Fighting Stress as a Teacher.

Teachers are subject to an inordinate amount of stress.  The distraction and challenges of educating young minds should be a rewarding experience.  A certain amount of stress is unavoidable, but understand about 80% of all illnesses are related to stress.  As you go through your day and in preparation for your next day’s adventure there are ways to reduce stress.

1.  Think of the worst thing that can happen, then have a plan to make it better or avoid it.

2.  Step back and replace any negative thoughts with positive ones.

3.  Always make time to rest your brain…get plenty of sleep.

4.  Stay hydrated.  Drink plenty of cool, fresh water.

5.  Exercise.  Get up and move around every hour.

6.  Build healthy, positive relationships in and out of the classroom.

7.  Before bedtime relax without technology.  Put your phone to bed before you.

Simple things like this could go a long way, but additionally why not seek professional help?  Dr. Penelope J. Hooks is a certified psychoanalyst in Houston, for teachers who need to discuss their stress with a trained professional.  Teachers are our national treasure.  Call her today (713-521-9087) and make an appointment at her office located at 3311 Richmond Ave. Suite 330.

Suffering from Creative Block?

Many people are called on to produce creative work; some of them live in the Houston area.  Creative block may occur to anyone trying to finish a script, a song, a speech, a scientific paper, or a painting. Sometimes it is hard to get an idea, organize the project, or imagine that the audience will receive it well. You may think about it too much, or not at all.

One thing that may help is staying on schedule.  A routine helps remind you what needs to be done at that particular time of day.  Another, for some, is just letting your mind float and to think about nothing at all. It may trigger that creative side of your brain.  Another stimulus might be to visit a new location or an old friend.  This can refresh the mind and the spirit.

However, if the simple tricks do not work, perhaps the inhibition, or lack of flow, may be rooted in the Unconscious. Why not seek professional help?  Dr. Penelope J. Hooks is a certified psychoanalyst in Houston, for people experiencing creative block or other manifestations of anxiety.  Visiting Dr. Hooks may be just the initiative you need to get those creative juices flowing again.  There is little to lose and much to gain. Call her today (713-521-9087) and make an appointment at her office located at 3311 Richmond Ave. Suite 330.

Making Mental Health Care a Priority.

Let’s have a reality check.  If you have a comfortable sum of wealth you can afford better health care.  Perhaps you have enjoyed the finer things in life for years.  You bought a bigger home than you really needed.  Your car is a luxury model.  You took some vacations.  Why…because you can, that’s why!  Enjoying the good life also means staying grounded.

So many people in this country live with physical and emotional trauma and do nothing about it.  Many times the reason is they simply cannot afford good mental health care.  If you have feelings of desperation and do nothing about it then it is on you because you CAN afford it and you may need it.  This is not the time to just “buck up”.  Seek the counseling that you deserve from a professional.

Dr. Penelope J. Hooks is a licensed professional adult counselor in Houston.  She will help you discover if psychoanalysis is right for you.  You would not deny yourself heart surgery or a knee replacement or some other medical procedure if you KNEW it would improve the quality of your life.  Do not deny yourself good mental health.  Contact Dr. Hooks today and make an appointment at (713) 521-9087.

Treating each Child Individually.

The subject of child psychoanalysis is a very broad and complicated one.  Reaching out to children in their formative years will set the structure for their lives ahead in an ever-changing world.  It is so important not to “brand” any individual…child or adolescent as this or that, but rather to treat each individual with the dignity that they deserve.

If you would like more information on this subject may we direct you to a website?  That site is www.childanalysis.org.  This is where you will discover information about ACP and learn more about how they assist children and their parents.  The advice that is given must always be taken in the context of the individual family.

On a more personal and local level, let us direct you to www.pjhooksmd.com.  Penelope Hooks is a licensed child and adolescent psychoanalyst in Houston, Texas.  After you have had the opportunity to browse her credentials, please feel free to call her and make an appointment at her Houston office located at 3311 Richmond Ave. Suite 330.  Call her today at (713) 521-9087.

What Does it Mean to be a Progressive Parent?

Positive response is the key and critical way to be a progressive parent.  To understand the basics of this parenting method visit www.allencreek.org.  Allen Creek is a preschool located in Ann Arbor Michigan that practices emotional, interpersonal, and emotional understanding between parents and their young children.

If children have a healthy respect for themselves and those around them such as their community then they are off to a great start.  Teaching the building of emotional strength in your little one puts you on the road to being a progressive parent.  They will learn how to explore and express themselves at a very early age.  This is something that some people go through life never mastering.

You do not have to travel to Michigan to discover and practice this parenting technique.  In Houston Dr. Penelope J. Hooks is a Progressive Parent Practitioner.  Dr. Hooks can help you tackle the most important job you will ever have…raising a life to adulthood.  Please arrange an appointment at her Houston office by calling (713) 521-9087.

Taking Stock of Yourself

Human beings tend to think differently at different stages in their lives.  Over the years you have changed because of forces both beyond and within your control, both outside and inside yourself.  If you are, say 40 years old you have been subjected to many different forces.  My goodness, there wasn’t even an internet when you were growing up!

