Read more to learn what therapy IS and ISN'T about. I hope it gives some clarity to all those thinking about coming to therapy - because in all honesty - therapy is awesome!

Read the rest of entry »

I love quotes – I love the moment you read something someone writes that sets off a light bulb – or when you see a person take the jumbled thoughts in your mind and turn them into eloquently written words. Quotes can ground us when we feel out of control, give us support when we feel fragile, help us express ourselves and give us validation for our thoughts and emotions. These quotes speak both of the power of therapy and our innate potential to heal. I hope you enjoy.

Read the rest of entry »

I always expect the phone calls for counseling requests to slow down over the holiday season...and every year I am reminded that they actually ring more. The holiday season is notoriously stressful. If you wold like to challenge yourself and family to a more enjoyable holiday season this year click here to read this years holiday tips!

Read the rest of entry »

 If you are anything like me, you might have felt the urge to dash to the bookstore as soon as you found out you were pregnant. I did just that (right after I made my doctor appointment and did a quick internet search!) and bought EVERY SINGLE BOOK ON PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH ON THE SHELF. If you are looking for a helpful book on pregnancy click here to read more!

Read the rest of entry »

Many of us are well versed on the benefits of breastfeeding for babies. It helps build their immune system, breast-milk is easy to digest, it reduces the risk of type II diabetes and childhood obesity, it may reduce the risk of SIDS – and the list goes on. But what is in it for Mom? Does breastfeeding have to be all about the baby? Click here to read more!

Read the rest of entry »

 All those enticingly-scented candles and plug-in air fresheners to make the air “clean” in your home -- to make the air SMELL clean – are highly toxic! They emit a soup of manmade chemicals into the air, making the air essentially un-breathable.

What are the alternatives? The alternatives are not as easy to pick up at the grocery store, however, they are becoming more and more available in the mainstream.  Soy

Read the rest of entry »

No matter what happened last year, this is a whole new year to be successful. If your child struggled last year, work with them to set up necessary support systems in advance (i.e., a tutor for a difficult subject, taking the time to practice shooting the basketball with them after work, staying connected with friends they have made over the summer to continue in the development of social skills, sharing a successful positive behavioral management technique with their new teacher via email in advance, etc.). 

Read the rest of entry »

 "A person's a person no matter how small.” – Dr. Suess And sometimes our most cherished small people – our children – can challenge us in ways we never imagined! The parents we work with at South Bay Wellness are ALWAYS asking for tips and tricks to manage temper tantrums. So here you go parents – straight from our children’s therapist Megan Kowalchick, five easy ways to manage tantrum.  Remain calm Remain calm in your voice and your actions. Increased volume and aggression on the part of the adult will typically increase a child’s volume and aggression levels. If possible, get down with the child so that you can look in their eyes while you speak to them. Parents are encouraged to hug their child and verbalize that they will always love him or her no matter what, but that the child’s behavior has to change. Losing control can be scary for a child and this reassurance can be comforting.   Distract children by redirection to another activit ...

Read the rest of entry »

 Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs) are very real and very present in our world even though we can not see them. What are they exactly?  EMFs are emitted by electronic and wireless devices. Low frequency EMFs are emitted mainly by appliances and electricity whereas high frequency EMFs are emitted by wireless devices like cell phones, cell phone towers, power lines, computers and more.  Considering the amount of devices and electronics in our world, we are virtually living in a sea of EMFs. Unfortunately, this sea of EMFs is damaging to our health.  EMFs interfere with the bodies own energy system, its natural cellular resonance. It stresses the cells of the body and interferes with their function. They impact cellular metabolism as well as ions within our bodies.  Exactly how dangerous are EMFs? This is a topic that is being widely debated in the scientific community at the moment. At one point in time, the Environmental Protection Agency requested that EMFs be listed as a Class B carc ...

Read the rest of entry »

 Unfortunately, even being the healthiest eater in the world can not entirely counteract the impact stress has on the body. Stress can cause illness, disease, and simply take your energy away. It depresses the immune system, wreaks havoc within your endocrine system, and sends your body into a tailspin.  One of the most important things you can do for yourself and your health is to de-stress. There are of course many different ways to do that. Here are some suggestions: · Give yourself the gift of Reiki. (Carole Duva and Denise Mirante here at South Bay Wellness, are two of the most gifted Reiki Masters I know). · Find something you enjoy… AND DO IT! · Engage in regular exercise. This can include things such as yoga and pilates.  · Stop, breathe and smile. · Engage in talk therapy to work through issues that require resolution. In fact, we have some of the best therapists on Long Island here at South Bay Wellness. They are just a phone call away ( ...

Read the rest of entry »