Glossary

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0-9 (back to top)

9/11
The terrorist attack on the United States in 2001

A (back to top)

abandonment depression
Depression that results from feeling abandonment from early childhood and can be reactivated by present loss.
abandonment anxiety
Anxiety that results from feeling abandonment from early childhood and can be reactivated by present loss or the fear of loss.
abuse
Treatment of others that is rude, disrespectful, harmful, or not useful. Abuse is also disregarding another person’s boundaries and rights as a human being.
emotional
The abuse is mostly shown by hurting other people’s feelings. It is often verbal in nature.
physical
The abuse is shown by stepping over the person’s boundaries in a physical manner such as hitting.
sexual
The abuse is inappropriate sexual touching.
spiritual
The abuse is mostly verbal as in emotional abuse and saps the person’s sense of spirituality and hope
 
abuser
A person who abuses and treats others poorly.
acceptance
The stage of grief when a person comes to terms with their loss.
Acupressure
An Eastern Medicine discipline which is also called Shiatsu and is performed by putting sustained pressure on the acupuncture points of the body.
acupressure points
The same points on the body as acupuncture points.
Acupuncture
The Chinese practice of putting needles in various parts of the body for surgery and general health.
acupuncturist
A person who practices acupuncture.
Acetaldehyde
A noxious chemical related to formaldehyde and one of the chemicals that the liver produces in the process of clearing alcohol out of the body.
ACOA or Adult Children of Alcoholics
The syndrome that develops for children who grow up with Chemically Dependent parents and causes inverted parenting and PTSD.
acting out
The behavioral manifestations of a person’s inner conflicts and/or feelings.
Adderall
A psycho-stimulant used in the treatment of ADD.
addiction
Any chemical, activity, or obsession that causes serious consequences and in which the person cannot stop themselves from indulging in.
addictive love
An addiction to the feeling of love.
Adrenaline
The chemical Epinephrine.
aerobic exercise
The type of exercise that is characterized by constant movement for at least twenty minutes which results in increased oxygen flow.
affect
A feeling a person is experiencing and how that is displayed outwardly by a person’s body as in a smile or grimace.
Agoraphobia
A phobia in which a person is afraid of leaving their home or open spaces.
alcohol abuse
The overuse of alcohol which results in problem behaviors.
alcoholic families
Families where one member of the family is alcoholic.
Alcoholics Anonymous or AA
A twelve-step self-help program for alcoholics.
Alcoholism
A chronic, progressive, and potentially fatal disease that is characterized by consuming too much alcohol.
Alogia
Similar to Aphasia where the sufferer has problems understanding or using speech.
Alters
The separate personalities of a person who suffers from DID.
Angel Dust
PCP, an animal tranquilizer that causes hallucinations in animals.
anti-depressant
Medication that is used to treat depression.
Anti-Social Personality Disorder
A type of Personality Disorder characterized by lack of social empathy.
anxiety
The feeling of nervousness.
anxiety attack
A panic attack. An overwhelming fear lasting usually between 5-30 minutes in duration.
Amotivational Syndrome
The syndrome of lethargy experienced by a heavy user of Cannabis ( Marijuana ).
amphetamine
A stimulant.
amphetamine-based hallucinogen
A drug that is both a hallucinogen and stimulant such as MDM.
Anafranil
A type of anti-depressant that is often used with OCD.
anesthesia
A drug that heavily sedates.
Anemia
A medical condition that is caused by a decrease in blood volume, especially red blood cells or hemoglobin, resulting in general weakness and fatigue.
anger
An emotion of irritation that often results from a boundary invasion.
anticipatory anxiety
Preparatory or residual anxiety. The anxiety a person feels after a history of Panic Attacks.
anti-convulsant
Medication that is used to inhibit convulsions. They are also used as mood stabilizers.
anti-psychotic
A classification of drugs that reduce hallucinations and delusions.
aphrodisiac
A chemical that aids sexual desire.
Applied Kinesiology
A non-invasive discipline that is based on Eastern Medicine and the Five Elements Chart.
asktheinternettherapist.com
The authors online clinic for counseling, medical help, hypnosis tapes, and mental health educational videos and books.
Assertiveness Training
Communication skills training teaching a person to stand up for themselves without putting another person down.
Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD
A neurological disorder and learning disorder.
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity or ADHD
ADD with symptoms of restlessness.
Inattentive ADD -
The type of ADD that has inattentiveness and poor time management as prime symptoms.
Classic ADD
The same as ADHD.
Over focused ADD
ADD with anxiety and rumination which results from a problem with the Cingulate System of the brain.
Temporal ADD
ADD with temper problems and Temporal Lobe problems.
Limbic ADD- ADD with depression.
Ring of Fire ADD- ADD with total brain over stimulation. It is a particularly disorganized form of ADD.
 