Where are you at this particular moment?  If you have children where do you THINK their mindset is now?  There are certain things going on around you that may seem obvious.  Does someone in your home have an eating disorder?  Is their temper getting the best of them?  Is there any sign of drug or alcohol abuse by adults or underage kids?

Coming to terms with where you are in life RIGHT NOW is essential.  How can you take that next step in the journey with confidence if you can’t face the here and now?  Learning to understand yourself is your greatest gift.  In Houston Dr. Penelope J. Hooks helps you to achieve that goal.  Dr. Hooks can look at a particular situation that has troubled you and or has threatened your family structure.  Please arrange an appointment at her Houston office by calling (713) 521-9087.

Getting to the Bottom of What Bothers Us.

Whenever I hear that someone wishes his wife would stop nagging, or that the children are driving him nuts, or that his boss is never satisfied with the work he did, I realize that many people feel similarly.  I wonder if these people are curious about why the world seems to be full of people who treat them poorly.  What is the root of such a perception that no one out there understands the problem, no one is helpful or kind? 

For years a person may try to live with these feelings, while the anger and resentment continue to build inside.  Sometimes there are consequences to relationships such as strained marriages, unemployment, and disappointing lives.  Sometimes change occurs by examining the past, examining our moment to moment thought processes, exploring our deepest wishes and fears, and eventually taking responsibility for bringing about the changes we want to make.

If you live in the Houston area you may wish to seek the professional help of Penelope J. Hooks. M.D.  Learning to understand yourself is the greatest gift that you can give yourself.  Dr. Hooks may enable you to achieve that goal.  She can point out a particular situation that has troubled you, or even paralyzed you, and make a comment that may shift your perspective.  A small shift may make a big difference.  Please arrange an appointment at her Houston office by calling (713) 521-9087.

Is Psychoanalysis Right for Me?

If you have ever considered the question, here is some quick insight as to whether or not psychoanalysis is the right approach for you or someone you are concerned about.  Basically, psychoanalysis can benefit almost ANYONE suffering from psychological symptoms. However it does take time, energy, interest, and patience.

It requires the person in question to be able to tolerate sometimes intense and difficult feelings, and then be willing to face and discuss them. The changes that may result from this type of understanding may affect many different aspects, not only of their own lives, but the lives of the people that they touch.  Psychoanalysis has fewer side effects than medicine or surgery, and can improve a life more than either. It is the only form of psychotherapy that can change personality traits.

It may not be a simple decision, but if you are considering psychoanalysis please call Dr. Penelope Hooks at (713) 521-9087 and arrange for a consultation at her office located at 3311 Richmond Ave. Suite 330 in Houston Texas.  It could be one of the best decisions that you will make.

Aging and the Loss of Independence

Now that the New Year is upon us here is a difficult issue worth addressing.  Let’s discuss how the older people in your life are faring with their ability to function as they used to.  When you gathered together over the holidays, did you feel that someone you loved has seemed to become less independent these days, because of advancing years?  Now may be a good time to confront that issue.

Seek the guidance of someone outside of the family, a professional who has had years of experience talking to seniors and their families about the challenges of aging.  In some cases there may be signs of dementia.  However, in many other cases it is a realistic concern about how mom, dad, or both are handling the day-to-day task of living life to the fullest.

When you are ready to discuss these issues, rely on the input of Penelope J. Hooks, M.D.  Dr. Hooks specializes in relationship issues between you and your aging parents.  You may want to help them, but maybe you may not know where to begin.  If you live in the Houston area call Dr. Hooks today and discuss your particular situation.  You may reach her anytime at (713) 521-9087.

Understanding Compulsive Shopping.

Since we have just experienced Black Friday, this might be a good time of year to address compulsive shopping.  Giving into an occasional impulse buy is perfectly normal.  The majority of Americans enjoy shopping as a pleasant task of everyday life.  These days we are bombarded not only by shopping networks, but by the internet as well.  Marketers have made a science of getting us to buy.

Do you feel that you or a loved one may have crossed the threshold from occasional bargain hunter to compulsive shopper?  The irresistible desire to shop is known as compulsive buying disorder or oniomania.  According to research by World Psychiatry, 5.8% of Americans are afflicted with the disorder.  Women comprise 80% of that total.

Let’s talk about it.  Seek guidance and self exploration with the help of Penelope J. Hooks, M.D.  She has been working with shopping addictions of various types for more than ten years.  She will discuss your particular case and offer valuable solutions to overspending and related disorders.  If you live in the Houston area, call Dr. Hooks at (713) 521-9087 and visit her website at www.pjhooksmd.com and listen to her audio on shopaholism.

A Perspective on Aderall and Other Stimulants

Because of heightened awareness over the last 30 years or so, ADHD has become an epidemic, as our society has been parented by baby boomers and beyond.  Did you know that 10% of 10 year old boys in this country are medicated for symptoms related to ADHD?  Even teachers endorse the pill to ameliorate a student’s behavior in the classroom to make their job more manageable.

