Total Life Counseling Blog

Total Life Counseling Blog2024-04-09T22:36:06+00:00

4 Sports Psychology Tips to Empower your Child or Teen through Athletics | Certified Sports Counselor

Just participating in sports does not automatically foster positive growth in children. Many factors play a crucial role in your child’s success with athletics. The top four factors that I have found to help encourage positive sports participation are: Fun and Constructive Atmosphere Appropriate Parental Involvement Having an Encouraging Mentor A Focus on Transferable Life Skills A positive sports environment [...]

Wesley Chapel Movie Theatre Shooting over Texting Curtis Reeves | Tips on How to express your concerns assertively | Channel 13 Counselor Dana West

Tragedy struck a Tampa movie theater when 71-year-old Curtis Reeves got into an argument with another moviegoer over texting. The two men exchanged words that gradually became more heated and Reeves felt something hit his face. It was alleged that Chad Oulson threw popcorn at Reeves. Police reported, Reeves, who minutes earlier had gone to seek a manager's help to [...]

Adults, Anger, Blog, Dana West, Media, Orlando|

How to Identify Workplace Bullying and Tips for Victims | Jonathan Martin & Richie Incognito Bully Expert Dana West

Bullying and sports have made headlines since October 28, 2013 when Jonathan Martin, a 24-year-old offensive lineman for the Miami Dolphins left his team after reporting he was bullied by veteran teammate Richie Incognito.  Martin accused Incognito and others on the team of harassment, physical violence and constant vulgar comments.  After the allegations surfaced, the Miami Dolphins suspended Incognito for conduct [...]

Adults, Blog, Bullying, Dana West, Orlando, Stressless|

4 Sexual Assault Victims Tips to Survive Abuse | Jermaine Smith | Mentally Disabled Woman Video Counselor Dana West, MSW, LCSW

Cocoa police admitted on November 8, 2013 that a breakdown in the department allowed a man accused of raping a mentally disabled woman to freely walk the streets for a year before he was finally arrested.  Jermaine Smith is behind bars for being accused of breaking into the Cocoa home of a mentally disabled woman more than a year ago [...]

Adults, Blog, Dana West, Orlando, Sexual Abuse|

7 Issues to Address Before Marriage | Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Engaged | Marriage Counselor Relationship Expert Dana West, LCSW

The latest Hollywood love news is that Kim Kardashian was presented with a 15-carat diamond ring from her long-term rapper boyfriend Kanye West, on her birthday October 21, 2013.  This will be Kardashian’s third attempt to walk down the aisle into matrimony bliss or will she?  Why does she keep making the same mistakes in love?  Could this be prevented?  [...]

Bruce and Kris Jenner Separated | Keeping up with the Kardashians TV | 5 Tips to Strengthen Friendship in your Marriage |Marriage Counselor

After 22 years of marriage Bruce and Kris Jenner call it quits and separate.  The Keeping up with the Kardashians TV stars have been fighting rumors of splitting up for the last few years.  From viewing the episodes, you can see the power struggles, lack of affection, self-centeredness, and the practice of living separate lives have affected their once happy [...]

Counselor on Post-Partum Depression Symptoms & 5 PPD Tips | Miriam Carey Shot Near US Capitol

Emotional Chaos Turns to Tragedy Miriam Carey,  a 34-year old woman whom was a dental hygienist was killed by police on Thursday October 3 after a high-speed chase through Washington, D.C., that led to a lockdown of Capitol Hill.  The suspect’s mother reported to ABC news that she suffered post-partum depression following the recent birth of her daughter and [...]

Cory Montieth from Glee dies | How often do addicts relapse | Addictions Counselor

Cory Monteith star of Glee dies at the age of 31 and many suspect he lost his battle against addiction and relapsed. Many family members of those struggling with addiction wonder how many times a person struggling with addiction relapses before they walk away from addiction for good! Below are statistics about how addiction touches over 50% of American families, [...]

Do Most Sexual Abuse Survivors Lose their Childhood | Amanda Perry, Michelle Knight, & Gina DeJesus | Dana West, LCSW Abuse Counselor

Darkness into Light Fleeing from the pits of darkness, Amanda Perry, 27, escaped from being held hostage for over a decade.  She called 911 at a neighbor’s house and found freedom after 10 years being held hostage.  She wasn’t the only one, Georgina "Gina" DeJesus, 23, and Michele Knight, 32, were found alive Monday night after they vanished a decade [...]

Substance Abuse Doesn’t Discriminate | Amanda Bynes DUI | Dana West Addictions Counselor

Substance Abuse Doesn’t Discriminate | Amanda Bynes DUI | Orlando Substance Abuse Counselor Dana Risucci-West, LCSW Addictions Expert Picture Perfect? Some people appear to have it all: good grades, rewarding careers, and loving families. What outsiders may not see behind the near perfect appearance are issues that may be internalized to keep up an image.  The stress from keeping up [...]

Lindsay Lohan | 3 Tips to Discuss Negative Celebrity Influence on Your Child |Teen Counselor

It’s no mystery that celebrities in America are intensely scrutinized through constant media attention.  Every movement and action is dissected, analyzed, and mocked by millions of strangers who know nothing about the reality of celebrities’ lives.  Every other day there seems to be a new article about mishaps and accidents in various celebrities’ lives, and one the individuals who is [...]

9 Parent tips to talk to your kids after a school shooting | Newton Connecticut |Child Counselor Jim West

While the details are unraveling about the school shooting in Newton, Connecticut parents around the country are wondering what to say to their kids to make them feel safe at school.  So what can parents say to their kids to make them feel safe? 9 Parent Tips to Talk to your Kids after a School Shooting | Orlando Child Expert [...]

