Talk about it
It is the time of year when stress and depression as well as looking for a new approach to life and its challenges slide together with the holiday season and the beginning of a new year.
Area licensed psychologist Peter Nasseff, Ph.D., of Hudson Counseling Services, shared three thoughts and more on the life which may be applied now and throughout the year.
The first one is the self-fulfilling prophecy.
“What you think about will come about,” said Nasseff. “Or in other words, what you think about you bring about. Think about what you can do to make the holiday special for yourself and your family.”
The second one is to be genuinely honest.
“Honesty brings trust,” continued Nasseff. “I like the serenity prayer, the three key words, serenity, courage and wisdom. Being honest with yourself and others fosters trust.
“Individuals are the masters of how they feel,” said Nasseff. “In your circle of influence the only person you can control is yourself.”
At this time of year people have a tendency to review their past memories. Nasseff reminds us not to live out of our past. Instead imagine the future and create your future rather than dwell on the past.
The third is to remember the reason for the season.
“We don’t advertise ourselves a Christian counseling group,” said Nasseff. “But we always ask our clients if spirituality is a resource for them.”
“It is amazing how many people, on their own choose to go back to church,” said Nasseff. “We don’t push it.”
Generally, Nasseff encourages his clients to be healthy thinkers, shying away from the positive thinking mantra.
“Let’s face, if you go out and find you have a flat tire you are not going to think positive about that,” said Nasseff. “My goal is the help my clients become healthier thinkers. I encourage my clients to examine if there is evidence for a particular thought. Usually it is not there.”
“The hardest part is to get people to recognize their thinking is unhealthy,” continued Nasseff. “You don’t have to be controlled by your emotions. At the end of the day, think ‘What went well today.’ It focuses on a little start towards health thinking.”
Nasseff suggests we can do what he does with his clients, give yourself as many tools as you can to daily, deliberately and consciously feed the mind.
Nasseff, a St. Paul native, taught at Stillwater High School. He attended college at UW-River Falls.
Soon he headed to San Diego to pursue his Ph.D. in psychology. After ten years which includes both completion of his Ph.D. and beginning a practice, he returned to the Twin Cities because of family.
In 1989 he established Hudson Counseling Services and for ten years worked closely with Hudson Hospital, first at the old hospital and in the specialty client at in the new Hudson Hospital location. Due to space constraints at the specialty client Hudson Counseling Services is now located at 901 Dominion Drive.
“I consider it a privilege to do what we do here as well as our relationship with Hudson Hospital,” said Nasseff. “I love to see people make changes in their lives, to think differently and live differently.”
Nasseff is joined by three other counselors, James Broecker, M.S., Lisa Sedlak, M.S. and Mary Jacks, M.S. Together they have over 70 years of clinical experience.
Services offered include individual and couples counseling, child and adolescent counseling, biofeedback and psychological testing.
For more information you may call (715) 531-6760 or go to www.hudsoncounselingservices.com.
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