August 2007

In this newsletter:
1) Fast Help: Asserting Yourself
2) Therapist Q&A
3) Clinic Announcements

1) Fast Help: Asserting Yourself
Assertiveness can be defined as the ability to express your needs to others in a way that is respectful and will address your needs without violating the needs of other people. For many reasons, many people struggle with being assertive in their personal or professional relationships. Some people have a fear of saying no or hurting the other person’s feelings. Others have a disregard for other people’s feelings altogether. Oftentimes, this is often rooted in a person’s lack of self-esteem or appropriate communication skills.

Lacking assertiveness is not healthy for many reasons. If a person is too passive and doesn’t express his needs but, rather, constantly succumbs to the wishes of other people, that person will likely become frustrated as his own needs aren’t being met. This person may often act aggressively toward others in frustration, which can take the form of abuse (verbal, emotional, or physical) or an intent to cause others pain.

As this behavior causes distress in relationships, the person will find himself in a more difficult position than if he had expressed his needs appropriately. He may find that he hurt both the other person as well as himself as a result of the behavior. Further, if one’s needs aren’t being adequately expressed or if he feels misunderstood by others, he may withdraw altogether, which can lead to depression.

Take an online screening quiz to help you determine the effectiveness of your communication skills in your personal and professional relationships:

If you feel you struggle with assertiveness and would like to speak with a professional about how to be more comfortable with asserting yourself, please contact us today. We look forward to working with you and helping you improve your relationships.


2) Therapist Q&A

I believe my daughter is experiencing anxiety about going back to school. How can I best help her?

As August dwindles to its last weeks and summer vacations rapidly come to a close, families are reminded that it’s back-to-school time. The excitement of starting a new year oftentimes brings anxiety for children of all ages.

Issues children face as they begin the new school year or enter new schools include pressure to fit in, bullying, and academic performance, among other things. Research has shown that a minimal amount of anxiety actually helps people face challenges better; however, too much anxiety can have a negative effect and can be debilitating. Left unresolved, anxiety can cause the child to want to avoid school altogether or cause a host of symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, stomachaches, nausea, and sleeping problems. It can also lead to refusal by the child to go to school. It is important to address children’s fear early so as to avoid academic problems.

Parents can be of help by talking with their children about any concerns they may have going into the new school year. Parents of younger children can ask about feelings or thoughts regarding beginning the new school year, which will convey that it’s ok to talk about their fears. Talking about or connecting with other children who will attend the same school can also be helpful in reducing anxiety.

Parents of teens may have a difficult time initiating conversation about issues. It’s helpful to keep the lines of communication open by talking about other things of interest to teens or events going on in their lives. This may allow the teen to feel more comfortable about opening up to parents if anything is bothering them.

If a parent is having difficulty helping a child, don’t hesitate to talk with a professional for guidance such as a school counselor, teacher, or a mental health practitioner in the community. If a child’s anxiety appears prolonged, it could be a sign of a deeper mental health issue that might warrant professional intervention.

3) Clinic News
We are accepting new clients at this time. If you know of anyone you think would benefit from counseling or a consultation with us, please have him or her give us a call. We thank you in advance for any referrals you provide.