Feel Better, Live Better with Sequoia Counseling OC
  • Home
  • ABOUT
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
    • Mindfulness Therapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Lifestyle Medicine
  • SERVICES
    • Anxiety Treatment
    • Health Anxiety Treatment
    • Depression Treatment
    • Primary Care/Health Psychology Consultation
    • Persons with Pre-Diabetes or Diabetes
    • Psychology and Pain Management
  • BLOG
  • PRICING & INSURANCE
  • CONTACT


​Effective, Personalized, Whole-Person Teletherapy Care

Healthy Coping Ideas for Handling Disappointments and Setbacks

11/18/2020

 
Picture
Life during the COVID-19 pandemic creates so many different emotional reactions, including disappointment, fear/anxiety, and frustration. Under normal circumstances, when we strive for growth, change or achievement, we may encounter challenge and adversity. With the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining normalcy and stability and just surviving is difficult. Whatever your current circumstance, here are some ways to cope when things don’t go as planned. 

Read More

How to Get a Positive Growth Mindset

10/14/2020

 
Picture
I've been thinking a lot lately about how 2020 has been a year of change and growth. For most people, the challenge to adjust creates stress and worry. As time passes by, we may have a sense that  there's not enough time to do everything we need and want to (which can add to stress and feeling discontented). How can we avoid these time pressures and feel satisfied with the moments we live? For this reason, I want to offer 3 ways to continue building hardiness and resilience (in other words, the ability to remain calm in the face of crisis and recover quickly) so that stress levels stay manageable and not overwhelming. This important conversation also applies to the anxiety and worry we may feel with the holiday season/end of year, ongoing pandemic & prolonged stay at home/distancing recommendations, and presidential election. 

Read More

Mental Illness Stigma as a Barrier to Seeking Help

10/3/2020

 
Picture
     Stigma around mental illness conditions has troublesome consequences for persons living with mental illness. Stigma continues even though public awareness is growing and persons living with symptoms are seeking help more often. ​
Examples of mental illness stigma beliefs include: 
  • Alienated and seen as “others”
  • Seen as unable to make their own decisions
  • Discomfort to talk with friends/family about symptoms/condition
  • Difficulties admitting need or asking for help, which can lead to the worsening of symptoms and additional decline in functioning and health                                         
                                             (NAMI, StigmaFree Me campaign) 

Read More

Unhealthy Social Comparisons (What are they and how to stop)

10/1/2020

 
Picture
   Social comparisons can lead to strong anxious feelings, low self-esteem, and hesitation to take risks or engage in personal growth. At the same time, social comparisons can help us determine what is normal or healthy and help us to improve our performance and behaviors appropriately. When does comparing ourselves to others become harmful and unhealthy? How can we stop comparing ourselves in unhelpful ways?  ​

Read More

RELATIONSHIP CORNER : A Look at Social Isolation due to Corona Virus Distancing Among Those With Chronic Illness

8/16/2020

 
Picture
​ Linda Rodgers’ article discusses the emotional challenges faced by those that are isolating from others and limiting their usual activities to limit risks of catching and spreading COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2. The article offers specific strategies for coping with the loneliness, recommendations to self-monitor for signs of worsening emotional health, and tips to limit risk when leaving the home is necessary.

Read More

The Insomnia Post (Screening and Sleep Tips)

8/15/2020

 
Picture
​Primary insomnia refers to sleep difficulties that are not due to medication side effects, caffeine/stimulant or other substance use, or psychological/physical health conditions. Primary insomnia is characterized by:
  • Difficulty falling or staying asleep, or waking up too early
  • Poor quality sleep; feeling tired upon waking

Read More

3 Tips on How to Adjust to the “New Normal” During the Corona Virus (COVID-19)

8/15/2020

 
Picture
After weeks of news overload and discouraging statistics reflecting the impact of the Corona Virus, I want to understand and help my community understand how we might live and find meaning as we wait for an effective COVID-19 vaccine or treatment. As a licensed psychologist, here are my immediate thoughts:
  1. Continue operating out of a place of flexibility in your daily life. There is a definite sense of grief and loss as we have given up many of our traditions, relationships, and general ways of living. Typically, an individual can spend at least a year grieving after a major loss as they are passing through various anniversaries, life events, etc. that remind them of their different existence. I believe that the losses and changes that we are experiencing as a result of COVID-19 will be similar. Are there other 

Read More

When Someone You Love is Suicidal

8/15/2020

 
Picture
I’ve been thinking some time to write a post about dealing with suicidal thoughts. In this post I will offer suggestions on what to do if someone in your life is suicidal or has struggled with these thoughts.
 
1. Listen and be present with them. Try to listen with a goal of understanding and suppress the urge to panic, fix them, or tell them that they are wrong to think/feel that way.

Read More

What’s the Big Deal About Lifestyle Medicine?

8/15/2020

 
Picture
What is lifestyle medicine? Following specific guidelines and practices for food choices, stress management, being physically active, avoiding risky substance use and nicotine use, getting enough sleep, and having a strong emotional support system in your life can powerfully prevent, treat, and often even reverse chronic disease and select autoimmune conditions (source: The American College of Lifestyle Medicine).

Read More

Relationship Corner: Loneliness

8/15/2020

 
Picture
​Are you feeling lonely or wondering how you will manage being alone during this holiday season? Holidays and other special occasions can feel like a punishment in addition to all the other non-holiday calendar years that one faces alone. When alone, I would go back and forth between thinking that I was fine alone and “didn’t need anyone”, or just busying myself and not dwelling so much on being alone, or having a pity party about being alone and wondering which friends I could call to complain about my misery.

Read More
<<Previous

    Archives

    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020

    Categories

    All
    Anxiety And Stress Management
    COVID 19 Resources
    Depression Management
    Medical Conditions
    Personal Growth
    Relationship Challenges

Picture


reach out now to learn how sequoia counseling and wellness services can partner with you to live a happier, healthier life! 


                      Hours

           Mon-Fri: 8am - 7pm 
         Sat: call for availability

  Telephone

  949.337.1034   

    Email

     drsoohoo@sequoiacounselingoc.com
  • Home
  • ABOUT
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
    • Mindfulness Therapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Lifestyle Medicine
  • SERVICES
    • Anxiety Treatment
    • Health Anxiety Treatment
    • Depression Treatment
    • Primary Care/Health Psychology Consultation
    • Persons with Pre-Diabetes or Diabetes
    • Psychology and Pain Management
  • BLOG
  • PRICING & INSURANCE
  • CONTACT