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Getting Through Hard Times

Going Through Hard Times

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Going through hard times?

Does this sound familiar?

You’re experiencing deep sadness over the way your life is going
You’re feeling very sad and alone
You’re trying to find strength and hope
You’re feeling lost and want help getting out of a dark time in your life

All you have to do is turn on the news to hear about all the tragic events going on out there in the world and sometimes tragedy hits close to home. Death of a loved one, serious and life threatening health issues, financial hardship or loss dealing with a painful and life altering divorce.

Life certainly has a way of challenging us all in so many ways and no one should have to go through it alone.

Is this you?

You recently lost a loved one to illness or sudden death
You’re life has been turned upside down by divorce
You’re teenager or young adult child is struggling
You’re adult child is having a difficult time in their life
You’re (or a loved one) are coping with cancer or serious illness
You’re struggling with aging, depression, isolation and health issues

Whatever the challenge, so many of us end up needing help getting through hard times. The support of family and friends (and for some faith and spirituality) can help in so many ways, but for some people, getting through hard times is much more difficult. You don’t have to go through it alone.

If you need help getting through hard times, therapy and support groups can help. If you live in Essex County NJ, feel free to contact us at 973-793-1000 and let us know how we can help.

Get in Touch with Maplewood Counseling in NJ

Empathy vs Sympathy | The Power of Empathy

The Power of Empathy

How to Really Be There
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Empathy vs Sympathy | The Power of Empathy

What is the best way to ease someone’s pain and suffering?   Dr Brené Brown reminds us that we can only create a genuine empathic connection if we are brave enough to really get in touch with our own fragilities.

Making Divorce Easier

Making Divorce Easier

Avoiding a Nasty, Bitter Split
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Making Divorce Easier

Many therapists see a lot of angry, sad and depressed men and women going through a divorce. And what we know is a bitter, nasty divorce hurts everyone.  There are no “winners”.

Does this sound familiar?

  • You can’t stand the fact that your ex is going to get so much of your hard earned money.
  • You feel like she or he is trying to destroy you financially.
  • You are so angry and don’t know how to control the rage.
  • You’re on the receiving end of a soon to be ex who has done things that are shocking and extremely upsetting.
  • You’re struggling with how this nastiness and hostility is affecting your child or children.
  • You think your soon to be ex views you as trying to destroy them – and you’re not.

Making divorce easier  – please help make that happen

It takes both to make it happen.  If you are not in a place you can forgive your ex and it is causing you to act in nasty ways, try reaching out to a therapist or other mental health professional.  Get some help processing and making sense of your rage and anger. Fighting is so costly financially and emotionally. When you hurt the parent and making it harder on him or her, you inevitably hurt the child. For the sake of your family, your own mental, physical and financial health.

See what it takes to achieve making divorce easier.   If you have children, you will be in each other’s lives forever. I have seen many people go through bitter, nasty divorces only to years later feel more peace after they’ve had time. I hope you can get to that peaceful place much sooner.  Reach out for help – it may mean turning things around much sooner than 5 or 10 yrs down the road.

Get in Touch with Maplewood Counseling in NJ

Are You Feeling Overwhelmed?

Feeling Overwhelmed?

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Feeling overwhelmed and not sure what to do?

Do you wake up in the morning and have trouble facing the day? Do you go to bed at night feeling exhausted and depressed? Is it hard to find the time to get everything done at home and/or work? Feeling like you’re a disappointment to your family or employer? You are not alone.

Feeling Isolated and Alone?

Feeling overwhelmed at work? Does this sound familiar?

  • I feel overworked and unappreciated
  • I have a difficult and demanding boss
  • My coworkers stress me out
  • I have trouble getting along with my boss or coworkers
  • I feel trapped and stuck

Feeling overwhelmed at home? Does this sound familiar?

  • I have no time for myself
  • My job at home is thankless and demanding
  • I can’t keep up with the kids activities and taking care of everything else
  • My spouse or partner is not supportive and does not understand what I go through
  • I have no life other than taking care of others and household responsibilities
  • I feel isolated, alone and depressed

Feeling overwhelmed at school or college? Does this sound familiar?

  • I am so stressed about grades
  • I am feeling anxious and/or depressed
  • I don’t know what to do about how overwhelmed I feel
  • I feel alone
  • I am stressed about a relationship

If you’re struggling and feeling overwhelmed, talking to a professional may help you. If you’re a student, talking to a school counselor or college counseling service may be very helpful. Many people feel talking to a therapist, other mental health professional or joining a support or therapy group is helpful. Feeling more connected, heard, supported and validated can help you process what you are going through.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take that important step and reach out for help.

Get in Touch with Maplewood Counseling in NJ

How to Help Aging Parents

Helping Aging Parents

What Steps to Take
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Do you want to know how to help aging parents?

Many adult children and baby boomers are struggling with how to help their aging parents. They are dealing with very sensitive decisions over how to get a parent or parents to downsize, move to an assisted living facility or nursing home, as well as other issues. These are very difficult decisions that take an emotional and financial toll on everyone.

Does this sound familiar?

  • You’re struggling with all the time and money it takes to help your elderly parent(s)
  • Your parent is not able to make decisions due to health issues, dementia or Alzheimer’s
  • You are very sad about “forcing” the issue with a parent you love dearly and how hard it is for them to make changes
  • You parent does not have money to pay for living or health care costs
  • You have to deal with your siblings when decision making, which is very challenging
  • Then there are adult children who never had a close or positive relationship with one or both parents,
  • You have a narcissistic parent and have always had complicated and/or negative feelings about your parent and are stuck with these difficult issues
  • You are very worried about what will happen to your own finances to support your parent
  • You are trying to manage raising your children and caring for your parents and it’s stressful and overwhelming

 

How to Help Aging Parents – Some Helpful Resources

  • No Easy Task: Getting Aging Parents To Accept Help – “Getting a stubborn aging parent to accept help at home can be a struggle.” Read more
  • 8 Things Not to Say to Your Aging Parents – “I’m going to say something politically incorrect here: Sometimes our elderly parents make us a little nuts.” Read more
  • About Aging Parents: Something The Government Got Right (For A Change) – “Finally! A great little free booklet to help anyone who has to manage money for an aging parent (or anyone else).” Read more
  • Living In Denial About Aging Parents: Oh, Rats! – “If there is one thing that is a consistent theme in my almost daily conversations with clients who have aging parents, it is that one or the other is in denial about how aging changes us.” Read more
  • New Tech Inventions for Aging Parents: Will Seniors Use Them? – “There are some great inventions out there to help keep our aging parents safe and better their lives. When a senior’s cooperation is needed to use them, though, it might not be a sure thing.” Read more

Live in New Jersey and need local resources?

  • SAGE Eldercare is a unique community resource that offers a comprehensive array of programs and services for older adults and caregivers, promoting independence and quality of life.  Learn more
  • SAGE  – SERVICES & ADVOCACY FOR GLBT ELDERS (SAGE) is the country’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults. Learn More

We hope you find this information on how to help aging parents helpful.

 

The Beauty of Kindness and Compassion

Kindness & Compassion

What Connects Us Most
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The Beauty of Kindness and Compassion

Do you know what it’s like to show kindness and compassion? Here is what kind and compassionate gestures looks like. It is beautiful to give and receive.

Dan Siegel emphasizes compassion as a key component of a healthy mind.

The founding director of the Greater Good Science Center explains how humans are wired for compassion.

Can’t Get Therapy? Try Gratitude and Kindness – learn more