attention seeking
Craving attention and the behavior that attempts to procure it.
attention span
The ability to stay on task for an extended period of time.
Autistic Disorder
A severe learning disorder that exhibits itself by the sufferer often having a lack of social skills.
Avolition
When a person lacks energy and initiative.

B (back to top)

B.A.
A four year college degree
Bargaining
The stage of grieving characterized by the partial belief that the griever could change the situation or loss by good works.
behavioral strategies
A strategy for change based on behavioral theory.
beloved object
A person that another has projected their self love onto.
binge drinking
Drinking excessively at times, but not daily.
biochemical
A chemical in the body.
biological family
The original family of origin.
Bi-polar Disorder
An affective disorder characterized by intense shifts of mood.
bi-sexual-
Someone sexually attracted to both sexes.
black out
A condition caused by overdrinking in alcoholics where they have patchy memory for their time spent drinking.
blended family
A family which is composed of step-parents and step-children.
body memory
A memory or trauma that is lodged in the body.
Borderline Personality Disorder
A Personality Disorder which is characterized by seeing others as either an idealized or devalued parent figure.
boundaries
A persons emotional and physical space needs - here one person ends off and another person begins.
Buspar
An anti-anxiety medication.

C (back to top)

Cannabis
Marijuana.
carbohydrate
Various natural compounds such as sugar, starches, and celluloses.
Career Counseling
Counseling centering on a person’s job or vocation.
career counselor
A counselor who specializes in career counseling.
catatonic
Someone who shows great rigidity and isolation, often seen in Schizophrenia.
Central Nervous System
The brain, spinal chord, and the network of nerve cells.
Cerebrum
That part of the brain that is capable of logical thought - the upper part of the brain.
Cerebral Cortex
The surface layer of the Cerebrum.
certification
A certificate given by a State or National Board to attest to a particular standard to practice a particular kind of counseling.
Chemical Dependence
Addiction to a chemical.
chemicals
A substance obtained by a chemical process.
chemical disorder
An imbalance in the chemistry of the brain.
chemical imbalance
An imbalance in the chemistry of the brain.
chemotherapy
Drug therapy.
Child Within
Who we are when we are first born without internal or external judgments.
Chiropractor
A practitioner who manipulates the spine.
Cingulate System
The part of the brain that allows us to switch gears in our thoughts and behavior.
classical conditioning
A type of behavioral learning in which a stimulus is paired with a response.
Clinical Psychologist
A Ph.D in psychology who specializes in the clinical practice of therapy.
clinician
Any health professional engaged in direct client or patient contact.
Cocaine
A euphoric stimulant.
CODA
A 12 Step program for individuals suffering from codependency.
Codependence
Caring about and taking responsibility for another person to such an extent that individual needs are neglected by the person caring.
cognitive
Having to do with the mind and the process of thinking.
cognitive dissonance
When the three brains are not congruent.
College of Education
The education department of a college.
coma
A state of profound unconsciousness.
committed to the hospital
When a person is forced to stay against their will in a hospital to ascertain if they are psychotic and a danger to self or others.
communication
The skill and art of truly listening and responding to another.
Community College
A junior or two year college.
complex carbohydrate
Various natural compounds of nutrition that break down into sugar or glucose more slowly than simple carbohydrates.
compulsions
An irresistible impulse to perform illogical and repetitive acts.
concept of mastery
One way humans learn. Similar to trial and error, but with a constructive obsess ional quality.
conditional love
A false love that is dependent on the lover getting their way.
conscious mind
That part of the mind that is aware of thought and intention.
consequence
The natural result of an action. In parenting it is a disciplinary technique to help the child learn rather than punishment.
convulsions
Seizures.
coping skills
Strategies to deal with problems in a person’s life. These can be mature or immature strategies.
Cortisol
Hydrocortisone. A stress related chemical.
counseling
Another name for psychotherapy, but often focusing on the present.
E-mail
The medium of online counseling that uses e-mail questions and answers.
Chat
The medium of online counseling that uses an online chat format.
Telephone
The medium of counseling that uses the telephone as the communication tool.
Audiovisual
The medium of online counseling that uses a microphone and video equipment over the internet as the communication to.
 
counselor
A therapist.
Counter-Transference
When a therapist perceives a client as similar to an important person in their early life such as a parent.
couples counseling
Counseling that is done with a relationship couple.
craving
The desire for an addictive object.
Critical Parent
The hypercritical inner tapes of negative thoughts and statements that a person has heard about from parents, peers, religion, and the culture or the mistaken criticisms that a person believes to have taken place.

