St. Louis therapy practice, Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates, creates new promo video for kids and teens. The practice hopes that kids and teens that are struggling with stress, depression, anxiety, family or school issues and/or other mental health relates issues – will work with their parents or school counselors to seek out the assistance that they need. Dr. Bryan Pearlman shares his motivation for creating the promo video, “There are a lot of kids and teens out there who are struggling and they don’t know where to turn for help. We know that kids and teens are on youtube and on social media a great deal. Our hope is that they watch the video and this starts a conversation with the caregiver or a staff person at school. If they connect with us, that is great, we will help them – but more important is that they connect with someone to get help.” The video can be found on youtube, social media and viewed below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWnLMuz2BjI Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is a mental health therapy practice in St. Louis, Missouri. The practice has five licensed therapists that specialize in stress, depression, anxiety, relationships, and other mental health related issues. The team works with patients of all ages, couples and families. The office can be reached at 314-942-1147 or via e-mail at bryan@stlmentalhealth.com. More information about the practice can be found at www.STLmentalhealth.com.
St. Louis mental health practice – Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates – works with local schools to help with trauma, behaviors and mental health in children The 2016 year has already been a very busy one for the team at Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates, a mental health therapy practice in St. Louis. The team has educated, trained and provided resources to almost 1,000 educators and parents in St. Louis county, St. Charles county and St. Louis city. Each week therapists make time in their busy schedules between therapy appointments to participate in mental health and school related trainings in the region. The topics range from working with children who have encountered trauma, to school and text anxiety, to depression, to behavior and conduct issues, to peer related challenges, to family and home, and other mental health related items. In addition, the team has hosted several trainings in their Creve Coeur clinic. A recent training entitled, “I’m Sad, Mad & Traumatized… And You Still Want Me To Learn”, was attended by a large group of area school counselors and administrators. Dr. Lena Pearlman shares why the practice is so committed to running trainings for schools and families, “I worked for agencies and organizations for almost 20 years before I started Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates in 2014. When I worked for others, it made it very difficult for me to carve out time to get out into the community and do grassroots efforts for children and families. I promised myself that when I was able, I would make it a priority to help as many people as I could. It is an honor and privilege to be invited into the school and the community.” Her husband, Dr. Bryan Pearlman, is the lone educator on the team. His motivation for co-leading the trainings is very similar, “I retired young as a school principal and teacher. This enabled me to dig deeper and help more children and families in ways that were very difficult to accomplish as a principal. Almost daily, I encountered kids and families that were struggling with stress, depression, anxiety and other family issues. It was very hard to get to any significant depth in helping with these issues, except for providing a referral. I now have the ability to travel the region to provide resources to hundreds if not thousands of counselors, principals, teachers and families. The impact so far has been so much bigger and better than I anticipated.” The team is planning to provide more training over the summer and into the fall. For more information, please contact Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates by phone at: 314-942-1147 or by email at: bryan@stlmentalhealth.com. The practice is online at: www.STLmentalhealth.com. —– Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is a mental health therapy practice and clinic in Creve Coeur, Missouri. The team of five therapists specialize in stress, depression, anxiety, relationships, and other mental health related issues. The practice sees kids, teens, adults, couples and families.
