Posts by Jon Dabach
Why OCD Gets Tossed Around So Lightly in Conversation
You hear it at work in casual conversation, on the subway on your way home, and even at the grocery store — “I am so OCD about…” or, “My partner is so OCD when it comes to…” While the term OCD is being thrown around in general conversations as an adjective, there are people who…
Read MoreHow Learning Disabilities Contribute to Failure to Launch Syndrome
By: Michelle Obergfoll Failure to launch typically affects young adults between the ages of 19-28. For various reasons, such as an underlying learning disability; these individuals lack the tools to successfully transition from childhood to adulthood. This stagnation often has a negative impact on the individual and their family, who often bear the emotional and…
Read MoreSwitching from External to Internal Validation
External validation depends on a positive feedback loop from outsiders in response to your actions or expressions. If, at any point, your expressions, actions, and/or outside responses change course, your feelings of self-worth may plummet. Relying on outside forces for validation can put even the most well-adjusted individuals on a crash course towards self-sabotage. If…
Read MoreBPD and Narcissism
Borderline Personality Disorder is becoming a more popular diagnosis among today’s young adults. The mental health field is becoming more aware of symptomatology that reflects the diagnosis and they are becoming more familiar with recognizing the signs. To make diagnosing even more difficult, since mental health professionals would really rather diagnose anything but BPD, some…
Read MoreEasy Recipe – Italian Chopped Salad
Part of our programs at OPI Intensive and OPI involve teaching our participants the life skills they need to thrive on their own. One basic life skill that many Americans are lacking in is how to create delicious, healthy food. Our cooking classes teach you a series of skills as well as a stable of…
Read MoreRestoring Hope
Many who have been hiding behind learned hopelessness have come to wear an armor, more so than just a mask. As a therapist, I first have to let my client know I see the armor and honor it. I validate that, along the way, they believed they needed it in order to protect themselves from…
Read MoreThreenager
About a year ago, I wrote about my experiences using DBT with my toddler while he was in the “Terrible Twos” phase. I am happy to report that we have made it to three, mostly unscathed. I had heard rumblings about the “Threenager” year and wasn’t sure what to expect however blogs, articles, and friends…
Read MoreTechniques to Overcome Failure to Launch Syndrome
Speaking with candor and eloquence, A.M. describes how she overcame Failure to Launch Syndrome by finding a passion in life (in A.M.’s case, it is music), engaging in cognitive behavioral therapy, and working with a life coach who helped her improve essential life skills. Initially confused by her attraction to women, A.M. eventually learned to accept…
Read MoreHoliday cheer for June
By: Extracurricular Activities Director, Jenna Madeiros Since we’re 6 months away from Holiday season and we’re feeling the pains of not having those fun time right at our door step, we decided to bring some of that holiday cheer to the summer by recapping some of the fun things we do here at OPI during…
Read MoreHow the Golden Child Role Influences Failure to Launch
Perceptions of your role as the Golden Child in the family can have a negative effect on your ability to cope with the demands of adulthood. In A.M.’s informative video lecture, she explains how her family makeup influenced the adoption of that demanding role. She internalized the “Golden Child” role and instantly began trying to…
Read MoreCrayon Art
By: Jenna Madeiros, Director of Extracurricular Activities Department Scott Adams once said “creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” This week’s Crayon Art Project challenged participants to do just that. Due to the mystery in how the project would turn out, some participants were hesitant at first as…
Read MoreSigns of Self-Harm in Young Adults
As a parent, it falls in the category labeled “Worse Nightmares.” Cutting, scratching, and other self-injurious behaviors make frightened parents think their kids are contemplating suicide. Self-harm does not necessarily translate to suicidal ideations, but it is a problem that you want to learn how to spot and seek help for right away. What is…
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