Drug addiction is a mental illness that changes your brain in fundamental ways. It disturbs the normal way of organizing needs and desires and substitutes locating and using drugs as the top priority. Compulsive behavior and lack of impulse control are the direct result, all of which are hallmarks of many other mental health disorders. […]| Long Island Psychology
Superstitions are these underlying beliefs that certain actions or issues can “curse you.” Some of the most well known superstitions are being cursed by breaking mirrors, walking under ladders, or having a black cat cross your path at night. Many people have superstitions that they also develop all on their own. Athletes, for example, may […]| Long Island Psychology
In our daily lives, many of us oscillate between what we imagine and what is real. This balance between fantasy and reality shapes our emotions, decisions, and overall happiness. Our dreams about life may conflict with everyday existence, affecting mood, stress, and well-being. This article explores fantasy versus reality psychology, affective forecasting, and the constructive […] The post Understanding Fantasy vs Reality Psychology: Affective Forecasting and the Role of Fantasy in Mental H...| Long Island Psychology
Phobias can hijack the mind and body, producing genuine panic even when no real threat exists. For individuals in Long Island, NY, and across New York State, understanding why these irrational fears feel so palpable is the first step toward relief and professional support. This article clarifies how the brain’s fear circuits, thought patterns, and […]| Long Island Psychology
New Years Resolution for Mental Health For some it came too quickly. Others too slowly. But we are on a new year, and often during this time of year we think back to the year that passed and try to imagine what we want for our future. It is during this time of year that […]| Long Island Psychology
For those that are struggling with anxiety and depression, there are many different approaches that can be used in therapy to help treat them. Some therapies have more evidence of success than others, but every patient should be approached as the unique individual they are – one that adapts to your personality and character. One […]| Long Island Psychology
Often the feature of someone we are attracted to most is also what we complain about, unable to appreciate the person for that trait.| Long Island Psychology
What is a healthy relationship? We explore this idea and how it relates to couples counseling and therapy. Read more from Dr. Marc Shulman.| Long Island Psychology
Friendship is incredibly powerful. While so much focus is placed on romantic relationships, non-sexual relationships can have arguably as much benefit to a person’s mental health and happiness as a committed couple. All forms of social support are beneficial for development and wellness, and close friendships are a perfectly valid way of receiving that support. […]| Long Island Psychology
When you have the ‘right’ partner, everything seems better. Your partner becomes your best friend, your support system, your only true confidante, and the person you expect by your side through all of life’s adventures and challenges. But no matter how wonderful your relationship is, there is a delicate balance between closeness in the relationship, […]| Long Island Psychology
There is nothing more fulfilling than positive interactions with friends and acquaintances. Many studies have shown that those that have experienced great social connections live longer, experience more happiness, and are able to cope better with things like stress and anxiety. But when you have mild to moderate social anxiety, socializing can be a problem. […]| Long Island Psychology
Social anxiety is a common struggle. As much as 15% of Long Island residents currently deal with some form of social anxiety, and many more experience a level of discomfort and shyness that, while it may not qualify as “social anxiety,” is still damaging to your day to day life. Overcoming social anxiety is a […]| Long Island Psychology
When most people think of couples counseling, they see it as a last resort for couples and marriages that are near the brink of separation – or even beyond that. While it’s true that many people seek out couples counseling when their relationship is nearing an end, the idea behind counseling – strengthening the bond […]| Long Island Psychology
Resolution for When Saying “I’m Sorry” Feels Too Hard Arguments in any relationship are common. They only become problematic when the arguments do not lead to a specific resolution. Sometimes, arguments between partners or family members drag on for days at a time because neither partner ways to say “I’m sorry” when they do not […]| Long Island Psychology
Within our relationships, we have a tendency to put friends into categories. For example, a “guy I know,” “a good friend,” a “best friend,” and so on. The latter category of “best” friend is an especially important one. Usually, that term has a specific meaning regarding closeness, support, and more. When we think about our […]| Long Island Psychology
Making decisions, even if they’re not very big ones, can be intimidating. Realizing that you’ve made a decision that’s wrong, or even one that’s not the very best, is not a great feeling. To avoid this, many people ask for someone else’s opinion and seeking consensus before making a decision. Asking for advice is a […]| Long Island Psychology
One of the greatest attributes that we have as human beings is our ability to reason and think. Yet for many, this ability goes too far. “Overthinking” is more than simply too much thought. For many, it is the single greatest cause of stress, anxiety, and depression, and can often lead the person to make […]| Long Island Psychology
Every day, you are tasked with making a variety of decisions. You decide what clothes to wear, where to get your coffee, how much to tip the waiter, and more. Some decisions, however, are much more difficult than others. At different points in your life, you may be faced with key decisions, such as: Whether […]| Long Island Psychology