St. Louis Therapy Group Trains Teachers at Trautwein Elementary School in Mehlville Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates trained the teachers at Trautwein Elementary School in the Mehlville School District on Friday, April 15, 2016. The training focused on working with students that display oppositional, defiant and explosive behaviors in school. The presenters shared some techniques, suggestions and tools that can be used with school age children that struggle with making appropriate behavior choices. Dr. Bryan Pearlman and Debra Johnson, LCSW were the co-presenters. The model that they referenced includes viewing child misbehaviors as a form of a learning disability. In this model, the goal is to help build the skills behind the poor choices. This focuses on problem solving, flexibility and frustration tolerance. Many students that are lacking in these areas, tend to be the children that struggle the most with behaviors. These are the children that are often the ones that face consequences in school, get sent to the principal’s office, and are suspended. An additional critical piece in this process is to identify the teachers concern, the child’s concern, and then to problem solve collaboratively for a mutually agreeable solution to the challenge. This becomes a win-win for everyone. Teachers in the training were asked to think about challenging students that they work with currently and/or those who they worked with in the past. They were encouraged to problem solve and reflect with the new lens to determine if the outcome for the child would have been different had they utilized the building skills model instead of just the consequence model. In addition to these tools, the speakers shared that this is a process for growing and learning for the child and also a learning process for teachers. Traditionally and historically, teachers (and parents) define the problem, come up with the solution, and enforce the rules. Over 50 years of research, support the belief that having a child involved in the problem, brainstorming, and solutions – provides a significantly higher likelihood of this plan being a success. The presenters stated that the research for this approach was developed by Dr. Ross Greene. Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates (www.STLmentalhealth.com) is a mental health therapy practice in St. Louis, Missouri. The practice works with children, teens, adults, couples and families. The team specializes in stress management, anxiety, depression, relationships, and other mental health related issues. Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is located at 655 Craig Road, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63141. They can be reached by phone at 314-942-1147 or by email at bryan@stlmentalhealth.com.
MENTAL HEALTH THERAPY PRACTICE PROVIDES FREE TRAINING TO HUNDREDS OF PARENTS & EDUCATORS (St. Louis, Missouri): Dr. Lena Pearlman and her husband Dr. Bryan Pearlman have spent the majority of 2016 traveling to schools, district offices, and community meeting spaces to help educate and train parents and educators about mental health related issues that impact school age children and teens. The topics of these trainings have included: school stress, self-harm, anxiety, depression, peer pressure, aggressive behaviors, substance abuse, relationships, and trauma. To date, the duo has presented to close to a thousand people. Lena shared her reasoning for starting the trainings, “I believe that there is a real lack of good information and resources out there for parents who have children or teens that are struggling. Many of the parents have no idea where to turn. Some parents view mental health related issues as a stigma and often have a hard time seeking out treatment. There is something special and non-threatening about the format of our trainings. Nobody is made to feel as though they are to blame or that they have done something wrong as a parent. We believe it also helps that it is held in the school and community. This makes it more accessible and parents are more likely to stay after school to acquire information and resources.” Bryan’s reasoning for participating has a lot to do with his former career, “As a former principal and teacher, getting into the community to help kids was a no-brainer. I saw so many kids struggle in school and in life. What they were missing was access to quality therapeutic and counseling information and care. Unfortunately, this is not always possible in schools. Most schools have a few counselors and hundreds if not thousands of students on their caseload. It is really hard to meet some of the more acute needs of these children. Getting out into the community was my first goal in joining the team.” The couple and their team of five licensed mental health therapists plan additional trainings throughout the summer and fall. More information is available on the practice website at www.STLmentalhealth.com or by calling Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates at 314-942-1147.
St. Louis Therapist Dr. Lena Pearlman Shares 10 Easy Things to Make You More Happy Who wouldn’t want to be more happy? Below find 10 easy things you can do to make yourself more happy and to feel better. 1.) Get Outside: The combination of fresh air, sunlight and looking at nature’s beauty will make you happier. 2.) Move: Any form of exercise will release endorphins and increase blood flow. This will make you feel better. 3.) Stand-Up: Sitting for long periods of time has a negative impact on your health and mood. Something as simple as standing-up can improve your mood. 4.) Release Your Inner Rock Star: Listening to music and singing is another natural stress reliever. 5.) Belly Laugh: There has been a great deal of research on the numerous health benefits of laughing. 6.) Get a Hobby: Participating in activities that you enjoy can reduce stress and give you something to look forward to. 7.) Talk (and Listen): Communicating with others is a basic human need and one that reduces stress. 8.) Help Others: Volunteering is a great way to help the community. This self-less act is also a huge benefit to you as well. Giving back and doing something positive for others has been shown to improve your own health. 9.) Journal: Journaling is a great way to process what is going on now and your plans for the future. Reading your journal later can help you reflect on the past and help you move forward. For a lot of people, getting thoughts on paper can be a major stress reliever – which makes you more happy. 10.) Meditation, Yoga or Tai Chi: Taking time to relax, stretch and process relieves stress and naturally makes you happy. Without sounding too much like a therapy commercial, many people find that participating in therapy can reduce stress, improve one’s outlook, and make you feel happy. Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is a therapy and counseling practice in St. Louis, Missouri. The practice specializes in stress management, depression, anxiety, relationships and other mental health related issues. The team works with children, teens, adults, couples and families. More information about Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates can be found at: https://www.stlmentalhealth.com. The office is located at: 655 Craig Road, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63141.
