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Author / abbyrozen

Inspiration

How My Weight Loss Attempt Turned Into Disordered Eating

I’m so lucky to know Josée, a registered dietician who helps people make peace with food.  Thank you for sharing your story and for being an inspiration.

 

A few years back, when I was still in school as a nutrition student, I made a resolution: I would make extra efforts to eat well and exercise. You’re probably telling yourself that this is a pretty typical goal for a nutrition student and you are probably right. When your whole life revolves around food and nutrition, this seems like a pretty normal response. So far, so good. So I started going to the gym more often, tracking what I was eating using an iPhone app and controlling my energy intake. It didn’t take long before I started seeing the number on the scale drop. I was ohhh so proud of myself for being so disciplined and motivated. Every week, I would become more and more restrictive, allowing less calories to be consumed and adding extra exercise.

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by abbyrozen
Abby Rozen
Self

Moms in T.O.

I’m proud to share this feature from the incredible website Moms in T.O. featuring self-employed mothers and the ways they kick-ass (of which there are many).  It was an honour to be asked.  Run by dynamic duo Renee Tratch of Kids in T.O. and local photographer Emily of Emily D Photography.  So, if you’ve ever wanted a snapshot on my life, here it is – in all it’s awesomeness (and messiness).

by abbyrozen

Featured

four words we can do without
Self-Acceptance Therapeutic Approach

Four words we can do without

Most of us have words that make us cringe, for one reason or another. It might be me a word that reminds you of something unpleasant, or that brings up a bad memory. For me, as a therapist, my cringe list consists of sneaky words that are a lot more harmful than they seem.  We live in a culture that is saturated in shame, where somehow it is believed that shame will motivate us to accomplish things.  The words on this list represent ways that shame sneaks its way into our narratives.

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by abbyrozen
Have some compassion
Self-Acceptance Therapeutic Approach

Have Some Compassion

Let’s try something out: The next time a friend, colleague or family member makes a mistake or lets their imperfection show, let them know that you noticed and that it’s not ok. Make sure the coworker who missed a deadline knows that the boss is most likely going to fire him tomorrow. Did your son fail a test? Remind him a failed test means he’s stupid and worthless. When your best friend reaches for a second piece of cake, let her know just how fat, ugly and unlovable she is.

Can’t do it? Of course you can’t! We know that these are cruel lies that would hurt good people simply for being human. So, why do we find it so easy to say these things to ourselves?

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by abbyrozen
Self-Acceptance Therapeutic Approach

Self-Care: Refill your fuel tank

I recently returned from a family vacation, and even though it was exhausting at times (remember, I said family vacation), it was a great reminder of how important self-care is to our overall wellbeing. Too often, we get caught up in the pressures of daily life and push ourselves until we’re running on empty. Just as you can only drive your car so far until it runs out of gas, your mind and body also need regular fill-ups for optimal performance.

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by abbyrozen
Anxiety Self-Acceptance Therapeutic Approach

Validation is Powerful

Your feelings are valid.

Whether that made you breathe a sigh of relief or look around for the person with the “real” problems I must be talking to, your struggles are real, your experience matters and you have every right to feel the way you do. Yes, even you.  

We’ve all heard that the first step to overcoming an addiction is admitting that you have a problem. Well, when it comes to mental health, the first step to recovery is allowing yourself to have a problem. Mental health issues are still dripping with stigma and often kept as deep, dark secrets, locked away tight where no one else will ever find them. Sometimes it’s because we don’t want others to see us as sick, but sometimes it’s because we’re afraid they won’t.

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by abbyrozen
selfies and self-esteem
Self

Selfies and Self-Esteem

The Internet is an amazing, inspiring, dangerous thing. Every day, we walk around with all of the information known to mankind in our purses and pockets and social networks keep us constantly connected to friends, celebrities and the world at large. It can be hard to look at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram without thinking, “I wish that was me!” at least once. And for those with low self-esteem or body image issues, scrolling through newsfeeds can be stressful.

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by abbyrozen
How To Find a Therapist
Therapeutic Approach Uncategorized

Finding Dr. Right

For those of us struggling with an issue (or several) that stands in the way of our happiness, the decision to seek help can be incredibly empowering. And incredibly daunting.

Wether you’re brand new to therapy or starting up again after a break, finding the right therapist is a major part of your journey to recovery. Just as your situation is unique, no two therapists are the same and finding the person who can provide the help you need makes all the difference.

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avoidance
Self

The Avoidance Trap

What are you putting off right now? It might be a tough assignment, a growing pile of laundry or a difficult conversation you know you need to have, but chances are there’s something you just don’t want to deal with. Who doesn’t indulge in a little procrastination from time to time? I know I sure do.

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catastrophizing
Anxiety

Getting Rid of The Gremlins

Imagine for a moment that your boss/teacher/friend/significant other just asked if you have a moment “to talk.” What’s your gut reaction? Is it panic or dread? Is your heart racing and your stomach in your throat? For many of us, the first response is to jump automatically to the worse conclusion and face the situation with dread.

These invasive little thoughts that creep into our brains, quietly at first, and then louder, saying things like, “you’re going to get fired,” or “you failed the class,” or “he’s breaking up with you” are called catastophizing. But I call them gremlins– little seeds of doubt that grow into full blown pains in the butt. And the psyche. (I had a client once call them the Committee of Assholes – also an excellent choice.)

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by abbyrozen