WNY Mental Health Counseling | The Counselor's Corner

Are you S.A.D?

Deb — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 21:35:13 +0000

During the late fall until early spring, do you notice:
- craving carbohydrates?
- sadness or moodiness?
- feeling down?
- lack of energy?
- decreased motivation?
- tearfulness or crying spells?
- an increase in your depression?

If you notice these symptoms between the time change (in the fall) until the time change (in the spring) you may be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.).

The best way to find out, is to contact your physician for an assessment. If, in fact, you do have S.A.D., there are things you can do to help get through the dark days of winter.

One remedy often used by those who experience S.A.D. is photo therapy — a light box that you use for about 20 minutes in the morning. This intervention can be cost-effective, time-efficient, and less intrusive than increasing or adding medications.

Talk to your physician if you think you may be experiencing S.A.D. — you don’t need to suffer!

Deborah Legge PhD CRC LMHC

What to do about “bullies”

Deb — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 21:34:17 +0000

An increasing concern in today’s society is the widespread occurrences of bullying within our schools; which has now seem to have extended into our kids social network with the rise of cyber bullying.

I recently had the opportunity to participate in Channel 4 News’ Bullying Prevention Project where I sat among a panel of experts retrieving phone calls and answering questions about Bullying in our schools. The majority of the calls were from concerned parents whose children have been bullied and their lives flipped upside as a result. These parents asked the age-old question, “what can I do?” And while several voices were heard that day one collective message soon became apparent which was that many of our schools are not intervening as they should.

From my clinical standpoint, the increase in bullying seems to be related to the growing shift that has been occurring among our student population for the past few years. It appears the focus is no longer on academics but who you can squash to get ahead and make a reputation for yourself. So if you ask me the solution should not entirely rest upon our school systems but needs to include several other systems working together to combat this problem or we may just lose the fight against bullying.

Kim Leiker LMHC
for appointments, call:
204-5552 x 424

What are you waiting for?

JimLegge — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 18:07:25 +0000

I am sure you have been asked this question on numerous occasions by friends, coworkers, family and even acquaintances. Did you ever stop and think for a moment exactly why you are continually asked that question by so many? Could it just be that those people close to you…and some not-so-close… see in you what you have failed to see?

Outwardly, your are vocal and animated about your frustration with your present situation…and others see it. You speak about needing to branch out and do your own thing…day after day…week after week…month after month…well you get the idea.

Maybe you are waiting for just the right time or circumstance to come along and give you that final little nudge you require to go after your dream, or should I say ‘passion’.

Just remember that if those around you are seeing the fire inside you…maybe the time is NOW! Don’t let your passion pass you by…

NEW Videos Available!

Deb — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 16:03:39 +0000

Hi! I’m so pleased to tell you that I have more information and support for loved ones and those with Borderline Personality Disorder. Over 5000 people have viewed my video primer: “What Is Borderline Personality Disorder?” and I’ve gotten many, many requests for more information and support from loved ones and people with BPD. So… I am introducing the first series of Classroom Videos. The Classroom Videos will focus on treatment and support, and some of the videos will be specifically for loved ones.

The first Classroom Videos will be available by mid-July, with many more to come. For more information, contact me!

What does the Spring hold for you?

Deb — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 04:25:02 +0000

I’ve been very busy planning all of the new things we’ll be doing in the Spring. The Counselor’s Corner will be buzzing with activity both in the office and in the community. The Video Therapist will be injected with lots of new videos and some really exciting video series to help everyday people manage common mental and emotional issues. Mental health professionals will be introduced to the many benefits of the Influential Therapist.

On a personal note, I’m really looking forward to taking my granddaughter to Putt Putt (in preparation for making her my golf partner one day…), planting an herb garden, and spending more time enjoying my family and friends.

Part of the fun of the transition between the cold and snow of Winter into the blossoms and colors of Spring is planning for new and exciting changes.

Personal changes, professional changes, planning a vacation, following through on some New Year’s resolutions… there are so many ways to grow and change.

What will you do to celebrate the coming of Spring? I’m a firm believer of living in the present (being and enjoying every minute of the here and now). However, there is always room for hopes and dreams. We CAN live in the now, while enjoying a hope for a future.

Here’s to your growth and change!
Deb Legge

Feeling Overwhelmed?

Deb — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:21:14 +0000

Sometimes our view and experience of living become so narrow that the least bit of pain, sorrow, frustration, or disappointment feel overwhelming. We can’t expect life to be painless and perfect. Especially during difficult times, we need to broaden our view or our experience of life to help keep the balance. Here is an inspirational lesson to keep in mind when times are tough…

An aging Hindu master grew tired of his apprentice complaining, and so, one morning, sent him for some salt.

When the apprentice returned, the master instructed the unhappy young man to put a handful of salt in a glass of water and then to drink it.

How does it taste? the master asked. “Bitter,” spit the apprentice.

The master then asked the young man to take another handful of salt and put it in the lake nearby. Once the apprentice swirled his handful of salt in the water, the old man said, “Now drink from the lake.”

As the water dripped down the young man’s chin, the master asked, “How does it taste?” “Fresh,” remarked the apprentice.

Do you taste the salt? asked the master. “No,” said the young man.

At this, the master took the young man’s hands, offering, “The pain of life is pure salt; no more, no less. The amount of pain in life remains exactly the same.

However, the amount of bitterness we taste depends on the container we put the pain in. So when you are in pain, the only thing you can do is to enlarge your sense of things… STOP BEING A GLASS. BECOME A LAKE.”

– Unknown Source

What is Energy Medicine?

Deb — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 18:32:46 +0000

Many people are seeking more natural, self-empowering ways to resolve chronic and acute conditions, especially those resulting from stress. the rapidly growing field of Energy Medicine; the art and science of healing with energy, has been found to greatly enhance the practice of psychotherapy. A blending of these disciplines can result in a faster and more complete resolution of issues. This is because energy works directly with a person’s energy anatomy to clear old mental/emotional patterns as well as the resulting blockages in the physical body.

Any of the following events can produce negative and long-lasting effects; chronic stress, accident or injury, disease, physical, sexual or emotional abuse, and destructive lifestyle habits. With each repetition of the experience or behavior, our habitual responses become more entrenched or programmed. We are literally “stuck in the past”, full of unhealed wounds which limit our health, vitality and happiness. All of our bodily systems are effected; especially our nervous, immune, endocrine, and digestive systems. Energy Medicine offers methods to open, clear and reorganize old patterns, creating a favorable condition for healing. The need for anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medications can often be reduced or eliminated. Other benefits include pain relief and the minimizing of side effects from surgery and other medical procedures.

Anne Marie Herman, MA DTR, offers her clients a blend of traditional psychotherapy with various Energy Medicine modalities. These include Sound therapy, Nervous System Energy Work, EMDR and Lomilomi. Study groups are available for clients to learn and practice basic techniques for stress reduction, energy building and self-healing. For more information or an appointment, contact Anne Marie Herman at The Counselor’s Corner: 716/204-5552 x 437.