Dr. Alison Ross

Psychologist Midtown

In the Press

Should You Break Up With Your Therapist?

Should you break up with your therapist?Do you think therapy is going nowhere? Are you unsatisfied with your progress in therapy? Maybe it is time to break up with your therapist. Dr. Alison Ross was interviewed about finding the best therapist for you by US News & World Report.

How do you break up with your therapist?

My advice would be to do so honestly, directly and constructively. Therapists are people, too, so the more calmly and clearly you approach the issue, the greater the likelihood that the conversation you’re having with him will have a positive outcome – whether that’s getting the therapist to see where she or he is falling short, or agreeing that you and your therapist are not a good match, or seeing what you are doing that may be getting in the way of your making better use of the therapy sessions.

How do you find a therapist that is a better fit?

I would also recommend meeting with a number of different therapists – to ‘shop around’ and, in essence, interview each therapist to see who you click with.

During your first meeting you can ask yourself the following questions: Do I feel comfortable talking to this person? Are they understanding me, and what I’m saying? Do they seem interested and invested in getting to know me? Are their comments thoughtful and on target?

While you’re assessing a psychologist, he or she will also be assessing you. To ensure that psychotherapy is successful, the psychologist must determine whether there’s a good match when it comes to personality as well as professional expertise.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

Reach out today

If you’re struggling with stress, anxiety, or other mental health issues, therapy with Dr. Ross might be your best match for therapy in Midtown Manhattan. To learn more, contact Dr. Alison Ross. You can get in touch by phone or through the contact form.

Can modern day work-life be making you depressed?

Do you feel that work is a consistent trigger of stress? You are not alone. In this US News & World Report article, Dr. Alison Ross is interviewed about the effects of modern-day work expectations and routine.

I think people entering the workforce today and those already in it feel much less secure about the jobs they have,” Ross says. “There is no longer the expectation of longevity or loyalty from the higher-ups, even if one is good at their job. With frequent downsizings, mergers and acquisitions, people feel a chronic sense of unsettledness, anxiety and worry about their job.

The flexibility often afforded by modern-day working may also contribute to feelings of stress or loneliness. Working at home may be incredibly convenient, but it leaves almost no room for social connections.

The drawback for some people is the feelings of isolation and loneliness these work situations may cause because the person is working alone, separate and apart from other co-workers,” Ross says.

To read the full article about work-related stress, click here.

Reach out today

If you’re struggling with stress, anxiety, or other mental health issues, therapy can help you navigate those feelings. To learn more about therapy in Midtown Manhattan, contact Dr. Alison Ross. You can get in touch by phone or through the contact form.

Depression vs. Anxiety–7 Questions to ask yourself

Despite being two very different issues, the symptoms for depression and anxiety are often similar and can even overlap. Women’s Health Magazine has published an article with 7 questions to ask yourself before you diagnose yourself with depression, anxiety, or both.

In the article, Dr. Alison Ross weighs in:depression and anxiety

“It’s very common for people to experience both anxiety and depression, which is why they may confuse them,” says Alison Ross, Ph.D., a psychologist in private practice in New York City, adjunct associate professor at The Graduate Center at City College of New York, and spokesperson for the American Psychological Association. In fact, the same neurotransmitters (i.e., chemical messengers in the brain)—including serotonin and dopamine—play key roles in both depression and anxiety, and antidepressants are often used to treat both.

But even though anxiety and depression share symptoms, causes, and even treatments, it’s important to understand the difference between the two. Your thoughts, feeling, and behaviors will differ—and knowing which disorder affects you helps you to seek the right type of help.

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How to start the conversation about a loved one’s mental health

Sometimes we suspect that someone we love is struggling with their mental health, but because the topic is so complex and delicate, we don’t even know where to begin.mental health loved one

In an article published in US  News & World Report, Dr. Alison Ross talks about initiating that kind of conversation.

“Offer a two- or three-sentence preface before launching into the topic so that they don’t feel attacked or ambushed or blindsided by it,” she says. There are many ways to do this; she offers this: “I wanted to talk to you about something that’s been on my mind. I’m hesitant to bring it up because it’s a tough subject, and I don’t want to upset you, but I’ve noticed that you’ve been having a hard time lately, and I wanted to talk to you about it to see if there’s anything I can do to help.”

[Read more…] about How to start the conversation about a loved one’s mental health