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Serving California Residents with Online Therapy

Lisa Sonin Larsen, PsyD (CA Lic.# PSY19046)

3123 W. Ave. L 8, Lancaster, CA 93536

Phone: 661-233-6771

Welcome
to My Blog

desert scene with rainbow across dark blue clouds

Life throws lots of stressful situations at us on a regular basis. We do our best to handle it, sometimes by yourself and sometimes with others' advice. Here are some articles that explain what you might be experiencing as a trauma survivor, mourner, or person getting through this complex world, one day at a time. They're not meant to replace diagnosis or medical advice, but they can help you sort some things out for yourself. Hope you enjoy them.

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group of people holding each other's backs congenially, from the back

group of people holding each other's backs congenially, from the back

What to Say to a Grieving Friend

Are you stumped about how to help someone through grief and loss? Read this post to learn what to say when someone loses a loved one.

Grief & Depression

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD

Nov 25, 20237 min read

happy young white woman in Autumn sitting next to a stream, on brick wall, with arms stretched upward

happy young white woman in Autumn sitting next to a stream, on brick wall, with arms stretched upward

5 Benefits of Gratitude

There are at least 5 benefits of gratitude for your mental and physical wellbeing, including better mental health and improved

Grief & Depression

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD

Nov 19, 20233 min read

religious altar set up for memorializing a dead loved one

religious altar set up for memorializing a dead loved one

How grief affects your spirituality

Grief affects many different aspects of your life, including the meaning you make about life itself. This post explores spirituality & grief

Grief & Depression

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD

Oct 8, 20234 min read

sad dog looking into the camera

sad dog looking into the camera

Ericksonian Hypnosis for Grief Therapy

Ericksonian hypnosis can be very helpful for grief therapy, as a gentle way to confront the grief while strengthening your coping skills.

Grief & Depression

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD

Sep 11, 20235 min read

7 Ways to Cope with Depression

Coping with depression can be hard, especially when you don't want to do anything. This post lists 7 ways to cope with depression well.

Grief & Depression

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD

Aug 14, 20234 min read

How do you know if you have depression versus grief?

How do you know if you have depression versus grief?

How do you know if you have depression versus grief?

If you're feeling sad, low energy, and your brain is foggy, you may wonder if you have depression or grief. This explains the differences.

Grief & Depression

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD

Jul 31, 20235 min read

a man's hand holding a woman's hand, both Caucasian. man's wearing wedding ring

a man's hand holding a woman's hand, both Caucasian. man's wearing wedding ring

Six Ways Ericksonian Hypnosis Helps with Cancer

Cancer can be devastating with its physical and mental challenges; hypnosis can help you with pain management, anxiety relief, & more.

Grief & Depression

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD

Jul 12, 20235 min read

How to Cope with Disenfranchised Grief

How to Cope with Disenfranchised Grief

How to Cope with Disenfranchised Grief

If your loved one died from a socially stigmatized cause, you might have disenfranchised grief and receive less support.

Grief & Depression

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD

Jun 26, 20235 min read

Losing Yourself in Acute Grief

Losing Yourself in Acute Grief

Losing Yourself in Acute Grief

Acute grief differs from complicated grief in that it lasts a shorter amount of time and you are able to remember the good in people sooner.

Grief & Depression

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD

Jun 5, 20234 min read

back view of man in short sleeve shirt with hands on his head, looking down

back view of man in short sleeve shirt with hands on his head, looking down

“Don’t Tell Me How to Grieve”

Everyone grieves differently. There's no one right way. Feel secure in that. As long as you aren't abusing substances or suicidal, you're OK

Grief & Depression

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD

Dec 26, 20227 min read

young white woman holding gloves in prayer position with black veiled netting over face

young white woman holding gloves in prayer position with black veiled netting over face

How to Cope with Grief and Guilt

This post describes the difference between guilt and regret with grief, and how to cope with it.

Grief & Depression

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD

Nov 28, 20225 min read

How EMDR for Traumatic Grief Can Help You

How EMDR for Traumatic Grief Can Help You

How EMDR for Traumatic Grief Can Help You

If your grief is lasting a long time and you keep reliving it, you may have traumatic grief. If you're are having a hard time accepting a...

Grief & Depression

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD

Oct 3, 20224 min read

Halle Berry and Benicio del Toro in a movie about grief

Halle Berry and Benicio del Toro in a movie about grief

How can these two movies about dealing with grief help you?

2 movies that can help you cope with grief are Things We Lost in the Fire and Christmas Angel in the House. Read more for why they're good!

Grief & Depression

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD

May 9, 20225 min read

Flowers on a headstone in graveyard

Flowers on a headstone in graveyard

Dealing with Multiple Losses

Cumulative losses can make grief complicated, which means it's harder to heal from your losses. This helps you get unstuck.

Grief & Depression

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD

Dec 3, 20215 min read

empty combat boots on the beach

empty combat boots on the beach

What Is Prolonged Grief Disorder & How Does it Affect You?

This post explains what Prolonged Grief Disorder and how you can heal from it. Some options include EMDR Therapy and clinical hypnosis.

Grief & Depression

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD

Nov 11, 20216 min read

depressed white woman looking into the camera, in striped shirt

depressed white woman looking into the camera, in striped shirt

How to Find Your Passion When You’re Depressed

Discouragement is part of depression. You don't have to remain depressed forever; challenge global thinking & being of service help with it.

Grief & Depression

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD

Sep 23, 20217 min read

sad young white woman looking into distance, touching open car window

sad young white woman looking into distance, touching open car window

How Do You Heal From Complicated Grief?

Complicated grief is hard to heal from, for various reasons. This post explains what it is and how to heal from complicated grief.

Grief & Depression

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD

Jul 26, 20215 min read

crying African American woman in glasses sitting by her bed

crying African American woman in glasses sitting by her bed

5 Ways Therapy Helps in the Treatment Of Depression

Depression is common, and therapy can be helpful in challenging negative thinking, finding the root cause, & focusing on strengths.

Grief & Depression

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD

Jul 12, 20219 min read

depressed looking white man in button down shirt looking out the window

depressed looking white man in button down shirt looking out the window

Dealing With Discouragement & Chronic Pain

Chronic pain and injuries can lead to depression and grief, which can also be demoralizing. Here are some ideas to combat despair.

Grief & Depression

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD

Sep 14, 20185 min read

Asian young woman clutching her stomach in bed

Asian young woman clutching her stomach in bed

Medically Unexplained Symptoms

Do you suffer from medically unexplained symptoms? You may have frustration and invalidation with this. This post explains how to cope.

Grief & Depression

Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD

May 7, 20184 min read

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