therapists

Caring for the Caregiver: The Mental Health of Therapists

Mental Health Guide

By Howard M. Turney, Ph.D. Therapists, like the general population, come in all shapes and sizes. They are represented in the fields of psychiatry, social work, psychology, counseling and marriage and family therapy. Therapists operate in a variety of work environments that include agencies, hospitals, clinics and private practice. Just like the general population, therapists suffer from depression, anxiety, grief or any of the other diagnoses enumerated in the Diagnostic and…

families

Broken Families, Broken Lives

Mental Health Guide

By Sydne Tursky In Anna Karenina, writer Leo Tolstoy posits that “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” But perhaps the quote’s popularity masks its truth; as family estrangement becomes more prevalent in society, the myriad ways that families are unhappy seem to increase unceasingly, according to Little Rock-based family counselor Rebecca Ward. Families…

human

The Human Cost of Addiction

Mental Health Guide

By Steve Straessle, Principal of Catholic High Photography by Jamison Mosley The tapping of ink pens provides a drumbeat for the lesson. If the pens are in motion, I know they’re paying attention. They twirl the blue or black instruments, chew on them or continue that incessant tapping that used to infuriate me, but now is…

Narcissists

Narcissists: It’s All About Me. Really.

Mental Health Guide

By Rebecca Ward, MSW, LCSW If you can imagine, I really enjoy working with some of the narcissists who come into my office. They are mostly charming and  engaging at the start, and many do not last long in therapy past the “beginning to see the light” phase. It is then that the dark side of this particular personality will emerge. And it is…

Taking Care of Yourself

Mental Health Guide

By Rebecca Ward, MSW, LCSW About a month ago, I left to run some of those maintenance-type errands that aren’t all that much fun. When I was about a mile from home, I realized I had left my phone behind. I felt a little anxious before I became aware I would be able to have…

psychotherapy

What is Psychotherapy?

Mental Health Guide

By Howard M. Turney, Ph.D. • Photography by David Yerby Psychotherapy has become important to the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders only in the recent past. The journey of psychotherapy no longer brings to mind thoughts of “voodoo” or similar unsympathetic descriptors. In reality, psychotherapy is an important way to address life’s challenges…

A Letter from the Governor

Mental Health Guide

As Governor of Arkansas, I do all I can to improve the quality of life of those in our state. One important gauge of success is our health and access to care and treatment. We’re pretty good at recognizing and treating physical concerns, but we often miss the signs of mental illness, even in those…