A Work Of Heart Counseling

12/22/2020

Let’s be patient with our kids y’all. They may be struggling daily and hiding it from behind a computer 👨‍💻 screen. They’re doing something none of us ever have. Pandemic fatigue is real and so is the fatigue of virtual learning.
Here are some tips for helping kids with managing the stress they may be feeling right now:
👩🏻‍💻
1. Give your eyes a break: let your eyes wander, look above the screen or camera instead of at it, or get blue light glasses so you’re not straining when you are looking at the screen.
2. Hydrate 💦: we can mindlessly be on our devices to the point that we neglect our basic needs. Drinking water throughout the day can help you stay alert but also physically feeling okay. It’s a simple need we often neglect when we’re distracted
3. Take breaks: get up and stretch when you can, stand outside and breathe in the cold air to let it shock your system, splash cold water on your face or take the time to eat a snack
4. Know when to say no more: our kids are not robots and they can only do so much. If you think your kid is burning out or on the brink of a breakdown, help them step away and encourage self monitoring behaviors (ie if they’re feeling tired or frustrated, that’s a sign it’s time to walk away and do something to cope or get a much needed break). Help kids learn how to prioritize rather than cram by using hard copy materials like post it notes, planners and color coded materials so they can decide what has to get done today v. what they can move to the next day. This helps prevent burnout.
5. Encourage them to talk to someone: if you find your teen is struggling emotionally right now due to the social disconnections and loss of normalcy at this time, have them speak to someone, including you! The more open we are with our kids and the more encouraging of vulnerability by way of communicating our truths, the more unified we can be with our kids and foster resiliency at the same time.

#virtuallearning #2020 #pandemiclife #njtherapist #bergennorthmoms #bergencountynj #bergencountymoms #bergencountydads #allendalenj #waldwicknj #wyckoffnj #mahwahnj

12/16/2020

PSA: the holidays are different for everyone! Some people love them, but many are struggling this year. They look different than ever before and we’re mourning our traditions, our closeness, our connections. It’s helpful to find ways to find comfort and ways to connect or disconnect if need be this time of year. Did you know that we have clients who see us short term to beat the winter blues starting after thanksgiving? Therapy doesn’t have to be long term! Sometimes it’s to navigate a tough season of your life.

12/09/2020

#Grief can become a place within yourself that you visit (or one that creeps up on you). It can make us feel most vulnerable, and we fear that vulnerability...but it takes great courage to bare all and surrender to the wave of pain, and acknowledge just how real it is. In fact, that #vulnerability can be a path to healing.

#grief #2020 #moderntherapist #therapistofinsta #bergennorthmoms #bergencountynj #thoughtsfromthecouch #waldwicknj #ramseynj #mahwahnj #wyckoffnj #saddlerivernj #franklinlakesnj #oaklandnj #allendalenj #ridgewoodnj #glenrocknj

12/02/2020

15 Tips for Coping With Loneliness During the Holidays

Our founder, Kara Kushnir, LCSW, contributed to this great article. The #holidays can be such a difficult time for so many, especially this year, but help is out there!

https://www.choosingtherapy.com/holiday-loneliness-tips/

You might be expecting, preparing, or dreading to experience loneliness during the holidays, and you are not alone. It’s quite common to feel isolated at this time of year, more so with new stressors like social distancing and COVID-19. In general, these feelings could stem from a wide variety of ...

12/02/2020

✨ Welcome, Erin! ✨ our newest therapist at A Work of Heart, who will be seeing clients starting in January!

Hello! My name is Erin and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I am passionate about working with individuals and couples in a caring, supportive, and nonjudgmental manner. I consider it a privilege to help you achieve your goals and improve your relationships and life.
We are all unique individuals with our own stories, therefore my approach to therapy is holistic and genuine. The therapeutic relationship is developed through meeting needs as they arise during periods of adjustment, change, milestones or crisis. We will work together to help you feel more in control, confident and happy. Therapy is not a one size fits all model so through evidence based practices such as #CBT, #mindfulness, #meditation and family systems therapy we will alleviate distress and promote growth and well being.

I specialize in #perinatal mental health and mood disorders, perinatal loss and bereavement, women’s issues, family/relationship stressors, anxiety and depression and navigating through life’s transitions in young adulthood.

I graduated from Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Service with a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work. I have advanced training in perinatal mental health from Postpartum Support International (PSI) as well as training and certification in perinatal loss and bereavement through Resolve Through Sharing (RTS). I am a member of Postpartum is Support International and the National Association of Perinatal Social Workers . I have experience working in outpatient and inpatient settings with children, adolescents, and adults.

