• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • FAQ’s
  •  Blog
  •  Contact
  • 888-441-0015

Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services

  • Home
  • Services
  • Disorders
  • Rates & Payment Options
  • Press Room
  • About Us
    • Dr. Sanam Hafeez CV
    • Links & Resources
    • MADAD
    • Donate To MADAD
    • Career Opportunities

Blog

Sep 25

Six Tips to Improve Your Mental Health Every Day

Improving your mental health can feel challenging, if not impossible. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are six tips to help you improve your mental health. 

1. Exercise Regularly 

Even if you don’t feel active, exercise can significantly improve mental health. Not only does the activity force you to mentally change gear, but it releases endorphins that boost your mood and break the cycle of anxiety or depression.

2. Create a Safe Space 

Another essential part of improving mental health is having a safe space to retreat to. 

This is particularly vital for people with anxiety or who easily feel overwhelmed. 

Safe spaces take many shapes and may take the form of a group of friends or an actual space. 

If your safe space is physical, be sure to fill it with things you find comforting. Favorite colors, music, and weighted blankets can all help improve mental health and decrease stress. 

3. Know What Upsets You

A crucial part of improving your mental health is understanding what causes it to spiral. 

Triggers that cause mental health difficulties are individual and vary from person to person. They can include:

  • Anniversaries of deaths
  • Loud noises
  • Excessive time alone/isolated
  • Family tensions 

Once identified, not only can you strategize ways to avoid your triggers, but you can further improve your mental health by finding ways to avoid them. 

4. Talk With Someone You Trust 

If having a safe space to recuperate in and learning what causes your distress isn’t enough to improve your mental health, talk to someone. 

Talking in confidence to a friend or family member. Not only does this help you sort through what is causing your mental health challenges, but it raises awareness around you. 

That means that when you need it, you have a network to fall back on and don’t have to be alone as you might feel you are. 

5. Make Connections 

And if your mental health suffers because of isolation, getting to know new people can make a difference.

Reaching out, whether to strangers or acquaintances, is another way to improve your mental health. It reduces feelings of isolation and increases your sense of belonging, drastically improving your mental health. 

6. Sing

Last but not least, another way to improve your mental health is to sing. Incredible as it sounds, singing makes you happier. Singing releases endorphins, and they reduce stress and boost your mood. 

Not a confident singer? It doesn’t matter. Endorphins don’t care about tuning or ability. All you need to do is join in with your favorite song next time it’s on the radio.   

Sep 12

Eight Common Signs That a Loved One Has a Substance Use Disorder

A substance use disorder, more commonly referred to as drug addiction, is a fairly prevalent disease that prevents an individual from being able to control their usage of drugs or medication. 

This disease, which heavily impacts a person’s brain and behavior, has affected over 23 million adults in the United States. So, it’s not uncommon for you to know someone struggling with it as well. 

Knowing the signs of a substance use disorder can save a life. Things like social isolation, weight gain, money problems, and hygiene issues may seem common, but they can be signs of a more serious problem. 

1. Sudden Weight Changes 

Someone who is abusing drugs or alcohol is likely to experience drastic fluctuation in their weight. This can mean losing or gaining weight. 

2. Increased Irritability 

The abuse of substances can often lead to increased irritability as well as sudden angry outbursts. The need for secrecy can also cause these individuals to become unreasonable. 

3. Odd Sleeping Patterns 

The use of drugs and alcohol can severely disrupt normal sleeping and waking patterns. Sleeping during the day or staying up all night can both be signs of a problem. 

4. Changes in Appetite

If someone is abusing drugs or alcohol, you may notice a significant change in their appetite. They may be eating much more than usual, or they could be eating a lot less. 

5. Money Issues 

Someone struggling with a substance use disorder could begin to have money problems, as they are spending their money to feed the addiction. 

6. Bloodshot or Glazed Eyes 

Bloodshot and glazed-over eyes are typically good indicators that someone is using a substance. They may also have enlarged pupils. 

