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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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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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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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Mood boosters to beat the winter “blahs”: You & Yours Show

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Advice, Depression, Emotional Health, Self-care, You and Yours Show on December 15, 2011

In episode 007 “Mood Boosters To Beat The Winter “Blahs” on “You And Yours” self & relationship expert and therapist shares simple, intentional activities you can do today to boost your mood, and maintain a positive outlook during the winter months. Listen to episode (007) “Mood Boosters to Beat the Winter Blahs“

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“Ask The Therapist” Live Facebook Event Dec. 21

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Advice, Anxiety, Bipolar, Borderline, Depression, Emotional Health, Mental Health, News, Therapy on December 12, 2011

The holiday season can bring out the best…and the worst in all of us, and in family relationships. Here’s your chance to get FREE advice to help you during the holidays and those cold winter months. I’m excited to be participating in PsychCentral.com’s Ask the Therapist Live Facebook Q & A event with Dr. Marie more »

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Don’t Be Afraid To Set Boundaries: Studio 5

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Advice, Emotional Health, Family, Media, Parenting, Relationships, TV Segments on December 9, 2011

Does the fear of offending friends or family members keep you from setting boundaries? It’s a timely topic with the holidays fast approaching. Therapist, Julie Hanks, says it’s ok to set boundaries, even if you offend someone.   Q: Why are we afraid to set boundaries that might offend someone? You might mistakenly confuse boundaries more »

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My Turn On “The Couch”: Psych Central

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Advice, Depression, Emotional Health, Family, Media, News, Private Practice Toolbox on December 7, 2011

PsychCentral.com’s Margarita Tartakovsky, MS recently interviewed me for a new series featuring therapists  called “Clinicians on the Couch. She was delightful to interview with. Check out her body image blog  Weightless. So…if you’re interested in knowing what I wish my clients knew, what psych books I’m reading, what’s surprised me about being a therapist, how more »

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Technology Milestones For Kids | When Should Kids Have Cell Phones, Facebook, Game Consoles?: Studio 5

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Advice, Family, Mental Health, Parenting, TV Segments on November 11, 2011

Hi-Tech Parenting: When Should Kids Have Cell Phones, Facebook, Game Consoles? Under pressure to let your kids go hi-tech? Get expert advice on when to let children have a cell phone, open a Facebook account and more. Studio 5 Contributor and therapist, Julie Hanks, has tips to help you manage kids and technology. 1) At more »

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Encouraging Creativity in Your Kids

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Advice, Family, Parenting on November 9, 2011

1) Model a creative life Let your kids in on your own creative outlets. Whether it’s creating an online scrapbook, journal writing, floral arrangements, card making, playing flute, etc.  My kids have grown up seeing me write songs and perform in concerts. Because I’ve continued to develop my creative side, from as young as 18 more »

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Overcoming Pregnancy Body Image Fears: Quoted on Parents.com

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Advice, Body Image, Emotional Health, News, Parenting on October 15, 2011

Pregnancy is a time of change, and living in a culture obsessed with appearance and thinness, many women struggle with fears surrounding body changes that accompany pregnancy. I recently interviewed with Parents.com to share my thoughts on this topic… “Women need to develop a willingness to view bodily changes as part of the journey of more »

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Let Back To School Memories Inspire You Today: Studio 5

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Advice, Emotional Health, Self-care, TV Segments on September 14, 2011

  Back to school doesn’t have to be all about your kids. Let the start of a new school year inspire you. Therapist, Julie Hanks, has a grown-up perspective on back to school that can help improve your emotional health. I recently did an interview for Natural Health Magazine’s article “Back to School for Grown more »

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6 Tips for Marital Bliss After ‘I Do’: Daily Herald

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Advice, Marriage, Media, Relationships on August 24, 2011

“I do” is just the beginning of the adventure of marriage. Here’s a quote from a recent Daily Herald article called “After ‘I do”: 6 Tips for Marital Bliss”. A common misconception about romance is that it’s all about money, about buying gifts, or planning trips for your lover,” said Hanks. “Romance can be simple, more »

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Is Your Child “Overbooked”?: KSL 5 News

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Advice, Family, Parenting, TV Segments on August 22, 2011

The Overbooked Child Good parents sign their kids up for dance, sports, music, art, and language lessons, right? In a recent NewYorkTimes.com arti cle Alina Tugend says, “…in an effort to give their children everything, some parents end up not just depleting financial resources, but also their own emotional energy.” Exposure to early opportunities, classes, more »

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Surviving Back to School Shopping with Tweens & Teens: Studio 5

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Advice, Family, Media, Parenting, TV Segments on August 11, 2011

Need help finding clothes to fit your standards and her style? It’s just one of the challenges moms face when shopping with “Tweens” and teens. Here are my tips to help help you resolve your shopping struggles, before you hit the stores. 1) Money Pam: “I would like to ask how I can make my more »

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Ask Julie: I Feel Stuck In My Own Mind

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Advice, Ask Julie, Depression, Relationships, Therapy on August 1, 2011

Q: I’ve been sitting here for 30 minutes trying to formulate my thoughts into a paragraph but I can’t do it so I’m just going to list feeling as they come to mind. 1. I feel nothing on a regular basis. For example if I got a call saying that my mother died, I don’t more »

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Ask Julie: Lacking Emotions in Social Situations

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Advice, Ask Julie, Emotional Health on July 30, 2011

Q: I am a 17 year old High School student and I have felt this conflict my entire life, but only now can I ignore it no longer. Amidst all of the discussion about college and ‘finding the right fit,’ I have realized that the major internal problem I have is that I lack an more »

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7 Things Your BFF May Not Be Telling You: Quoted in Woman’s Day

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Advice, Media, Relationships on May 11, 2011

Would you tell your best friend… I don’t like your boyfriend You never gave me a wedding gift You never talk about serious stuff Your husband hit on me Your kids drive me crazy You don’t take my advice You don’t lean on me I just chatted with Woman’s Day recently about if and how more »

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Ask Julie: How Do I Overcome Bad Habits Learned From My Unstable Childhood?

posted by admin in Advice, Ask Julie, Communication, Family, Relationships on April 28, 2011

Q: Hi! I had a pretty unstable childhood growing up and worked really hard to accept the life I had and move on as well as love the life I have now. The problem I struggle with is habits from my parents that I have adopted myself. I struggle with a temper problem when I more »

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Love…but don’t lose yourself in dating: BYU Universe

posted by admin in Advice, Dating, Media, Relationships on

“In general, women are socialized to sacrifice self for the sake of relationship,” Hanks said in an e-mail. “I see many people in therapy who don’t have a strong sense of self before getting into the relationship. Many people look to a relationship to give them a sense of value or worth only to realize more »

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Top Posts of 2011…So Far

posted by Julie Hanks LCSW in Advice, Emotional Health, Family, My Life, News on April 22, 2011

It’s fascinating to see which posts are the most viewed and shared with others! So, I’m gathering that these are the most popular because people care deeply about improving their marriage, taking good care of their kids, coming to terms their bodies and their past, and hearing about other people’s imperfections – like mine (see more »

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