How to Know When It’s Time to Start Therapy – 2024

How to Know When It’s Time to Start Therapy

It can be Difficult to Decide When and if Therapy is Right for You

Primary Category: Psychology

Author:
• Simon Sherry, Clinical Psychologist and Professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University

About This Article

Deciding when to start therapy can be challenging, but if you are considering it, it may be the right time. Therapy can help address various issues, including difficult life events, mental health struggles, and emotional challenges. It provides tools to understand and improve your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, promoting overall well-being.

If you are experiencing poor mental health or symptoms of mental illness—such as hopelessness, anxiety, or difficulty coping with life—it might be time to seek professional help. Therapy is not a quick fix; it requires time, effort, and finding the right therapist. However, the benefits can be significant, leading to lasting positive changes in your life.

Even if therapy didn’t work before, or if you feel hesitant, remember that mental health support is valuable, and you are not alone in your struggles.

SCARS Editorial Team2024-08-21T01:49:49-04:00August 21st, 2024|Categories: GUEST AUTHORS, • PSYCHOLOGY, 2024, ARTICLE, SCARS Institute Editorial Team, The Conversation|Tags: Brain, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Therapist, Therapy|0 Comments

Cooking As Therapy For Scam Victims – 2024

Cooking As Therapy For Scam Victims

Let Cooking Be a Pathway to Calmness and Control in Your Life!

Primary Category: Scam Victim Recovery Psychology

Author:
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. and sometimes Wizard in the Kitchen!

About This Article

Cooking your own meals after experiencing a relationship scam can be a powerful therapeutic tool. It provides a sense of control, mindfulness, and focus that is essential for emotional healing.

The act of preparing and cooking your meals encourages you to be present in the moment, reducing stress and anxiety by engaging your senses and calming your mind. By choosing your own ingredients, you can opt for foods that promote mental well-being, such as whole grains, fatty fish, and leafy greens, while avoiding processed foods and those high in sugar, trans fats, and sodium, which can negatively impact mood and emotional regulation.

SCARS Editorial Team2024-08-20T15:51:49-04:00August 18th, 2024|Categories: • PSYCHOLOGY, • FEATURED ARTICLE, • FOR SCAM VICTIMS, 2024, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD|Tags: Cooking, Scam Victim Recovery Psychology, Scam Victims, Therapy|0 Comments

Scam Victim Resistance In Support Groups Therapy Or Counseling Can Destroy Opportunities For Recovery – 2024

Scam Victim Resistance In Support Groups Therapy Or Counseling Can Destroy Opportunities For Recovery

Helping Scam Victims Better Understand one of the Self-Created Barriers to their Recovery

Author:
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

This article examines the complicated topic of resistance in scam victims within or to therapy and support groups, exploring its challenges and consequences. It emphasizes the difficulty of discussing resistance due to its association with judgment and criticism.

Victims may resist addressing their trauma, fearing shame, judgment, or loss of control. However, understanding and overcoming resistance are crucial for healing and recovery. We distinguish between support groups and therapy, highlighting their respective focuses and structures. It warns against viewing support groups solely as social gatherings, as this may hinder healing.

SCARS Editorial Team2024-04-27T03:04:29-04:00April 27th, 2024|Categories: • PSYCHOLOGY, • FOR SCAM VICTIMS, 2024, ARTICLE, Tim McGuinness PhD|Tags: Psychological Resistance, Recovery Psychology, Resistance, Scam Victims, Support Groups, Therapy, Trauma|0 Comments

EMDR Therapy For Scam Victims’ Trauma – A Part Of The Recovery Process For Many – 2024

EMDR Therapy For Scam Victims’ Trauma – A Part Of The Recovery Process For Many

Helping Scam Victims Understand A Form Of Effective Therapy That May Help Them

SCARS Recovery Psychology

Authors:
• Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Psychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Portions from additional sources, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration

About This Article

Scam victims often endure profound psychological trauma, experiencing symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Seeking effective treatment to address their trauma is crucial for recovery.

Emerging as a promising therapeutic approach, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy offers scam victims a path toward healing and restoration. EMDR therapy enables individuals to process traumatic memories and associated distressing emotions in a safe and structured environment.

CPT – Cognitive Processing Therapy For Scam Victims’ Trauma – 2024

CPT – Cognitive Processing Therapy For Scam Victims’ Trauma

Helping Scam Victims Understand A Form Of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy That May Help Them

SCARS Recovery Psychology

Authors:
• Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Psychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Portions from additional sources, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration

About This Article

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) specifically designed to address the needs of scam victims suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related symptoms.

Developed by Dr. Patricia Resick and colleagues, CPT helps individuals challenge and reframe unhelpful thoughts and beliefs related to their traumatic experiences. It consists of various components, including education about PTSD, stress management techniques, cognitive restructuring, exposure therapy, and skill-building exercises.

Therapy