A Therapy & Mental Wellness Blog

Written by: Amanda Levison , M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT "If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion."- The 14th Dalai Lama People often get confused with empathy, sympathy, and compassion. Empathy involves responding to another person's emotions with emotions that are similar. This would be to connect with someone at a similar level over an initimate conversation and/or bond. Sympathy entails feeling regret for another pe

Written by: Amanda Levison , M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT "My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person,"... he gave me ME! On Father's Day, people post happy pictures honoring the men in their lives they love and adore: their dad, grandpa, and/or husband. What about those who suffered a loss and are no longer able to celebrate with? This is in honor of those wonderful men who have impacted your life. Those men who helped strengthen your character, tau

Written by: Amanda Levison , M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT Many times, people are dating, and their relationship appears serious, but when is it appropriate to have THAT conversation? Are you too old to ask for commitment? Is it weird to say, "So, what are we?" I have had clients talk about the difficulties of dating and the uncertainty of their relationship. They want commitment, but they are scared to have a mature conversation, due to fear of pushing the other person away. I

Written by: Amanda Levison , M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT Yesterday, the Neurofeedback and Counseling Center of Pennsylvania had a small set up at the 1st Annual Walk for Children with Apraxia. It was an amazing event with over 100 people there to support the cause and they raised over $33,000. I was so moved by the speakers they had and the positive interactions I had with people as well as witnessed others have. It was so filled with love and support. There were a few smaller

Written by: Amanda Levison , M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT “You can, you should, and if you’re brave enough to start, you will.”- Stephen King Today was my first time to a chamber event in Harrisburg. I went to it alone, not knowing anyone, but with a positive attitude. I met someone in the parking lot and she introduced me to some other people, once we got inside (it seemed like I introduced myself to the right person). I'm not quite sure the turnout, but it looked like a nice

Written by: Amanda Levison , M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT How do you measure success? Do you measure success by your family, your job, your car, your house? According to Maya Angelou, " Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it." Going by those standards, I feel pretty successful. Liking yourself is forever growing as you are always learning more about yourself. Liking what you do can change as you change your interests in your lifespan. Liking h

Written by: Amanda Levison , M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT "Grief is the agony of an instant, the indulgence of grief the blunder of a life." Benjamin Disraeli Loss is painful. We have all experienced a loss in our life, whether it be big or small... a loss of a job, a loss of a pet, a loss of a loved one. It's natural to grieve in various ways but beyond it all, loss is painful whichever we look at it. People say it gets "easier with time," it's not that the pain goes away b

Written by: Amanda Levison , M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT In 2012, Hugh Jackman played an amazing role as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables. In this scene Jean Valjean is conflicted with being honest and having someone else take the fall for his actions. He struggles with judgement and emphasizes the importance of being good for your word for yourself, others, and to G*d. Many times people struggle with their judgement but in the end, you only have your word. I find that it is most

Written by: Amanda Levison , M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT My friend posted something about the latest trend about diets... "I am TOTALLY intrigued by so many friends posting about their workouts and groups they are joining, primarily, BEACHBODY and ADVOCARE. So what I want to know from you, why did you choose one over the other. Have you been happy with the program you chose and why?" The truth is, it is group support and a quick fix. It is great if you have a wedding or a spec

Written by: Amanda Levison , M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT “The good man is the friend of all living things.”- Mahatma Gandhi The other day I was on a nature walk and came across this beautiful tree. I had to stop and take a picture, as I knew it was something I would want to look at again. In Florida, I would see trees and flowers all of the time but not like how it is in the Springtime in Pennsylvania. It takes on a whole new beauty to see the sharp blooming colors. As a chil