BuffaloStrong
“What I am hopeful for is that this incident will bring us together, because… this could have been any one of us or any one of our loved ones… this should bring us together and not tear us apart.” ~Trini Ross, U.S. Attorney. Western District of New York I hope,...
What to Expect in Counseling
Most people who begin counseling are not sure what to expect. There are so many myths about what happens in counseling that can be misleading or contradictory. For instance, in the movies or on TV shows we see the main character lying down on a couch and talking about...
Life Candy, Marking Happiness
In my dream, I was with my daughter and someone else, my husband maybe, looking out at the Pacific Ocean from a space that could have been a park or a run-down but still beautiful office building. Someone was talking, I think my husband. Looking out at the ocean, the...
10 Tips to Survive Being the Scapegoat at Home
This article was inspired by your comments on the article Five Steps to Stop Being the Family Scapegoat. “What is your advice for someone who is a scapegoat living with their parents? I recently finished uni and until I get a job, I can’t move out and support myself.”...
Life Candy! Socks, Tarot Cards Plants and Groundhog Day!
This week we review the things that make life a little sweeter. We call it lifecandy.
Sweet Stuff To Go From Week To Weekend
Cheap & Quick lift! New nail color! Pick one up at Wegman’s along with some prepared pulled pork, green beans and mashed potato comfort food on your way home.Elvira G. Aletta, PhD, & CEO Founder, Explore What's NextA Happy surprise Tweet!A shout out from...
4 Ways To Survive Being A Buffalo Bills Fan
Our community is hurting right now. The Buffalo Bills lost an epic, heroic game with the Kansas City Chiefs last night. Anyone who has a pulse in this region is aware of the great disturbance in the Force surrounding Western New York. Yes, it’s just a football game...
Explore Therapy: A New Explore What’s Next Venture
I am so happy to announce the launch of Explore Therapy, a new integrated mental health service with Buffalo Pediatric Associates! Kate Maleski, LCSW-R, a senior associate at Explore What’s Next and I have partnered to create and manage this new venture. Explore...
The Only New Year’s Resolution I Need
My friend asked me if I made any New Year's resolutions. "I made only one resolution: to be nicer... to myself." She laughed. It was almost a spit-take! "I thought you were going to say 'be nicer to other people'," she said. "Nope," I said, "I'm good there. The...
Interview with Chris Sova Ph.D.
An Introduction by Elvira G. Aletta, PhD founder of Explore What's NextI am very excited to introduce Dr. Christopher Sova to you. Dr. Sova is a local son, born and bred in Western New York and proud of it! Not only does he have the education, skills and knowledge of...
The Shame of Seeking Counseling as a Man
There has ever been a voice in my head that whispers to me that I cannot share my pain, my sadness, my mistakes, or my fears. This same voice shouts at me that I must never show weakness. For I have learned that once people get a glimpse behind my armor of masculine...
10 Gifts to Give Yourself When Stress Is Making You Lose Your Shit
Stress can tip from bearable to overbearing in a split second. When you’re buckling under the stress, and who isn’t these days, give yourself these gifts. You have to give them to yourself because the reality is no one else will. Stress can be a gift. Stay with...
Naomi Osaka and Lessons from the Universe
When I heard about Naomi Osaka bravely saying no to the French Open, I was standing on my patio holding a cup of coffee close under my nose, working on closing my own stress cycle. The story wafted out of an open window from the radio in the kitchen. Ms Osaka, all of...
Explore What’s Next – ReOpening! April 1st!
Explore What’s Next is opening on April 1st (it’s not a joke!) – Read to learn about our safety measures.
The Tricky SCAMP of Overcoming Skin Picking and Hair Pulling Also Known As Body Focused Repetitive Behavior
The Tricky SCAMP of Overcoming Skin Picking and Hair Pulling Body Focused Repetitive Behavior Do you pick at your skin or have obsessive nail biting habits? Do you pull out your hair without awareness? If so, you may be struggling with a body-focused repetitive...