The primary focus of therapy and counseling is to overcome a mental health challenge, such as depression, anxiety, stress, and other common ailments. Those disorders are thoroughly stressful, negative events that cause sadness, tension, and similar negative emotions. But a fulfilling life is not just about avoiding the bad emotions. It is also about experiencing […]| Long Island Psychology
Is your life a happy one? This is a more complex question than it may seem at first glance because of the temporary, quick-changing nature of emotions. You may feel happy now, but in an hour, you might feel something different altogether. How do you find happiness when emotions can be so unpredictable? “Positive psychology” […]| Long Island Psychology
There are many factors that increase happiness. As a therapist, a factor that I often consider is how comfortable each person is in their own skin. Being comfortable with who you are is one of the most critical elements of happiness, and it is something we work on in therapy. What Does it Mean to […]| Long Island Psychology
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Many people see relationship counseling as a tool that is used only by couples who are in committed relationships. This is not necessarily true, as both single individuals and individuals that want to see a therapist alone visit relationship counselors as well. This is because many people struggle with challenges when it comes to finding […]| Long Island Psychology
Anger control and anger management issues are highly damaging to relationships. Issues with anger control refer to dysfunctional ways of handling or using anger. Those who struggle with anger control often frequently experience rapid bursts of anger that cannot be toned down, and may result in intimidation, emotional abuse, and in some cases physical abuse. […]| Long Island Psychology
Although there are some people that do come to therapy on Long Island for growth and life enhancement, most people usually come to therapy when they are in some type of emotional pain and seeking out help. Indeed, the primary motivator for seeking out therapy is some form of emotional suffering. No one wants to […]| Long Island Psychology
Something drives someone to having an affair. It may be something that they are looking for in their life, such as affection, excitement, or the desire for secrecy. It may be something they are missing from their relationship, such as a connection or time. What it is differs between each person. But for everyone involved […]| Long Island Psychology
Child rearing differs across cultures, but in our society in the United States, the goal of raising children is so that they can grow up to be happy and independent adults. We take on the responsibility of raising a child in order to make sure that they adapt to the challenges and requirements of living […]| Long Island Psychology
Often you’ll hear from motivational speakers and millionaires about the importance of following your passions. You’re told that you need to follow your dreams, and when you do, you’ll be successful. It often sounds like optimistic nonsense… … But it’s not entirely wrong. There is significant value both personally and professionally when you lead a […]| Long Island Psychology
In an existential sense, one of the cures for mental illness is reality. Mental illness is when your brain is telling you a lie about how the world is around you. Your ability to restore the emotions that you are expected to feel – the realistic emotions – acts as its own psychological cure. Yet […]| Long Island Psychology
There are many different parts that go into building a successful relationship. But perhaps one of the most important is having realistic expectations. Many couples go into relationships expecting perfection, with dreams about what the relationship and marriage is going to be, and how the person is going to act for them. But these expectations […]| Long Island Psychology
Happiness is everyone’s right. Part of developing happiness is to learn how to have a more positive outlook – one that is hopeful and optimistic in its assessment of both the present and the future. Obtaining that positive outlook is an important first step in controlling depression and anxiety. But what happens if optimism becomes […]| Long Island Psychology
Couples counseling is a highly regarded, successful way to save marriages and improve relationships. But there are certainly challenges along the way. Couples counseling challenges your relationship, your habits, and yourselves. But throughout all relationships, one of the greatest challenges that you’ll face – with or without couples counseling – is creating a new relationship […]| Long Island Psychology
Scientists have performed numerous studies on who is happier: introverts or extroverts. And the results often point to the same answer. Extroverts are, on average, happier than introverts. They benefit from social connections, feelings of confidence, a sense of contribution, and a Western cultural environment that appreciates outgoing individuals. Yet when extroverts are not able […]| Long Island Psychology
As psychologists, we know that money can’t by you happiness. But that doesn’t mean that money isn’t important. We need money for survival. We need it for self-growth. We need it for our medical, health, and long term care needs. We need it for college, our kids, and so on. Some people dedicate their entire […]| Long Island Psychology
We’re often told to learn from our failures. There is an idea – a correct one – that if you learn from a failure then it is not really a failure, because it helps you bring something into the future with you to help you achieve future goals. But that doesn’t mean that we have […]| Long Island Psychology
