can deal with it:

Have Realistic Expectations

So much of the pain of the holidays comes from having unrealistic expectations. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment. Acknowledge beforehand that you and your family are human and that there may be those moments that aren’t very pleasant and that’s okay. Life and families are messy. Recognize it, own it and you’ll find you won’t get as upset.

Set Your Boundaries

Time spent with families over the holidays can also trigger us to feel like children all over again, essentially helpless. But you are an adult now and you are not helpless. You can set those boundaries to protect your mental health. Determine before you go what you will tolerate and what you won’t. This can be for simple things like meal times and sleeping accommodations to what topics of discussion you will engage in. Be sure to share your personal limits with all involved.

Use Good Judgement

When the holiday drama sets in, it’s easy to want to drink more or eat more processed foods. But in large amounts, alcohol and processed sugars impair our mood and judgement. Do your best to not overindulge.

You may also want to speak with a therapist in the weeks leading up to the holidays. He or she can give you tools to help you navigate the awkward and tense moments during family get-togethers.

If you’re interested in exploring counseling, please reach out to me. I’d love to help your holidays be warm and merry (or at least tolerable!).

SOURCES:

https://www.hioscar.com/blog/10-healthy-ways-to-deal-with-holiday-family-drama

https://brainmd.com/blog/how-to-avoid-family-drama-during-the-holidays/

How to deal with toxic family members during the happiest time of year

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