Author Archives: Alisa Hafkin

Emotional Abuse or Overreacting?

No one is perfect and no relationship is perfect. There will always be disagreements in a marriage or romantic relationship, and sometimes one will hurt the other. It’s really important in any relationship to assume the best of the other … Continue reading

Posted in Healthy Relationships | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Emotional Abuse or Overreacting?

Are Politics Causing You Stress and Anxiety?

We are living in a stressful time. Concerns and disagreements about covid, vaccines, mass shootings, government actions, the accuracy of our elections, and the failing economy will cause stress and anxiety in almost all of us at one time or … Continue reading

Posted in Anxiety | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Are Politics Causing You Stress and Anxiety?

The Art of Doing Nothing

The American culture seems obsessed with work. Many of us feel guilty if we aren’t constantly doing something or accomplishing something. Even our “down time” is full of activity. What does it really mean to “do nothing” and how does … Continue reading

Posted in General Self Help | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The Art of Doing Nothing

Finding New Friends and Connecting with People in the Big City (or Anywhere)

If you’re new to NYC,  you may feel that finding new friends or connecting with people in your new hometown can be difficult. It’s not uncommon for people to feel isolated and lonely when they move to a new area, … Continue reading

Posted in General Self Help, Healthy Relationships | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Finding New Friends and Connecting with People in the Big City (or Anywhere)

Dealing with Depression Through Volunteering and Service

Counselors and psychiatrists have known for years that volunteering and serving others can help improve mental health and decrease depression symptoms. There’s also a great deal of science to support this. Researchers at Exeter Medical School in England reviewed the … Continue reading

Posted in Depression, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Dealing with Depression Through Volunteering and Service

Self-Help Tips and Counseling for Empty-Nesters

After decades of devoting yourselves to your children, the last child has left the roost – or at least is at college most of the year. This can be a challenging time for many couples. It’s a time to readjust … Continue reading

Posted in Couples Therapy | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Self-Help Tips and Counseling for Empty-Nesters

Is Surrogacy the Right Option for You?

One of the areas of focus in my practice as a therapist is helping couples struggling with infertility. Many couples choose to go through medical procedures to help their own natural fertility kick in so that they can bear their … Continue reading

Posted in Infertility | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Is Surrogacy the Right Option for You?

“The Four Horsemen of the Marriage Apocalypse” and Their Antidotes

As a marriage counselor, I often see very similar patterns in troubled marriages. The great marriage researcher, Dr. John Gottman, grouped these patterns into four categories that he labeled “the four horsemen of the apocalypse” – that is, those behavior … Continue reading

Posted in Couples Therapy | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on “The Four Horsemen of the Marriage Apocalypse” and Their Antidotes

Understanding Frustration: Causes and Cures

We all experience frustration from time to time in our lives. It is a natural reaction when our efforts to attain a goal are thwarted in some way. The more important we deem the goal, or the more we are … Continue reading

Posted in General Self Help | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Understanding Frustration: Causes and Cures

Infertility – Do You Have the Right Medical Team?

Infertility takes an emotional toll on individuals and couples. In my practice, I counsel many couples struggling to conceive, and I help them navigate their emotions in order to stay mentally healthy. But because infertility can be caused by so … Continue reading

Posted in Infertility | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Infertility – Do You Have the Right Medical Team?