Emotions are extremely fragile. Sometimes they can be affected in ways we may not even realize, where a constant presence or issue causes us to experience negative emotions and possibly even feel worse about our life. For many, one of the causes of these negative emotions may in fact be social media. While Facebook, Instagram, […]| Long Island Psychology
We experience a wide range of emotions. Of all of our emotions, anger is the one that has little positive value in our lives. It can cause rash thinking, aggression, violence, and more, and tends to come very quickly – ruining positive emotions almost instantly and affecting the emotions of everyone around you. Some anger in […]| Long Island Psychology
Often in discussions about children, their experiences, and their mental health, one term often emerges: resilience. As a concept in mental health, resilience refers to the ability to recover from difficulties or adapt to challenging situations. When applied to children, it suggests a natural capacity to bounce back from adversities. But why are children specifically […]| Long Island Psychology
Sometimes, we talk about children as though the little person they are now is not the person they will be. We expect our child to grow out of issues with maturity, with behavioral struggles, with sadness – we call them resilient, with the expectation that once they reach adulthood, they will be ready to take […]| Long Island Psychology
Conduct Disorder (CD) is a mental health condition that primarily affects children and adolescents, leading to persistent patterns of aggressive behavior, rule-breaking, and a blatant disregard for social norms. While it’s normal for children to test boundaries as they grow, Conduct Disorder elevates these challenges to a level that can disrupt family life, school performance, […]| Long Island Psychology
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As parents, we often think about what our child will feel when they are older and looking back on our youth. We often imagine that they’ll see the love that we have for them, or the way that we kept them on task with our strict rules, or how fun and relaxed we were (depending […]| Long Island Psychology
Within the field of psychology, we are often tasked with – and sometimes required to – give patients a diagnosis in order to treat them. Some insurance companies and medical centers will not even allow for a treatment if you do not provide a specific mental health diagnosis to the patient. Diagnostic levels have some […]| Long Island Psychology
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Exposing values to children without overstepping through using mindfulness, CBT, and individualized support to help children grow.| Long Island Psychology
Everyone perceives themselves in their own unique way. This self-perception, whether it’s about your intelligence, temperament, character, morality, humor, or some other aspect of your personality, has an effect on your happiness and self-esteem. It’s good to have an idea of who you are. But your self-perception can frequently become a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you […]| Long Island Psychology
One tactic for dealing with depression, anxiety, and feelings of unfulfillment is to understand the reasons behind the thought processes. Often we find that people experiencing a mental health challenge like these have not accepted their current reality. Maybe they are focused on the future or stuck in the past, and it leaves them feeling […]| Long Island Psychology
The most successful and fulfilling relationships happen to those who feel they deserve that type of relationship. Those who are confident that they offer value to others in a relationship will naturally draw people to them, while those who feel uncomfortable in relationships or even uncomfortable on their own almost always have a more difficult […]| Long Island Psychology
Personalized therapy in Long Island with compassionate therapists for anxiety, stress, relationships, addiction, and personal growth.| Long Island Psychology
Comparing yourself to others has many hidden dangers that CBT, ACT and Mindfulness can help when getting treatment at Long Island Psychology.| Long Island Psychology
Cognitive behavioral therapy, or “CBT” is considered the “gold standard” of treatment for psychological disorders. It is especially effective with both depression and anxiety – as well as many other conditions and symptoms within the mental health field. CBT is a successful treatment for many of those that are struggling and – although it is […]| Long Island Psychology
It is common to speak of finding a partner as finding your “missing piece” or “soul mate.” But while relationships can be very fulfilling, thinking of them as something that makes you whole is more often detrimental to the relationship. This way of thought makes you dependent on your partner to meet all of your […]| Long Island Psychology
One of the most common misconceptions about extroverts and introverts is that extroverts get energy from social interactions, while introverts prefer silent reflection alone. This is not at all true. Introverts, statistically, enjoy social interactions as much as extroverts, spend a considerable amount of time with friends, and find social time to be the most […]| Long Island Psychology
Parenting is one of the most difficult “jobs” in the world. It comes with many ups and downs, many frustrations, but also many rewards. Everyone has their own theories on the best way to parent. There is some truth to the idea that you should trust your instincts – that all children are different, and […]| Long Island Psychology
One of the jokes about therapy is that the parents are always at fault. In real life, psychotherapy is not just about the parent. It’s about the interactions between people, the coping mechanisms, the life stressors, and so much more. But parents are still our first teachers, and so yes: the role and behaviors of […]| Long Island Psychology
There is a reason we start relationships. Relationships are fulfilling, encouraging, and provide support that we need to thrive both as a couple and as individuals. Marriage, especially, is something that is practically in our nature as human beings, because it gives us a chance to feel that we have a partner in life to […]| Long Island Psychology