7. Changes in Hygiene 

An individual who is addicted to a substance will often stop caring about their physical appearance and hygiene. They may wear dirty clothing, stop showering, stop brushing their teeth, and generally look disheveled. 

8. Changes in Social Behavior

You may notice a change in an individual’s social network. They may lose interest in their friends and suddenly begin hanging out with a different crowd. 

Aug 12

Ten Major Symptoms of Depression That You Shouldn’t Ignore

Depression – more formally referred to as Major Depressive Disorder – impacts more than 17 million American adults in just one given year. 

Depression is a serious medical condition most often characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness. It can require long-term care and treatment and can even lead to suicidal thoughts and actions. 

If you recognize any of the following signs of depression in someone you know, encourage them to seek assistance.  

1. Loss of Interest 

Someone who is depressed may lose interest in the things they once enjoyed doing. An individual may no longer enjoy the things they once loved.

2. Feelings of Fatigue

While depression commonly goes hand-in-hand with feelings and emotions, those emotions can be draining. Depressed individuals often lack energy and notice overwhelming fatigue. 

hopelessness

3. Hopelessness

Those struggling with depression may have adopted a very hopeless outlook on life. Their general thoughts can include, “what’s the point?” and “things will never change.” 

4. Decreased Sex Drive

Just like someone may lose interest in other hobbies and activities, this same person may also lose interest in sex and even experience impotence. 

5. Weight Loss or Gain

Clinical depression can either decrease someone’s appetite or lead to overeating. So, significant weight loss or weight gain can point to a problem. 

6. Irregular Sleep

For some, depression can look like consistent oversleeping. For others, the illness can cause insomnia, restless nights, and early-morning wakeups.  

distracted

7. Trouble Concentrating

Depression can make it difficult for someone to concentrate. A person with depression may lose their train of thought frequently or have trouble making decisions.

8. Irritability

Mood swings are common for people with depression. Even small issues can lead to angry outbursts or significant frustration. 

9. Unexplained Physical Problems

Those struggling with depression may have unexplainable physical problems, such as persistent headaches or back pain.

10. Thoughts or Attempts of Suicide

Typically, the most severe cases of depression can lead to suicidal thoughts, comments, and even attempts. These signs are serious and require immediate medical intervention. 

Aug 12

Four Easy Ways to Reduce Anxiety

Did you know that about 40 million people in America alone experience anxiety? Children, teens, and adults alike can be impacted by both temporary feelings of anxiety and serious anxiety disorders. 

Each case is different, but by implementing some of all of the following measures, you may be able to reduce your anxiety.

1. Establish Routines

An excellent way to minimize anxiety is to establish a routine. When anxiety takes over, it’s easy to panic, feel stressed, or feel uncertain. 

Routines can help you take back control in your life, improving your overall focus, organization, and productivity. 

Having a routine can also help you plan time to take care of yourself along with your other responsibilities.

anxiety and depression

2. Drink Less Caffeine

Caffeine is a big “no” for anyone who has chronic anxiety. Research shows that caffeine intake can worsen feelings of anxiousness and may exacerbate anxiety disorders.

Caffeine is a stimulant, which heightens the senses, causes jitters, and disrupts regular sleep patterns. By cutting caffeine out of your diet – or at least minimizing your intake – you may be able to significantly improve your feelings of anxiety. 

3. Practice Self-Affirmation

While some people may not feel comfortable practicing self-affirmations, many others find them very helpful in managing their anxiety. 

Self-affirmations are positive phrases and statements you can say to yourself to get through hard days, hours, or even minutes. 

Try repeating phrases like the following to yourself when you’re feeling anxious:

  • My anxiety doesn’t control me. 
  • Today is going to be a good day.
  • I’m okay. 
  • I have a great and happy life. 

Simply saying these phrases to yourself can help you overcome feelings of anxiety. 

self love

4. Exercise

Consistent exercise is good for your body physically, but it’s an excellent natural medicine for your mental state as well. 

