PerceptA Interview with Erica Weinstein, MEd, NCC, LCPC

Our interview series, “PerceptAInterviews” continues. Today, we are so honored and privileged to interview Erica Weinstein, MEd, NCC, LCPC, owner of Weinstein Wellness Mobile Psychotherapy. Thank you Ms. Weinstein, for sharing your thoughts, experiences, and time with us!

Erica Weinstein, MEd, NCC, LCPC
Erica Weinstein, MEd, NCC, LCPC

Erica Weinstein, M.Ed., N.C.C., L.C.P.C.

Ms. Weinstein has a Master’s degree from Loyola College in Maryland; she is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC- Maryland). Ms. Weinstein is a remarkable young woman who owns WEINSTEIN WELLNESS Mobile Psychotherapy, an In-Home & Office Psychotherapy Service, working with individuals, couples and families. Her practice specializes in individuals with a variety of mental health issues, including Anxiety, Trauma, & Mood Related Disorders. Ms. Weinstein, will meet with you, in the comfort & convenience of your home of her office; in essence, she will work with you to arrange a location that works best with you. Ms. Weinstein considers herself a, “Turner of thoughts, challenger of perspectives, and seeker of the new & bright…”
Interview Questions by PerceptA Therapeutic and Training Center, LLC
  • What drew you to become a counselor and how did you become interested in the professional? Share some of your background.   The wonderment of how humans think drove me to become a therapist. I believe I was born to help others search.

 

  • Where did you earn your Master’s Degree? What made you pick that school and what was your experience like?  I earned my Med in School Counseling from Loyola College in Baltimore MD. Honestly, theirs was the first & only program I considered…felt right at the time. I was thoroughly academically challenged & overwhelmed. Happy I experienced it; overjoyed that it’s completed.

 

  • When and why did you choose to go into private practice? Almost 2 years to the day I waded into the shaky waters of private psychotherapy practice. I had spent enough years & energy working as an underling (despite the quality of my education & experience) in the field. It was time to dance my dance, my way.

 

  • What are some of your professional challenges in private practice and how do you successfully deal with those challenges? One challenge of operating a private psychotherapy practice is how to go about introducing myself & my services to those who may benefit. I manage this by trying everything even slightly reasonable.

Interview with Erica Weinstein-LCPC- 2-2015←Read the entire interview here.

 


CONTACT Ms. Weinstein:

Erica Weinstein, MEd, NCC, LCPC – Licensed Therapist & Certified Yoga Instructor for Adolescents, Adults, & Families                                    Business Phone: 410-960-3209

Email:Erica@weinsteinwellness.com

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      http://www.weinsteinwellness.com/←Take a look @ Weinstein Wellness Website


 

**If you would like to be part of the PerceptAInterviews series, please send your request to dr.c.anah@gmail.com

Depression, Bipolar Disorder & The Death Of Robin Williams

O Captain, My Captain
The tragic death of beloved actor and comedian, Robin Williams (July 21, 1951- August 11, 2014), from an apparent suicide, has put a long overdue national spotlight on mental illness. Following his death, his media representative, released a statement that, in part, read that Williams had been, “battling severe depression of late.”

Good Will Hunting

Authorities believe that the “Awakings,” “Dead Poets Society,” “Good Will Hunting,” “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “Aladdin,” and “Good Morning Vietnam,” genius actor’s ongoing battle with depression and bipolar disorder contributed to his suicide; Williams admittedly, also suffered from drug and alcohol addiction, and recently reports have indicated that he was also going through the early stages of Parkinson’s disease.

Robin Williams 1951-2014
Robin Williams 1951-2014
Depression is real. Depression is a devastating and serious illness that should not be taken lightly, and if not professionally treated, can end in life threatening consequences that can include suicide.

In America alone, it is estimated that 7% of the population is suffering from major depressive disorder. In addition, the World Health Organization reports that over 300 million people globally are suffering from this disease. With these staggering numbers, it is time that depression gets brought out of the shadows and into the national conversation, with a focus on education to promote understanding in order to erase the sigma that is so often associated with mental illness. Perhaps more lives can be saved this way.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders- 5th Edition (DSM-5), Major depression is characterized by, “the presence of sad, empty, or irritable mood, accompanied by somatic and cognitive changes that significantly affect the individual’s capacity to function.”

Depressive symptoms include:

  • Depressed Mood: Sadness, hopelessness, feelings of worthlessness and guilt.
  • Recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideations or suicide plans or attempts.
  • Changes in appetite, and sleep.
  • Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions.
  • Constant fatigue and low energy.
  • Loss of interest or enjoyment in activities previously seen as pleasurable.

Depressive symptoms can persist every day for at least 2 consecutive weeks, with impairment in social, occupational, and other significant areas of functioning. Also, for a diagnosis to occur, 5 or more of the symptoms highlighted above have to be present those 2 weeks, with depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in activities being one of the symptoms.

More information about depression from the National Institute of Mental Health can be seen here:

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/depression-leaflet

Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder characterized by shifts in moods from manic to major depressive episodes. It is actually believed that Williams had been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder.

According to the DSM-5, manic episodes are characterized by:

  • Decreased need of sleep and increased racing thoughts and/or flight of ideas.
  • Increased involvement in activities with a high potential of risk and consequences (over spending, risky sexual behaviors, gambling).
  • Inflated self-confidence and grandiosity.
  • Increased goal-directed activity and excessive planning of multiple activities.
  • Pressure to keep talking and distractibility.

The mood in a manic episode is generally described as euphoric and, “feeling on top of the world.”

There is no cure for bipolar disorder; however, it can be treated with ongoing medication and psychotherapy. Some people with bipolar disorder choose not to keep taking the medication prescribed because many describe that the medications typically dulls their senses. For this reason, If you have a loved one suffering from this disease: be loving and supportive, and remember that mental illness is a disease and should be treated in the same way a diagnosis of cancer is handled. They should be encouraged to follow their medication regime as prescribed by their doctor and also, continue to be educated about the illness including treatment options with their doctor.

For those suffering from this illness, we encourage you to please seek professional help and/or contact I-800-273-TALK (8255)

More information about bipolar disorder from the National Institute of Mental Health can be seen here:

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml

Let us all learn from this tragedy and help erase the stigma of mental illness.

We here at PerceptA Therapeutic and Training Center, LLC extend our deepest condolences to Robin Williams’ loved ones at this difficult time.

Robin Williams, you will be dearly missed. Rest In Peace.

Tribute to Robin Williams by Joseph Arthur

~Dr. Anah & The PerceptA Team