Tag: ips

On
William McKenna

Is gratitude an antidote to depression?

Guest Column

Question: How does gratitude help me day to day? I have heard a lot about how practicing gratitude helps with depression but I don’t know how to practice it in an effective way.

Response: by William McKenna, M.S. Clinical Psychology Extern at Catholic Charities

Great question! Gratitude is a powerful antidote to depressive thoughts and feelings for a number of reasons, many of which I am sure you know.

Possessing only an abstract understanding of gratitude makes putting it into practice difficult.

Read More
On
Ask IPS

Should we push our children to aim for perfection?

Ask IPS

QUESTION: “I was wondering about the balance of aiming for perfection. As a parent, I want my children to do well in life, and especially in school, but I also do not want to push my child too far. Is working for perfection with your children a positive thing?”

RESPONSE: William McKenna, M.S. Clinical Psychology Extern at Catholic Charities

Excellent question! Before answering, however, I would like to present to you a quote from Coach John Wooden, the famous UCLA basketball coach who led his team to 10 championship victories in 12 years. He said, “Perfection is what you are striving for, but perfection is an impossibility.”

Read More
On
Ask IPS

Reaching out to the homeless and those in need

Ask IPS

QUESTION: “Especially as the cold settles in this winter, I want to reach out to the homeless in my community. At the same time, this is outside of my comfort zone and I’m afraid of being asked to take on burdens that I’m not ready for. What is a good balance to strike?”

RESPONSE: Sarah Lowrey, M.S. Student at the IPS Center for the Psychological Services

How beautiful that you want to serve and make a difference in your community!

Read More
On
Ask IPS

Giving a child their own ‘space’ as they grow

Ask IPS

QUESTION: “My daughter has just started her first year of college. I want to give her space, but also to be supportive if she needs me. What’s the best way for a parent to strike that balance with a young adult?”

RESPONSE: William McKenna, M.S., Clinical Extern at the IPS Center for Psychological Services

Transition within our lives can be difficult, and when those transitions involve our children, it can become even more demanding.

Read More
On
Ask IPS

Healing from an abortion takes time

Ask IPS

QUESTION: “I had an abortion some years ago. While I’ve been to therapy and looked to Project Rachel* for help, with all of the media hype about Planned Parenthood I’ve been having nightmares, flashbacks, and I’m just angry all the time. Will I ever find healing?”

RESPONSE: William McKenna, M.S., Clinical Extern at the IPS Center for Psychological Services

Read More
On
Ask IPS

How to cope with the seasonal blues

QUESTION: While everyone else seems joyful, I often feel depressed around the holidays. Could you suggest some ways to cope with the holiday blues?

RESPONSE: By William McKenna, M.S., clinical extern at the IPS Center for Psychological Services

We so often hear Christmas songs with lines such as, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” and “Christmas time is here. Happiness and cheer!”

Read More