Confessions of a Psychological First Responder

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.

Aging

Baby Boom or Bust?

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on September 21, 2023

A Personal Perspective: It's time for those of us identified as Baby Boomers to take stock of our generation's impact and legacy.

A Personal Perspective: It's time for those of us identified as Baby Boomers to take stock of our generation's impact and legacy.

Mindfulness

Addressing the Criticism of Mindful Living

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on September 12, 2023

It's no surprise that our culture would start to turn against mindfulness. This skepticism of living in the now is a good sign for the meditative arts.

It's no surprise that our culture would start to turn against mindfulness. This skepticism of living in the now is a good sign for the meditative arts.

Mindfulness

Letting Go of “Let It Go”

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on September 7, 2023

Psychological wisdom tells us we need to let go of burdens that cause suffering. Ironically, this has more to do with acceptance than avoidance and is easily practiced.

Psychological wisdom tells us we need to let go of burdens that cause suffering. Ironically, this has more to do with acceptance than avoidance and is easily practiced.

Integrative Medicine

The Wisdom of Complementary or Alternative Medicine

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on August 23, 2023

A Personal Perspective: A growing number of people are struggling with conventional medicine's approach to illness and are seeking more holistic means of maintaining health.

A Personal Perspective: A growing number of people are struggling with conventional medicine's approach to illness and are seeking more holistic means of maintaining health.

Pessimism

In Defense of Pessimism

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on August 14, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Trying to fight against your inner pessimist may not be necessary.

A Personal Perspective: Trying to fight against your inner pessimist may not be necessary.

Empathy

Bedside Manners Matter

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on August 7, 2023

In an age of high-tech medicine, the low-tech practice of bedside manner has never been more necessary.

In an age of high-tech medicine, the low-tech practice of bedside manner has never been more necessary.

Mindfulness

Healing the Psychological Bumps and Bruises of Adulthood

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on July 27, 2023

Psychological pain is often the catalyst for seeking therapy. A mindfulness-based approach ensures that pain is seen as a signal for compassionate attention.

Psychological pain is often the catalyst for seeking therapy. A mindfulness-based approach ensures that pain is seen as a signal for compassionate attention.

Stress

The 7 Habits of Highly Stressed People

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on July 20, 2023

For many stressed-out workers, attempts to be more effective at work run into the walls of resistance that are bad habits. These habits can be replaced by healthier choices.

For many stressed-out workers, attempts to be more effective at work run into the walls of resistance that are bad habits. These habits can be replaced by healthier choices.

Chronic Pain

How to Face Aging and Illness Head-On

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on July 10, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Stepping out of the shadow of illness as we age.

A Personal Perspective: Stepping out of the shadow of illness as we age.

Career

The Working Wounded

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on June 29, 2023

Increasing numbers of workers are experiencing mental health crises. Addressing these issues requires robust programs that take employee wellness to new levels.

Increasing numbers of workers are experiencing mental health crises. Addressing these issues requires robust programs that take employee wellness to new levels.

Aging

Take a Graycation

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on June 20, 2023

As we grow older and familial responsibilities lighten, it's time to take to the road, minus one's children, and discover the true meaning of the word "vacation."

As we grow older and familial responsibilities lighten, it's time to take to the road, minus one's children, and discover the true meaning of the word "vacation."

Aging

Putting the Fun Back in Aging

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on June 9, 2023

Personal Perspective: It's time to start taking aging less seriously and find the joy in what our culture would have us believe is an unnatural process.

Personal Perspective: It's time to start taking aging less seriously and find the joy in what our culture would have us believe is an unnatural process.

Health

Chemo-Heart: On Cancer and What's Essential

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on May 31, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Measured by what the disease takes away. Chemo-heart has the ability to replace the losses with the awareness of what is essential in life.

A Personal Perspective: Measured by what the disease takes away. Chemo-heart has the ability to replace the losses with the awareness of what is essential in life.