Confessions of a Psychological First Responder

Grief

The Grief of Grieving

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on April 24, 2024

Grief is a natural part of life that can become an overwhelming experience. Successfully passing through the process is aided by looking at loss in a new way.

Grief is a natural part of life that can become an overwhelming experience. Successfully passing through the process is aided by looking at loss in a new way.

Personal Perspectives

A Heart-Centered Approach to Cancer Treatment

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on April 4, 2024

Personal Perspective: A new look at this old disease could strip away some of its power.

Personal Perspective: A new look at this old disease could strip away some of its power.

Memory

Remembering to Forget

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on March 18, 2024

For those burdened by their past, relief can be found not in the science of memory but in the recognition of our ability to shape the very nature of our personal histories.

For those burdened by their past, relief can be found not in the science of memory but in the recognition of our ability to shape the very nature of our personal histories.

Psychopharmacology

The Psychology of Self-Medicating

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on March 2, 2024

The concept of self-medicating is often portrayed in a negative light. It's time for an honest conversation about the pros and cons.

The concept of self-medicating is often portrayed in a negative light. It's time for an honest conversation about the pros and cons.

Career

Restoring the Mentally Healthy Workday

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on February 27, 2024

Convinced that they have to leave their sanity at home when they go to work, many employees fail to realize that a slight change of attitude can restore their mental health.

Convinced that they have to leave their sanity at home when they go to work, many employees fail to realize that a slight change of attitude can restore their mental health.

Gratitude

The Gratitude Attitude

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on February 19, 2024

In a world where pain and disappointment are rampant, it can be challenging to find gratitude but it's a search worthy of the effort.

In a world where pain and disappointment are rampant, it can be challenging to find gratitude but it's a search worthy of the effort.

Relationships

A Reflection on Self-Love

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on February 5, 2024

Personal Perspective: A growing focus on narcissism runs the risk of confusing self-love and self-worth.

Personal Perspective: A growing focus on narcissism runs the risk of confusing self-love and self-worth.

Personal Perspectives

From “Why Me?” to “What Now?”

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on January 31, 2024

Finding meaning when confronted by a life-altering illness is a daunting challenge. Turning the search into opportunities for growth is possible and readily available.

Finding meaning when confronted by a life-altering illness is a daunting challenge. Turning the search into opportunities for growth is possible and readily available.

Career

The Rise of Engagement Fatigue

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on January 12, 2024

Employee engagement is the new buzzword in the workplace but it's just a new term for an age-old struggle.

Employee engagement is the new buzzword in the workplace but it's just a new term for an age-old struggle.

Caregiving

When Caregiving Ends

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on January 5, 2024

Making a healthy transition from being a caregiver to life after caregiving is aided by coming to terms with the conflicting emotions of grief and relief.

Making a healthy transition from being a caregiver to life after caregiving is aided by coming to terms with the conflicting emotions of grief and relief.

Caregiving

Coping With Post-Traumatic Caregiving

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on January 1, 2024

Many of the millions of Americans who are caregivers began that role after a traumatic event with a loved one. Acknowledging and honoring that trauma is vital to self-healing.

Many of the millions of Americans who are caregivers began that role after a traumatic event with a loved one. Acknowledging and honoring that trauma is vital to self-healing.

Personal Perspectives

How to Be a Pacifist in the War on Cancer

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on December 20, 2023

Personal Perspective: War analogies when fighting life-altering illnesses often miss the fact that the battleground is within.

Personal Perspective: War analogies when fighting life-altering illnesses often miss the fact that the battleground is within.

Career

An Underutilized Way to Support Wellness at Work

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on December 18, 2023

As growing numbers of workers experience high levels of stress at work, employee assistance programs are an often-underutilized free service for coping.

As growing numbers of workers experience high levels of stress at work, employee assistance programs are an often-underutilized free service for coping.

Relationships

Choosing Compassion

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on November 27, 2023

Personal Perspective: Healing the wounds of hate requires stepping out of our collective reflexive response to become the very monsters we seek to conquer.

Personal Perspective: Healing the wounds of hate requires stepping out of our collective reflexive response to become the very monsters we seek to conquer.

Relationships

How to Address the Elephant in the Room

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on November 16, 2023

The ability to successfully address topics that others are avoiding is a key factor in healthy personal and professional relationships.

The ability to successfully address topics that others are avoiding is a key factor in healthy personal and professional relationships.

Aging

DWO: Driving While Old

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on November 9, 2023

A Personal Perspective: The driving population is aging. Something is thrilling about taking the wheel with wrinkled hands.

A Personal Perspective: The driving population is aging. Something is thrilling about taking the wheel with wrinkled hands.

Stress

Holidazed and Confused

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on November 1, 2023

A Personal Perspective: This time of year may bring more inner turmoil than inner peace. It's possible to return this unwanted gift of the season with only a few minor adjustments.

A Personal Perspective: This time of year may bring more inner turmoil than inner peace. It's possible to return this unwanted gift of the season with only a few minor adjustments.

Career

Counseling and Consultation for Managers

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on October 23, 2023

Managers experiencing the negative impacts of leading their employees through challenging times are best aided by blending consultation and counseling services.

Managers experiencing the negative impacts of leading their employees through challenging times are best aided by blending consultation and counseling services.

Happiness

Simply This: Living an Uncomplicated Life

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on October 5, 2023

In a complex world, people dream of a simpler life. There are steps you can take that will turn what seems like an unattainable vision into a lived reality.

In a complex world, people dream of a simpler life. There are steps you can take that will turn what seems like an unattainable vision into a lived reality.

Cognition

The Art of Thought Suppression

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on September 27, 2023

A recent study at the University of Cambridge has thrown a psychological monkey wrench into one of the basic concepts of psychotherapeutic interventions.

A recent study at the University of Cambridge has thrown a psychological monkey wrench into one of the basic concepts of psychotherapeutic interventions.