There are two competing thought processes that drive decisions: logic and emotions. Although the two can occasionally be intertwined, deciphering whether your choices are made by logic or emotions can be an important part of ensuing that you’re making the best decisions for your long term satisfaction. According to Psychology Today, most decisions are driven […]| Long Island Psychology
Therapy is a time of personal exploration, and often times in my therapy sessions, we talk about the issues that seem to bother the person the most. So often, the emotion that seems to have one of the greatest impacts on a person’s quality of life is not sadness or anger. It is guilt. Frequently, […]| Long Island Psychology
Acceptance as being critical for mental health and happiness and using techniques like acceptance and commitment therapy to be accepting.| Long Island Psychology
Break free from anxiety with personalized therapy on Long Island. Get tailored strategies and compassionate care to regain control and peace in life.| Long Island Psychology
The Addictive-Like Qualities of Falling in Love Falling in love is deeply emotional and often exhilarating. But some of the intense feelings and behaviors can resemble addiction more than many realize. Brain Chemistry and Dopamine Surges When someone falls in love, the brain changes. It releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter tied to pleasure, motivation, and reward. […] The post Can Falling in Love be an Addiction? appeared first on Long Island Psychology.| Long Island Psychology
How feeling trapped can produce increased anxiety and phobias and how getting therapy on Long Island can help you heal and achieve peace.| Long Island Psychology
Domestic violence can occur in any household. But it’s not just because people want to pretend it doesn’t exist. It’s possible that you don’t realize that you’re in an abusive relationship. This is especially true when the abuse is emotional instead of physical. Psychological abuse is frequently overlooked or minimized, but it can leave lasting […]| Long Island Psychology
How forgiveness and letting go of anger can have healing power and significant positive impact on mental health| Long Island Psychology
Is Self-Help Actually Helpful? Tens of thousands of men and women across Long Island have some form of anxiety or depression. Yet the number of people that have received what’s known as “minimally effective treatment” – treatments that research considers to be effective in some form – stands at less than 14% for anxiety and […]| Long Island Psychology
Mental health issues are on the rise, and one when that occurs, it is natural to try to look for a cause. Has life become more stressful? Are we not getting enough vitamins in our diet? Is there something going on with media? The truth is that there are likely many reasons that depression, anxiety, […]| Long Island Psychology
People often use the words “always” or “never” to emphasize what the statement they’re making. In everyday speech, as when someone says that “he always says that” or “this type of dress never fits me,” these words are usually understood to not be completely literal. But this speech – whether said to others or said […]| Long Island Psychology
Stress can affect your brain chemistry. It can make it so that your mind processes information more negatively, more sadly, and more cynically. And unfortunately, when this occurs, your mind believes in those feelings. They feel natural, normal, and justifiable. This is what happens when you live with depression. Stress makes you feel sadder, less […]| Long Island Psychology
Tics – which are seemingly involuntary behaviors – can be a source of concern for parents, often raising questions about their nature and implications. Tics are common in children, and while your child will often (although not always) outgrow tics, they are still something worth paying attention to. What Are Childhood Tics? Tics are sudden, […]| Long Island Psychology
Why do we focus more on negative than positive events and thoughts and techniques from CBT and positive psychology| Long Island Psychology
Your self perception is a combination between how you think others see you and how you see yourself. The more it is based on how others see you, the less control you have since you will always be worried about what others are thinking – which you cannot control – and always guessing what they […]| Long Island Psychology
Should we be exposing ourselves to traumatic information in the news and social media and how to best cope with the psychological effects| Long Island Psychology
Human beings are a social species. There is ample evidence that social support and connection with others can help you stay healthier, live longer, and find more life satisfaction. For those that struggle with social phobia, or have a hard time feeling connected to others, there are many reasons to consider therapy or care to […]| Long Island Psychology
Different types of trauma people experience. Distinguishing little t versus Big T to help people at Long Island Psychology.| Long Island Psychology
Severe phobias can be very difficult to control, which is why it is strongly recommended that you seek out an anxiety therapist that understands how to help you control your phobias and reduce your anxiety when you’re faced with the object or situation of your phobia. But if you have a very minor phobia, it […]| Long Island Psychology
Anxiety is more than a nagging feeling of nervousness. Anxiety can have some problematic and severe symptoms. It is as much a physical issue as it is a mental issue, and one that can quickly control your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. There are many different experiences that can contribute to anxiety. But one issue that […]| Long Island Psychology