D (back to top)

date rape
A rape that occurs on a date, or with someone that the person who has been raped has a relationship with.
defense mechanisms
Coping strategies to deal with pain and trauma such as denial.
Delirium Tremors-
A condition that can occur when a person is withdrawing from alcohol. The sufferer suffers from delusions and/or hallucinations.
delusions
An irrational belief.
denial
A defense mechanism and one of the stages of grief.
Depecote
An anti-convulsant and mood stabilizer that often is used with Bi-Polar Disorder.
dependence
An inordinate feeling of need for a substance, activity, or person.
Dependent Personality Disorder
A person who is inordinately dependent on others.
depersonalization
A feeling of being outside of your body.
Depression or Dysthymia
An overwhelming feeling of sadness lasting for at least 2 years.
Depression Atypical
Depression that exhibits symptoms or anxiety or irritability rather than profound sadness.
Depression Clinical
Any depression that is serious enough to warrant clinical treatment.
Depression Endogenous
Depression that results from an underlying chemical disorder.
Depression Major
Depression that is quite severe regardless of the origin of the condition.
Depression Situational
Depression that results from outside stressors.
devaluation
Perceiving a person as bad because they are not doing what the perceiver desires.
developmental problem
A problem that results from a lack of normal development in a particular area.
Diabetes
A medical condition that develops due to excessive excretion and secretion of urine, and a problem with the ratio of insulin and glucose in the body.
diagnosis
A condition or illness characterized by a particular set of symptoms.
differential diagnosis
The process of making an appropriate diagnosis when the symptoms fit more than one diagnosis.
dissociative symptoms
Symptoms of dissociation or the feeling of being outside of your own body.
Dissociative Identity Disorder or DID
The newest name for Multiple Personality Disorder which comes about from intense early abuse and is characterized by memory lapses and discrete separate personalities within the same person.
dissociation
The subjective feeling of being out of touch with ones feelings, thoughts, or conscious awareness of self.
Dopamine
A neurotransmitter or brain chemical.
drive
An instinct.
drug half-life
The time it takes for a drug to reduce itself by half in the body.
DSM IV
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Dysphoria
The subjective feeling of sadness.
Dysfunctional Family
A Family that displays some form of abuse and have poor boundaries.

E (back to top)

EAP or Employee Assistance Program Counseling
Free counseling sessions offered by an employer.
eating disorders
Clinical conditions that have as their major symptoms overeating and/or anorexia.
e-counseling
Online counseling.
Ecstasy
A slang name for the drug MDA.
Ed.D
Doctor of Education.
Effexor
An anti-depressant.
egocentric
Overly concerned with the self.
Elavil
An antidepressant often used in the 1960’s and 1970’s.
EMDR or Eye Movement Desensitization and Re-processing
A rapid trauma resolution technique.
e-mail counseling
Online counseling utilizing an e-mail format.
emotional memory
Memory that a person feels is correct, but may or may not be valid.
Endorphin System
A primitive system in the body that produces natural painkillers and is theorized to also be a primitive brain for feelings throughout the body.
empathy
The ability to feel what another person feels.
enmeshing
A smothering feeling. Overly close boundaries.
epiphany
A life changing new thought or feeling.
e-therapy
Online counseling.
executive functions
Directing functions of the Pre-Frontal Cortex.
Existential Anxiety
Anxiety about the primary human condition of being alone.

F (back to top)

F2F counseling
Traditional psychotherapy.
false self
In dysfunctional family theory, that part of the self that feels deeply flawed and shamed.
Family of Origin Theory
The theory of how growing up in a dysfunctional family affects an individual’s sense of self and future relationships.
Fantasy Bond
The belief that a parent and a child are one and can not die.
fatty tissues
That area of the body where chemicals can be stored.
flashbacks
Hallucinations of past traumatic experiences and/or old drug reactions.
Flax seed oil
A supplement.
fixation
An unnatural attachment to an earlier state of development or an object.

