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Ok, so it’s technically spring here in Wakefield, MA.  But it sure doesn’t look like it, does it?  But we at Counseling Services of Greater Boston are hopeful that will change soon, along with the changes we have to announce:

• During the first week of April, we will be located strictly on the second floor of 7 Lincoln St.  We will no longer use 309a as a therapeutic space, and will utilize 200, suites 209 and 216.
• We have also begun our fourth DBT group for adolescent women!  Dialectical behavior therapy is a cognitive based approach that helps clients who struggle with extreme mood swings, multiple crises, and faulty thoughts and assumptions.  Our DBT group offers adolescent women the chance to gain practical skills to manage these symptoms through the utilization of both cognitive behavioral worksheets and art therapy directives.  Over ten weeks, group members will examine the four modules of DBT and learn how to incorporate these skills into everyday practice.  As this group is full, please keep an eye out for future announcements about group openings.

And if you have any therapeutic needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us at (781) 328-1904.

Hang in there folks; those 60 degree temps are coming!

Hello all!

Autumn has arrived, and we at Counseling Services of Greater Boston are enjoying a productive and fulfilling start to the school year.  We are offering a fourth DBT group starting on September 24th (note: there is still space open!)  and will be enjoying a new office space soon.

As always, we are enthused about community events – especially ones with causes that are dear to our heart.  Wakefield will be hosting Out of the Darkness’s Suicide Prevention walk tomorrow, September 20th, at 10am at Lake Quannapowitt.

Although online registration has closed, anyone who wants to participate can register at the walk.  You also can donate to the cause until December 31st!  For more information, go to https://www.afsp.org/local-chapters/find-your-local-chapter/afsp-greater-boston/out-of-the-darkness-community-walks/north-shore-walk3.

Please call us at (781) 328-1904 if you are seeking a counseling referral!  We are here to help.

Hello all, and Happy Spring!  (Meteorogically, at least.)  Even though beach days aren’t quite upon us, we at Counseling Services of Greater Boston hope you have been able to enjoy the first few milder days of the year.  We certainly have.  This past week, CSGB celebrated the opening of our third office!

With Spring comes the annual NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) walk.  This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Boston walk.  It takes place on May 10th, 2014 at 11am.  You can either join the walk, make a donation, or virtually walk.  For more information, you can click here.  Counseling Services of Greater Boston believes in NAMI’s mission, which is to provide support, education, and advocacy for those in mental health recovery and treatment.

Counseling Services of Boston continues to accept referrals for treatment.  If you or a loved one is in need, please call us at (781) 328-1904 x.102.

A belated Happy New Year to everyone!  We hope your 2014 is off to a positive and healthy start, and that the upcoming year is filled with blessings and growth.

Counseling Services of Greater Boston is growing – and has an exciting announcement!  In April of 2014, CSGB will be opening a third office at our Wakefield, MA location.

CSGB would also like to remind you we are also taking referrals for our adolescent female DBT group.  If you know a female teen who struggles with cutting, an eating disorder, or other impulsive behavior, please call us at (781) 328-1904 x102 for more information.

And how are those New Year’s Resolutions going?  By this time in January, motivation can wane and goals can seem tiring.  We at CSGB like to think of them as lifestyle changes rather than resolutions.  This framework of thinking can make accomplishing these goals easier than all-or-nothing resolutions.  Check out this Psychology Today article for tips on how to make those “lifestyle changes” stick!

And as always, please call us if you wish to pursue counseling or know someone who does.

In peace and good health,

Counseling Services of Greater Boston

The holidays are almost here!  Visions of sugarplums and PS3’s dance in our children’s heads, while visions of good food and relaxation dance in our adult minds.  After a month of present-buying, gift-wrapping, and attending tree lighting ceremonies, we are ready to sit back, chat with our family, and enjoy the holiday.  Or are we?

The holidays can be magical for some, but are triggering at best for those who struggle with mental illness.  Think about it.  If you grew up in an emotionally abusive household, and have to return to it amidst throngs of extended family members, it can be a set-up for the return of old symptoms.  Add imbibing to the mix, and you’ve got an potentially emotionally unsafe situation.

So if you’re returning to an unhealthy environment temporarily this week, remember that it’s important to take special care of yourself.  Grace Davis, an adult child abuse survivor, wrote a helpful blog post about surviving the holidays when you’re in recovery from trauma.  You can find it here.