Learn more about how to prepare for your life after college, and about what it means to be an emerging adult in Long Island.| Long Island Psychology
Therapy for emerging adults (18 to early 20s) led by Dr. Marc Shulman and his team of therapists. Call for an appointment today.| Long Island Psychology
Were you a rebellious teenager? The stereotype of teenagers who don’t listen to their parents and push back against the rules they were raised with is a common one. It also isn’t entirely inaccurate. But the question that many parents need to ask is whether or not that rebellion is really that negative. While that […]| Long Island Psychology
At Long Island Psychologist, we explore some tips for parents of emerging adults. If you are in need of psychology services, call us today to get started.| Long Island Psychology
Most people at some point in their lives have been told to “dream big and work hard.” While this is definitely a motivating factor when we’re young, we know as adults that this is really just the first step in a much larger process. Achieving our dreams and reaching our goals requires more than just […]| Long Island Psychology
You may have wondered about whether or not it is truly possible to increase your level of happiness, and if it is, how do you go about doing this? Research has demonstrated that approximately half of your happiness is genetically determined and each person has a set range to which they will ultimately return no […]| Long Island Psychology
Overcoming flying phobia using cognitive behavior therapy, exposure therapy and mindfulness based stress reduction| Long Island Psychology
People seek couples counseling for a variety of reasons. Some people feel their relationship is failing. Others feel like they’re stuck. Some people simply need to work on a specific problem, like communication or intimacy, while others are looking for something more – for example, they are happily married but believe they could be something […]| Long Island Psychology
Positive thinking plays a crucial role in stress management and mental health. When you see the world from a positive perspective, it becomes easier to cope with stress, and makes life more enjoyable overall. Although it sometimes feels like “positive thinking” has been hijacked by the naïve, positive thinking is like a muscle – the […]| Long Island Psychology
Panic attacks are often filled with intense feelings of fear and doom. Your mind goes at a mile a minute, you start to worry about your health and your body. You may even have a type of out of body experience that is nothing short of terrifying. Panic attacks are one of, if not the […]| Long Island Psychology
We may want to rethink what it means to experience trauma. We typically think of trauma as a significant, life altering event (or ongoing events) that are so significant, we cannot cope with it, and it causes potentially significant changes to our mental and emotional health. Examples include: These are all significant life events that […]| Long Island Psychology
Parenting is challenging. We often find that we act in ways that we don’t expect as we try to raise happy and healthy kids. One example of this is yelling. Many parents find that they’re yelling at their child much more than they ever imagined – even if they’re generally not angry people – and […]| Long Island Psychology
Spiders are scary. Heights can be terrifying. Don’t even Google “House Centipedes.” They are multi-legged monsters that horror films are made from. Nearly everyone has some fear that is strong enough that they call it a “phobia” with friends and family. Most of these phobias have no effect on day to day life. Yet there […]| Long Island Psychology
Age, in many ways, is arbitrary. On strictly an anecdotal basis, it’s clear that some people “age” slower or faster than others, in the sense of things like maturity, responsibility, intelligence, and even physically. We know age and experience can affect psychological development in a variety of ways, and yet in many ways psychology has […]| Long Island Psychology
Life can feel draining at times. It can feel as though it is so busy, there is never any time for you to achieve your goals or pursue the things you want to pursue. It is true that there is a limited amount of time and energy that we have in the day, and most […]| Long Island Psychology
While the election is over, many people are still trying to figure out next steps for them emotionally and psychologically. It doesn’t matter if your candidates lost or won. For those that religiously follow politics, the last year or so of election season has likely been fairly overwhelming, and all that stress can take its […]| Long Island Psychology
Typically, when we talk about anxiety in the context of therapy, the focus is one generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and similar challenges. We do not see nearly as many patients about phobias. One of the reasons for this is that, while phobias can be severe and cause immense distress, they are also typically not […]| Long Island Psychology
Determining if you are an introvert or an extrovert remains all the rage. Many people – especially young people – have their MBTI scores memorized, and introduce themselves according to these traits. Yet there are situations in which these may be misleading. Some people are not introverts at all. Some people are actually extroverts, but […]| Long Island Psychology
Most of us are now familiar with phone addiction, especially with regards to social media. Many of us spend hours upon hours on our phone, often browsing social media, which is known to have a damaging impact on our mental health. This article we wrote in 2015 remains true today, and – even after a […]| Long Island Psychology
There are few experiences more challenging psychologically than suffering from a loss. When someone you care about – or someone that played a significant role in your life – is no longer a part of it, that can cause immense distress and a wide range of confusing emotions that can have a lasting impact on […]| Long Island Psychology