Let’s talk about talking instead of jumping to medicating.  Of course all parents want their children to be happy and well adjusted.  Why not talk about the situation openly and have a mutual dialogue that gets to the root of many behavioral problems…not just skirt around them with drugs.  Make sure that you get all of the information that you can before you put your child on a regimen of Aderall, Ritalin, or ANY behavior-modifying drug.  Sometimes an understanding of what goes on in a child’s inner world can make a difference. Call the office of Penelope J. Hooks, M.D.  Make an appointment with your child to see her at her office located at 3311 Richmond Ave. Suite 330 in Houston by calling (713) 521-9087.  Let’s begin exploring your family’s options today.

When Good Parents Cause Unintended Harm

Most of us try hard to be good parents, and are unaware that sometimes we cause subtle harm to our child.  It’s a kind of paradox, that in imagining that we do a great job, we cannot look at our contribution to the relationship, which the child may perceive as far from “great.”   A parent may be unable to listen to a child if it seems like an unbearable reflection of something not right about the parent. Sometimes parents begin to teach their children at an early age, without realizing it, that if anything about their parenting is questioned, it is tantamount to family treason.  Children become intimidated into believing that they are simply “bad”.  Once everyone buys into the characterization of a “bad” child, the only answer may seem to be medication for illness in the child, rather than what is more likely a relationship problem between the two.

It is important for families to get back on track.  Seek consultation with a board certified psychiatrist and child psychoanalyst. Such an individual in the Houston area is Penelope J. Hooks, M.D.  Dr. Hooks will address your family’s particular issues with personal care and concern.  Please give her a call to arrange an appointment at her office (713) 521-9087. 

Building Your Child’s Emotional Muscle

Noted authors Kerry Kelly Novick and Jack Novick have developed a strategy known as “building your child’s emotional muscle”.  Imagine if everything that you do with your child included an extra added dimension if you will.  It is a dimension that will help build strong character, courage, self-esteem, and emotional strength.

Imagine each part of every single day adding value to your child’s life.  Imagine even the simplest actions being the springboard to happiness, learning, and developing new friendships.  It is all very realistic by implementing and developing what the authors call emotional muscle.  The Novicks have written Emotional Muscle: Strong Parents, Strong Children.  It is filled with parenting tips for the first five years of your child’s life.

To continue developing healthy relationships with your children, please call Penelope J. Hooks M.D.  She specializes in psychiatry, psychoanalysis, child psychoanalysis, parenting and relationship issues.  Being a great parent really takes a village.  Give Dr. Hooks a call today to see how she can help with your relationship with your child in the Houston area at (713) 521-9087. 
























 

When Children Act Up.

We all know that there are varying degrees of bad behavior from our children.  Sometimes parents and teachers will encounter a “difficult kid” and worry about whether or not their behavior is normal.  Usually the worrisome activity is a passing problem, but sometimes the trouble continues to persist long after it should have passed.  As parents we are frustrated and confused…should we take action or just wait it out hoping it will blow over?  Children do not outgrow emotional problems that have come to the attention of others, particularly when an experienced teacher has noticed.

Psychoanalysts are highly trained mental health professionals.  They can suggest a variety of techniques to help parents understand their child’s world.  A good doctor will consider each individual as a unique person.  While there is no blanket answer for aberrant behavior, a new understanding of what is driving the behavior can often lead to handling the situation differently, and thus lead to changes.  

At this critical time in your child’s life it is important to seek the council of a professional.  The child psychoanalyst that you seek in the Houston area is Dr. Penelope Hooks.  She will help parents and children understand how the past shapes the present and how it can influence the future.  Call Dr. Hooks today to discuss your particular situation at (713) 521-9087.  Or visit her website at www.pjhooksmd.com.

Is Psychoanalysis Right for Me?

Psychoalnalysis is helpful for people who are unhappy, but who function outwardly pretty well.

Psychoanalysis is a term that may sound heavy at first.  It is sort of like hearing the word “diet”.  We know that it treats a problem, but is it something to which we want to subject ourselves?  Like any other treatment of the human condition psychoanalysis has been revised and developed in different directions over the decades since Sigmund Freud coined the term.

There are several basic principles of psychoanalysis.  Among them are:

1.  A person’s traits stem from forgotten incidents from early childhood.

2.  Human attitude is largely ingrained by irrational thoughts rooted in their Unconscious.

3.  It is necessary to bypass psychological resistance to bring the patient to the point of awareness.

4.  The conflict between conscious and unconscious can materialize in the form of emotional disturbances.

5.  It requires skilled guidance to bring these disturbances from the unconscious to the conscious.

6.  Once these unconscious links are made, the disturbance may disappear, and a new sense of well-being takes its place.

                                   

Houston area psychiatrist Dr. Penelope J. Hooks specializes in psychiatry, psychoanalysis for both adults and children, as well as relationship issues.  It is important to come to terms with mental health issues just as we would if we had a persistent physical condition that required a specialist.  Please do not hesitate call Dr. Hooks today to make an appointment at her office at (713) 521-9087.