How do you know if you need professional help and how can we help?
Here are some problems that can disrupt your life and cause pain and suffering to you and your loved ones. Our therapists have special training and many years of experience to help you overcome these kinds of problems. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
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Marriage Relationships
Do you feel your relationship is
in crisis? If so, are you ready to take an honest look at you partnership and
admit that something may be wrong? You shouldn’t give up something the two of
you have put so much effort into. Every relationship has its ups and downs. At
times, there will be anger-provoking conflicts and small arguments. But having
confidence in your bond of love and respect for each other can make each of you
understand that not every relationship is perfect and that you can work things
out.
Sexual
Problems
Is your sexual relationship
satisfying to both partners? Do you feel you are having a fulfilling experience?
Or, have you given up on the possibility of having a healthy sexual
relationship? Many couples feel embarrassed, guilty or even afraid to deal with
sexual problems. However, it’s possible with professional help to overcome most
of these problems and to develop a healthy and fulfilling sexual relationship.
Divorce
Divorce is usually a
heartbreaking and painful process. Sometimes people grow apart, or one or both
decide that a change is necessary. Working through the hurt, anger and grief of
such a loss often requires professional help. Healing the pain, becoming better
at caring for yourself, adjusting to being single, putting you life back
together and preparing yourself for the possibility of a future relationship are
all important steps.
Divorce recovery is a process that can turn an unhappy ending into a new beginning filled with hope.
Family
Conflicts
You don’t communicate with each
other like you used to. Instead of a normal conversation at the dinner table,
the kids gobble down their food and go to their rooms. Your spouse reads the
newspaper and then retreats to watch television. You know that there is
something wrong with your family, but just what can you do about it? And, it
seems like family conflicts never get resolved.
Family conflicts cannot necessarily be eliminated, but they can be
constructively handled to make life a lot easier for everyone. Family members
must provide support and understanding to each other. They must be able to
discuss things logically and be listened to patiently – this is an extremely
important part of staying together as a family. The only answer to give families
is: ask for help before you get to the end of you rope.
Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Your heart is beating wildly.
Your palms are sweating. You legs are shaking. You have butterflies in your
stomach. These are signs of panic attacks. They can happen anywhere,
anytime, ranging from mild to extreme panic. Standing in a long line at the
grocery store, driving on the highway, plane travel, a music concert and
crowded parties are just a sampling of events where these attacks can occur.
Most sufferers feel like panic attacks and anxiety control their lives, and
they are afraid to tell anyone or reach out for help.
Co-dependency
Co-dependency
occurs when you are involved in a relationship with someone, or have been
parented by someone, who has an addictive personality. Some examples of
people with an addictive personality; alcoholics, drug addicts, workaholics,
gamblers, sex addicts, love addicts, food addicts and spendaholics.
Sometimes when you get involved with this kind of person, you unknowingly
help to support the addiction. Co-dependents often let another’s behavior
affect them too much. They can become obsessed with trying to control
another person, or letting another person control them.
Recovery for co-dependents is achieved by learning how to live with yourself
and your family in a better way through individual or group counseling,
seminars, lectures, reading and listening to tapes.
Depression
When the rough times come, some
people feel it more than others. There are three common levels of
depression:
Mild depression occurs after an
unwelcome change such as divorce, death or disappointment in a person’s
life. This sadness can be a temporary condition, but if the feelings
continue or seem to worsen, it can lead to greater problems.
Moderate depression makes some
people feel as if their lives are falling out from under them; they may feel
confusion, lack of direction or in a hopeless condition. They can work or
have a home life, but they don’t enjoy themselves, and family and friends
don’t like being around them.
Severe depression happens when people feel like they’ve
fallen into a black hole and they’ll never escape. They can’t cope with work
or life at home and they want to be left alone. People in this state of mind
have no energy and feel helpless. Other symptoms include loss of sex drive,
difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much, loss of appetite or overeating and
self-destructive thoughts.
Support from family and friends can help to relieve some of these symptoms.
However, many people will need professional help to overcome depression.
Eating
Disorders
If you are anorexic, bulimic or a
compulsive overeater, you have an eating disorder. Because most people try
to keep their problem to themselves, they won’t openly admit their problem
or even try to find help. They are trapped in the cycle of overeating, not
eating at all or excessively dieting. They feel lonely, frustrated,
confused, angry and often helpless.
The therapists at Akron Family Institute understand and are sensitive to the
fact that many people suffering with eating disorders may be obsessed with
"feeling fat" and use many ineffective and harmful ways to manage feelings.
We will help you to break the destructive behavior cycles and heal your
emotional wounds. We’ll help bring you back on track to lead a better and
healthier life.
Stress
It seems that everyone knows and
battles with stress, and some even thrive on it. Having some degree of
stress in life is normal and even good for you – because it gives you
motivation. So, what is the secret to managing stress? Living with it,
not without it. This is where our therapists can help you. We’ll teach you
how to control your life, redefine your daily schedule to fit your life and,
most importantly, how to reduce stress and become a more relaxed and
comfortable person. This can be achieved through individual or group
therapy, relaxation techniques and educational materials and classes. Once
you learn how to manage stress you can learn how to live with yourself.