#maternalmentalhealth #postpartumjourney #perinatalmentalhealth #couples #adults #therapy #bergencountynj #allendalenj #ridgewoodnj #waldwicknj #mahwahnj #ramseynj #bergencountymoms

12/01/2020

Tuesday reminders ✨ #value #worthiness #wholeheart #softfrontstrongbackwildheart

11/26/2020

A thanksgiving affirmation ♥️ #gratitude can feel hard to find this year, but there’s so much to hold onto, especially each other

11/19/2020

What has been a light in your darkness this year? ✨ holding on to the light with all I have, seeking gratitude in the chaos.
Good moments of 2020:
Moved into my first home
Became an NJ kids Top Doc
Appointed as Public Policy Chair for the NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities
Continued to see my amazing clients via computer screen ❤️

11/15/2020

Huge #THANKYOU to all of my clients who nominated me as an #NJkidsTopDoc for 2020! This year has been such a journey/struggle for so many, and it’s been a privilege to be a support and companion to so many amazing kids, teens, parents and families as we’ve moved through this pandemic. Thank you for trusting me 😌❤️

11/14/2020

This morning I sat with a warm cup of coffee and took the time to watch the steam come off of it. I looked out the window and thought of my window visits with my grandfather before he passed in September- the last time we spoke was through a window. Now when I want to talk to him, I go sit by the window and close my eyes. I imagine him there, on the other side, aware of all going on in my life. I share this openly as a therapist because it reminded me that all people feel deeply, and it’s allowed. I also chose to share it in the hopes that it further humanizes me for my clients. We are all carrying heavy weights but being able to sit together and sort through the pain and make meaning or change in our darkest hours is possible, and it’s my privilege to be one of the people who sits with you in your pain. I hope this reminds you that if you’re feeling, then you’re doing it {life} right. ☕️✨

11/13/2020

While we continue through the collective loss of so many things, be easy with yourself when you wake up and move forward, adjusting through pain or suffering. You getting up, showering and going to work is a win. Taking care of your children and showing up for them despite your suffering is a win. #keepgoing

11/11/2020

Thank you to everyone who served in our military to keep us safe 🇺🇸 it will never be enough to simply say thank you, for your sacrifices, and for your families’ sacrifices. #veteransday

11/10/2020

Did you know that #OCD isn’t just checking and hand washing gone awry? Intrusive thoughts and mental compulsions like avoidance or reassurance are much more common than you think and CAN be treated.

#ocdawareness #anxiety #intrusivethoughts

11/07/2020

11/01/2020

Who hates letting go? Waking up this morning realizing I had an extra hour of 2020 was a mix of emotions both positive and negative, but a reminder of all I can’t control. Sometimes that serves as a reminder, though, to just let go and be. #letgo #bestill #feelyourfeelings

10/30/2020

Most people try to control their #grief , which is truly unrealistic and unfair. We don’t get to decide when it comes up- it affects us emotionally, cognitively, spiritually, and physically and even if we want to avoid it, the storm is going to come anyway.
☔️ Sitting in the (metaphorical) rain, and doing it with someone else, is a very healthy response to grief. It may feel like the world moves on, but that does not mean you have a timeline to do so. In fact, taking your time and feeling it all is a very healthy response to grief. And if you try to avoid the storm, you will still hold onto the effects without realizing it, allowing them to remain without tending to. Storms will come when they may, rain will fall sometimes...don’t be afraid to put on your rain boots 🥾 and be in it.

10/29/2020

I’ve been talking to clients about this a lot lately - feelings are really involuntary reactions in the body, and learning to tune into them and use them as information prior to responding to them is a hard yet meaningful skill to acquire. Mindfulness is sometimes not about the mind at all! Feelings exist in the body, not just the mind. So sink in, and be. What do you feel, hear, experience? Use it to craft a response rather than jump to action.

#mentalhealthmatters #feelyourfeelings #stress #anxiety #anger #sinkin #beinyourbody #bergencountynj #therapistsofinstagram #endthestigma #justbe #allendalenj #waldwicknj #ramseynj #allendale #ramsey #wyckoffnj #franklinlakesnj #glenrocknj #paramusnj #saddlerivernj

10/24/2020

SIBS NJ

For adult siblings of individuals with disabilities 18 and over - a great way to get support right now from other siblings!

We are hosting a virtual meet-up on November 12th from 6:30-7:30 for adult siblings (18 and older)! Email [email protected] for Zoom link information

10/20/2020

The crazy thing about our responses to stress is that our nervous system does it’s job and we need to let it without judgement. Stoping like a deer in a headlights may be what you need in that moment more than running away. Perhaps, getting angry and tensing is what you need. But, any movement or connection to your body and awareness of breath will help you to connect to your feelings and regulate yourself through them. We need to let ourselves respond to stress by slowing down enough to just be in our body no matter what the situation elicits, because the only way through is through.

