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Author: Jennifer Tzoumas

I hold active licenses for independent practice in Texas and Pennsylvania, and an Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) granted from the PSYPACT Commission, that allows for independent practice in approximately 30 of the 50 United States (check https://www.verifypsypact.org/ to see if your state participates). I have been married for 25 years, and have two teenage daughters. Although I enjoy social gatherings in small doses, I am more of an introvert (I prefer working one-on-one, or in small groups). Outside the office, I consider myself an avid reader, recreational runner/weight lifter, and part-time gardener. I am active in my church and enjoy watching my daughters in their activities (dance, TaeKwonDo, and marching band).

About Jennifer Tzoumas

I hold active licenses for independent practice in Texas and Pennsylvania, and an Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) granted from the PSYPACT Commission, that allows for independent practice in approximately 30 of the 50 United States (check https://www.verifypsypact.org/ to see if your state participates). I have been married for 25 years, and have two teenage daughters. Although I enjoy social gatherings in small doses, I am more of an introvert (I prefer working one-on-one, or in small groups). Outside the office, I consider myself an avid reader, recreational runner/weight lifter, and part-time gardener. I am active in my church and enjoy watching my daughters in their activities (dance, TaeKwonDo, and marching band).

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Published on 3 Comments on Retired – Now What?
Retired couple

Congratulations on your retirement. After working for so many years, you’ve earned the opportunity to relax! But, for many people, retirement can start to feel overwhelming very quickly.

If you’ve worked most of your life, you probably looked forward to this time. Unfortunately, when you go from working to not working instantly, you can start to feel lost. It may even feel like your identity isn’t secure anymore. Some people get bored quickly with retired life or simply don’t know what to do with their time.

...continue reading "Retired – Now What?"

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Published on 7 Comments on Pointing Fingers of Blame
point finger

Who’s Fault Was It?

As I talked about in this blog post, there are three broad reasons why bad things happen in our lives—the results of our choices, the consequences of someone else’s behaviors, and the natural effects of living in an imperfect, mortal world with tragedies like illness and natural disaster. It is human nature to need to blame someone for our distress (blame ourselves, others, God, etc).

...continue reading "Pointing Fingers of Blame"

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Published on 8 Comments on Understanding Self-Blame

You’re unhappy, in distress, and trying to figure out how to move forward.  It is easy to fall into the self-blame trap. Could this have been avoided if only you’d done something different? Was it someone else’s fault?  Perhaps you were just a victim of plain old bad luck? Whatever may have happened, to find an effective solution, you need to pick the right culprit.

...continue reading "Understanding Self-Blame"

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Published on 2 Comments on Heartbreak? Healthy Ways to Handle a Breakup
Heart broken

Dealing with a breakup is difficult at any age, and is almost always heartbreaking. Whether you’ve been with your partner for a short time or for years, it’s never easy to simply “get over” a relationship. 

However, there are some things you can do following a breakup that will be healthier and more beneficial to you.

...continue reading "Heartbreak? Healthy Ways to Handle a Breakup"

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Published on 5 Comments on Peace is Possible! 5 Tips to Cope With Anxious Feelings
Peace

Few things can destroy a sense of peace better than worry and anxiety. If you struggle with anxious thoughts and feelings, you understand the havoc anxiety can wreak on everyday life.

...continue reading "Peace is Possible! 5 Tips to Cope With Anxious Feelings"

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Published on 5 Comments on We All Make Mistakes – It’s OK to Give Yourself a Break
Woman crying into her hands and covering her face - guilt, embarrassment, shy

When you’ve committed your life to the gospel, stumbling over the problems of life can sometimes be hard to accept. But, it’s important to understand that we’re all human. It’s in our nature to make mistakes - again and again. But we often equate having a struggle with somehow lacking faith or not being righteous enough.

...continue reading "We All Make Mistakes – It’s OK to Give Yourself a Break"

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Published on 8 Comments on Coping with Chronic Illness – How to Maintain Positive Outlook

Whether you’re in constant pain or dealing with a prognosis that’s getting you down, it’s often hard to have a positive outlook when you have a chronic illness.

People telling you to think positively probably doesn’t help, especially when they aren’t able to relate to your specific situation. But, it’s important to understand that positivity can indeed help when you’re struggling.

...continue reading "Coping with Chronic Illness – How to Maintain Positive Outlook"

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Published on 4 Comments on My Chronic Illness is NOT All in My Head!
Band aid bear

If you suffer from chronic pain or illness, you’ve probably developed a close relationship with your doctor (or even a team of specialists). Seeking out the help of a medical doctor should always be your first line of defense when it comes to treatment.

As you go through medical treatment for your illness, your doctor might suggest therapy or counseling. It’s important to keep in mind that this isn’t a way to negate your illness. This does not mean that your doctor isn’t taking your symptoms or treatment seriously.

...continue reading "My Chronic Illness is NOT All in My Head!"