Exercise has been proven to minimize stress, reduce tension, and burn energy – all of which can contribute to feelings of anxiety.

Plus, exercising releases endorphins, which improve your overall mood. It can also serve as a nice, healthy distraction from the worries running through your mind. 

Jul 16

6 Important Reasons to See a Mental Health Professional Now

Mental Health is a critical aspect of everyday life. Taking care of yourself is not just eating right and exercising. Complete health also includes talking to a mental health professional when you need some help or direction. 

If you are experiencing any troubling issues, or if you want to keep ahead of stress and maintain good mental health, there are 6 important reasons to see a mental health professional now. 

  1. Gain Better Coping Skills 
  2. Enhance Self-Development
  3. Aid with Anxiety or Depression Symptoms 
  4. Dealing with Significant Life Transitions 
  5. Substance Overuse 
  6. Feelings of Loneliness, Isolation, or Lack of Self-Control

mental health

1. Gain Better Coping Skills 

Life can be unpredictable, giving you unforeseen circumstances and stresses you are not ready to tackle. A mental health professional can provide numerous strategies to help you cope with stressors in your life. 

2. Enhance Self-Development 

Learning does not stop when you finish school. Life is an opportunity for you to learn about your strengths and weaknesses and build on your experiences. Many facets of self-development include mental and emotional well-being, where mental health professionals can guide you on this path. 

3. Aid with Anxiety or Depression Symptoms

If you face chronic anxiety or symptoms of depression, seeing a mental health professional can make a world of difference. A professional can suggest therapy choices and offer insight into other alternative methods to help minimize symptoms you have. 

4. Dealing with Significant Life Transitions 

Life does not stay the same, unfortunately. There can be employment changes, divorce, deaths, or other significant life transitions that you are not ready to face. When these situations occur, it helps to see a mental health professional and work through your circumstances as best as possible. 

5. Substance Overuse 

When you rely on substances such as alcohol, drugs, or other elements to cope with your day or forget about a situation, a visit to a mental health professional is in order. Substance overuse can happen when you are not coping well with your current situation. A professional can provide tools and strategies to help you overcome these dependencies. 

6. Feelings of Loneliness, Isolation, or Lack of Self-Control

Feelings of loneliness, isolation, or a lack of controlling your surroundings can deteriorate your mental health. A mental health professional is someone to talk to about your current situation, any problems you face and help you find strategies to ease your circumstances. 

mental health professional

Conclusion 

Dealing with poor mental health does not have to go untreated. You must contact a mental health professional and seek assistance. In today’s world, options like telehealth make it easy to find various methods of receiving quality care. 

Contact us today to start your journey towards a better life.

Jul 06

Effects of Childhood Play on Adult Relaxation Behavior

Childhood is a crucial phase in the life of every human as it shapes the thought process, behaviors, and beliefs of a person. Childhood play is not only a part of life, but it forms the foundation of life experiences. It has numerous positive impacts on an individual’s emotional, social, mental, and physical state even throughout adulthood.

Adulthood, on the other hand, comes with less time to play. As people grow older, they have more responsibilities, and at some point, stop playing. Yet, the positive impact of play doesn’t end with childhood. It is equally beneficial to adults and can affect work, behaviors, relationships, and mood.

childplay

Childhood Play

During recreation, most adults do things like see a movie, go to a fancy restaurant, or watch soccer. Primarily, their choice of activities does not engage the body or require a lot of energy. However, childhood play involves more energetic activities like sports, swinging, and other physical and mentally engaging activities.

The Benefits of Playing on Adult Relaxation Behavior

Playing has a lot of benefits for adults. Most adult lives are extremely busy or filled with worry and anxiety from their jobs, family, and bills. Playing like a child would help adults feel more relaxed, relieve stress, and rejuvenate the mind and body.

Here are two prominent effects of childhood play on adult relaxation behavior.

