Categories:  Mood Tips, Resilience

Categories: Mind Over Mood 

​Margarita Tartakovsky, MS, an associate editor at PsychCentral interviewed the authors of the 2nd edition of Mind Over Mood. This 5 minute read includes comments about exercises and worksheets that have a positive impact on people. Learn the one thing readers can do right now to boost their mood and feel better. Understand the 5 biggest myths about mood such as: they are uncontrollable; its just brain chemistry; it's a medical problem and requires medication; and you can't really change them. 

Click on the button to go to the online article.

Reference:
Tartakovsky, M. (2018). Mind Over Mood: Q&A with Authors Dennis Greenberger & Christine A. Padesky. Psych Central. Retrieved on October 23, 2019, from https://psychcentral.com/blog/mind-over-mood-qa-with-authors-dennis-greenberger-christine-a-padesky/

photo from pexels - no attribution required

Categories: CBT, Depression/Hopelessness

As we approach summer here in Southern California, we are aware that many of our friends and colleagues in the Southern Hemisphere are heading into their winter season. This article is a timely reminder that the things we can change such as our thoughts and our behavior, are so powerful that they can actually override the things we cannot change, such as how much sunlight we have each day. 

While light therapy has been shown to be highly effective in treating a type of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) it only helps about half of the people in subsequent winters. What can give long lasting relief? Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) tailored for seasonal affective disorder. Why? Simply put, light therapy works only as long as you are using it. But CBT teaches skills that are useful forever.

[READ WASHINGTON POST] This winter depression treatment lasts longer than sitting under a bright light. 

[READ THE ATLANTIC]Therapy Over Lamps for Seasonal Depression: Cognitive behavioral therapy gives longer-term benefits and is less of a time burden than sitting under a light for 30 minutes a day.

[READ MEDICAL NEWS TODAY] Beating the winter blues with cognitive behavioral therapy.

[READ THE RESEARCH ARTICLE] If you are interested, here is the American Journal of Psychiatry article that discuss these very important research findings

Photo credits: winter.depression by Gerald Gabernlg is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Categories: CBT, Mind Over Mood, Mood Tips 

We are pleased that BBC Radio 4 (Woman's Hour) asked Dr Christine A. Padesky to talk about Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). Specifically how CBT skills can help people during times of stress. These skills are useful at all times (holidays included)! The interview was first broadcast December 22, 2015.

"Perfectionism is almost always a trap because it robs us of whatever chances we have in life for joy. The antidote to perfectionism is really putting value on small positives that come our way." (Padesky quote from BBC interview)