relationships Bergen County

Marriage Therapy: Couples

GalleryJudy Gurfein Leave a comment

Marriage Therapy: Couples

By: Isabella Favuzza

A marriage is similar to a long, winding road with hills and valleys. All couples experience upward and downward periods due to life’s challenges. However, couples must actively choose to continue traveling down that road to maintain a healthy relationship. Marital partners may encounter various relationship stressors, such as psychical or mental concerns, financial issues, deciding whether to start a family, infidelity, etc. These stressors can lead to arguments as each individual feels passionately about these topics. Marriage counseling enables couples to strengthen or rebuild their relationship.

A marriage counselor or therapist helps a couple work through these concerns and regain control of their relationship through their love for one another. A psychologist creates a safe space for both individuals to disclose personal issues that are negatively affecting the relationship. When learning about these issues, the therapist remains neutral to support the relationship rather than a sole party. This space improves communication as both partners express their thoughts, concerns, and emotions regarding specific situations. This newly found communication also enables individuals to gain a deeper understanding of their partner and provides a new perspective. Discouraging marital concerns with a therapist aids the couple to resolve conflict without adding fuel to the fire with anger or resentment. Therapy provides the essential foundation for couples to solve future conflicts with a specific set of tools, rather than sweeping issues under the rug. Ultimately, marriage counseling enables couples to deepen their bond and find their way back to each other by shaping respect, improving intimacy, and rebuilding trust.

If you or your partner is struggling with marital issues or mental health please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

Source:

https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/does-marriage-counseling-work

Anger Management: Relationships

GalleryJudy Gurfein Leave a comment

Anger Management: Relationships

By: Isabella Favuzza

A romantic relationship is synonymous with a roller coaster; there are ups and downs and unexpected twists and turns. Those downward periods are associated with bumps that must be navigated together as a couple. These bumps may cause arguments as each individual feels passionately about situations, opinions, etc. Arguments are normal and healthy within a relationship, as partners must express themselves to one another; however, if one individual feels frightened or intimidated due to intense rage, counseling services can be of service. These spouts of fury are known as dysfunctional anger because they do not provide a function during the argumentative stage and cause one’s partner to feel attacked and fearful. Dysfunctional behaviors like extreme rage or fury can be damaging to a relationship, as one individual feels terrified to disclose their feelings and becomes emotionally distant from their partner.

This anger can be diminished and prevented with proper therapeutic treatments. A psychologist can aid couples in overcoming bumps in the road by allowing each individual to communicate their emotions toward one another in a safe environment and dissect the cause of anger during arguments. Psychologists are clinically trained to find the root cause of these behaviors to manage anger and provide relief for the couple. Anger management therapy enables individuals to release their destructive mannerisms and adapt positive life-enhancing reactions to improve the relationship. These treatments also allow the couple to communicate their emotions effectively and have functional arguments to solve problems together as a unit, ultimately preserving the relationship.

If you or your partner is struggling with anger or violence please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

Source:

https://www.harrymotro.com/couples-anger-management

Marriage During Covid-19

GalleryJudy Gurfein Leave a comment

    By: Sarah Cohen

    During Coronavirus, a lot of extra strain and anxiety have been placed on marriages. While research has shown that disasters uncover strengths in relationships it can also reveal issues. Even in the best relationships, we still always need a little bit of space from each other. 

    Since Coronavirus has begun, applications for divorce have risen greatly in the Chinese city of Xi’an. While divorce rates do increase during times of stress, this is unprecedented. There aren’t just changes in routine and close contact without breaks, there are many other factors influencing marital stress during these times. An increased amount of new anxiety about health and keeping safe from Covid-19, unemployment and therefore financial insecurity, caring for elderly relatives with reduced strength immune systems, lacking social connection outside of the spouse, dealing with childcare and school issues, or simply managing chores and uncertainty about what will be in the future are just a few of the issues that could be causing marital stress. In addition, couples may be using different coping mechanisms during stressful times which clash with the other spouse. One might be active and attempt to be cheerful while the other might be hopeless and passive.

    There are many ways to fight against this marital strain, here are a couple ways to combat it. By picking your battles you can limit the amount of arguments and issues you create in the home. Even further, you can put a time limit on your arguments in order for them not to affect every moment of the day, when the time limit is up you can put it all behind you. Create some alone time, when you make boundaries stick to them. Another way to get some alone time and be active is to exercise, even just by taking a walk. Speaking to other people over the phone or video chat so your spouse isn’t the only person you talk to is another good way to make sure you can have a little break. Lastly, focus on survival during these difficult times not creating issues and rifts between you and your partner.