10/14/2020

That’s right, you are a #warrior #cheetah #survivor #thriver #beast #badass #human ✨
#moderntherapist #mentalhealthmatters #perspective #carryingtheworld #healing #grief #movingforward #perseverance

10/11/2020

And just like that, office #2 is complete! 🙌✨

10/11/2020

This week is #OCDweek and awareness about this is so important! Living with OCD is a challenge for so many, and so often people don’t get the treatment they need for it. Did you know that OCD affects 2.2 million adults, or 1.0% of the U.S. population? OCD is equally common among men and women. The average age of onset is 19, with 25% of cases occurring by age 14. One-third of affected adults first experienced symptoms in childhood. It’s not just a characteristic, it is a challenging mental health condition, but people thrive every day despite it. ❤️

10/06/2020

Let’s start giving ourselves the credit we deserve ♥️ #resilient #strong #perseverance

10/03/2020

New office setup is near completion ✨ see you soon ♥️ #therapyisaworkofheart #aworkofheartcounseling #moderntherapist #bergencountynj #allendalenj #teens #childtherapist #individuals #griefsupport #anxiety #depression

10/02/2020

10/01/2020

✨😌🤝👨‍👩‍👦‍👦👩‍👩‍👦‍👦👨‍👨‍👦‍👦
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#familytherapy #relationshiprepair #communication #connection #support #moderntherapy #humanisticpsychology

09/26/2020

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#believeinmagic #inward #onward #upward

09/24/2020

I am very honored to have been interviewed by Brenda Considine for @njcouncilondd publication “People & Families” magazine regarding future planning considerations that came up, specifically for siblings, due to #COVID19 - visit njcdd.org/people-families-magazine/ to download the current issue, Volume 3, 2020.

#autism #disabilityawareness #autismnj #futureplanning #Idd #bergencountyfamilies #sibsnj #siblings @arcbp @sibsnj

09/23/2020

Self Care ✨🍁 🎃 ☕️

09/22/2020

We are looking for a talented therapist to join our team! Flexible hours available working in a thriving practice with lots of support 🙌 #njsocialwork #counseling #lpc #lcsw #therapistsofnj #bergencountynj

09/21/2020

LCSW/LPC Part-Time - Allendale, NJ 07401 - Indeed.com

We're hiring! Part-Time LCSW/LPC who is willing to work evenings, day time or weekends.
https://www.indeed.com/job/lcswlpc-part-time-00320f772a904e7f

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09/20/2020

Sunday morning telehealth sessions are some of my favorite ✨ the week is just beginning or ending (depending on how you look at things!) and the reprieve of a quiet day leads to deep self reflection and connections for my clients in their homes. ♥️ #therapyisaworkofheart #moderntherapist #fall #sundaymornings #psychotherapistsofinstagram #therapistsofinstagram #bergencountynj #bergencountymoms

09/18/2020

It occurred to Pooh and Piglet that they hadn't heard from Eeyore for several days, so they put on their hats and coats and trotted across the Hundred Acre Wood to Eeyore's stick house. Inside the house was Eeyore.

"Hello Eeyore," said Pooh.

"Hello Pooh. Hello Piglet," said Eeyore, in a Glum Sounding Voice.

"We just thought we'd check in on you," said Piglet, "because we hadn't heard from you, and so we wanted to know if you were okay."

Eeyore was silent for a moment. "Am I okay?" he asked, eventually. "Well, I don't know, to be honest. Are any of us really okay? That's what I ask myself. All I can tell you, Pooh and Piglet, is that right now I feel really rather Sad, and Alone, and Not Much Fun To Be Around At All. Which is why I haven't bothered you. Because you wouldn't want to waste your time hanging out with someone who is Sad, and Alone, and Not Much Fun To Be Around At All, would you now."

Pooh looked at Piglet, and Piglet looked at Pooh, and they both sat down, one on either side of Eeyore in his stick house.

Eeyore looked at them in surprise. "What are you doing?"

"We're sitting here with you," said Pooh, "because we are your friends. And true friends don't care if someone is feeling Sad, or Alone, or Not Much Fun To Be Around At All. True friends are there for you anyway. And so here we are."

"Oh," said Eeyore. "Oh." And the three of them sat there in silence, and while Pooh and Piglet said nothing at all; somehow, almost imperceptibly, Eeyore started to feel a very tiny little bit better.

Because Pooh and Piglet were There.

No more; no less.

(A.A. Milne, E.H. Shepard)

This is National Suicide Prevention Month.

#mentalhealth #Friends #Friendship #suicidepreventionmonth

09/16/2020

I see you ❤️ see yourself, too.

09/16/2020

Appreciating growth today. 🌱 growth can be painful, and involve pushing through dirt, mud and cold. When we grow it can sometimes feel uncomfortable and difficult. But the result of growth can be incredibly beautiful