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Types of Degrees Counseling is certainly not a “one-size-fits-all” option. If you are interested in entering this field, it is important to think about the kind of counseling that you want to perform. There are several types of counseling degrees available. Do you want to deal with mental health issues? Then a master’s degree in counseling, social work, or counseling psychology might be the best choice. Are you interested in working in an academic setting?...

The benefits of mindfulness-based therapy, which have been proven through research, include stress management, greater relationship satisfaction, and decreased symptoms of depression. Mindfulness meditation has even been used to relieve physical pain, which may come across as counterintuitive at first, since mindfulness can be about focusing on bodily sensations. But a new study exploring this function of mindfulness has revealed the underlying mechanism at work in the mind. Researchers are excited by the potential for a safe, accessible, and non-opioid method of managing pain....

The practice of mindfulness meditation involves learning to become aware of your emotions and thoughts without analyzing or reacting to them. This can be accomplished through guided meditation practice. Below are the basic steps to follow to begin a mindfulness meditation practice. In addition to these basic steps to get started, you might wish to read literature or take a course to learn more about the roots of mindfulness meditation, and why it can be helpful for your mental health....

Murray’s Types of Needs Theories of personality based on needs and motives suggest that our personalities are a reflection of behaviors controlled by needs. While some needs are temporary and changing, other needs are more deeply seated in our nature. According to Murray, these psychogenic needs function mostly on the unconscious level but play a major role in our personality. Murray identified needs as one of two types: Primary needs: Primary needs are basic needs that are based upon biological demands, such as the need for oxygen, food, and water....

Research suggests that between 2.5% and 40% of people experience flying-related anxiety each year. Estimates on the low end likely represent instances where the condition is diagnosed by a mental health professional, while those on the higher end are likely the result of self-rated symptoms of flying anxiety. So while many people are afraid of flying to some degree, only a much smaller proportion actually meet the criteria for a phobia diagnosis....

According to Freud, during female psychosexual development, a young girl is initially attached to her mother. When she discovers that she does not have a penis, she becomes attached to her father and begins to resent her mother, who she blames for her “castration.” As a result, Freud believed that the girl then begins to identify with and emulate her mother out of fear of losing her love. Resolving the Electra complex ultimately leads to identification with the same-sex parent....

Loved ones like family and friends are often first to notice the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease before you notice them yourself. For example, someone may notice that you have difficulty rising from a chair or that your hand shakes. Signs & Symptoms Parkinson’s disease affects neurons, or nerve cells, in the brain that produce a neurotransmitter, or brain chemical, called dopamine. People with Parkinson’s experience movement difficulties because of lower dopamine levels....

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for PTSD Cognitive behavioral therapies for PTSD are based on the idea that problems arise as a result of the way people interpret or evaluate situations, thoughts, and feelings, as well as the problematic ways these evaluations cause people to act (for example, through avoidance). Examples of cognitive behavioral therapies for PTSD include: Acceptance and commitment therapy Behavioral activation treatment Cognitive processing therapy Exposure therapy Stress-inoculation training...

Here’s what parents should know about the psychological effects of childhood obesity, so that they may help their child deal with challenges and other related problems. Self-Esteem Issues Childhood obesity is more than a physical problem. Tweens tend to be hyper-aware of how they compare to others, which makes them self-conscious and feeling alone. Many of these social comparisons hinge on superficial features, such as clothing choice, facial attractiveness and, yes, weight....

For example, imagine that you’re finally settling in for the night. You’re tired and ready to get some rest. But as soon as the lights go out and your head hits the pillow, your thoughts start racing. You begin to think about your to-do list, or the endless worries you have about the day and weeks ahead. Or maybe you begin thinking about something embarrassing or scary that happened to you years ago....

This article discusses the impact of positive energy and how to cultivate this type of attitude. It also explores the potential detriments of negativity and what you can do to shift to a more positive mindset. What Is Positive Energy? Positive energy refers to an attitude that is encouraging, productive, and beneficial. People who exhibit this positive energy often do so by: Being kind and generous Believing that good things will happen in line with the law of attraction Engaging in positive self-talk Feeling gratitude Having high energy levels Pursuing goals Supporting and encouraging others Surrounding themselves with positive people...

Research shows that this kind of therapy improves self-esteem and comforts older patients. When older people are reminded of bygone days, they become eager to communicate with others. They gain a sense of fulfillment in sharing past episodes of their lives. The American Psychological Association states that the use of reminiscences or life histories can take place in either written or oral formats. For example, your grandmother might share old war letters from your grandfather with you, or your aunt might talk nostalgically about summer strolls she took in her childhood neighborhood....

University of Tsukuba researchers found that running at moderate intensity for only 10 minutes increases local blood flow to the various loci in the bilateral prefrontal cortex. This is the part of the brain that plays a crucial role in controlling mood and executive functions. “Given that running is a whole-body locomotive exercise, it may confer more mental health benefits (by stimulating the brain) compared to other forms of exercise, such as cycling,” says study author Hideaki Soya, PhD, professor and director of the Laboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and Sport Neuroscience at the University of Tsukuba....

On October 4, the city council unanimously passed a resolution that aims to protect those who cultivate and share psychedelics for “religious, spiritual, healing or personal growth practices.” Previously, the city had taken decriminalization steps to decriminalize personal drug possession, with a policy to not arrest or prosecute in those circumstances. What Does the New Legislation Mean? The new legislation states that those engaging in activities involving psychoactive substances should be among Seattle’s lowest enforcement priorities and urges Seattle’s police department to take the necessary steps to follow that directive....

Having healthy self-esteem can influence your motivation, your mental well-being, and your overall quality of life. However, having self-esteem that is either too high or too low can be problematic. Better understanding what your unique level of self-esteem is can help you strike a balance that is just right for you. Key elements of self-esteem include: Self-confidenceFeelings of securityIdentitySense of belongingFeeling of competence Other terms often used interchangeably with self-esteem include self-worth, self-regard, and self-respect....

However, when people are experiencing symptoms, they may have little or no insight that their thoughts or behaviors are strange. The lack of insight can make schizophrenia very frustrating and frightening for loved ones. Clinical Symptoms The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th Edition (DSM-5), is a clinical resource that practitioners use to diagnose mental health conditions. As with other conditions, there are specific clinical criteria that need to be met in order for someone to be diagnosed with schizophrenia....

Social-Emotional Experiences of Early Childhood Throughout the toddler years, temper tantrums are quite common. There’s a good reason why people often refer to this stage as the “terrible twos”! Toddlers tend to have rapid mood swings. While their emotions can be very intense, these feelings also tend to be quite short-lived. You might be stunned at how your child can go from screaming hysterically about a toy at one moment to sitting in front of the television quietly watching a favorite show just moments later....