by KC Kelly, Ph.D., LMHC

www.DOCintheBiz.com

What is Truly Important for Today? As an addendum to the previous article I wrote, Hope for a Bright Future During These Economically Hard Times, I write this article in an attempt to look at the whole suggestion of keeping hope, staying positive, and looking towards a brighter future in a different light. Instead of just staying up about a bright FUTURE, let’s take a look at what we have in the HERE and NOW and be thankful for that. Let’s realize what our priorities are or probably should be TODAY. If you’d like to do that, please continue reading.

Read the rest of this entry »

by KC Kelly, Ph.D., LMHC

www.DOCintheBiz.com

We must always keep hope for a bright future even during these economically hard times that many of us are facing today!

Read the rest of this entry »

by KC Kelly

www.DOCintheBiz.com

GLCzone- The Health Related Blogging Social Network is Back!

I thought I would divert from the normal article writing practice to bring you some exciting news along with some shameless promotion!

I am excited to announce that GLCzone, A SOCIAL NETWORK PROMOTING TOTAL WELLNESS BLOGS FOR ALL is back up and running with a new look and design.

GLCzone plans on becoming the largest HEALTH related blog index on the Internet!

Whether you are looking to get traffic and promotion for your blog or you are looking for health related information, GLCzone is for you!

Read the rest of this entry »

by KC Kelly, Ph.D., LMHC

www.DOCintheBiz.com

The presence of an emotional support animal in one’s life can be an exceptional healing agent for mind/body/spirit infirmities as well as a catalyst for helping to promote wellbeing and quality of life.

Read the rest of this entry »

by KC Kelly, Ph.D., LMHC

http://DOCintheBiz.com

Are There Bad People?  Have you ever heard a child say, “I’m a bad boy” or “I’m a bad girl”? I have always taught the children with whom I have worked and counseled that there is no such thing as a “bad” child. I go on to explain that there are no “bad” children or people, only “bad” choices and behaviors that they may make or exhibit.

Read the rest of this entry »

by KC Kelly, Ph.D., LHMC

www.DOCintheBiz.com

Dreams and Goals

How far away is a star?
Is a star truly unreachable?
I guess it depends on what you call a star. YOU are a star. Just as people define “success,” they define what is a star.

What is a dream?
Is a dream soley a state of abstraction… asleep or awake? Are dreams reveries? Are dreams wild fancies or hopes? Is a dream a longing for something usually unattainable? Simply an aspiration or desire? If you want them to be, they can. If you want them to be more than that, they can be that too.

Read the rest of this entry »

by KC Kelly, Ph.D., LMHC

www.DOCintheBiz.com

What are the Therapeutic Effects of Music?

Music is incredibly powerful in so many ways!

Read the rest of this entry »

by KC Kelly, Ph.D., LMHC

http://DOCintheBiz.com

Should Children Under a Certain Age be Diagnosed or Labeled With a Mental Illness?

In asking the question: “Should Children Under a Certain Age be Diagnosed or Labeled With a Mental Illness?” one is asking a question that has been under debate by expert doctors around the country, or world for that matter, for years.

In my research as a professional, it has not been determined whether or not children under 3 years old can be clinically diagnosed with depression, an anxiety disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder, or bipolar disorder, just to name a few childhood disorders. However, let it be clear that the majority of professionals would probably refute the notion that a child under pre-school or early elementary school age, should be diagnosed, classified or labeled. I am in that majority.

Read the rest of this entry »

by KC Kelly, Ph.D., LMHC

www.DOCintheBiz.com

The Difficulties of Finding a Medication that Works for You

I had a comment from a reader who truly couldn’t understand my comment, “THE KEY IS TO NEVER GIVE UP!” And I never mind a challenge and the questioning as to what I mean by what I write in my articles. In fact, I welcome questions, comments, and/or concerns. I was referring to the testing out and trying of different medications until you find that right one that works for you, makes you feel whole and functional, and gives you the quality of life that you want and deserve!

