Before I was hired at UMD, I had 10 different jobs and internships, from 1975 to 1988. I worked in 3 psychiatric hospitals (Springfield State Hospital in Sykesville, Chestnut Lodge in Rockville and Montgomery General Hospital in Olney); Great Oaks, a State residential facility for people with intellectual disabilities – although in those days it…
I have mentored 10 or 12 graduate social work interns over the years and always gave them the same advice: try and spend at least a few years working in an inpatient psychiatric hospital. This is where you get to see mental health diagnoses in their most acute and serious stages, which helps you to…
I left Chestnut Lodge for an opportunity to become a counselor at a Rockville Boys Home right down the street from The Lodge. Karma House was one of many Boys and Girls Homes in Montgomery County that offered an alternative to juvenile lockup, for boys between the ages of 14-18. Most had been arrested and…
I was fortunate to have met Dr. Dale Masi in a winter term class in grad school titled “Social Work in Industry”. This is where I first learned what an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) was. We hit it off immediately and she hired me as a paid intern in her federal HHS EAP. Once I…
Since early April I have provided 30+ Zoom presentations to thousands of faculty and staff at the University of Maryland. My focus has been on how most of us have been reacting emotionally to this pandemic, including experiencing feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression. Given the severity and unpredictability of the COVID -19 pandemic, another…
The American Psychological Association defines anxiety as an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure. People with anxiety disorders usually have recurring intrusive thoughts or concerns. They may avoid certain situations out of worry. They may also have physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, dizziness or a…
Depression is a “whole body” illness involving mood, thought and changes in your physical health. It may affect appetite, sleep, feelings about self, and thinking ability. It may also affect relationships and performance at work. Clinical depression is more than the “blues” or the normal feelings we have around loss. In depression, symptoms are more…
In my private practice I see individuals in recovery; those who have relapsed and are looking for support to get back on the wagon; those who are “evaluating” whether or not they are ready to begin a life of recovery; those who have been arrested for DWI or a drug related charge; parents and partners…
Much research has been conducted on understanding stress and there are several things that have become evident. Of most concern is the fact that stress is implicated in the six leading causes of death in this country. This makes stress one of the most toxic of the preventable contributors to illness. Managing stress may entail…
Why is it so hard to listen? Most of us can make our point without too much difficulty. Any time I work with two or more people, both are usually expert at describing everything that is wrong with the other person. But it is rare to find someone who truly knows how to listen. Why…
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