It CAN happen to you!

Every nine and half minutes someone else is infected with the HIV virus.

Stop. Think about that for a minute. Someone is being infected right now as you read this.

It maybe someone you know.

December 1st, is “World AIDS Day”.

The day we remember that 33 million people in the world have HIV

Spread Awareness, not the virus.

Because if you are sexually active at all, it CAN happen to you. Before we can stop any epidemic, we first have to recognize the magnitude of the disease. HIV is still a threat across the United States. And even though there are treatments to help people with HIV live longer than ever before, AIDS is still a significant health issue. Surprised?

Here are some other surprising facts:

A Letter From Elton John

I personally took this picture of Elton John live on stage leaning over his piano during one of his final sold out performances at Caesars Palace here in Las Vegas. I’ll leave the story as to why I was standing on stage with Elton in the middle of one of his concerts for another day.

However, what I wanted to show you is a side of Elton John that most people never get to see. We all know him as the crazy, over the top hit maker. But few know him as I do. He is kind, generous, caring, compassionate and one of the most sincere people I have ever met. Yes, he is a “Diva” and has his moments which are legendary. But when he believes in something or someone, you will never find a greater friend.

What you are about to read is profound. A personal letter from Elton written to a young boy long gone that has touched the lives of millions. Including my own. Elton has said that it was Ryan White who turned his own life around.

From Magic to Mayhem and Beyond with Steven Diamond

Today’s blog post contains Part 1 of a very dramatic interview with Steven Diamond, magician, entertainer, speaker, and author who graciously shared his life story with us.

Richard Zwolinski (RZ): Hi, Steven. Can you start by telling us a bit about your background?

Steven Diamond (SD): I was born on October 1, 1968 into a very dysfunctional American family in Portsmouth Virginia, though I didn’t know it at the time. It wouldn’t be until decades later that the true depth of the scars left on my life would be revealed.

All of the males on my mother’s side of the family were abusive, raging alcoholics, and I hardly knew my father’s side. My mother was consumed by mental illness and sought refuge in her Southern Baptist religion, where she would learn to hide.

Assess Yourself!

Richard Zwolinski, LMHC, CASAC is the author of Therapy Revolution: Find Help, Get Better, and Move On (Without Wasting Time or Money), and Therapy Soup. He is a nationally and internationally licensed psychotherapist and anxiety and addiction specialist with over 25 years experience. He is writing patient rights and therapist ethics regulations for New York State, serves on the Ethics Committee of the NY Licensed Mental Health Counselors Association, and volunteers with at-risk youth. Richard encourages everyone to stay emotionally, physically, and spiritually aware and healthy so they can live the happy, productive, meaningful lives they were meant to live.

Richard is our newest guest blogger and it’s with GREAT pleasure that I introduce to you someone I feel has so much to offer…

Richard Zwolinski, LMHC, CASAC

HIV – Yes It Can

December 1st, is “World AIDS Day”.

Become aware. Because if you are sexually active at all, it CAN happen to you. Before we can stop any epidemic, we first have to recognize the magnitude of the disease. HIV is still a threat across the United States. And even though there are treatments to help people with HIV live longer than ever before, AIDS is still a significant health issue. Surprised?

Here are some other surprising facts:

Understanding The Anxious Mind

Robin Marantz Henig of the New York Times wrote a fascinating article about understanding the anxious mind. I really enjoy and related to this piece as well.

Your First Therapy Session And What To Expect

So you’ve made the careful decision to seek professional therapy. You’ve checked your bank account and now you are ready. What’s going to happen when I sit down in that chair for the first time? What can I expect? What do I do? What do I say? Don’t worry, those feelings are all natural and here are some basic guide lines to help you understand the process.

Choosing The Right Therapist

Remember: If you don’t think you can be honest and completely open with this person, find someone else. You’ll only be hurting yourself in the long run. Trust me.

Questions To Ask Your Therapist

What kind of questions should you ask your therapist or doctor?

Magnesium – Are You Getting Enough?

Have you ever considered how important the right nutrients are to the proper functioning of your body? What about your anxiety and panic attacks? I would be willing to bet that if you suffer from anxiety and panic, chances are you are not getting enough of the right stuff.

Next Page »