Increases the Release of Endorphins

Endorphins are chemical secretions that help the body cope with stress, pain, or anxiety. They evoke a feel-good sensation and are popularly called “feel-good chemicals.” Childlike play and laughter help increase the production of endorphins, which in turn help adults feel calm, happy, and relax better.

Enhances Brain Function

Mentally and physically challenging games such as puzzles help to increase brain activity and enhance brain function. One great thing about childhood play is, more often than not, it involves other people. To enjoy childhood play, you need social interaction with friends and family. Interactive play helps to reduce depression and loneliness, affecting adult relaxation behavior positively. 

adult relaxation

Wrap-Up

Childhood play is an excellent way of bringing an adult close to the fun memories and simpler times of their childhood. It helps them take their eyes off life’s pressures and adopt an optimistic view, even if it’s for a while.

Childhood play helps adults boost their energy levels, making it easy to unwind and is a fantastic way to improve relaxation behavior in adults.

Jun 07, 2021

How Behavior Problems Can Mask Underlying Issues in Children

Children misbehave. Anyone who has spent some time around children knows that some behavior problems are common. Some behavior problems in children can be simple, while others are more challenging.

Children are interacting with new situations every day. They’re learning how they feel when something new happens and how they should respond. Many common behavior problems, such as defiance, meltdowns, whining, and impulsive behavior, can be solved with consistent early intervention.

The challenge comes when behavior problems in children are more than a stage. Some behavior problems can mask underlying issues. The source of the problems can vary and can include emotional trauma or an undiagnosed medical condition.

Behavior Problems May Indicate Underlying Medical Concerns

When behavior problems mask a medical problem, it can be an undiagnosed disorder, such as ADHD. Or it could be a child feeling unwell, such as a fever or an injury.

  • Difficulty sleeping can increase behavior problems in children. Sleep abnormalities in children with ADHD have a significantly negative influence on behavior.
  • Children with seizures also display behavior problems and can experience an increased risk for children with unrecognized epilepsy.
  • Children with learning disorders can act out because of feelings of frustration.

Behavior Problems May Indicate Underlying Emotional Concerns

Emotional trauma can also trigger behavior problems. When children learn how to react to significant life events, such as changing schools, parental divorce, or an ill family member, they can externalize their feelings.

  • Children can display emotional problems, like anxiety, phobias, OCD, or depression, as behavior problems. 
  • Outbursts, extreme irritability, headaches, and drastic mood changes can be signs of mental illness in children.
  • Moving can cause problematic behavior for both children who leave and the ones left behind. It can impact their social behaviors, academic performance, and moods.

Getting help from a professional can help children discover the source of behavior problems. When we know why a child is acting out, Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services can help them find solutions.

May 29, 2021

How Playtime Contributes to Child Development

While playtime becomes grossly undervalued in adulthood, it’s a crucial aspect of childhood. Playtime is an essential contributor to a child’s cognitive, physical, and emotional development. In addition, play offers parents an ideal opportunity for connecting with their children.

Here are five critical ways playtime contributes to child development.

1. Encourages Creativity

Playtime allows children to access their creative minds within a free environment. Playing make-believe or taking part in artistic expression encourages them to use their imagination. This teaches them to think more creatively, which creates the starting point for more advanced learning and enhanced problem-solving skills.

2. Cognitive Growth
Many studies show that engaging in playtime is critical for a child’s brain development. Playing freely will influence how the brain’s neural circuits are wired and, as a result, positively impact their neurological development. This will also result in better communication, intelligence, and confidence.

3. Emotional Stability

Regular playtime will not only act as a mood booster for children, but it can also reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety. It also creates more emotional flexibility, adaptability, and resilience. Through playtime, children can more easily process and understand life’s challenges and difficulties.

4. Builds Social Skills

Grouped playtime is a child’s introduction to socialization among their peers. This setting allows them the opportunity to develop the necessary skills to play cooperatively within groups. This form of playtime can also encourage self-control and help them become familiar with acceptable group behavior.

