SIMHA Articles

What is intimacy? In order to discuss communication in intimate relationships, we must first identify what is intimacy. A truly intimate relationship is something that we all crave, I might even argue that intimacy is key to survival. But what is intimacy? Tracking the origin of this word can help us understand what intimacy is.

Dr. Laura Ruesjas-Lukasik is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist at Kare Consulting, she focuses her professional practice helping adolescents, adults, and families living in Shanghai, and overseas via online. For more information on clinic services, contact Dr. Laura at: dr.lauraruesjas@kareconsulting.org Christmas Article 2021 (Click to Read)

Dr. Laura Ruesjas-Lukasik is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist at Kare Consulting, she focuses her professional practice helping adolescents, adults, and families living in Shanghai, and overseas via online. For more information on clinic services, contact Dr. Laura at: dr.lauraruesjas@kareconsulting.org Christmas Article 2020 (Click to Read)

Dr. Laura Ruesjas-Lukasik explores the importance of Mindfulness in our present times.

Chances are you have been down this road before, or maybe this is your first time, either way there is no getting around the truth that quitting smoking is one of the most challenging habits to break.

Why is it so hard to quit smoking, go to the gym, practice safe sex, or eat healthy? Everyone knows these things are healthy and yet many of us struggle to commit.

What is the purpose of stress? Stress chemicals prepare our bodies to respond to threat. Historically, this was helpful for surviving an attack from predators, but what about in modern society? How can stress work in our favor?

Do you feel good? No? Or do you feel too shy to admit that you’re not feeling good?

Very much like the human who carries it, our brain is a very social creature. Our life circumstances, the relationships we have, experiences we have – all of these are influencing the development of our brain. The newest research in neuroscience shows that too many negative experiences will result in developing certain neural patterns that […]

4 Elements to Elevate your Mood The days are getting shorter, the weather is gloomy and winter is around the corner. All the more reason to take good care of ourselves; to not only put on that extra layer to keep us warm but to pay attention to how we feel. Here are the 4 […]

With summer approaching, our thoughts often turn to travel, beaches, fun in the sun…and our appearance.  How many of us have had the thought that we need to shed a few pounds before the season of shorts and swimsuits? 

As a new school year begins, how can we help our children to not only stand out but fit in at the same time?

“Everyone else is doing it.”   “Everyone else’s parents let them.”   What parent of a teen hasn’t heard this before? 

For some, coming back to Shanghai after their summer holidays is an exciting time. They’re ready to get into another season, to prepare to welcome fall, to get back

She walked into my office with her arms extended and wrists covered in startling cuts. “Quick, quick! I need some bandages.”

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a blend of two effective forms of psychotherapy: cognitive and behavioral therapy. According to CBT, our

Sibling relationships are just as important as parent-child relationships. Affection between brothers and sisters can be very

In the past, partnership was about one person supporting the other to self-fulfillment.

In a rigorous academic environment like the Shanghai international school circuit, how do we help our children to manage their school-related stress and worries?

Children and Change – Adjustment by Age By Carrie Jones, LCSW   Have you ever wished that kids came with a manual, telling you just what to expect and exactly how to respond? 

DRUGS, ALCOHOL, AND THE ADOLESCENT BRAIN How does drug and alcohol use affect the adolescent brain, and how do we help our teens to make healthy choices?

What can the magic of music do for your child’s cognitive and emotional well-being? It’s not uncommon for the children I see in therapy to use music as a metaphor for communicating thoughts and feelings they may not be able to otherwise put into words.

Research shows us how understanding adolescent brain growth can help to increase our understanding of corresponding adolescent behavior.

How we as parents can help our children with managing performance-related anxiety. Enrolling our children in extra-curricular activities like competitive athletics 

In the tech-driven world of today, how can we as parents effectively monitor the amount of time our children spend in front of a digital screen?

The association between dietary habits and a child’s mental wellbeing may be stronger than we once considered. Any pediatrician will tell you that a balanced diet rich in vitamins

Neuroscientific research findings suggest that owning and caring for a pet can have a significantly positive impact on