I’m not sure if it’s the policy of the hospital I work for, a New York State campaign, or if it’s because I’m overseen by OMH (the Office of Mental Health) but as a LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) at a community clinic, I am required to ask about my clients’ cigarette smoking status the first time we meet. If they do identify as smokers, my job entails assessing how much they smoke and…
The holiday season is here, Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa and New Year’s specifically. This is a time of year that can be very difficult on one’s mental health. Every November into December, I notice that I have an uptick in clients coming to see me for depression, grief that loved ones have passed away, feelings of being overwhelmed and complaints that they themselves are not “good enough.” They’re in pain because they believe what they do…
Starting to see a licensed therapist, through video counseling or in-person, as you face a new change in your life can be one of the best decisions you can make. Our society is starting to understand that mental health is similar to physical health. Both must be attended to for preventative and best-health outcomes. Therapy can help a client decrease the chance that they will struggle with depression, nip anxiety in the bud and build…