5. Greater Independence

Just as group play is essential for enhancing social skills, playtime in solitude can be just as valuable. By giving your child space to play alone, they can more easily prepare for socialization and gain a greater sense of independence while fostering creativity. In addition, kids who play alone in an open setting often become familiar with social cues as they observe other children interact with each other from a distance.

May 15, 2021

Assessing Your Child’s Educational Potential Through Testing

Your child is unique, and you want the best for them in schooling and life. The educational potential in children is boundless, but how do you measure your child’s potential during their learning years to give them the best opportunities for their skills, abilities, and desires?

Psycho-Educational Tests To Determine Educational Potential

Testing the educational potential in children isn’t simply about figuring out their intellectual strengths or weaknesses through a battery of tests. There’s much more to your child than being good at math and not so good at reading. And a learning disability doesn’t mean any doors closed to the educational potential in children either.

Whether your child is intellectually gifted in all areas or needs a more specialized path to learning, psycho-educational tests give us a bigger picture about what each child needs to succeed and flourish in society.

Let’s talk about how we accomplish this through testing methods like the following:

  1. Stanford Binet-5 Intelligence Scales (SB-5) are cognitive ability tests. Measurements include working memory, quantitative reasoning (counting, logic, and problem-solving), fluid reasoning (how easily a child learns or comprehends something new), and visual-spatial processing (learning physical things or making sense of numbers and letters). 
  2. Nelson Denny Reading Test was developed to gauge vocabulary and reading comprehension from adolescence into young adulthood.
  3. Woodcock-Johnson Cognitive and Academic (WJ-III Ach and Cog) consists of “standard battery” tests and “extended battery” tests administered to children from their toddler years into young adulthood. The testing areas to determine educational potential in children include comprehension, memory, reading-writing, visual-spatial processing, listening, quantitative logic and problem solving, and learning new things.

Contact Us To Learn More About the Education Potential In Your Child

We welcome your questions and invite you to make an appointment. To learn more about our founder and director, Dr. Sanam Hafeez, please visit About Us or Our Treatment Center.

Apr 20, 2021

Five Popular Tests Can Predict Academic Performance

Academic performance encompasses both cognitive and non-cognitive skills in a complex and interdependent matrix where one begets the other.

While cognitive skills may be easier to measure, with schools around the globe utilizing standardized testing to evaluate the academic performance and proper advancement of students from one grade level to the next, current studies stress the importance of non-cognitive skills as equally important determinants of success in the academic world and beyond.

We will look at 5 popular tests that serve as excellent predictors of academic performance and, consequently, graduation rates, post-graduate education, and economic/vocational success.

Cognitive Skills

The most well-known measure of cognitive skills used worldwide is an Intelligence Quotient (IQ) test, consisting of a series of questions that measure reasoning and problem-solving skills.

Test questions can be verbal or non-verbal, often testing intelligence in abstract yet universal ways, which is why IQ tests are so pervasively used. There have been countless studies that correlate IQ scores with intellectual intelligence and academic performance. Other intelligence tests include:

  • Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children.
  • Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale.
  • Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Ability.

The second form of cognitive skills tests is standardized tests that educators administer at every grade level to measure their students’ academic performance against other school districts. General math, reading, writing, and reasoning skills tests assess a student’s learning advancement from one year to the next, which predicts how well the student will continue to perform academically.

The third set of cognitive tests are standardized college and graduate school entrance exams like the SAT, ACT, GRE, MCAT, and LSAT. These tests measure a student’s academic potential. However, they have recently faced criticism for being better predictors of a student’s socio-economic background than raw academic performance.

Non-Cognitive Skills

To test non-cognitive skills, administrators and researchers use psychometric tests that assess character traits and measure emotional intelligence. There are many psychometric tests out there, but the consensus is that the top four character traits that predict academic and economic success are discipline, grit, conscientiousness, and self-efficacy.

We have chosen the Grit Scale, and the ACT Engage tests as two tests that aptly encompass the range of emotional and personal characteristics covered to get the best idea of emotional and motivational intelligence.

