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Divorce is a major life-changing decision that has far-reaching emotional and financial implications. However, during the process of a divorce, it is imperative that you do not let your heart rule your head.

Here are five top tips for managing the process in a stress-free manner that facilitates balanced decisions.

Make sure you’ve given it your best shot
Before you walk away from your marriage, take time to reflect on whether there is a chance of saving it. Be honest with yourself: Have you done everything you possibly can to make your marriage work? While you may be finding it difficult at present, it there’s a chance you can reconcile, seize it. You don’t want to be one of the many couples who look back on the decisions they have made and regret them. Although ending a marriage is far from easy, if you’re certain that it’s the right decision, you will certainly find the process less emotional.

Focus on moving forward
Now you are safe in the knowledge that you’ve given it your all to make the marriage work, you can commit to finalizing the divorce as quickly and painlessly as possible. Try and adopt a business-like approach to the steps involved in finalizing the divorce. Of course, it’s inevitable that you will encounter some feelings of sadness, bitterness, and anger at times; however, you need to ensure you don’t allow these emotions to cloud your judgement. It is imperative that you make sound decisions that are in the best interests of yourself and any children involved without further igniting any feelings of resentment.

Acknowledge that it might not be smooth sailing
Personal growth is derived from taking the rough with the smooth. Some days you may feel that the emotions you are encountering are unbearable. Don’t be tempted to self-medicate in the form of alcohol or even drugs. If it is all becoming too much, take a break from the divorce process to give yourself chance to deal with your emotions. Acknowledge that suffering is an unavoidable part of life and allow yourself the space and time to deal with that suffering without making poor decisions that are borne out of a desire to get closure as quickly as possible.

Set aside no-divorce time
Continually pondering your divorce will not make it any easier or quicker. In fact, it is only likely to make you increasingly miserable. Develop a no-divorce time rule to compartmentalize times during the day when divorce is not to be discussed and contemplated; for example, after 7 pm. Use this time to focus on yourself, your children, and your friends. By allowing yourself to have regular breaks from the divorce, you will give yourself time to revitalize and will be in a much stronger mental state when you are required to make decisions or negotiate the terms of the divorce.

Look after yourself
From this moment onward, take time to take care of you. Eat properly, exercise, and find time and space to participate in the activities you enjoy. If necessary, find a therapist who you can openly discuss your emotions with. If you allow your emotion to rule your head and don’t get enough sleep and relaxation, your judgement will be impaired and you’re likely to make decisions you will regret.

If you are going through a divorce we can help you navigate this difficult process. You don't have to go through this alone. Here at Epic Wellness Clinic in Miami Beach, Fl we have licensed mental health counselors and therapists who are trained to provide emotional support.

Therapy animals provide people with therapeutic contact to improve their physical, social, emotional, and/or cognitive functioning. Such pets are known as emotional support animals (ESAs) or comfort animals.
In order to have your animal qualify as an emotional support animal you must receive a letter from a licensed mental health professional prescribing the need for the emotional support animal.

Unlike a service animal an emotional support animal is not a service working animal but a pet that has been prescribed by a licensed mental health counselor or medical doctor. The pet is prescribed to bring comfort and help minimize the patient’s emotional/psychological disability.

ESAs provide companionship, relieve loneliness, and sometimes help with depression, anxiety, and certain phobias; however, they do not have the special training required to perform tasks to assist people with disabilities. Although some states have laws that define emotional support animals, these animals are not limited to working with people with disabilities and therefore are not covered by federal laws that protect the use of service animals.

If you have an emotional disorder, you can legally qualify for an ESA. To do so, you must be certified as having a psychological disorder by a psychologist, therapist, psychiatrist, or other duly licensed or certified mental-health professional. This certification should be in the form of a formal, appropriately prescription letter, which should include the date and the mental health professional’s letterhead, including his or her license type, date of license, license number, and the state that issued the license. Some airline personnel and property managers of apartments require this letter in order to bring your ESA with you.

