Dr. Lena Pearlman holds a Masters of Social Work (MSW) as well as a Doctorate degree in Holistic Natural Health. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Missouri. Lena has been a practicing social worker for 20 years. In addition to working privately, Lena has worked with children and adults in various settings including in-patient and out-patient hospitals, sub-acute rehabilitation centers, forensic treatment centers, and is considered an expert witness within the legal system. She has had extensive experience helping individuals cope with acute, terminal, and chronic medical problems. Dr. Pearlman is a member of the Missouri Society of Clinical Social Work, the Employee Assistance Professionals Association, and the National Organization of Forensic Social Workers. Dr. Pearlman is the author & creator of Stay Here: Your Personal Journal To Staying Present, Mindful & Grateful Every Day. As you can imagine, Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates would not quite be the same without Dr. Lena Pearlman! In between sessions, I sat down with her to ask ten incredibly important questions 🙂 1.) If you could travel anywhere, where would you want to go? Why? I would say Russia because it’s where I’m from. I moved to the United States when I was 6, but I do still speak Russian fluently. 2.) What was your dream job as a kid? Definitely wanted to be an FBI agent. 3.) What is your favorite movie? Dirty Dancing! 4.) If you could have any superpower, what would it be? I would say the ability to heal. Second, the ability to fly. 5.) Favorite ice-cream flavor? Coffee. Vanilla is a close second. 6.) Favorite musician? Bryan Adams, 100%. 7.) Hidden talent? I can rock climb pretty well! Haven’t done it in a while, but it’s something I really enjoy doing. 8.) Favorite subject in school? Definitely not math. I’d say history. 9.) What TV show did you most recently binge-watch? Dexter. Absolutely love it, and I’m super excited that the show has been brought back. 10.) If you could compete in any Olympic sport, which sport would you compete in? Gymnastics. Most people don’t know, but I was a gymnast for nearly a decade. Follow Lena on Twitter @ drlenapearlman
CDC says that, “In 2019, 12 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.5 million made a plan, and 1.4 million attempted suicide”. According to the American Psychiatric Association, suicide is, “The 10th leading cause of death in the United States and the second leading cause of death (after accidents) for people aged 10 to 34”. Additionally, they report that in 2019, 47K+ people died by suicide in the United States. In 2020, NPR went into depth about a study conducted by the CDC, reporting that in 2020, around 46K people died by suicide. Despite the pandemic leading to mass isolation, this means that there was a decline in suicide in 2020. Though there was a small decline in suicide, 46K people still died. One person dying by suicide is too much. This is a gargantuan issue. The American Psychiatric Association lists several risk factors, warning signs, and protective factors. Before listing these factors and signs, it is important to define these. Retrieved from The Suicide Prevention Resource Center “Risk factors are characteristics that make it more likely that an individual will consider, attempt or die by suicide. Warning signs indicate an immediate risk of suicide. Protective factors are characteristics that make it less likely that individuals will consider, attempt or die by suicide.” Retrieved from the American Psychiatric Association (Psychiatry.org) Risk Factors: Previous suicide attempt(s) A history of suicide in the family Substance misuse Mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder) Access to lethal means (e.g., keeping firearms in the home) Losses and other events (for example, the breakup of a relationship or a death, academic failures, legal difficulties, financial difficulties, bullying) History of trauma or abuse Chronic physical illness, including chronic pain Exposure to the suicidal behavior of others Warning Signs: Often talking or writing about death, dying or suicide Making comments about being hopeless, helpless or worthless Expressions of having no reason for living; no sense of purpose in life; saying things like “It would be better if I wasn’t here” or “I want out.” Increased alcohol and/or drug misuse Withdrawal from friends, family and community Reckless behavior or more risky activities, seemingly without thinking Dramatic mood changes Talking about feeling trapped or being a burden to others Protective Factors: Contacts with providers (e.g., follow-up phone call from health care professional) Effective mental health care; easy access to a variety of clinical interventions Strong connections to individuals, family, community and social institutions Problem-solving and conflict resolution skills What can we do? First, don’t be afraid to have “the talk”. Asking someone if they are suicidal and having those thoughts does not plant those thoughts or harm them in any way. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has an incredibly insightful article on how to have the conversation: https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/September-2019/How-to-Ask-Someone-About-Suicide. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIH) talks about the 5 Action Steps for Helping Someone in Emotional Pain. Ask. See above paragraph. Keep Them Safe Be There Connect. Contact information for resources can be found at the end of this article. Keep in touch. Stay connected. Resources: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) 24/7 Crisis Counselor – Text HOME to 741741 Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is a St Louis mental health therapy practice in Creve Coeur, Missouri. The practice has a team of mental health therapists who provide therapy and counseling services to kids, teens, adults, couples, and families. Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates specializes in stress, anxiety, depression, relationships, and other mental health related issues and concerns. The practice can be reached by phone at: 314-942-1147, by email at: bryan@stlmentalhealth.com or on the web at: www.STLmentalhealth.com. The office is located at: 655 Craig Road, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63141.