9 Steps to Getting Organized for a New Semester of College: Part 2
If you have not done so already, check out my blog post here on Part 1, Steps 1 – 5. Okay, you got your folders and notebooks (digital or hardcopy). Maybe you even organized your email and desktop. You also got your calendar/ planner and a to-do list ready to go!...
9 Steps to Getting Organized for a New Semester of College
New Year! New Semester! Let’s Do This! The start of each semester is an opportunity to collect and reset ourselves on a path towards success. College is tough especially with all the rapid changes in course delivery. Now more so than ever, ORGANIZATION is critical to...
Thriving in Winter with Body-focused Repetitive Behaviors
It's back, winter in Western New York, which means bitter cold winds, dry heat, and hot showers; all a recipe for dry uncomfortable skin, hair, and nails. Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) such as nail biting, skin picking, and hair pulling can be hard to...
Three Ways to Navigate the Holidays: Pandemic Style
As 2020 comes to a close, it’s okay to let out a long, deep sigh. For most people, this year has been tumultuous, difficult, and exhausting. And as the holidays arrive, we might need to find creative ways to navigate this season as well. While this time of year is...
Tips to Have a Happy Pandemic Thanksgiving
Who doesn’t love Thanksgiving? No worrying about gifts! We get to focus on food, (one our favorite things!) and people, relationships, family, friends (more favorites! And, of course, gratitude. This year it feels all turned upside down. The focus has shifted...
BuffaloStrong
“What I am hopeful for is that this incident will bring us together, because… this could have been any one of us or any one of our loved ones… this should bring us together and not tear us apart.” ~Trini Ross, U.S. Attorney. Western District of New York I hope,...
What to Expect in Counseling
Most people who begin counseling are not sure what to expect. There are so many myths about what happens in counseling that can be misleading or contradictory. For instance, in the movies or on TV shows we see the main character lying down on a couch and talking about...
Life Candy, Marking Happiness
In my dream, I was with my daughter and someone else, my husband maybe, looking out at the Pacific Ocean from a space that could have been a park or a run-down but still beautiful office building. Someone was talking, I think my husband. Looking out at the ocean, the...
10 Tips to Survive Being the Scapegoat at Home
This article was inspired by your comments on the article Five Steps to Stop Being the Family Scapegoat. “What is your advice for someone who is a scapegoat living with their parents? I recently finished uni and until I get a job, I can’t move out and support myself.”...
Life Candy! Socks, Tarot Cards Plants and Groundhog Day!
This week we review the things that make life a little sweeter. We call it lifecandy.
Sweet Stuff To Go From Week To Weekend
Cheap & Quick lift! New nail color! Pick one up at Wegman’s along with some prepared pulled pork, green beans and mashed potato comfort food on your way home.Elvira G. Aletta, PhD, & CEO Founder, Explore What's NextA Happy surprise Tweet!A shout out from...
4 Ways To Survive Being A Buffalo Bills Fan
Our community is hurting right now. The Buffalo Bills lost an epic, heroic game with the Kansas City Chiefs last night. Anyone who has a pulse in this region is aware of the great disturbance in the Force surrounding Western New York. Yes, it’s just a football game...
Explore Therapy: A New Explore What’s Next Venture
I am so happy to announce the launch of Explore Therapy, a new integrated mental health service with Buffalo Pediatric Associates! Kate Maleski, LCSW-R, a senior associate at Explore What’s Next and I have partnered to create and manage this new venture. Explore...
The Only New Year’s Resolution I Need
My friend asked me if I made any New Year's resolutions. "I made only one resolution: to be nicer... to myself." She laughed. It was almost a spit-take! "I thought you were going to say 'be nicer to other people'," she said. "Nope," I said, "I'm good there. The...
Interview with Chris Sova Ph.D.
An Introduction by Elvira G. Aletta, PhD founder of Explore What's NextI am very excited to introduce Dr. Christopher Sova to you. Dr. Sova is a local son, born and bred in Western New York and proud of it! Not only does he have the education, skills and knowledge of...