G (back to top)

GABA
An amino acid and supplement.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
An anxiety disorder characterized by free floating anxiety.
Ginkgo Biloba
An herbal supplement.
Glaucoma
An eye disease.
graduate work
Study in a college at the graduate level.
grandiose
The belief that a person holds of being special either in a good or bad manner.
grief
The emotion of and recognition of loss and a stage in grief.
guilt
The feeling that our behavior is unacceptable.
guilt trip
Trying to control another by making them feel guilty.
gynecologist
A physician focusing on the reproductive system of a woman.

H (back to top)

Hallucinogen
A hallucinatory drug.
Hallucination
Seeing or hearing something or someone that is not there.
Auditory
hearing a sound that is in reality not there.
Visual
seeing something or someone that is not there
 
Human Brain
the part of the brain that thinks in a rational fashion consisting of the Cerebral Cortex and the Pre-Frontal Cortex.
hangover
A headache, nausea and/or lethargic feeling after drinking alcohol.
herbs
A plant or part of a plant that is used as medicine.
heredity
The transmission of qualities from ancestors.
Heroin
A potent, widely abused opiate that produces addiction.
Histrionic Personality Disorder
A developmental syndrome in which a person is often overly dramatic.
homeostasis
The state in which the body is in balance.
hormone
A substance in the body which produces a particular effect on cells.
hyper-vigilance
Heightened alert perception, often a symptom of PTSD.
hyperactivity
Frenetic activity or feeling.
Hypnosis
The state of a person who is producing Theta brain waves.
Hypnosis Tapes and CDs
Cassette Tapes and CDs to induce hypnosis.
hypnotic trance
A profound sense of absorption.
Hypoglycemia
An abnormal decrease of sugar in the blood.

I (back to top)

idealization
Perceiving someone as somewhat godlike.
Ideal Self
The self that is expected in a dysfunctional family.
individual counseling
Counseling a single person and their individual problems.
individuation process
The process of becoming a mature person.
inferiority
The feeling of not being adequate.
innate
Belonging to the essential nature of a person.
insomnia
Difficulty sleeping.
Insulin
A protein pancreatic hormone.
Internalized belief
A belief that a person makes their own.
Internet therapy
Online counseling.
internship
A supervised work program common to many disciplines.
intimacy
Being physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually close to another person.
Imipramine
An older generation anti-depressant.
impulse control
The ability to not act out on a thought or feeling.
Isolation
A stage of grief.

J (back to top)

jealous
A feeling of needing a person and feeling threatened of losing them.

K (back to top)

Keirsey Personality test
A personality test for different personality types.
Klonopin
A sedating drug.

L (back to top)

laced
When a substance is mixed with a psychoactive drug that an abuser believes is pure.
learning disorder
A condition in which normal learning is hampered such as ADD.
Lexipro
An anti-depressant.
libido
Sexual desire.
license
A national or State permission to practice.
life transition
The transition from one stage of development to another.
Limbic System
Mammilian Brain.
Love Addiction
Falling in love with love itself to the point that it is an obsession.
LSD
D-Lysergic acid diethylamide, a hallucinogenic chemical.
L-Tyrosine
A supplement.
lust
Sexual desire.
Luvox
An anti-depressant often used with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

M (back to top)

