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- Aug 24, 2015
3 Things to Remember to Help Your Family Get Back to School
The first week of school is a strange time of year, isn't it? So many things are new! I sat down with my husband, the Marriage and Family Therapist, this morning and discussed how parents can best help their kids adjust back to school this first week. As a teacher by trade, I was expecting something along the lines of 1) Create a clear expectation for daily routine at home, including homework time, dinner, extracurricular activities, and family time as well as sleep schedu


- Jan 28, 2015
Keeping your New Year Resolutions
How often have you started the year with the best of intentions: to change something about yourself or to attain a goal, but three weeks later you are already having trouble keeping yourself on the path to success? Keeping New Year's Resolutions is next to impossible for most people, because they try to do it in isolation. Having a support system drastically improves your chances for success, especially if there is accountability between you and that support system. Accordi


- Oct 9, 2013
Stress Comes, but Don't Turn Away!
By Dr. Allen Novian In times of high stress, including the current government shutdown, therapy often gets shoved to the bottom of the priority list, and relationships which are already struggling with miscommunications, differences of opinion on how to address the children, or who are trying to work through infidelity find themselves struggling even more as a family. People find themselves turning to alternative sources of comfort, and away from each other instead of turning


- May 8, 2013
Introducing Brianner Lutterman, MA, NCC, LPC-Intern
By Dr. Allen Novian Update: We are so proud of Brianne for becoming a FULLY LICENSED LPC!!! She has moved on to other career opportunities upon receiving her license, and we wish her all the best in her future as a Licensed Professional Counselor. While Brianne is no longer with iCNS, we look forward to bringing in new LPC-Interns to offer counseling, neurofeedback, and biofeedback services in the near future. Original Post: We are SO excited to be welcoming a new member of
- Apr 22, 2013
NIMH director talks about “Brain Disorders” instead of Mental Health Disorders
By Dr. Allen Novian In this TED Talk by Thomas Insel, the director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), he discusses the need to redefine “mental health disorders” and “behavioral disorders” by acknowledging their source: they are brain disorders. It is a wonderful thing to see the greater mental health field embracing the idea that behavioral disorders show up first in the brain, and then in the behavior. In the talk, he discusses early detection and intervent


- Oct 20, 2011
What's Going on Between Your Ears
By Dr. Allen Novian What if you knew what was going on behind that perfect haircut? Sometimes, it seems as if there is nothing but air, other times, it feels like the gears are turning so fast that you can’t shut them off! Well, we can actually take a look and see what your brain is doing, without even opening up the skull. We look at the brain’s activity electrically… yes, I said electrically. Did you know that your brain works off of electricity, just like computers and