Counselor | 4 Tips to Reduce Social Bullying | Whitney Kropp | Lindsay Lohan | Mean Girls

The behavior we are referring to in this incident, is social bullying. Social bullying is a form of bullying that involves teasing someone because of their appearance, spreading lies or rumors, ignoring or even rejecting someone. Social bullying is much more insidious and difficult for teachers and parents to pick up on, and all too prevalent. Many parents are [...]

Bullying Counselor | 4 Ways Parents Can Reduce Social Bullying | Video

So, what can parents do to help stop social bullying? What is even more troubling is that the social aggressive acts were often enacted by the main characters or those with whom young viewers would likely identify with as socially advantaged, reinforcing the idea that is pays to be mean, because popularity trumps basic moral conduct. Such cruel behavior was [...]

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Ashton Kutcher & Demi Moore | Marriage Counselor | 3 Relationship Tips to Start Rebuilding Trust | Dr. Leslie

Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moores split brings often causes couples to look at their own relationship and how they could minimize the risk of divorce in their own lives.  Below are some suggestions to repair past hurts and keep your marriage off the rocks! More Videos on This Topic [tubepress playerLocation="popup" mode="tag" tagValue="Total Life Counseling relationships " paginationAbove="true" paginationBelow="false" orderBy="published" resultsPerPage="4" thumbHeight="105" thumbWidth="135" [...]

Marriage Counselor | Miley Cyrus Engaged – How Young Is Too Young To Get Married? Tips

Recently announced: The engagement of Miley Cyrus, age 19, to Liam Helmsworth, age 22. There is much speculation in the media about the significance of  their ages and the general question of "How young is too young to get married?" Given the rise of divorce in the United States, there has been a relatively recent trend to delay or avoid [...]

Bully Movie Documentary 2012 should your Child See It? | 3 Quick Tips for Parents of Victims | CBS 6

The Bully Movie Documentary was rated R because of cursing, aggression and themes of suicide! So should your middle schooler or high school student see it. From the reviews and information about the movie it is following students that are bullied at school. Unfortunately, the cursing, aggression and themes of suicide are what middle school and high school teens [...]

K2 Spice Black Mamba Dragon Spice | Drug Counselor on Synthetic Marijuana | Could Your Children Be in Danger?

News of synthetic marijuana, also known as K2 or Spice, has cropped up again in the news as it returns to many local businesses after a ban placed by The Drug Enforcement Administration on five chemicals last year.  Florida Governor Rick Scott is trying to end the issue for good, with the signing of an amendment that would add 29 [...]

7 Tips For Better Sleep | Sleepless with Daylight Savings Time

With daylight savings time, people across the U.S. are adjusting to a new sleep schedule. While the need for the time change is debatable, what is not disputed is the importance of having a good night's sleep. One of the number one complaints from family, friends, colleagues and clients is a lack of sleep or lack of good quality sleep. [...]

Hunger Games |5 Tips for a Healthy Body Image | Did Hollywood Finally Get it Right? | Jennifer Lawrence

The box-office hit movie, The Hunger Games, raked in millions of dollars opening weekend. However, the star of the film, Jennifer Lawrence, has been criticized by some viewers as being too heavy for the role. Lawrence, a beautiful, fit actress of a healthy weight has publicly denounced Hollywood's idealization of skinny, waif-like women and has highlighted the importance of having [...]

Anger Counselor Tips to Tame Emotions | Trayvon Martin & George Zimmerman | Spike Lee & Roseanne Barr Tweets

Trayvon Martin was shot in a gated community by neighborhood watchman, George Zimmerman.  George called 911 and the police advised him to stop following Trayvon.  Minutes later neighbors reports vary, meanwhile Trayvon was killed.  George Zimmerman claims he stopped pursuing Trayvon and then was later attacked by Martin.  Shortly, after the 911 phone call everyone is trying to piece together [...]

Eating Disorders Therapist on Current Trends | 6 Facts You Likely Didn’t Know

Celebrities such as Demi Lovato, Nicole Richie, Ashlee Simpson, Oprah Winfrey, Mary-Kate Olsen, and Wynonna Judd have each shared, publicly, their issues with eating. Their openness contributes to increased attention and understanding of eating related issues. Increased diagnoses of eating disorders may be due to better detection and society's increased understanding of eating disorders. Some facts about eating disorders [...]

Relationship Counselor offers 5 Tips for Balancing Work and Family | Madonna, Kardashian, Jolie, Stefani

5 Tips for Balancing Work and Family Gwen Stafani, Denise Richards, Katherine Heigl, Angelina Jolie, and Madonna are all mothers who are working to create balance between their careers and their children.  While parenthood is not always so glamourous, here are some tips that will have you feeling like a star: 1. Let go of the being Perfect. I think [...]

Whitney Houston | 5 False Beliefs About Prescription Drugs and Addiction | Addictions Counselor

People all over the world mourned the tragic loss of one of the most talented singers of 1980's/1990's, Whitney Houston. She joins multiple other celebrities, such as Judy Garland, Margaux Hemingway, Heath Ledger, Michael Jackson, who have had their lives cut short due to the result of a fatal combination of prescription drugs. Even worse, it appears prescription drug abuse [...]

Restraining Order one day, Dead the next | Tips to Cope with Domestic Violence

33 year old Rosamond McNeil died this week of a gunshot to her back. Her killer? Her abusive ex-boyfriend she tried many times to leave. The day before she died, she was granted a restraining order against her former boyfriend and father of her two children ages 7 and 9. The CEO of Harbor House, Orange County Florida's Domestic [...]

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