M.A.
Masters of Arts.
maintenance program
An addict’s plan to stay drug free and sober.
Mammalian Brain
The Limbic System of the brain.
Managed Health Care
A type of insurance plan that has a network of providers at a reduced fee.
Manic-Depressive Disorder
A cyclical mood disorder.
manic episode
An extended period of increased energy and either elated or irritable mood.
Marijuana
Cannabis, a mild hallucinogen.
marital therapy
Couples counseling.
marriage counseling
Couples counseling.
Martial Arts
A form of discipline and exercise that includes self-defense.
Masters Level Psychologist
A psychologist with a Masters degree.
maturation level
Level of development.
mature love
Healthy love with good boundaries.
M.C.
Masters of Counseling.
MDA
An amphetamine based hallucinogen.
MDAA
An amphetamine based hallucinogen.
MDM
An amphetamine based hallucinogen.
MDMM
An amphetamine based hallucinogen.
Medial condition
A condition that is located in the medial Prefrontal Cortex.
meditation
Intense inner concentration and peace.
Medulla Oblongata
The brain stem or Reptilian Brain.
Melatonin
A hormone of the Pineal gland and a precursor to Serotonin.
Mental Health
Health of the mind.
Mental Health Videos
Educational video tapes and DVDs about Mental Health or Psychology.
Mescaline
A synthetic hallucinogen.
Methadone
A synthetic opiate.
Methamphetamine
An amphetamine.
Midlife Crisis
An important life transition phase.
mind/body
The concept that the mind and body are one and not clearly separate.
Mitrol-Valve Prolapse
Usually a minor heart condition that can mimic panic attacks.
monogamous
Mating with one person and one person only.
monologues
Extended statements made by one person.
Mood Disorder
An affective disorder.
M.S.
Masters of Science.
M.S.W.
Masters of Social Work.
Multiple Personality Disorder or MPD
The same diagnosis as DID in which a sufferer has several distinct personalities and time loss.
“munchies”
Slang term for being hungry, also a side effect of Marijuana use.
Myers-Briggs
A personality test that delineates types of personality.

N (back to top)

Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Personality disorder characterized by a person who is almost exclusively interested in their own needs to the exclusion of others.
NA or Narcotics Anonymous
A twelve-step program for drug users.
natural consequence
The natural result for an action and a parenting technique.
naturopathic
The treatment of disease that avoids drugs and surgery and stresses natural agents.
NET™ or Neuro-Emotional Technique™
A quick body trauma release technique developed by Dr. Scott Walker.
neural pathways
The pathway that nerve cells follow.
neurological
Having to do with the study of the nervous system.
neurons- Individual nerve cells.
Neurotransmitter
Brain chemicals that transfer thoughts and feelings from one cell to another.
Nicotine
A stimulant.
Norepenephrine
A precursor of epinephrine.
nurture
The learning that occurs by teaching or modeling rather than heredity.
nutrition
The sum of the processes whereby an animal or person utilizes food.

O (back to top)

Observer Self
The logical adult part of an individual in dysfunctional family theory.
obsession
Excessive and repetitive thoughts about someone or something.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder or OCD
A psychiatric condition characterized by excessive thoughts and/or actions.
Omega-3 fatty acids
A dietary supplement. It benefits the heart of healthy people, and those at high risk of  cardiovascular disease, as well as a suplement to control autistism in children.
Online Counseling
Counseling via the internet.
Online Therapy
Therapy via the internet.
operant conditioning
A type of behavioral learning where a behavior is either reinforced or punished.
Oppositional Defiance Disorder or ODD
A psychiatric condition of adolescence in which a person is negative and argumentative.

P (back to top)

panic attack
An anxiety attack characterized by excessive fear for a certain period of time.
Panic Disorder
Any disorder where the main feature is fear.
paranoia
Excessive fear, often seen as a symptom of Psychosis.
passive manipulative behavior
Non-assertive behavior such as pouting.
Paxil
An anti-depressant.
PCP
A hallucinogenic analgesic.
peer pressure
The pressure that our peers can put on us to conform.
permanence of objects
The recognition that objects are stable and permanent.
Personality Disorder
A disorder of the personality and character of an individual.
Pervasive Developmental Disorder
A learning spectrum disorder.
Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy.
physiological
Pertaining to the physical part of a person.
polygamous
Mating and having relationships with several people.
positive visualizations
Guided imagery and a way to go into a hypnotic trance.
possessive love
Immature and jealous love.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD
The psychiatric condition which often results from experiencing a trauma and is a reliving of that trauma.
power struggle
fight for prominence.
precursors
An earlier stage in a nutritional process such as Melatonin being a precursor of Serotonin.
predator sex
Viewing your sexual partner as an object.
Prefrontal Cortex
The human and logical part of the brain.
Prefrontal Lobe
The lobe in the human and logical part of the brain.
primary addiction
An addiction that is maintained by tolerance and withdrawal.
projection
A defense mechanism in which a person shifts blame from themselves to another.
prodromal
The beginning symptoms of a medical condition.
protein
An amino acid and a peptide. It is a building block of life.
pseudo-relationship
A shallow relationship without true intimacy.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
A psychiatric nurse who can prescribe medicine.
Psychiatrist
A doctor who specializes in Mental Health.
Psychiatric nurse
A nurse who works in the Mental Health field.
psychological games
Mind games and power games.
psychological treatment plan
A plan to guide a client or patient to improve their Mental Health.
Psychologist
Usually a Ph.D in some field of Mental Health.
Psychopath
A personality disorder in which a person does not quite see others as real and valuable in their own right.
psycho-stimulant
An amphetamine.
Psychotherapist
A clinician who focuses on early development and sees present problems as stemming from a past pattern.
Psychotherapy
Another word for counseling, but stresses patterns originating from the past.
psychotropic
Acting on the mind as in psychotropic drugs.
Psychology
The study of the mind and how humans think and feel.
Psychotic
A state in which a person either suffers from hallucinations and/or delusions.
psychotic symptoms
Hallucinations and/or delusions.
Prozac
An SSRI type of anti-depressant.
punishment
Discipline where there is an element of anger and revenge attached to the discipline.

