Posts Tagged ‘Northampton MA’
One of the most stressful things a person experiences is the end of an important relationship. What was once exciting and rich is no longer. Often the end of a relationship is does not stop there. There are losses in lifestyle, financial means, home, friends, extended family and more. For many, partnership and marriage becomes part of ones identity. It is not uncommon for people to feel that they have lost this too. One can feel alone, lost and that a part of them is gone forever.
In moments of great stress other symptoms can evolve. They may be new or those in which someone may have previously struggled. These may include, but are not limited to depression, anxiety/panic, drug and alcohol problems, addictions, eating issues, sleep disturbances and more. While it is not fact, sometimes people may feel that they can not go on, that their life is over or that they will die.
Loss of relationship will also make people think about and feel previous losses of loved ones. If not the grief of the current relationship were not enough, a person suffering this loss will also emotionally revisit old losses as well.
Lesbian, gay, queer and transgender people who experience the end of a relationship may be more vulnerable at this time. Depending on ones support system and feeling of acceptance of who they are, will depend on whether there is an increased vulnerability.
Whether someone is GLBTQ or not, this is a time in life where support and love are essential. A person facing separation and divorce should not isolate themselves and be alone. Telling others and reaching out for support is critical. Engaging in things that make that person feel good, whether that’s getting into the outdoors, spending time with good friends, taking hot bathes or doing anything that feels good is important. This is a time to take one day at a time. It is a time to only focusing on the present day and what is needed for that day or even in that moment. It is important not to look into the future. From the current perspective the rest of life will look bleak. Since all things in life change, this too shall pass. Things do get better.
All loss requires time to heal. If the loss is too difficult to manage or if several months go by and there is little or no improvement, a person may consider speaking with a therapist. If the loss of a partner creates significant depression or anxiety after this time, or if substances or any other behavior that does not bring health and fulfillment becomes what is sought, it may be a good time to seek the assistance of a psychotherapist. There may be many reasons a loss can result in a person getting stuck. This does not mean it will be forever or that there is something seriously wrong with that person. Loss is a large storm and after it has struck rebuilding can take time, attention and assistance.
Everyone suffers loss. In this regard, no one is alone. People can recover and go on to lead rich and fulfilling lives again.
Nothing can be scarier than coming out. If you’re reading this, it’s been with you a long time. It may be a secret that has not be spoken. It may challenge the way you think about yourself. You may fear the way others will think of you. It may feel that it puts you at risk for rejection, isolation and even hostility. There is no doubt that coming out is an act of courage. It shows that we humans must be ourselves.
Silence equals death has been a slogan in the gay, lesbian, queer and transgender community. It speaks to what happens when someone feels that they can not be themselves. If silence equals death then coming out must bring freedom and life.
We at LifeCourse Counseling Center want to assist you in living your life fully. Most people who come out, regardless of the difficulties and challenges, experience much greater wholeness, integrity and happiness when they choose to do so.
Coming out may require that your reach out and make connections to garner the needed support to make this journey. Therapists at LifeCourse Counseling Center being LBGTQ themselves are in a unique position in helping you with this process. We can help you in any point in your process. You do not have to come out to talk with someone about how you feel. Talking can help build a foundation that may help you decide when and if coming out is right for you. Talk with us too if you do want to come out. We’ve been there!
Depression is one of the most widespread symptoms of distress. In a lifetime, almost everyone will experience it to one degree or another. It is caused by many things including loss, trauma, childhood emotional injuries and low self esteem. No ones knows to what extent, but it is thought that biology is factor that may potentiate a person in this direction. Regardless of its cause, the result of depression can range can range from a decreased sense of well being to an inability to function in daily life.
Due to the stress of being in a minority group gay, lesbian, queer and trangender people can suffer from depression. Being closeted, lacking support, internalized homophobia or homophobia from family, friends and the work place, are some factors that can influence whether a GLBTQ person experiences depression.
Some of the symptoms of depression include lethargy and fatigue, apathy, hopelessness, despair, loss of appetite, limited or no sex drive, inability to sleep regularly or achieve regular sleep patterns, a tendency to isolate from others, loss of pleasure for activities and relationships and thoughts of suicide or desire not to be alive.
When a person is depressed, there is a slowing down and lack of life energy. Emotions are often stifled; they can not be experienced and often therefore unexpressed. People who can not feel or express emotion may experience feeling all “bottled up” or numb. Depression shows that something/s require attention; there may be losses not grieved, angers not expressed, dreams or goals thwarted, hurts and/or traumas not yet processed or potential not lived.
While depression is very distressing to the person experiencing it, if attended to, it offers an avenue for healing. With the help of a professional therapist, understanding where and how ones life energy is stuck, attending to the situation/s that have gone badly, learning new ways to cope and engage with life can make a dramatic difference. In some cases, someone make seek additional assistance of anti-depressant medications. Medications however, will not by themselves resolve an individual’s issues. Medications can help someone feel better and “take the edge off.” Medication and counseling often can be excellent partners. Therapy can help
someone choose which path/s is right.
LifeCourse Counseling Center accepts MBHP (one of contractors of Mass Health) and all non-HMO insurances (insurance companies do not pay for telephone services).
After more than thirty years of accepting several HMO insurances, our therapists have decided to stop accepting them. While it is regrettable that this limits who can receive services, we want you to understand that the insurance world has become complicated. . The insurance company’s goals are symptom reduction and quick fixes, not healing.
HMO insurance plans require therapists to write reports and plan the “termination” after only a few visits. These reports do not ask about the person as a unique individual. They only ask about symptoms, requiring us to rate you on a scale of general functioning and asking us to list behavioral goals for your therapy (not necessarily the goals that are your goals!).
These reports do not allow us our therapists to present a picture of you and what you perceive as your issues, nor the hopes and things for which you strive. Also, typically HMO insurances offer a very limited number of visits unless you are given a strong diagnoses. At LifeCourse, we are more concerned with healing and giving each unique individual what they need, rather than a prescribed number of visits.
If you have the option, you may be able to choose an insurance plan where you can pick your own provider, not one from a list the insurance company provides. Usually there is a deductible and sometimes the co-payments are higher. But in the long run we find that clients get more from their insurance company, usually because more sessions are allowed and are not “managed” as much.
We like non-HMO insurances also because they give people much more flexibility in choosing other doctors as well.
Call or email us for more information or to set up an appointment.
At LifeCourse Counseling Center, we have been privileged to work with transgender people since 1983. We know the courage it takes for people to be themselves regardless of what others think. LifeCourse Counseling Center and all it’s therapists validates and supports transgender, queer and gender varient individuals. We encourage all people to find their unique place in our world and we share the joy in seeing people content and at peace with whom they truly are.
Transgender individuals who come to speak to our therapists are looking for different things. Some need to explore their gender orientation (with all the possibilities that entails) while others know with certainty they want to transition. We help people gain insight into what transitioning means for them and what choices are available. We make referrals to medical professionals and see people through any medical process they may choose.
Our therapists also specialize in helping individuals consider the many issues that inherently come with being transgender. We focus on what a changing identity means to each person. We discuss the impact on families, friends and work relationships. We help people change inwardly as their bodies change outwardly. Together we focus on anything of significance for each individual.
No matter how difficult the changes may be at times, we find that transgender people who follow their hearts and natural yearnings discover that life becomes more joyful and transformative.
While the office is located in Northampton, LifeCourse’s individual therapy services are easily accessible to people living in Springfield, Greenfield, the Brattleboro Vt area, Amherst and surrounding areas of the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. Telephone and skype appointments are also available.
Call or email us for more information or to set up an appointment.