Jeannette Cooper, LCSW•Robert Margolis, LCSW• (516)932-3706
Long Island Psychotherapy
Centrally located in Plainview, NY, we offer psychotherapy and counseling services for anxiety, depression, loss, relationship/sexual difficulties, and family dysfunction for individuals, families, couples and groups.
For girls experiencing social/ school anxiety and/or depression. For information and pre-group interview please call: Jeannette Cooper, LCSW at:
516-932-3706 or click here to e-mail us.
YOUNG ADULT GROUP: Come join our group for young adults. Ages 21 to 35. Now meeting weekly. The group covers topics ranging from complex relationships to love and sexuality. Group members learn about themselves as they learn about others.
For information Call: (516)932-3706 or click here to e-mail us.
Learn how to manage anxiety and depression by using readily available resources and self developed strategies. Share experiences and strategies with other group members and plan 'Action Steps' that will enhance your ability to live a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
For information Call: (516)932-3706 or click here to e-mail us.
MAY
May is a wonderful month. May is the month of rebirth. Flowers and trees are in bloom. Couples walk together in the park. The sun is shining, the air is fresh and warm. Sounds great, doesn't it? But for people suffering from depression, social phobia, agoraphobia or other psychological conditions – which prevent them from enjoying this or any other season fully – spring can be a very psychologically painful time. The expectations and pressure to socialize increase and the individual may wonder what is wrong with them, leading to a spiraling downward of self-esteem and a spiraling upward of feelings of depression, low self worth, anxiety and social phobia.
To get beyond those feelings requires action. Call a friend. Don't wait for them to call you. Initiate an activity and invite someone along. If you don't feel up to the task of socializing, take advantage of the season anyway. Go for walks. Plant a flower or a new tree or bush. Take a bike ride along a nature path. Take up a hobby that gets you out of the house. The point is – do somethng – get active. Activity has a tendency to create a positive mood and reverses the spiral from negative to positive thinkng and feeling.
Enjoy the month of May and don't forget Mother's Day!
APRIL
Want to lower your blood pressure and reduce stress and tension? Try this “One Minute Vacation”.
This exercise can be performed as often as you like and has been shown to reduce the "stress response" by lowering blood pressure, slowing your heart rate and respiration. The more often you practice this exercise the easier and more automatic it will become.
Note: Deep breathing is diaphragmatic breathing. That means breathing from your diaphragm. When we are relaxed we tend to do this naturally, such as when we are asleep. When under stress we tend to breathe more shallowly - from the chest. Deep breathing naturaly evokes the relaxation response. You may want to practice deep breathing alone before trying this exercise. Make sure your deep breaths are slow and deep. Breath in through your nose and out through your mouth. It also helps if you have someone read this exercise to you. Have fun!
Place your feet squarely on the floor.
Rest your hands in your lap in a comfortable position.
Close your eyes.
Begin to breathe deeply at a pace that is comfortable for you.
Count backwards slowly from 10 to 1.
With each count take another breath.
When you reach 1 begin to imagine that you are in that special place that you like to go to when you want to get away from it all.
Continue to breathe deeply
(Pause 10 seconds)
Begin to see that place in your mind's eye.
Notice the colors of the surroundings in your special place. Notice too the textures of the objects in your special place.
(Pause 10 seconds)
Now begin to hear the sounds of your special place. Are they loud or soft?
(Pause 10 seconds)
Now begin to notice the smells of your special place, the odors and aromas.
(Pause 10 seconds)
Notice also the tactile sensations of your special place. The feeling on your skin.
(Pause 10 seconds)
Now allow yourself to relax in your special place.
(Pause 15 seconds)
Begin to count forward from 1 to ten now.
When you reach 10 remain relaxed and open your eyes.
Do you notice a difference in the way that you feel physically? Emotionally?
AUGUST
A month of paradoxes. The hottest month of the year and the summer is winding down. Just when all you can think about is cooling off at the beach, it's time to think about getting the kids back to school. August is a month of transitions: going off to college, winding down from camp, coming back from vacations. Well, folks, it ain't over yet! There's still time to take pleasure in the summer. As the weather begins to cool, long walks, bike rides, hiking are all small pleasures that can really make August a month to be savored. As our minds begin to turn to the fall season there is fall gardening to be done. Holidays enter the picture soon (Labor Day, Rosh Hashonah, Yom Kippur, Succot, Columbus Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving – dare I say it – Christmas). Now's a good time to pick up some early gifts and start planning for the holidays! Get an early start on buying school supplies and avoid the rush and the higher prices later on. Help your children maintain a positive attitude toward returning to school by emphasizing the return to school friends. For younger children – arrange some play dates with school friends to ease the transition. If your child is entering a new school try to arrange play dates with other children who attend that school. Buying new clothes for the fall seaon – even if it's just one new item – is a great way to make the August transition period enjoyable for everyone!
In short, lay back during the dog days of early August and take August out with productive planning. It'll make the transition that much more enjoyable.