St. Louis therapist Dr. Lena Pearlman shares advice for teachers on dealing with students who have been traumatized -40% of school age children say they experienced a physical assault during the past year, with one in 10 receiving an assault-related injury. -25 % of children state they were the victim of robbery, vandalism or theft during the previous year. -20% of children witnessed violence in their family or the neighborhood during the previous year. -In a recent study of a school, 30% of the children reported that they had witnessed a stabbing and 26% had witnessed a shooting in the previous year. What can be done to help the children to be successful in school? -Create predictable routines in your classroom (also predictable reaction to their behaviors, outbursts, internalizing, etc.) -Give choices – traumatic events involve loss of control/chaos. Kids feel safe when they have some control. -Increase the level of support/encouragement – designate an adult who can provide additional support if necessary. -Set clear, firm limits for inappropriate behavior and develop logical rather than punitive consequences. Don’t take offense to their outburst or behaviors (this has nothing to do with you!). Realize that there will be set-backs. Have realistic expect. for success. -Provide a safe place for the child to talk about what happened (designated time and place to share). -Be sensitive to cues in the environment that may cause a reaction (storms, emergency vehicles responding, etc.) – anticipate difficult times and provide additional support (upcoming court dates, stressful times of the school year, etc). -Warn children in advance if you will be doing something out of the ordinary (intruder drill, turning out lights, etc.) -Look for ways to provide accommodations – not every traumatized child will meet criteria for an IEP, consider 504 or just best practices (shorten assignments, allow addi’ time, process for visiting designated adult, safe place, team plan for what to do if/when there is a significant behavioral outburst, etc.). ———–Fair isn’t always equal! -Team approach and outside resources – utilizing talents, strengths, and ideas from a group will provide more tools in the toolbox. This will certainly give a higher likelihood of success. — Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is a therapy and counseling practice in St. Louis, Missouri. The practice specializes in working with kids, teens and adults. The five therapists provide services to those dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, relationships, trauma, and other mental health related items. The practice is located at 655 Craig Road, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63141. The office phone number is 314-942-1147. Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is online at www.STLmentalhealth.com. The practice provides free training and professional development for teachers, counselors, principals, and other educators in the St. Louis region.
Everybody feels down, sad or under the weather. These are all perfectly normal emotions and reactions to different situations and circumstances that one faces in day-to-day life. These feelings become a concern when they occur multiple times per day over time and/or when this becomes someone’s norm. An important step in dealing with being depressed or feeling down is to discuss this with your physician or a therapist. They can assist by working with you to understand the causes of these feelings and emotions. They can also help provide some coping strategies. Some example coping strategies are listed below: Stay Connected: Communicate with friends and families. Isolation may make the depressed feelings more pronounced. Write in a journal: Getting your thoughts and feelings onto paper can be very therapeutic. This is also something that can be reflected on and reviewed later and can be shared with your doctor or therapist. Move around: Exercise is an amazing stress release and a natural way to feel better. Any form of exercise will benefit you. Two good examples are yoga and tai chi. Decide later: Career moves and big decisions should be made when you are not in a depressed or down mood. Hobbies: Becoming involved in a fun hobby gives you something to look forward to. It also acts as a stress reducer. Learn: Reading and learning about new ideas, thoughts, skills or practically anything might make you feel more accomplished. This successful acquisition of new items will likely make you feel better. —– Dr. Lena Pearlman is the founder and clinical director of Dr. Lena Pearlman and Associates (www.STLmentalhealth.com) a mental health therapy practice in St. Louis, Missouri. The practice specializes in working with children, teens, families, and adults who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, or other mental health related issues. The therapy team has five licensed therapists. She is an adjunct college professor and a published author. The practice provides a great deal of mental health resources online.
