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Ask Julie: I’m Caring for Mentally Ill Adult Brother

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Advice, Ask Julie, Emotional Health, Family, Mental Health, Relationships, Relationships & Emotional Health, Special Needs, Therapy on January 30, 2012

Q: If something was to happen to me my brother would not be able to survive.  I need help. My mother adopted my brother at 13 whom is 21 now.  He had been foster care since he was 2 years old.  They labeled him as mentally ill.  We would hit is head on the wall, more »

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Ask Julie: Anger Issues Due To Childhood Abuse

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Abuse, Anger Management, Ask Julie, Counseling, Relationships & Emotional Health, Therapy, Trauma on January 27, 2012

Q: I have acknowledged the fact that I have an anger problem, but I have not been able to find a way to deal with it. When I get angry I scream, curse, and get verbally abusive with the person that I am angry with. I have broken objects by throwing them across the room more »

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3 Surprising Things About Mental Health: Sharecare.com Interview

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Media, News, Therapy on

In December, Sharecare Now named me the #1 online depression influencer of the past year! Crazy, huh? I love how the internet makes the world feel smaller because it allows us to talk to people all over the planet! Since December, I’ve been in touch with the great folks at Sharecare who are passionate about more »

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Stronger Self-esteem When You Don’t Look Your Best: Studio 5

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Body Image, Media, Relationships & Emotional Health, Self-esteem, TV Segments on January 24, 2012

Self-esteem comes from the inside, but sometimes what’s going happening on the outside can shake your self -confidence. Therapist, Julie Hanks, has tips to survive bad hair days and beyond. 1) Bad Hair Day Sometimes even small appearance flaws can ruin your day! A big blemish on your face, bad hair day, a skin rash more »

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“It’s Not Your Job To Make Everybody Happy”

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Emotional Health, Quotes, Relationships on January 23, 2012

Happy Monday. Do you find yourself feeling responsible for the emotions of your loved ones? When your child or spouse is sad or disappointed, do you feel like you’re somehow responsible to make them feel better? This quote is for you! Remember that it’s not your job to make anyone happy. You can’t make anyone more »

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Ask Julie: I Have No Sex Drive & Can’t Keep a Relationship

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Abuse, Ask Julie, Relationships, Relationships & Emotional Health, Sex, Trauma on January 16, 2012

I was abused as a child, have no sex drive and the one true love has left me (he doesn’t know about my childhood) I want to know if there is any hope for us at all-we never had sex often (twice in a year) he won’t discuss sex as he gets embarrassed and never more »

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Don’t Let Seasonal Depression Get You Down: KSL TV News

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Bipolar, Depression, Emotional Health, Mental Health on January 11, 2012

Is it post-holiday blues or seasonal depression? Winter months bring shorter days and less sunshine. I sat down with KSL TV morning news to bring to light some of the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and how to treat it. If you’re struggling with depression, we can help you to feel better! Click here more »

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Texting Doesn’t Replace Comfort Of Mother’s Voice: KSL TV News

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Communication, Media, News, Parenting, Relationships & Emotional Health, TV Segments on January 10, 2012

A new study published in Evolution of Human Behavior shows their no substitute for hearing your mother’s voice to calm daughters who are stressed. I sat down earlier today with Brooke Walker at KSL TV News to share my thoughts on this news study. Give what I’ve learned about attachment theory, the results of this study more »

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Ask Julie: How Do I Get Over My Ex-Boyfriend?

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Ask Julie, Dating, Relationships on January 9, 2012

Q: Hi…My problem is that my boyfriend broke up with me 2 weeks ago. we already planned to go to Hawaii and I have to go because I can’t pay him back since it’s really expensive. We decided to be friends, when I’m around him I want to be his friend and that’s the only more »

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Ask Julie: How Do I Disengage From My Ex?

posted by admin in Ask Julie, Relationships, Self-esteem, Sex on January 6, 2012

Q: I was with my ex girlfriend for a year and half.  A few months before our breakup she moved a few states away and we tried to maintain a long distance relationship.  I did not go with her, because I was nearly finished with college.  At the time it seemed like a spur of more »

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What A Great Way To Start 2012!