    If you or someone you know needs support with their marriage, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/ .

    https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-discomfort-zone/202004/will-coronavirus-infect-your-marriage

    https://time.com/5811146/coronavirus-married-relationship/

    Bipolar Disorder: How to Support a Spouse with Bipolar Disorder

    GalleryJudy Gurfein 2 Comments

      Bipolar Disorder: How to Support a Spouse with Bipolar Disorder

      By: Isabelle Siegel

      Bipolar Disorder is characterized by alternating manic (“elevated, expansive, or irritable mood”) and depressive (“depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in life”) episodes. The disorder causes significant suffering for the individual diagnosed, as well as his/her loved ones. It can be extremely difficult to support a partner or spouse with Bipolar Disorder, but it is possible with the right mindset and preemptive actions.

      Develop an understanding of Bipolar Disorder and how it manifests in your partner/spouse. Psych Central suggests creating a list of warning signs that your partner/spouse starts to exhibit before or while entering a manic or depressive episode. This will help you to better understand your partner/spouse, as well as enable you to interpret his/her behaviors in the context of the disorder.

      Learn what helps (and what does not help) when your partner/spouse is in a manic or depressive episode. When your partner/spouse is stable, work together to create a list of actions you can take to alleviate symptoms when he/she is in a manic or depressive episode.

      Communicate. As cliche as it sounds, open communication is integral to maintaining a relationship with someone who has Bipolar Disorder. It is important that each partner/spouse feels heard and validated at all times.

      During manic or depressive episodes, understand your partner’s/spouse’s behavior in the context of the disorder. During episodes, it is important to view your partner’s/spouse’s actions and words as symptoms of a disorder rather than as reflective of his/her true feelings. If your partner/spouse says something hurtful, for example, try to understand the role that the disorder is playing in causing this behavior.

      Allow yourself to feel frustration, upset, or any other emotion. Understand that Bipolar Disorder is an illness and that it is normal for difficult or conflicting emotions to arise. Do not feel guilty for feeling frustrated, upset, angry, resentful, or even for wanting to leave your partner/spouse at times. All of these feelings are normal.

      Most importantly, take care of yourself and seek therapy. Understand that your partner/spouse is not the only one who needs support and never feel guilty for prioritizing your own needs. It can be beneficial to seek therapy or other support in order to take care of your own mental health and to work through difficult emotions.

      If you or a loved one needs support and help understanding yourself and/or a family member, the licensed psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy can assist you. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

      Sources:
      https://psychcentral.com/blog/helping-your-partner-manage-bipolar-disorder/
      https://www.nami.org/personal-stories/living-with-someone-with-bipolar-disorder
      https://www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-disorder/relationship-guide
      https://www.psycom.net/bipolar-definition-dsm-5/

      Image Source:
      https://medium.com/@christinacare/a-guide-to-supporting-a-partner-in-therapy-f0d64575558

      Women in Abusive Relationships

      GalleryJudy Gurfein Leave a comment

      By: Estephani Diaz 

      A relationship is a bond between two individuals who care, support, and share similar interests together. A healthy relationship would be defined as having trust, honesty, good communication, and most importantly mutual respect for one another. Unfortunately, not all relationships are healthy. According to loveisrespect.org, nearly one out of three U.S adolescents are victims of an abusive relationship. Abuse in a relationship could be physical, verbal, or both.

      Physical abuse consists of:                                             Verbal Abuse consists of:

      • Pushing                                                                       – Yelling/Screaming
      • Punching                                                                    – Name calling
      • Kicking                                                                        – Threatening you
      • Pulling hair                                                                – Accusing/Blaming you of something
      • Throwing items at you/to destroy them                – Manipulation
      • Scratching/Biting

      Some signs to look out for in relationships are: Does you partner get jealous? Does he/she get physical? Do they manipulate you? Do they stop you from seeing your friends and family? Do they blame you for everything? Do they intimidate you? These signs above, and many more, are warning signs to leave the relationship or seek help.

      If you or someone you know is a victim of an abusive relationship, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/.

      Source: https://www.loveisrespect.org/?s=warning+signs