When we feel the heart crushing news of a violent event and the horror associated with events like the most recent “Batman Movie Massacre” we become sad, anxiety increases, and we feel the depth of connection to those we do not know. They are complete strangers, except in how they are reflections of those in our circle of family and friends, despite all of our differences. We can literally feel on a cellular level the fear and pain of those
In some ways this is very exciting news. There is an emerging body of evidence leading to the theory that intelligence depends on the brain’s ability to integrate information. This information is gathered from verbal, visual, spatial, and executive processes. Furthermore, there is ongoing exploration into how the brain, genes, nutrition and environment interact to shape our continued evolution. I was hoping for a more simplified, concrete location and definition of intelligence; of course, this is not how our brains
This article gets mixed reviews from me. I agree with the final conclusion that preschool is an essential step toward eliminating the achievement gap. However, the presented theory that money automatically gives children access to enrichment, I find faulty. In my opinion it is the interaction of parents and children that set the stage for enthusiasm or lack thereof. Children are born with a natural curiosity and quest for knowledge. It is up to parents to encourage and join in
I was deeply moved reading the description of the book “Regrets of the Dying” by Bronnie Ware. If I could, I would change the title to “Hopes for the Living”. If we could all take a moment and reflect on the priorities of our own lives I think we could see that these “regrets” are really lessons to be learned. I recently went to hear the Dali Lama and connected his message to the message in this book. To be
Stress has long been denoted as the ‘fight or flight’ syndrome which produces cortisol, a hormone proven to be destructive to overall health. In this article, further research is indicating that there are actually key regions in the brain which are being directly affected by the level of stress we experience in our lives. Talking therapy has been proven to reduce stress. In addition, medicine is also showing that meditation, yoga, and cardiovascular exercise can greatly assist in lowering the
In the 1940’s, Anna Freud described adolescence as ‘developmental psychopathology.’ Parents of teenagers frequently will describe their sweet children as having become alien. This article provides additional insight into this developmental period by exploring the interactional parts of the brain. One of the most potent lines, “If you think of the teenage brain as a car, today’s adolescents acquire an accelerator a long time before they can steer and brake” brings us up to date with current adolescents and
Recent research is indicating the possibility of an actual ‘illness of the brain’ which can come on suddenly and tragically, and lead the person to suicide. The article below is told in first person by a professor who is fortunate enough to look back on experiencing this phenomenon. It appears almost like a ‘possession’ – leading me to remember how ancient peoples described emotional illness as being possessed by the devil. This gentleman describes feeling led into a comatose or
“Been There, Done That: Long-gone Family Issues can Resurface in Work Life” Elizabeth Starr Miller | February 16, 2006 Everyone has experienced tense, stressful, and strained work environments, either by not getting along with colleagues or by getting stuck in the middle of an office feud. But according to Diane Ofarim, a licensed professional counselor at the Lakeshore Counseling Center in Evanston, the key to understanding and surviving a tense work situation is to understand what part you are playing in
“Lakeshore Helps Clients Achieve Dreams” Pioneer Press Evanston, page 12 | July 16, 1998 When Lakeshore Counseling Center was conceived as an idea, its original founder, Diane Ofarim, was following a ‘dream.’ She wanted to work therapeutically in a way that would facilitate her clients actualizing their ‘dreams,’ such as professional success and meaningful relationships. After beginning her practice, Diane discovered she was clinically ‘gifted.’ Highly successful in assisting clients analyze and resolve inhibitors of success, she began working
“Lake Shore Counseling Keeps Focus on the Positive” Success: Profiles of North Shore Businesses, page 44 | July 22, 1999 Diane Ofarim and Monica Garcia are two licensed psychotherapists who own and operate Lake Shore Counseling Center. Their offices at 1007 Church St., Suite 415, in downtown Evanston provide a comfortable environment for their clients. Both women have an extensive background in post-graduate training and complement each other with their similar style and approach to working with their clients.