- Sep 30, 2011
Stages of Forgiveness: Stage 6
By Dr. Allen Novian Stage 6: Develop Genuine Neutrality Hopefully, in the process of forgiveness, you will come to resolve any negative emotions and thoughts about yourself and the other person or organization. To do so requires that you do not expect or demand any payment or restitution after forgiveness. You must assume that there is no debt to you. Mother Teresa once said, “It is between God and myself, it was never between me and them anyway.” This must be practiced
- Jul 7, 2010
PTSD and Neurofeedback on Kens5
By Dr. Allen Novian I found this video on KENS-5 news from February. It describes how Neurofeedback is being used to help PTSD sufferers and to help regulate sleep patterns. Update: Kens5 removed the video, but the transcript is available HERE #ptsd #posttraumaticstressdisorder #stress #stressmanagement
- Dec 2, 2009
Holiday Blues
By Dr. Allen Novian During the holidays, there is an expectation of connection and joy. We are supposed to get together with family, rejoice and sing Christmas carols. But the image of happiness can often be very thin. For many of us, it is a struggle to find the joy of the season because we feel disconnected from those we love, or because the demands of our schedules overwhelm our ability to find peace and relaxation. If this sounds familiar, give me a call. There IS a way t
- Oct 13, 2009
C's of the Marrried Relationship Part 4
By Dr. Allen Novian The final C is Compassion. Acting out of compassion for your spouse and yourself in all things is vital to maintaining a healthy marriage. All too often in relationship, compassion is replaced by selfishness, jealously, and resentment. Compassion involves a continuous desire for your spouse to be happy, to prosper, and to grow in love. This desire is demonstrated in what you think and, more importantly, in what you say to and about your spouse. The most im
- Oct 12, 2009
C's of the Married Relationship Part 3
By Dr. Allen Novian How do we communicate when we can’t stop arguing? Most people look at communication as getting a point across. I instead begin to teach them how to communicate by teaching them to listen to each other and then to voice back to their spouse what they just said before they give their side. This is why I have couples listen to me and repeat to me what I said before they begin to communicate to each other. Communication with me is usually less emotional so it
- Oct 8, 2009
C's of the Married Relationship Part 2
By Dr. Allen Novian Communication issues are probably the most common reason that couples come to see me for therapy. Couples will often tell me “we just can’t seem to communicate about anything”, or “we are constantly arguing”, or “he/she just doesn’t understand me”. They might say we use to get along but now everything we say to each other ends up in a fight. So this is how couples come into my office, after being unable to communicate for usually a long time they are frust
- Oct 6, 2009
C's of the Married Relationship Part 1
By Dr. Allen Novian Couples come into my office with many complaints, but usually their problems boil down to at least one of three core issues. These issues can be summed up in the “3 C’s of Relationship,” comprised of Commitment, Communication, and Compassion. Commitment issues include not only emotional and physical affairs but also anything that becomes a priority over the relationship. The one I see most often is the couple who over the years has allowed their commitment
- Oct 1, 2009
Community Health Fair Presentation
Join the Laurels and the Haven for a complimentary health fair on Aging in Place. Learn from our experts on preventative medicine and much more! Highlights of the event will include presentations by the following experts and organizations: * Dr. Allen Novian, Caregiver Stress-Busting * Vitas Innovative Hospice Care * The Spahn Law Firm, Estate Planning * Leezas Place, Caregiver Support * New York Life, Long Term Care * Caring Senior Service, Healthy Happy Home * Kidney Care C
- Sep 24, 2009
Symposium at Laural Ridge
By Dr. Allen Novian If you are unable to make it to my talk at Patriot Heights on September 29th, you will have another chance to hear me speak on October 7 in Stone Oak.
There is a Symposium at the Laurels and the Haven in Stone Oak. I will be posting details soon, but I will be speaking in the morning starting at 9:45 #presentations #caregivers #caregiving #alzheimers #anxiety #stressmanagement #stress #mentalhealth #eldercare #dementia
- Sep 9, 2009
Stress Relief for Caregivers at Patriot Heights
By Dr. Allen Novian on September 9, 2009 Stress Relief for Caregivers Tuesday, September 29
2:00 p.m. As the caregiver for an elderly loved one, you have to feel your best each and every day to deliver the care they deserve. Sometimes, that’s easier said than done. That’s why Patriot Heights is hosting a special seminar especially for you! Join us as Dr. Allen Novian, LPC, LMFT, delivers an informative and entertaining presentation covering caregiver dynamics, stress managem
- Aug 31, 2009
Technology and Mental Health
By Dr. Allen Novian As I work more and more with Anxiety patients and study the impact of anxiety and frustration in people’s lives, I encountered the perfect illustration in my own life. Have you ever tried to hook something up without directions? How about put together a puzzle only to find that a key piece is missing? All I can say is that technology is only good when it WORKS! Technology is in every facet of our lives these days. We have digital clocks, laptops, our cell
- May 19, 2009
Speaking at Morningside Ministries
I am excited to be speaking at Morningside Ministries on Saturday morning at 10:30! I will be speaking on “Dementia & its impact on the caregiver.” Over the years, I have been blessed to work with caregivers of dementia patients. They are a very special group of people to me. This Saturday, May 16th, Morningside Ministries will be hosting a workshop called “Is it ever going to get better?” It will deal with Dementia & related illnesses. The meeting is from 8:30 am to 12 noon