And remember, Counseling Services of Greater Boston is here to help.  If you find that you want extra support during the holidays, please call us at (781) 328-1904 x102.

Happy Holidays to all!

Counseling Services of Greater Boston believes in the power of community to heal.  Whether it’s exercising, meeting a friend at a yearly bazaar, or enjoying local business goods, we know these events can be good for the spirit.  So, we thought we’d post some events happening around town over the holiday weekend you may be able to get involved in!

AMPT “Earn Your Turkey” 5K

November 28, 2013 @9am

Lake Quannapowitt, Wakefield, MA

Melrose High Vs. Wakefield High Thanksgiving Football Game

November 28, 2013 from 10:15am to 12:15pm

Wakefield Memorial High School, Wakefield, MA

And remember, if you are in need of counseling services, we are here to help.  Please call us at (781) 328-1904 x102.  Have a great Thanksgiving!

Do you all know we’re facing a possible winter storm next week?

Yes, that’s right: early winter in New England is creeping up on us.  Which means snow days with no childcare, extra difficult commutes, and foot-deep piles of slush you step in accidentally.

All lightheartedness aside, we at Counseling Services of Greater Boston know that the change of seasons can have a significant effect on some individuals.  The time change disruption causes our inner Circadian clock to go a bit haywire, and the decrease in light exposure can result in Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) for some.

So what has been proven helpful in treating the winter blues or Seasonal Affective Disorder?

• cognitive behavioral therapy
• antidepressant medications
• light therapy (individuals sit in front of light boxes for prescribed periods of time)

Counseling Services of Greater Boston has therapists who are trained in cognitive behavioral therapy and are here to help.  If you find your winter blues interfering with daily activities or relationships, please call us at (781) 328 1904 x102.  We can provide the support you need to navigate your way through this season.

On Psychology Today, Cathy Malchiodi shares a humanitarian project headed by David Gross and Mieke Strand called the Inside-Outside Kickstarter Project.  Their goal is to publish an E-Book that consists of collected drawings by Syrian refugee children recently affected by war trauma.

Their project will only be funded if they reach their pledge goal of $7000.  They are almost halfway there – you can donate here, if you wish!

Counseling Services of Greater Boston also believes in the power of art therapy and has one registered art therapist on staff: Dana Venable, LMHC, ATR.  Our other three clinicians are cognizant of the power alternative therapy modalities have on children.  Often, children can express feelings through play, movement, or art far easier than they can through words.

We are ready to serve your child or adolescent’s individual needs.  Please call us at (781) 328-1904 today.

October 1st, 2013 marks the one year anniversary of the opening of Counseling Services of Greater Boston.  We have enjoyed a fulfilling, prosperous year that includes the following milestones since our opening:

• acquisition of our LLC
• addition of a second office, Room 208a, at our 309 Lincoln Street location
• expansion of staff to include Amanda Bruce, LMHC, and Alexandra Miller, LICSW

Counseling Services of Greater Boston‘s success is due largely to the continued support we receive from our community.  We feel blessed to be serving the town of Wakefield, MA, and its surrounding communities.  We are continuing to take new referrals and are available at any time.  Please call (781) 328-1904 x.102.

We are looking forward to the upcoming year!

In the United States, a person dies by suicide every 13.7 minutes, claiming more than 38,000 lives each year.*  Counseling Services of Greater Boston is committed to and experienced in treating this serious mental health issue, and would like to shed some light on upcoming events that promote suicide prevention.

Did you know September is national suicide awareness month?  During this month and early in October, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention will be hosting a community walk near you to raise donations and awareness for the prevention and education about suicide.  Out of the Darkness walks have funded educational materials for professionals, promoted legislation that impacts suicide prevention, and have funded scientific research.

And did you know there is a community walk in the town Counseling Services of Greater Boston resides in?  This Saturday, September 28th, an Out of the Darkness walk will be held at 10:00am on Lake Quannapowitt.  More information can be found here.

And, on Saturday, October 13th at 9am, Boston will be hosting its own Out of the Darkness walk.  To find out more information, click here.

And as always, Counseling Services of Greater Boston is here to serve your community.  If you are looking to receive support or know someone who needs it, please call us at (781) 328-1904 x102.

(Statistic provided by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.)