Greetings Readers –

Welcome to the Living Well Weekly Blog! I’m Paula Tropiano, Counselor and Behavior Therapist practicing in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, and West Chester, PA. Over many years of practice, I have learned that no problem is about one thing and one thing only. Most difficulties are accompanied by others, but rooted in a common issue, functioning as the “eye of the storm.” So, whether the presenting problem is addiction, dual diagnosis, mood problems, impulse control, stress/ burnout, ET al., or even difficulties with relationships and work, there are often underlying habits of thinking, emotions and or a medical issue(s) that need to be addressed. Problems often play off of one another and be confusing then after years of building beneath the surface they intersect and then surface with the force of the “perfect storm” resulting in crisis. But, there is hope!

In my practice, Integrated Treatment Solutions, we aim to get to the behavioral “roots” of presenting challenges, including persistent conditions that impact human health, performance and well-being. It is our goal to empower our clients to be effective in each area of their lives – To shift obstacles into challenges to be overcome, resulting in improved functioning and new opportunities.

This Blog entry has four parts which will be posted over the month of May. Healing: Turning “Crisis into Opportunity”– is focused on healing and how presenting crisis can be leveraged to create increased opportunity for well-being – To define the difference between the notion of a “Cure” vs. the deeper lasting changes which come with true healing; to learn the difference between reacting and responding – And, ultimately, identify opportunities for growth, acceptance, and health within the crises that life presents.

We hope you find this news useful and encourage you to forward the Blog onto a family member or a friend.
Your input and comments are welcome.
Looking forward to the conversation!
Warm regards,
Paula Tropiano, LPC, CCDP-Diplomate

Getting Unstuck, the Importance of Perspective

One of my clients recently asked me “How can you deal with the intensity of treating addiction every day?” Given the fact that I work with people with chronic, often tough to treat conditions, this is certainly not the first time that I have been asked this question. But relayed the same usual simple response – “Where there is crisis there is opportunity.” This is certainly not my quote, but part of a more comprehensive and profound set of teachings originating from ancient Eastern philosophy. However, as a clinician as well as a person on the journey of life I find the message to ring true. It is the opportunity for new possibilities packaged within the presenting crisis that I find exciting and keeps me engaged in the facilitation of the change process!

However, what does a person do when the reality of crisis sets in? When a long-term job or relationship has been lost? Or, pain fails to subside after a surgery? Or, upon diagnosis of a potentially life threatening health issue? It is normal to want things restored back to balance and back to the way they were, but everything changes and nothing ever stays the same. Our response to crisis can either move things along following the natural flow of how the universe works or our fears and resistances can prolong our discomfort and create suffering, keeping us stuck. The way we perceive and interact with the events in our lives can deeply impact our experience and ability to move forward.