By Lizbeth Schoen, LCSW-C “I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul.” From “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley Events of life can be overwhelming, leaving us feeling at the mercy of our fate, not the master of it. Over the years I have known many people who felt greatly …
By Helene Cooper, LCSW-C For the sake of clarity, let’s define wellness as the absence of disease, with disease defined as ‘dis-ease,’ that being anything that removes the mental, physical, or emotional ease we need to lead happy and productive lives. Dis-ease comes into play in many ways, and it’s a typical “chicken or …
In Pursuit of Wellness: The Mind/Body Connection Read More »
By Jeffrey Wolfish, LGPC Kids learn about people with severe illness from friends at school, neighbors, and synagogue. Closer to home children often become aware of a family member or classmate suffering from a life-threatening illness. This reality is difficult for people at any age, but can be especially upsetting for young children. Parents of …
Talking with Your Children about Serious Illness Read More »
By Serena Shapero, Health Educator Ask anyone right now what disease they fear contracting and many would say Ebola. But to date there have been less than 10 cases of Ebola in the entire US. Compare that to 1.1 million people in the United States who are currently infected with HIV, the virus that causes …
By Donna Kane, MA Loss and grief touch everyone. It is an inevitable part of being human. Most people have some understanding of loss and grief, but how people experience grief can be as unique and individual as each and every person. How do we protect ourselves from the tremendous pain caused by the death …
By Karen James, LCSW-C Suicide is a disaster. Certainly for the survivors and often for our memories of the person we lose. Robin Williams’ death ended a brilliant gift, left a grieving family, and affected the nation. Tributes, memories and discussions were everywhere—in the media and in personal discussions. He was a larger-than-life figure and …
By Ilene Federman, LCSW-C Imagine walking into your home and not being able to go anywhere but the small path in front of you because of the large amount of clutter from floor to ceiling. There are piles of trash, bags, newspapers and other items covering the floor, furniture, counter tops, basements, bathtubs and often …
By Michael Slevin, LCSW-C Severe mental illness may have upended your family. The diagnosis of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia came out of nowhere, it seemed, and suddenly your family is in crisis. The terrain is unfamiliar; the signposts in a foreign language. What are the challenges and the risks; what are the opportunities? What is …
By Donna Kane, MA For people mourning the death of a loved one, Jewish Community Services and its partners offer bereavement groups several times a year. Our upcoming eight-week series, cosponsored by Sol Levinson & Bros, Inc., begins May 15th. Group facilitator Donna Kane wrote about her experience with these groups in her blog that …
What I Have Learned from Leading Bereavement Groups Read More »
By Amy Meyers Steinberg When I was young, like most little girls, I played mommy to my baby dolls. I even had an imaginary baby with the boy next door. In my late twenties, I wished for a husband and a house full of kids. When I actually married in my mid thirties, I thought …