Bradley.edu says, “Counseling has become such a common activity for couples that about 44 percent of couples who get married today go to marriage counseling before they even tie the knot”. In relationships, couples counseling has proven to be tremendously effective for many. Are you curious about couples counseling? Perhaps, even considering it? Keep on reading! GoodTherapy.org describes Couples Counseling as follows, “A form of therapy that supports people in intimate relationships,” and, “While the relationship itself is the focus in marital/relationship counseling, each partner is expected to pay attention to self-improvement and self-awareness.” (GoodTherapy.org) When To Consider Pursuing Couples Counseling Psychology Today & GoodTherapy.org lists: Trust has been broken. Power Struggles Substance Abuse Financial Issues Anger Infidelity Stress Increase in arguments. Poor communication. Something feels wrong, but not sure why. Wanting to share with partner but feels unable to share. A partner (or both) is dysfunctional during conflict. Couples has gone through something devastating. Emotional intimacy has been diminished. Approaches To Couples Counseling (From GoodTherapy.org) Imago Relationship Therapy Emotionally Focused Therapy (75% effective) Positive Psychology Narrative Therapy How Couples Counseling Works Above are some of the approaches utilized in couples counseling, but to simplify the goals and process, see below (From TalkSpace.com): “Helps people involved in a romantic relationship gain insight into their relationship, resolve conflict, and improve relationship satisfaction utilizing a variety of therapeutic interventions. Although the practice of behavioral couples therapy may vary depending on the therapist’s theoretical orientation, all couples therapy tends to involve the following general elements: (1) A focus on a specific problem (i.e. sexual difficulties, Internet addiction, intimacy, jealousy). (2) Active participation on the part of the therapist in treating the relationship itself, rather than each individual separately. (3) Solution-focused, change-oriented interventions early on in treatment. (4) A clear establishment of treatment objectives.” If you’ve read this article + done some of your own research and are interested in pursuing counseling with your partner, here are two key components that you should expect in the first session. (1) You will be answering questions from the therapist to gain insight and (2) setting goals for the course of therapy (RestorationsTherapy.com). Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is a St. Louis mental health therapy practice in Creve Coeur, Missouri. The practice has a team of mental health therapists who provide therapy and counseling services to kids, teens, adults, couples, and families. Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates specializes in stress, anxiety, depression, relationships, and other mental health related issues and concerns. The practice can be reached by phone at: 314-942-1147, by email at: bryan@stlmentalhealth.com or on the web at: www.STLmentalhealth.com. The office is located at: 655 Craig Road, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63141.
In countless ways, we are living in an ever-evolving society. Of course, there is much work to be done. One of the ways to continue on the path of an evolved society is by educating. So, today, we will look at several myths revolving around mental illness. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) & MentalHealth.gov list several myths: Having a mental illness means you are “crazy.” This is absolutely false. You are not crazy. In fact, “You are human and are susceptible to sickness and illness, the same as any other person.” (NAMI) Mental Health issues don’t impact me. This is very unlikely. Looking at the facts, MentalHealth.gov states that one in five adults in the U.S. experience a mental health issue, and one in ten young people have experienced a time of major depression. It is okay if you do experience a mental health issue – we are human and YOU are not alone. People with mental illness are violent. Undoubtedly, our country has had a surge in mass violence. However, of violent crimes, 5% are committed by those with serious mental illness. 5%… People with mental health needs, even those who are managing their mental illness, can’t tolerate the stress of a job. When those with mental illness receive treatment, which =’s productivity, lower absenteeism, and the list goes on. MentalHealth.gov says that employers report; good attendance, punctuality, good work, and job tenure. PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is only a military man’s disease. So very incorrect. Anybody can have PTSD, “A rape or sexual assault victim, a domestic abuse victim, a survivor of a natural disaster, someone who’s suffered a loss or even a person who did not face any violence or physical threats themselves directly, but happened to witness someone else who did” (NAMI). Therapy and self-help are a waste of time. Why bother when you can just take a pill? This doesn’t get to the root of the issue. This is not an effective treatment. Therapy and self-help have proven incredibly beneficial, and it might work for you! Give it a shot. Psychiatric Medications are bad. Think about this as someone who takes medication for migraines. They take it to ease their pain and discomfort. They take it to be able to function at their best. Psychiatric medications are not bad… It is, for the most part, necessary. If you hear someone spewing these myths, please speak up. We initiate change by educating – one at a time.