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Depression, Emotional Health, My Life, Self-esteem, Therapy on January 3, 2012

On Dec. 31, 2011, a day I was really struggling emotionally (yes, therapists struggle, too), I received a message on Facebook. This thoughtful expression of gratitude lifted my heavy heart and reassured me that my efforts are in some small way making a difference for good in the world. That’s all I can hope for. more »

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10 Resolutions I’ll Actually Keep

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Emotional Health, My Life on January 2, 2012

10 Resolutions I’ll Actually Keep in 2012 1- Gain a few pounds 2- Exercise sporadically 3- Pile up more papers around the house 4- Leave Christmas decor up until Feb 5- Start taxes on April 14 6- Watch too much reality TV 7- Write in my journal…once 8- Eat chocolate daily 9- Buy some shoes more »

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Top 10 Posts of 2011 on JulieHanks.com

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Depression, Marriage, Music, News, Parenting, Relationships & Emotional Health, TV Segments on December 28, 2011

It’s always fun to see which posts catch your interest over 12 months. Looking back over 2012 the top posts are a mix of music, personal posts, parenting tips, marriage topics, and mental and emotional health advice…and that list just about sums up my life! A big surprise is #1 — guess you haven’t forgotten more »

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Are New Year’s Resolutions Hazardous To Your Mental Health?

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Advice, Relationships & Emotional Health, Self-care, Self-esteem on December 27, 2011

Resolution time again. To do lists get pulled out and we add to them our resolutions for the new year. Too frequently though, by February 1, our list of good intentions has been relegated to the junk drawer due to failed attempts. We’re left feeling down or guilty for what we didn’t do. But, what more »

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Ask Julie: How Bad Is It For A Grown Woman To Move Home?

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Family, Grief & Loss, Relationships, Work on December 26, 2011

Q: I recently got laid off, and right now my rent is almost due.  My brother thinks that if I can’t find a job I should move home, actually scratch that, he thinks I should be home even if I have a job. My mom passed away a month ago, and he’s afraid that my more »

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Christmas Wishes From Julie

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in My Life, News on December 22, 2011

As 2011 comes to a close I’m filled with gratitude for the many associations I’ve had with you over this year. Whether it’s professionally, personally, or virtually, I am grateful for your friendship and support. 2011 has been an amazing year filled with new opportunities to help make the world a better place in some more »

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My 5 Year Old Cut Her Own Hair!: Studio 5

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Media, Parenting, Parenting & Children, TV Segments on

Call it every mom’s nightmare – when their little girl gets a hold of the scissors and chops off their long locks. So how do you deal with that dramatic parenting situation? We asked Studio 5 Contributor Julie Hanks LCSW her reaction when her 5-year-old daughter did this a few days ago, and what tips more »

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Letter To Santa That Made Me Cry

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in My Life, Parenting & Children on

Last Christmas Eve, my 8 year old son left this letter next to Santa’s milk and cookies. It was one of those priceless moments in my life… “Thanks for brining presents but iff you think I don’t need it than give it to people who doesn’t get presents.” Merry Christmas.

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Ask Julie: Will My Therapist Have To Tell My Parents When I Cut Myself?

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Ask Julie, Depression, Family, Parenting, Parenting & Children, Relationships, Self-esteem, Therapy on December 19, 2011

I am 14 and recently my parents have discovered I struggle with self-injury. After discovering this, they are going to send me to see a therapist to help with the issue. They, of course, know I struggle with self-injury, but I would prefer if they did not hear about it if I tell the therapist more »

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Do You Suffer From “Christmas Perfectionism”?

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Advice, Anxiety, Depression, Self-care, Self-esteem on December 17, 2011

If you already struggle with perfectionism, the holiday season can be particularly difficult for stress management. For one thing, there are often higher expectations, more on your to do list, and more people to please. So, whether you struggle with perfectionism when it comes to buying the “perfect” gift, decorating the house “perfectly”, sending out more »

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