What Disorders Qualify You To Be an ESA Owner?
To help you to determine if you qualify to own an ESA, here is a list of some of the disorders stipulated in the previously mentioned DSM-5:

• Anxiety disorders
• Fear/Phobias
• Panic Disorder
• Stress
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Depression
• Attention deficit disorder (ADD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Substance-related disorders (e.g., alcohol and drugs)
• Cognitive disorders

Animals can qualify as ESAs as long as they do not cause disturbances or undue hardship to the establishments. Although they are not service animals, ESAs do have certain rights in terms of housing and air travel. The Fair Housing Act includes ESAs in its definition of assistance animals. Under the act, people cannot be discriminated against due to a disability when obtaining housing. Therefore, rules such as no pets, species bans, pet-size limitations, and payments of pet deposits do not apply to people who own ESAs.

The Air Carrier Access Act allows service animals and ESAs to accompany their handlers in the cabins of aircrafts. However, an airline might require documentation stating that the person has a disability and the reason that the animal must travel with him or her. If you intend to travel with an ESA, contact the airline ahead of time to ensure that you provide the appropriate paperwork.

Service animals only include dogs, but ESAs include any common domestic animal, for example, dogs, cats, and ferrets. To qualify, the animal must be reasonably well behaved by typical pet standards, such as being toilet trained, and cannot be a nuisance or danger to others.

ESAs perform a critical role in the lives of people with disabilities. It is important to realize that attempting to take advantage of the ESA category so that your dog, for example, can fly with you or live in no-pet housing is an abuse of the system and makes it harder for people with legitimate needs.
On the other hand, if you have an emotional disturbance that limits you in at least one area of your life—and you believe that a dog or other pet would provide you with mental-health benefits, see a licensed mental-health professional about obtaining a prescription for an ESA. Here at Epic Wellness Clinic in Miami Beach, Florida, our therapists can evaluate and write an Emotional Service Animal Letter for you. Please call to find out more about this process.

There’s a lot of mixed information and scams out there. Unfortunately, there are people who claim to register your pet as a support animal but you’re left with the hassle, stress, and embarrassment of a false letter.

Some websites make you dig up proof of a disability or doctors notes. Others provide a fake cheap un-refundable letter that can’t be used because it’s not professionally-approved or from an official organization. They’ll also try to tell you that you need stuff you don’t, like badges and starter kit. So don’t be fooled…

We make it easy to complete the process legitimately.

Early research shows promising signs that a product made from cannabis known as cannabidiol (CBD) oil may help relieve anxiety. CBD is a type of cannabinoid, a chemical found naturally in marijuana and hemp plants.

CBD oil is thought to work with a brain receptor called CB1. Receptors are tiny proteins attached to your cells that receive chemical signals from different stimuli and help your cells respond.

The exact way CBD affects CB1 is not fully understood. However, it’s thought that it alters serotonin signals. Serotonin is one of your body’s chemicals and plays a role in your mental health. Low serotonin levels are common in depression. Not having enough serotonin can also cause anxiety in some people.

Several studies point to the potential benefits of CBD for anxiety. For generalized anxiety, the National Institute on Drug Abuse says that CBD has been shown to reduce stress in animal studies. Study subjects were observed as having lower behavioral signs of anxiety. Their physiological symptoms of anxiety, like increased heart rate, also improved.

Studies have also shown some benefits for other forms of anxiety, such as social anxiety disorder (SAD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). CBD may also help treat anxiety-induced insomnia.

CBD is generally considered safe. However, some people who take CBD may experience side effects, including:

• gastrointestinal discomfort
• sleeping difficulties
• mood changes
• dry mouth
• dizziness
• fatigue

You shouldn’t stop taking any medications you’re already using without talking to your doctor first. Using CBD oil may help your anxiety, but you could also experience withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking your prescription medications. Symptoms of withdrawal include:

• irritability
• dizziness
• nausea
• fogginess

If you are experiencing anxiety or depression you should seek professional help. Here at Epic Wellness Clinic in Miami Beach, Fl we have therapists and medical professionals who can help.

