The Blog of Kathy Steele, M.F.T.http://www.kmsteele.com/blog/Copyright The Blog of Kathy Steele, M.F.T.sNewsYou may download these forms, print them and fill them out before coming to your first appointment. Right-click the link to download the PDF file (Adobe Reader software required) or just click the link to open the form in your browser. Be sure to print and complete both forms before arriving for your first appointment. Confidentiality and Office Policies (52k) Client History and Information (80k)Sat, 24 Feb 2007 19:27:36 +0000http://www.kmsteele.com/blog/forms/download-forms/http://www.kmsteele.com/blog/forms/download-forms/Not all stress is bad. Even happy events can create stress such as a new job, a new marriage, a new baby, children going off to college, or retiring. These situations create change and require that we adapt or adjust which can temporarily create stress or feelings of anxiety. It is when stress becomes unmanageable that it can become detrimental to our health. Chronic stress can have an impact on our physical, psychological and behavioral health, which in turn can affect the quality of our lives. See also Clinical Issues: Anxiety and StressThu, 15 Feb 2007 17:14:14 +0000http://www.kmsteele.com/blog/questions/how-can-anxiety-and-stress-hurt-me/http://www.kmsteele.com/blog/questions/how-can-anxiety-and-stress-hurt-me/Whether one is eating too little or too much, food may become a way of avoiding one’s feelings, problems in relationships, or reflect self-esteem issues. Eating disorders may be accompanied by excessive fear of gaining weight, strict food rules (good / bad foods), weighing oneself frequently, compulsive overeating, or excessive exercising. Therapy is beneficial because it helps an individual to gain insight into what may have caused their eating disorder, as well as creating an opportunity to gain greater selfawareness, healthier coping strategies, assertion skills, healthier body image, and exploring how relationships can be more supportive and rewarding. See also: Clinical Issues: Eating Disorders Thu, 15 Feb 2007 17:13:27 +0000http://www.kmsteele.com/blog/questions/what-if-i-suffer-from-an-eating-disorder/http://www.kmsteele.com/blog/questions/what-if-i-suffer-from-an-eating-disorder/Research has shown that diets don’t work. Most people gain the weight back within a short period of time after finishing a diet. One reason is due to the sense of deprivation that most dieters feel while on a diet, and another is failure to address the emotional issues that led to the weight gain. Therapy helps an individual understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are contributing to their weight problems. It teaches individuals how to gain a greater sense of control over their emotions and their eating behavior which leads to healthy weight management. See also: Clinical Issues: Weight IssuesThu, 15 Feb 2007 17:12:23 +0000http://www.kmsteele.com/blog/questions/how-can-i-overcome-weight-issues/http://www.kmsteele.com/blog/questions/how-can-i-overcome-weight-issues/Loss is a normal response that people often describe as feeling sad, blue or gloomy. It can be in response to a loss of a job, loss in financial status, children growing up and leaving the nest, not achieving a goal, separation from a partner, divorce, or death of a loved one. But long periods of feelings of loss can have a negative effect on the quality of life and cause relationship stress. Depression that lasts for over 2 weeks can have a strong impact on an individual’s relationships, work and quality of life, and should be treated. Depression can have a strong impact on an individual’s relationships, work and quality of life. It is common to blame oneself for one’s symptoms and therefore not seek treatment, even though depression isn’t anyone fault and is a highly treatable condition. Therapy helps individuals gain insight into their relationships and helps to identify where changes can be made to create a more meaningful and supportive relationships. See also: Clinical Issues: Depression and LossThu, 15 Feb 2007 17:11:32 +0000http://www.kmsteele.com/blog/questions/when-should-i-seek-help-for-depression-or-loss/http://www.kmsteele.com/blog/questions/when-should-i-seek-help-for-depression-or-loss/