Q (back to top)

questionnaire, ADD
An Attention Deficit Disorder test.

R (back to top)

receptor site
The site of a nerve cell where a neurotransmitter transfers its information.
relaxation techniques
Standard ways to reestablish homeostasis or balance.
re-parent
Treating a client or a client treating themselves in a way that is consistent with good parenting.
repetition compulsion
Repetitive behavior that is guaranteed to recreate an earlier trauma in a person’s life, but which they can not stop performing.
repression
A defense mechanism in which unacceptable thoughts are pushed into the subconscious.
Reptilian Brain
The Medula Oblongata. It is the part of the brain stem that is most subconscious.
Resignation
The stage of grief in which a person becomes resigned to their fate.
Respiridal
An anti-psychotic.
Ritalin
A mild psycho stimulant that is prescribed for ADD.
romantic love
Usually an immature form of love based on idealization of an object.

S (back to top)

sadomasochism
A tendency to at least in part enjoy or addicted to abuse from others or by the self.
SAMe
A supplement that is often helpful for a persons’ mood.
Schizoaffective Disorder
A disorder that has symptoms of Schizophrenia and an Affective Disorder.
Schizophrenia
A psychiatric condition characterized by withdrawal, blunted affect, and periodic hallucinations and delusions.
sedation
A drug that sedates or tranquilizes.
seizures
A sudden convulsion.
self-concept
The mental image one has of oneself.
self-destructive behavior
Behavior that one does that harms oneself.
self-esteem
The degree to which a person cares about themselves.
self-fulfilling prophesy
A belief that one holds that makes it more probable for that belief to come true.
self-help
Attempts to help the self.
self-image
How one view oneself.
self-love
The love a person holds for themselves.
self-medicate
Attempting to treat a medical condition by taking medication that has not been prescribed.
self-mutilating behavior
Cutting or otherwise hurting oneself.
Separation Anxiety
The anxiety that is felt by the loss, or fear of loss, of an important person in someone’s life.
Separation Anxiety Disorder
Chronic separation anxiety.
Serephos
A mixture of Calcium, Magnesium, and Phosphorus.
Serotonin
An important neurotransmitter that improves mood and sleep.
Serotonin fibers
The complete Serotonin neurotransmitter.
Sex Addiction
Addiction to sex.
sexual dysfunction
Any form of sexual problem.
sexual inhibition
The tendency to withhold sex and show little interest in sex.
sexual orientation
Gender preference.
sexuality
The quality or state of being sexual.
sexualization
A passive form of sexual abuse that includes treating someone inappropriately in a sexual way without direct sexual contact.
shame
The feeling of being a worthless person.
shame bound
A person who is chronically locked in shame.
shock
A stage of grief and a feeling of numbness when faced with a trauma.
short- term memory
Memory for recent events.
shotgun blasting
A dysfunctional communication technique of discussing too many issues at one time.
side effects
Unwanted effects from taking mediation.
Social Phobia
A phobia of social interaction.
Social Work
Providing social services for people.
Sociopath
A Personality Disorder in which the person affected shows no empathy towards others and views them more as objects.
somatic component
A psychological problem that has a manifestation that occurs in the body as well.
Specific Phobia
An excessive fear of a single object, issue, or event.
SPECT scans
Single photon emission tomography, which is a brain imaging tool.
spirituality
A belief that there is meaning in life, which is highly idiosyncratic.
SSRI
A classification of anti-depressants that seems to prevent the re-uptake of Serotonin.
St. Johns Wort
An herb that reduces depression.
Stages of Grief
The process a person goes through when they lose a loved one or a capability.
stimulants
Amphetamines.
stress-management
Techniques to reduce stress.
stressors
Any stress or problem such as death of a loved one.
Strong-Campbell Vocational Test
A career interest test.
Subconscious
Existing in the mind, but not readily available.
Substance Abuse
Another phrase for Chemical Dependence.
superiority
Acting or feeling better or more powerful than another.
supplements
Mineral or herbal additives.
survivors’ guilt
Guilt that results from having survived a trauma and usually involves someone else not surviving.
Surrender
A stage of grief in which a person gives up fighting the reality of the loss.
symptoms
Signs of a disease or condition.
Synaptic Cleft
The space between two nerve cells.