Open and honest communication is important for a healthy relationship but “We do not communicate well,” is a common complaint among couples that attend counseling.

All couples DO communicate to an extent, of course, but the challenge is how to communicate effectively and without harming the relationship over the long term. It is possible to speak without feeling we have really been ‘heard’ or ‘acknowledged’, meaning that couples can often feel that their partner does not actually listen to them properly.

So, how do we improve communication for a happier and healthier relationship?

One of the most important changes to make is to improve our listening skills.

Deep, positive relationships can only be developed by listening to each other (Weger, Castle, & Emmett, 2010). So, if there is no communication in your relationship, you both need to ask whether you are truly listening to what your partner is saying. Have you already made up your mind before considering their opinion? Or are you just waiting for your turn to speak?

Here are the most common listening mistakes:

• Daydreaming or thinking of something else (even something as simple as your list of groceries) while another person is speaking
• Thinking of what to say next before your partner has finished
• Judging what the other person is saying
• Listening with a specific goal/outcome already in mind

Active listening is so much more than not talking. It is an art that requires a genuine interest in the other person. In other words, you always need to be curious about your partner in order to understand them, even if their perspective does not always match your own.

Active listening requires:

• Nonverbal involvement (show them you are paying attention)
• Be aware of your body language, not just your own thoughts
• Not being judgmental
• Tolerating silence
• Being Mindful and Present with the other person.

The following exercise can help to revive communication in a relationship: Person A gets ten minutes to talk about their day, while Person B is listening actively and with a genuine interest. Person B is allowed to ask clarifying questions but should not interrupt Person A. If there is a silence, that’s fine. Relax.

After Person A’s ten minutes are up (all of the allotted time needs to be used) then Person B gets to talk for ten minutes as well, with the same listening rules then applying to Person A. You will find that ten minutes is a very long time to listen, but you will also be amazed at how much you learn about each other. Carrying out this exercise adds value to the quality of your relationship and your communication.

Most couples wait too long before they ask for the help they desperately need. Our couples therapists in Miami Beach, Florida specialize in helping couples navigate communication challenges and create a fulfilling, passionate relationship. Call us today!

There is nothing more difficult than being separated from the one you love. If a child has been separated from someone they love by divorce, it is natural for them to miss that person, to question why they’ve been separated, or to feel hurt and angry.  How do you, as a parent, navigate this emotional terrain, not only for yourself, but for your child?

Some helpful tips:

• • Children need to know what is happening and how they will be affected by your separation. This includes specific details about how much time they will be spending with each person they love.

• • Children should never be asked who they want to live with, or to take sides in one parent’s anger toward the other. This presents a loyalty dilemma that will only confuse and upset them.

• • Children need to hear age-appropriate reasons for your divorce. They do not need to hear about your anger or your blame.

• • Children will be hurt and angry after a divorce, so be patient with them. Dealing with separation is usually a much newer idea for them than it is for you.

• • Children will question. Be prepared for various forms of questioning. Sometimes simply acknowledging your child’s sadness, anger, frustration, and other emotions may go a long way toward helping them accept the many changes in their lives. Acknowledging their feelings without passing judgement or making light of it (“I see you are upset,” instead of “Don’t be upset, silly.”) or (“I know this is hard for you,” instead of “You’ll get over it.”) will help a child accept change.

• • Children need to be able to love and admire both parents. When one parent is constantly put down by the other, regardless of how valid the criticism may be, the child—who is part of the criticized parent—feels put down as well.

• • Children need to feel empowered to make some decisions. After all, they believe that they did not have an input in this decision, but their lives are affected the most by your divorce.

Navigating the emotional terrain of divorce is difficult, but not impossible. There is help out there for you and for your children.

Epic Wellness Clinic in Miami Beach has licensed psychotherapists and counselors with extensive experience working with families. Remember both of you are, and always will be, their parents, so this journey will still have to be taken together.