St. Louis therapy practice – Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is looking to expand again. The practice provides counseling and therapeutic services for individuals, couples and families in St. Louis county in Missouri. The team currently has five LCSW licensed therapists and is in the process of searching for two additional therapists. Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates specializes in anxiety, depression, stress management, relationships and other mental health related issues or concerns. In addition, the St. Louis mental health practice conducts monthly mental health trainings for St. Louis area school district personnel and local businesses. The team works very hard to provide St. Louis mental health resources to the community.
St. Louis therapist Dr. Lena Pearlman, LCSW shares 10 reasons why someone should go to therapy: 1.) Panic and anxiety 2) Life transitions and stressors 3) Conflict and relationships 4) Job stress 5) Divorce 6) Coping with illness 7) Bereavement 8) Abuse, trauma or PTSD 9) Women’s issues/Men’s issues 10) Substance abuse An experienced and skilled therapist will be able to assist with the above challenges and issues. If you need assistance locating a therapist that is a good match for you, please contact me and I will be happy to assist. Healing takes some time and effort, but this will be your first step to feeling better. The more you invest in the process, the greater the result. —— Dr. Lena Pearlman is the founder and clinical director of Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates(www.STLmentalhealth.com) a therapy and counseling practice in Creve Coeur, Missouri. The practice provides services to individual, couples and families, specializing in stress management, anxiety, depression, relationships, and other mental health related issues.
5 Things to Look for in a Mental Health Therapist By Dr. Lena Pearlman, Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates, St. Louis, Missouri “But what I do have are a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career.” Just like Liam Neeson’s character in the movie “Taken”, a great therapist has a particular set of skills, experiences and attributes. It is critically important that you take time to ensure that you find a therapist that is a match for your particular needs and your personality. This will significantly increase the chances of therapy being a successful experience for you. Below please find 5 things to look for in a therapist: 1.) Experience Just like a surgeon, an investment advisor, mechanic, or other profession, experience is very important. An experienced therapist will have many tools and strategies that they have used successfully in the past. These tools can be used in combinations to customize an effective treatment plan for you. 2.) Education Fortunately, in order for a therapist to be licensed, they are required to have a minimum of a Master’s degree. Included in their degree training, they are required to have successfully completed several hundred hours of hands-on practice – not to mention passed a rigorous state assessment. 3.) Trust There is no degree or test that can provide you this information. However, you can increase your odds of finding a therapist that you can trust by getting a referral from another medical professional, a trusted friend, or by doing research and reviewing feedback. 4.) Positivity and Optimism You definitely want to find a therapist that is positive in their interactions with you and that is optimistic about the possible benefits of the therapy sessions. If not, it is time to locate another therapist. A great therapist should be able to articulate a treatment plan for you. 5.) Partnership & Commitment Participating in therapy forms a bond or a partnership. It is important to know that you are partners in this relationship. It is also critical to know that the therapist is in for the “long haul”. You would hate to start this process and then have your therapist retire or relocate. — Dr. Lena Pearlman is the founder of Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates (www.STLmentalhealth.com) a therapy and counseling practice in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Pearlman has 20 years of experience as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). The practice specializes in depression, anxiety, stress management, relationships, and other mental health related issues. The team of five therapists provides counseling and therapeutic services for individuals, couples and families. The office is located at 655 Craig Road, Suite 300, St. Louis, Missouri 63141. The phone number is 314-942-1147.