T (back to top)

talk therapy
Traditional verbal counseling or psychotherapy.
tangential thoughts
Thoughts that do not stay on one subject for any length of time.
temperament
One’s personality type.
THC- Delta -9
tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient in Marijuana.
therapist
A clinician practicing psychotherapy or counseling.
therapy
The actual treatment of counseling or psychotherapy.
third party communication
Not talking directly to a person and instead using a go between for messages.
Thought Field Therapy or TFT
A rapid body therapy based on the acupuncture system.
thyroid condition
A medical condition concerning the thyroid.
time distortion
The subjective distortion of time for a person in trance and under the influence of certain drugs.
tolerance
The amount of a drug that needs to be consumed to markedly alter mood.
Tourette’s Syndrome
A psychiatric condition characterized by non-voluntary tics, facial grimaces, and verbal swearing.
Tranquilizer
A mild to moderate sedative.
Transference
A client or patient who treats and views others in his or her present life as if they were an important person in the past.
Transformation
A stage of grief where a person who has suffered a loss truly moves on and even grows in part due to the loss.
trauma
An overwhelmingly difficult event in a persons’ life.
treatment program
A structured clinical program for clients in an outpatient setting or in a hospital.
tremors
Shaking due to withdrawal of a chemical.
Tri-brain System
The theory that humans are affected by three separate parts of the brain which each think in different ways.
Trichotillomania
A psychiatric condition whereby a sufferer compulsively pulls their hair and/or skin.
Triavil
An older generation anti-depressant.
troop
A primary group of monkeys or humans.
Tryptophan
A supplement that is a precursor to Serotonin.
Twelve-step program
A self-help spiritual program often designed for addicts.

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unconditional love
Total love. Loving and accepting a person no matter what they do. It is appropriate as a parent’s love, but not as a mate’s.

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Valium (Diazepam)
A tranquilizer. A seditive drug. It is used to relieve anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures and to control agitation caused by alcohol withdrawal.
Victim
Someone who has been abused. It can also be a person who accepts this role and therefore is part of the problem.
Vitamins
Any of various organic substances that are essential in minute quantities to the nutrition of most animals and some plants, act especially as coenzymes and precursors of coenzymes in the regulation of metabolic processes but do not provide energy or serve as building units, and are present in natural foodstuffs or sometimes produced within the body.
vocational counselor
A counselor who specializes in career counseling.

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weight disturbance
A fluctuation of weight often due to an eating disorder.
Wellbutrin (Bupropion)
An anti-depressant. It is also used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and to help people stop smoking. It is in a class of medications called antidepressants. It works by increasing certain types of activity in the brain.
withdrawal symptoms
The physical and emotional symptoms that occur after a person stops an addictive drug or behavior.
withholding behavior
When a person pulls inside and isolates themselves either for protection or out of anger.
World of Work Test
A vocational test.

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Xanax (Alprazolam)
A tranquilizer. A prescription medication used to treat anxiety disorders and panic disorder. Xanax is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.

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Yoga
A form of self-disciplinary exercise that aids a person in integrating their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual self.

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Zinc
An essential mineral supplement that is naturally present in some foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, Zinc is involved in numerous aspects of cellular metabolism. It is required for the catalytic activity of approximately 100 enzymes and it plays a role in immune function, protein synthesis, wound healing, DNA synthesis, and cell division. Zinc also supports normal growth and development during pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence and is required for proper sense of taste and smell. A daily intake of zinc is required to maintain a steady state because the body has no specialized zinc storage system.
Zoloft (Sertraline)
An anti-depressant. It is also used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social anxiety disorder. It is also used to relieve the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder, including mood swings, irritability, bloating, and breast tenderness. Sertraline is in a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It works by increasing the amounts of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain that helps maintain mental balance.