At the same time, I completely understand doubting this process and almost feeling like a guinea pig trying all these medications and finding yourself nowhere except sick sick sick as you experience the side effects! This is not always how it works though!

Read the rest of this entry »

by KC Kelly, Ph.D., LMHC

http://DOCintheBiz.com

How Do I Know What Medication is Best for my Mental/Emotional Disorder?

Many of my readers have asked me this question. I wish there could be one proven effective and safe treatment, or even cure, for those who suffer with mental/emotional disorders.

Firstly, I want to make it clear that I am a doctor of psychotherapy and not an MD, so I can only talk from my knowledge and education about medication here in this public forum as well as privately. Prescribing medication over the Internet is not suggested for anyone. I can discuss my strong familiarity and understanding with all the different clients I have worked with and about their experiences with different medications.

I DO understand many of the difficulties and successes associated with different psychotropic medications. Let me share what I DO know:

Read the rest of this entry »

by KC Kelly, Ph.D. LMHC

http://DOCintheBiz.com

Diagnosing, Stereotyping, and Minimizing Stigmas of Mental/Emotional Disorders

When describing a certain disorder, I am usually describing it in a textbook fashion (from the DSM) so that lay people and the loved ones of those who have the disorder can understand. I never say that anything is “black and white”, but to the contrary, that everyone is different.

ALL symptoms of ANY disorder are always unique. Not everyone has the same symptoms or behaviors that are described in the latest and greatest DSM. For example,

Read the rest of this entry »

by KC Kelly, Ph.D., LMHC

http://DOCintheBiz.com

Deeper Insight into the Act of Crying. I have read and heard many comments to my past article entitled “Is Crying a Sign of Weakness?” and I felt compelled to answer here in a new article. I have written a deeper perspective of crying, what it can do for us, when not to be manipulated by it, and when to take it seriously.

Read the rest of this entry »

by KC Kelly, Ph.D., LMHC

http://DOCintheBiz.com

Is crying a sign of weakness? I don’t believe so. In fact, crying could very well be the opposite. What does crying do for us? I know personally, that when I cry, it releases my stress level immensely. Hey, this is better than throwing, punching, or even worse, right? As women, we do not have to deal as much with the negative social stigma of crying that society has put onto men, but I hope this will fade in time. Because men release their stress levels often in more outwardly aggressive ways, if the social stigma were not pasted onto men about crying, do you think there would be more peace in our world? Maybe. Maybe not.

Is crying is a sign of weakness? I think it is more a sign of strength, courage and even wisdom as I know that my stress level will decrease after those tears are out. And finding ways to release our stress is one of the best things that we can do for ourselves and our overall mental/emotional/physical health. I rarely hear of someone saying they feel more stressed or upset after crying. Unless, they are referring to the bags under their eyes afterwards.

Read the rest of this entry »

by KC Kelly, Ph.D., LMHC

http://DOCintheBiz.com

What is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), its Stigma, and is it Treatable?  Many people have written in to me concerning personality disorders, the harsh stigmas that plague them not only by lay people, but professionals as well, and whether or not there is any kind of treatment for these disorders. I’ve realized that lay people, family members of those diagnosed with the disorder(s) as well as the actual person who has the disorder have many questions about what is going with them or their loved one. I understand these concerns completely. Afterall, how can one with this type of disorder have any hope of treatment if others, including professionals haven’t any hope themselves?

Read the rest of this entry »

by KC Kelly, Ph.D., LMHC

http://DOCintheBiz.com

I was speaking to a man online the other day who was asking me all kinds of questions about how to manage his depression. This was in a public forum. I asked him if he was receiving professional help and he told me, “No, I will manage it on my own. I don’t want to pay for it.” This immediately made me begin to write an article to answer the question: Why should you pay for Counseling or therapy?

Read the rest of this entry »