Therapy Archives - Sync Counseling Center

PLAY: Promoting Lifetime Achievement for Youth

By Rubina Haroutonian, M.A., LMFT, RPT What is Play? It's easy for adults to underestimate play as merely an insignificant or juvenile way for children to pass the time. In actuality, play is a core foundation for the long-term developmental stages of healthy childhood to adulthood. According to the Association for Play Therapy, play is a way of “being with the child that honors their unique developmental level and looks for ways of helping in the ‘language’ of the child, play.” Play is how children express themselves, with the toys used in play...

Grounded In the Present: Now. Here. This.

By Emily Phifer In overwhelming circumstances, with no end in sight, we may find ourselves challenged by knowing how best to survive the day- to- day marathon of our lives. Disruptions to our routines, plans, and usual rhythms can bring overwhelm and disorientation for even the most balanced of people. Our overwhelm is a normal and valid response to the stressors, changes and uncertainty we are collectively experiencing. We are normal, we are overwhelmed, and we are struggling, together. Father Greg Boyle, the Jesuit priest and founder/director of “Homeboy Industries” organization with...

Giving Your “Good Enough”

By Emily Phifer A few months back, I was contemplating the importance of giving of ourselves-- to the world, to our work, to those around us. For me personally, when I go to offer anything of myself to the world, it’s very easy for me to get caught up by my own inadequacy, insecurity, and uncertainty. The following questions readily bubble to the surface: “What if I don’t say just the right thing? What if someone has already shared an idea like mine before? What if what I have to give isn’t...

Coping With Sudden Change: Listening to the Trees

By Curtis Miller and Emily Phifer In nature, we see reflected back to us a truth we also encounter in our core experience as humans: Life is unpredictable and difficult. When the unexpected hits, every aspect of our being is challenged - mind, body and soul. Like trees buffeted about by strong, gale force winds, we must adapt and move in response to what hits us - bending with the challenge, and not fighting against it. When we face unexpected hardship, we are forced to face the crisis at hand, even as we...

How To Manage Holiday Stress

By Christopher Nahumck, Ph.D., MDiv, MSW, MA You may remember the holidays from your childhood fondly. You recall waking up early on Christmas and being so excited. Or, perhaps you think about spending weeks off school celebrating Hanukkah. As an adult, the holidays may be different now. Holiday stress can ruin what is supposed to be the most "wonderful time of the year." In between endless to-do lists and hosting holiday parties, you find yourself feeling overwhelmed. And, in spite of desperately wanting to feel joyful, it is elusive. Instead of enjoying yourself,...

PLAY: Promoting Lifetime Achievement for Youth

Grounded In the Present: Now. Here. This.

Giving Your “Good Enough”

Coping With Sudden Change: Listening to the Trees

How To Manage Holiday Stress

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