It’s December and the holidays are quickly approaching! This season is by far my favorite time of year. I love sweater weather, and the cold, brisk and fresh air outside, along with a sprinkle of snow to add to the ambiance. Being surrounded by the comfort of family, friends and delicious holiday treats is wonderful. For many, however, the holiday …
I remember a lot of quiet time as a kid. Oftentimes, there was nothing to do except to daydream or just chill out while listening to music. There were no cell phones, no computers and only three tv channels to choose from. Long car rides were challenging for me, since all I could do was either talk to my parents …
When I was a kid, I had a lot of anxiety and fear about public speaking. Often before speaking, I would tell myself, “I’m going to mess up!” or “I won’t do a good job” or “What if I forget what I want to say?” As a result of allowing these negative thoughts to swirl in my head, my anxiety …
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a mental illness in which a person is preoccupied with an imagined physical defect or a minor defect that others can not see. These individuals spend up to eight hours per day focusing on and trying either trying to “fix” or hide their perceived defect. A few years ago, I (Karen) attended a workshop at …
When I was young, I played tennis competitively. When I was feeling good about my game, I would tell myself that I was a great tennis player and that I could win. Often, these positive thoughts improved my game. However, on many occasions I would beat myself up with negative thinking, including telling myself I could never win. My anxiety …
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eating Disorder Specialist Karen Chinca, LICSW, discusses 5 mental health benefits of volunteering.
By Karen Chinca and Lauren Manasse Collaboration is a key element of an individual’s recovery from an eating disorder. It can be overwhelming and scary when you suspect that you or a family member has an eating disorder. We strongly recommend that the first and most important step is to put together a treatment team. Our team at Greater Boston …
I took some time off from writing in order to enjoy the summer since it’s such a beautiful time of year in New England. I cherish the dog days of summer, especially when I am at the beach, my happy place. But I also recognize that the beach is not a happy place for everyone, particularly those who have a …
EDITORS NOTE: This article originally appeared in the Boston Voyager on September 3, 2018. Please view the original piece by clicking here. Conversations with the Inspiring Karen Chinca Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Chinca. Thanks for sharing your story with us Karen. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there. My professional …