MayoClinic.org defines Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) as, “A type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons,” and that, “SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year. If you’re like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Less often, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer.” (MayoClinic.org) According to Cleveland Clinic, SAD typically begins in young adulthood. 5% of adults in the U.S. experience SAD. Although it is not known why, it tends to impact women more than man. Specifically, 75% of those who get SAD are females. What causes seasonal affective disorder (SAD)? Biological Clock Change Chemical Imbalance Vitamin D Deficit Melatonin Boost Negative Thoughts What are some of the symptoms for SAD? Sadness Anxiety Fatigue Hopelessness or Worthlessness Losing interest in activities you tend to enjoy. Difficulty Concentrating Irritability Sleeping More It is important to mention the specific symptomology based on Winter-Onset & Summer-Onset SAD: Fall/Winter SAD Oversleeping Gain in weight Low energy Spring/Summer SAD Insomnia Lack of appetite Weight loss Anxiety There are multiple effective ways to treat SAD. The National Institute of Mental Health (nimh.nih.gov) goes into depth about the effectiveness of Light Therapy in treating SAD, “Since the 1980s, light therapy has been a mainstay for the treatment of SAD. It aims to expose people with SAD to a bright light every day to make up for the diminished natural sunshine in the darker months”. Additionally, the institute mentions other effective treatments, including: antidepressant medications, Vitamin D, and psychotherapy.
4 Myths About Mental Health Therapy I don’t need a therapist. I’m smart enough to solve my own problems. We all have our blind spots. Intelligence has nothing to do with it. A good therapist doesn’t tell you what to do or how to live your life. He or she will give you an experienced outside perspective and help you gain insight into yourself so you can make better choices. Therapy is for crazy people. Therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and want to learn tools and techniques to become more self-confident and emotionally balanced. All therapists want to talk about is my parents. While exploring family relationships can sometimes clarify thoughts and behaviors later in life, that is not the sole focus of therapy. The primary focus is what you need to change unhealthy patterns and symptoms in your life. Therapy is not about blaming your parents or dwelling on the past. Therapy is self-indulgent. It’s for whiners and complainers. Therapy is hard work. Complaining won’t get you very far. Improvement in therapy comes from taking a hard look at yourself and your life, and taking responsibility for your own actions. Your therapist will help you, but ultimately you’re the one who must do the work. From HelpGuide.org —— Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is a mental health therapy practice in St. Louis, Missouri. The practice provides counseling and therapy services for individuals, couples and families. Specializing in anxiety, stress management, depression, relationships, and other mental health related issues. The practice has five experienced LCSW therapists. More information available at www.stlmentalhealth.com.
St. Louis therapy practice Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates (www.STLmentalhealth.com) has 10 things you can do to be more mentally and physically healthy. 1). Get a good night sleep. 2). Pursue a passion or interest. 3). Have a belly laugh at least a few times a day. 4). Help a charity or do something to better your community. 5). Eat fresh and healthy foods. 6). Set goals and challenge yourself. 7). Try to live in the now. 8). Walk, jog, run or do anything that gets you out of your seat. 9). Let go of grudges or other items that make you angry or stressed. 10). Listen to music, read a book and write (anything). Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is a therapy practice in St. Louis, MO that provides individual, couples and family therapy and counseling. The practice specializes in depression, anxiety, stress management, relationships and other mental health related issues. The practice is located in Creve Coeur, Missouri and online at www.STLmentalhealth.com.
St Louis therapy practice, Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates, is offering training sessions this Spring and Summer for educators and parents. More information will be posted when available to www.stlmentalhealth.com. The topics include – child trauma, stress management, school anxiety, oppositional and defiant behaviors, and other mental illness related topics. Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates provides therapy and counseling services to individuals, couples and families. Specializing in depression, anxiety, stress management, relationships and other mental health issues. The practice is located at 655 Craig Road, Suite 300, Creve Coeur, MO 63141.
St. Louis therapist – Dr. Lena Pearlman is now listed at AllTherapist.com
St. Louis Therapy Practice Working to Help Teens with Depression, Anxiety and Stress Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates (www.STLmentalhealth.com) created a promo video on youtube to help catch the attention of teens who are dealing with depression, anxiety and stress. The practice hopes that the teens and their parents contact a mental health therapy or counseling facility to receive services to avoid the potential negative impacts of mental health related issues. The video is available below or at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNILAUUk95Q Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates is a mental health therapy practice in St. Louis, Missouri. The team of five therapists works with individuals of all ages, couples and families. They specialize in depression, anxiety, stress management, relationships, and other mental health related issues. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNILAUUk95Q
