Alex Klein Therapy

Therapy, Crisis Consultation & Collaborative Care - Madison, CT

Adult Psychotherapy

Connecting the Mind & Body

The older we get, the faster life seems to move. And taking care of ourselves only gets more important with age. For parents, life can feel like warp speed. The responsibility of caring for others can sometimes make caring for ourselves feel like an afterthought. But ensuring our own health by connecting the mind & body is the single most important thing we can do before we can effectively take care of others.

While this is going to be a different journey for everyone, we can all recognize that there is a connection between how we feel emotionally to how we feel physically. And finding the right balance between the two is fundamental to a happy and healthy lifestyle. [Read more…] about Connecting the Mind & Body

Surviving Your Anger

Even if you haven’t seen the recent Pixar classic, Inside Out, you probably know that anger doesn’t have the best reputation. Lewis Black ranting at the top of his lungs is perfect type-casting. But like all of our emotions, anger can be a normal and healthy outlet. The problem is that for some, this can be a challenging emotion to contain. When anger spirals out of control, it has the power to adversely affect every aspect of our lives. The goal of anger management is to reduce the emotional impact and the physiological sensations that accompany anger at its strongest.

Anger can be caused by both external and internal events. A person could be angry at a friend or colleague, for instance, over a perceived wrongdoing. And they could just as easily be angry at an unforeseen circumstance like a traffic jam or a cancelled flight. On the outside, this might look like rage. But on the inside, anger can manifest itself physically with symptoms that include an increased heart rate, along with rising blood pressure and adrenaline. These physical affects can often feel both instantaneous and scary in their intensity.

Almost everyone has probably had a brief moment of road rage or a day of irritability. But for those whose anger has become a baseline for their personality, there are likely deeper reasons to explore. In recent decades, psychological research has shown that anger is often an attempt to hide other emotions, whether it be guilt, embarrassment, fear or humiliation. Anger is not only a potential defense mechanism but it can be also be a dangerous diversion from sources of even deeper pain. [Read more…] about Surviving Your Anger

Video Gaming Disorder

From an ATARI in the early 80s to a SEGA or NINTENDO in the 1990s, video games and video gaming disorder have been an increasingly active presence in our lives for more than a few decades. Like movies and television, gaming can be an enjoyable escape from reality and a fun hobby for adolescents and teenagers. But the simpler days of Mario and Luigi are long gone. For the first time ever, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced that it will classify gaming addiction as a mental health condition. Starting in 2018, the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) will officially list the condition as “gaming disorder.” https://www.cnn.com/2017/12/27/health/video-game-disorder-who/index.html

Video gaming disorder has exploded into an entirely new phenomenon in the 21st century, driven by cutting-edge graphics and intricate storylines. Gaming is now an immersive experience. For some, this remains an appropriate escape from the real world. But for others, gaming has become more than a hobby. Whether its losing oneself in a world of fantasy, or obsessing over how to get to the next level of a random game, the experience can be a dangerously time-consuming distraction. And now, it can also be considered a diagnosable disorder. [Read more…] about Video Gaming Disorder

Manage Winter SADness

With colder weather and shorter days, winter is officially here. It’s not unusual for people to experience seasonal mood changes at this time of year. Reduced energy, changes in eating habits, and feeling a bit down can all be signs of the “winter blues.” Instead of jumping out of bed ready to greet the day, many people want to crawl under the covers and wait for spring. However, should these symptoms present themselves in a more serious manner, or should depression set in, it could be a sign of Seasonal Affective Disorder (aka, apt acronym: SAD).

Seasonal Affective Disorder can impact a person’s health, productivity and relationships. While cold weather may lead to less activity, the seasonal pattern most directly linked with this disorder is diminishing daylight. This decrease in sunlight may disrupt your body’s internal clock, reduce levels of feel-good chemicals in the brain (such as serotonin and melatonin), and disrupt sleep patterns that affect your daily mood.  [Read more…] about Manage Winter SADness

Where Adversity Equals Opportunity

My name is Alex Klein, and as a licensed clinical therapist, I thank you for taking the time to read and explore this blog post. The purpose of this website is to be a free resource for current and prospective clients while also serving as an aide for families and friends searching for help on behalf of loved ones.

Whether its building a positive rapport with individuals or group-thinking with families, my practice is a place that provides help to those in any degree of need. With more than twenty years of professional experience, I’ve had the opportunity to encounter any and every type of issue. From anxiety to intense trauma, my goal as a therapist is to help people find strength and direction in moments of weakness and crisis.

[Read more…] about Where Adversity Equals Opportunity