Cognitive and Non-cognitive Tests Are the Best Predictors

To conclude, cognitive and non-cognitive skills are both vital aspects of academic performance. While testing cognitive abilities have become a controversial topic, we will list the 5 types of cognitive and non-cognitive tests that have popularly served as the best predictors of academic performance:

  • Intelligent Quotient (IQ)
  • Standardized Testing
  • College and Graduate Entrance Exams
  • Grit Scale
  • ACT Engage

  • « Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Page 4
  • …
  • Page 22
  • Next Page »

sidebar

Blog Sidebar

Make An Appointment

Call us or email us if you have any questions or think our services may be of assistance to you, a student, a child, a parent/family or simply someone who may be struggling. Book Online

Recent Posts

  • 3 Inspirational Tips for Reestablishing Your Sense of Well-Being
  • Types of Mental Health Professionals: Which One Is the Best Fit for You?
  • Adult ADHD Symptoms That Can Stand in the Way of Business Success
  • Staying Safe: How to Deal With the Pandemic Without Being Afraid
  • How a Regular Exercise Routine Can Help Improve Your Mental Health

Recent Comments

    Archives

    • April 2022
    • March 2022
    • February 2022
    • January 2022
    • December 2021
    • November 2021
    • October 2021
    • September 2021
    • August 2021
    • July 2021
    • June 2021
    • May 2021
    • April 2021
    • March 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • December 2020
    • November 2020
    • October 2020
    • September 2020
    • August 2020
    • July 2020
    • June 2020
    • May 2020
    • April 2020
    • March 2020
    • February 2020
    • January 2020
    • December 2019
    • November 2019
    • October 2019
    • September 2019
    • August 2019
    • July 2019
    • June 2019
    • May 2019
    • April 2019
    • March 2019
    • February 2019
    • January 2019
    • December 2018
    • November 2018
    • October 2018
    • September 2018
    • July 2018
    • June 2018
    • May 2018
    • April 2018
    • February 2018
    • January 2018
    • December 2017
    • November 2017
    • October 2017
    • September 2017
    • August 2017
    • July 2017
    • June 2017
    • May 2017
    • April 2017
    • March 2017
    • February 2017
    • January 2017
    • December 2016
    • November 2016
    • October 2016
    • September 2016
    • August 2016
    • June 2016
    • May 2016
    • April 2016
    • March 2016
    • February 2016
    • January 2016
    • December 2015
    • November 2015
    • October 2015
    • September 2015
    • August 2015
    • July 2015
    • June 2015
    • May 2015
    • April 2015
    • March 2015
    • February 2015
    • January 2015
    • December 2014
    • November 2014
    • October 2014
    • September 2014
    • August 2014
    • July 2014
    • June 2014
    • May 2014
    • April 2014
    • March 2014
    • February 2014
    • January 2014
    • December 2013
    • November 2013
    • October 2013
    • September 2013
    • August 2013
    • July 2013
    • June 2013

    Categories

    • Blog

    Meta

    • Log in
    • Entries feed
    • Comments feed
    • WordPress.org

    Footer

    Contact Us Today

    • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

    Recent News

    3 Inspirational Tips for Reestablishing Your Sense of Well-Being

    If you're like many people, the past year has been a challenging one. Maybe you've experienced economic hardship, job loss, or illness. Perhaps you're struggling with anxiety or depression.  Or Read More

    Types of Mental Health Professionals: Which One Is the Best Fit for You?

    If you have decided to seek help from a mental health professional, you might be wondering which type is best suited to provide you with care. While similar, each type of mental health professional Read More

    Social Media

    FacebookTwitterLinkedinInstagram

    114-20 Queens Boulevard | Suite #CS2 | Forest Hills, NY 11375
    180 East 79 St. | Suite # 1C | New York, NY 10075
    (718) 441-0166 p | (718) 805-2054 f

    © 2022 Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C.

    hipaa compliant