Cherry Creek Psychology, Dr. Maximillian Wachtel

Click on the picture for a link to the video from last night:

Here is a link to a written version of the CBS 4 Denver story that aired last night where I was quoted as an expert:

Good Question: Survivor Guilt Over Layoffs

Thanks– Max Wachtel, Ph.D.
www.CherryCreekPsychology.com
maxwachtel@cherrycreekpsychology.com

I will be featured in a segment where journalist Alan Gionet examines the issue of survivor guilt and anxiety over layoffs. By “featured,” I mean they will probably show about five seconds of my interview. Even so, it is exciting!

In case you are interested, here is a link to a CBS 4 segment on avoiding the recession blues: http://www.cbs4denver.com/video/?id=53216@kcnc.dayport.com

Thanks for reading– Max Wachtel, Ph.D.
www.cherrycreekpsychology.com
maxwachtel@cherrycreekpsychology.com

Cherry Creek Psychology has teamed up with Google Checkout to provide some interesting payment options and discounts for our clients.

If you go to the Cherry Creek Psychology homepage (click here, or on the CCP Logo), you can choose to pay for multiple sessions in advance. If you purchase two or more sessions at a time, you will receive a discount (up to 10% off, for five advance-pay sessions). This savings can really add up over time. Plus, you will never have to worry about remembering to bring your checkbook to your appointment again.

Google Checkout operates in a manner similar to Paypal, so if you’ve used that service, you can figure out how to use Checkout. And, in coming weeks, we will start offering more specials. Check our website for more details.

Thanks for reading– Max Wachtel, Ph.D.
www.CherryCreekPsychology.com
maxwachtel@cherrycreekpsychology.com

I am going to be leading a group on Tuesday evenings from 7:00-9:00 P.M. starting in November to help individuals who struggle with emotional issues during the holiday season. I have noticed in past years that there are a lot of people who start calling in October and November for short-term therapy to help ease their stress/depression during the last few months of the year. I thought it could be helpful to have a group for these individuals so that they can learn great strategies for beating the “holiday blues,” along with gaining the satisfaction of supporting others through a difficult emotional period.

From a financial perspective, the group is a great deal ($395 for 8 sessions), and group therapy has been shown to be a very effective form of treatment. In some cases, it is even more effective than individual therapy. I have led a bunch of groups in the past, and I am excited about starting this new one!

If you want more information, please visit my website (www.cherrycreekpsychology.com or click on the snowman). You can also register online.

Thanks for reading– Max Wachtel, Ph.D.
www.CherryCreekPsychology.com
maxwachtel@cherrycreekpsychology.com

I am trying to figure out how to embed html fragments within blog posts, so you are going to have to bear with me… This post has nothing to do with psychology, although if I do it correctly, you should be able to see a map to my office.

View Larger Map

Thanks for your patience– Max Wachtel, Ph.D.
www.CherryCreekPsychology.com
maxwachtel@cherrycreekpsychology.com

I recently noticed that a chiropractor in my building has an interesting question written on some of her marketing materials: If your spine were on your face, would you take better care of it?

It is a witty question, but it also underscores  a fundamental truth about humans: we are a fairly vain species. We like looking good, and we tend to feel better about ourselves when we are seen by others as attractive.

With that in mind, you should be aware that anxiety can cause some significant problems for your face. For example, the stress reaction in your body causes the release of a chemical called cortisol. Cortisol is responsible for causing your skin to release oil, which can then lead to an increase in acne.

One recent study has found that teenagers who are under high levels of stress are 23% more likely to have a serious acne outbreak than teenagers who are not stressed. Although not quite as dramatic, adults have similar issues. The more stressed you are, the more likely you are to have acne.

One other potentially bad effect from cortisol: it causes hair loss. I have first-hand experience with this symptom (well, not exactly first-hand…). About two years before we had to put him down, we found out that our dog, Pete, had a tumor growing on his adrenal gland. One of the problems associated with that tumor was that it caused his body to release excessive amounts of cortisol. He almost immediately started losing fur in small clumps, and by the end, the poor little guy was about half-bald.

So, to summarize, stress and anxiety can not only have serious negative effects on your mood and your internal physical health, but they can also make you look pretty bad on the outside.

I see this as one more reason to take good care of your emotional health: you don’t want to wear your emotions on your face.

Thanks for reading– Max Wachtel, Ph.D.
www.cherrycreekpsychology.com
maxwachtel@cherrycreekpsychology.com

My thoughts go out to all of those directly affected by the horrible tragedy that occurred in New York City 7 years ago. I, for one, have been trying to go about my day as usual, but have been finding it hard to focus. I keep thinking back to where I was when I heard the news that the first tower had been hit. I was walking into my building at work, and I ran into a coworker who told me what had happened. I was so surprised by what he said that my mind would not let me believe it. I thought he had misheard the news that morning.

Thanks for reading– Max Wachtel, Ph.D. (www.cherrycreekpsychology.com; maxwachtel@cherrycreekpsychology.com)

I am testing out some new blog.com features, one of which apparently allows me to place pictures directly into a post (to be perfectly honest, this is probably not a new feature, but it is one that I only just recently noticed…).

I tried to find relatively benign pictures with which to practice. Without revealing too much about my political leanings, I thought I would post a couple of pictures of the current vice-presidential contenders.

Presumably, both photos were taken in the 1980’s. Sarah Palin is the one in the pink shirt.

I am not exactly sure why either of them thought it would be a good idea to pose for these pictures…

Thanks for reading– Max Wachtel, Ph.D. (www.CherryCreekPsychology.com; maxwachtel@cherrycreekpsychology.com)

A friend recently let me know that Max Wachtel is in a bit of trouble. According to the Canton, Ohio Repository, “Max M. Wachtel, 29, who has no permanent address, was arrested at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at Tuscarawas Street and Whipple Avenue on warrants charging him with three counts of heroin trafficking and one count of corruption of another with drugs.” (from: www.CantonRep.com)

I promise, it wasn’t me! Isn’t it sad, though, that someone can be arrested for corrupting someone else with drugs on a street that sounds as happy and innocent as Whipple Avenue? I would think that the worst crime ever to have occurred on Whipple Ave would have been squeezing the Charmin.

Thanks for reading– Max A. Wachtel, Ph.D. (never arrested…)
www.cherrycreekpsychology.com; maxwachtel@cherrycreekpsychology.com