Alli Spotts-De Lazzer, M.A. - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor - Certified Eating Disorders Specialist
Posted by in Uncategorized On March 2, 2022, the World Health Organization announced, “In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by a massive 25%.” With so many of us struggling with mental health issues right now, accessible, simple options that can help us improve negative symptoms are especially important, such as…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized What is body image? Body image is the perception of one’s body and related thoughts and beliefs. Below, I discuss this topic, particularly how it relates to boys, with Charlotte Markey—a Psychology Today blogger, author, professor of psychology, and founding director of the health sciences center at Rutgers University. (Click for full article)
Posted by in Uncategorized Years ago, I was co-chair of a committee that spearheaded the creation of the Nine Truths About Eating Disorders document, based on Cynthia Bulik’s 2014 “9 Eating Disorders Myths Busted” talk at the National Institute of Mental Health. Witnessing more than a dozen major entities in the field supporting, aligning, and agreeing was a powerful,…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized February 17 will be Random Acts of Kindness Day, a holiday unique in that it’s backed by scientific research. Studies confirm that kind actions can improve our states of well-being. And now, new research in Frontiers in Psychology — “‘Kindness by Post’: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of a Participatory Public Mental Health Project” — documents the beneficial effects of both giving…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized Valentine’s Day can be an uncomfortable, tricky holiday if you’re without a dependable date or mate (and wish you had one. Totally OK if you don’t want that, too!). Perhaps knowing a bit more about the holiday’s varied history can give you some freedom and creativity with how you celebrate it—that is, if you acknowledge it at…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized People say, “I don’t have a problem with food”; “I like eating healthy”; or “I suck at dieting“-type statements. Yet, they do have a problem with food, can’t eat any other way, and don’t suck at dieting. Unbeknownst to them, they’ve developed problematic eating, disordered eating, or even an eating disorder—and aren’t aware of it. I’m a therapist with 15 years of experience…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized As we all know and probably have experienced, a good boss can make a “meh” job a joy. On the other hand, a challenging relationship with a boss can crash our self-esteem and mental health. I recently attended a workshop on leadership facilitated by a colleague, Robyn Caruso. Since I’m in the position of a leader at times, I…Read more »
Posted by in Blog Research published in the Journal of Eating Disorders on December 24, 2021, “Case Reports of New-Onset Eating Disorders in Older Adult Cancer Survivors,” counters the popularly held belief that young people exclusively suffer from these illnesses. Further, considering the mental and physical dedication it takes to become a cancer survivor, it also spotlights the heartbreaking influence of…Read more »
Posted by in Blog Many of us make resolutions we won’t meet or maintain. For example, refer to past years when you’ve said, “It’s going to be different this time.” And then, once again, it ended up a resolution shmesolution. This year, before you set your promises in stone in your mind or on paper, I invite you to…Read more »
Posted by in Blog Although “Happy holidays!” is usually intended as a kind, warm wish to another human being, it doesn’t always feel that way to receive or give. For someone in emotional pain, “Happy holidays!” can: Seem like a command they’ve failed to fulfill: “Be happy, it’s the holidays!” Be experienced as emotionally negating (similar to someone saying to you,…Read more »