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Toddler Play Group at Rivertown Mamas, Dobbs Ferry, NY! Wednesdays from 3-4:30pm! THE GROUP IS ON A BREAK CURRENTLY FOR THE SUMMER!

By Melissa Divaris Thompson, LMFT

Toddler Playtime – Please note the group is currently on a break for the summer! Lead by Melissa Divaris Thompson Join us for a casual toddler playgroup for one and two year olds. This informal, no RSVP required, no commitment gathering occurs on Wednesday afternoons from 3 to 4:30. We spread out a big blanket and some toys for the kids to play with while local parents get to know…

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After Baby: Post Partum Doula Work. Interview with Nicole Wagner

By Melissa Divaris Thompson, LMFT

When I gave birth to my little one, not only did I have no idea what I was doing (I had yet to change a diaper), I was also recovering from massive surgery. My natural birth plan went south and I ended up with a C Section. Because we don’t have family close by, I felt I needed more support when my baby arrived. I had heard of a post…

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Love After Love – a poem

By Melissa Divaris Thompson, LMFT

Love After Love The time will come when, with elation, you will greet yourself arriving at your own door, in your own mirror, and each will smile at the other’s welcome and say, sit here. Eat. You will love again the stranger who was your self. Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart to itself, to the stranger who has loved you all your life, whom you have ignored…

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5 tips to a happier day by new york psychotherapist Melissa Divaris Thompson

5 Tips To A Happier Day

By Melissa Divaris Thompson, LMFT

Whether you are struggling with not enough sleep, too many things on your to do list, or anxiety that won’t leave you, starting your day off right is important. Focus on these steps to set your day in a happier direction. Here are 5 Tips To A Happier Day: 1. Before your feet hit the floor, before you get out of bed, set your intention for the day. It’s so easy…

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First Year of Motherhood Survival Tips

By Melissa Divaris Thompson, LMFT

Top Tips To Surviving Your First Year of Motherhood: 1. Being a new mama is messy and we are all figuring it out as we go. Each baby is different and some new moms are simply just further along than others 2. Sleep when you can-even if you can’t sleep, just rest. Sleep deprivation plays a large part in our emotional life so the more you can rest and sleep,…

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Trying to get your baby to sleep?! Sleepy On Hudson-Brooke Nalle-Interview

By Melissa Divaris Thompson, LMFT

I met Brooke when my sleep deprived husband and I were needing a pep talk and some sleep advice. Our little one wasn’t the best sleeper and before we started creating some habits we didn’t want, we reached out to Brooke to get support. What I like so much about Brooke and her approach is that she is very supportive in helping the family discover what approach is right for…

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Rebirth After Birth Sign Up! Workshop starting soon!

By Melissa Divaris Thompson, LMFT

Rebirth After Birth Navigating Your Way Into Motherhood Reflect on the first year of motherhood, learn coping tools and techniques, find support and community, and connect with your authentic voice in a safe and nonjudgmental space at our Rebirth After Birth workshop. Melissa Divaris Thompson and Brooke Nalle will guide you through an exploration of the experiences, milestones, and challenges that shape this pivotal time: childbirth, relationships (with our partners…

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Rivertown Mamas ~ new mom Stephanie Hinkaty Interview

By Melissa Divaris Thompson, LMFT

When I was newly pregnant, everyone started telling me about this new place that had opened in Dobbs Ferry called Rivertown Mamas. The name alone made me curious, and because I knew early on I needed community, I looked it up. Rivertown Mamas is the mecca of mama-hood. Classes in infant massage, breast feeding, yoga, and music, to name a few, are held regularly. It’s not JUST that the classes…

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Interview: Silvie Falschlunger, owner of Birth In Motion

By Melissa Divaris Thompson, LMFT

Silvie Falschlunger is next for my interview series with Birth Professionals. I met Silvie by chance in a yoga class with Beth at Full Circle. She happened to casually mention she had her cell phone with her because she had a mom in labor. I was instantly drawn to her energy. She exuded strength, calm, and compassion. I instantly chose her as my birth doula and she turned out to…

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Yoga mom and Creation Yoga Founder Beth Gibney Boulden

Yogi Moms and Creation Yoga Founder, Beth Gibney Boulden

By Melissa Divaris Thompson, LMFT

Over the last year, being pregnant and having a baby, I have met with many birth professionals. As a new mom, I found myself searching for ways to help soothe the anxiety, the fear,fatigue, and the overwhelming feelings. I also longed for like minded community. While I was pregnant, I decided to join one of Beth Gibney Boulden’s yoga classes. It was there that I felt I could completely let…

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How to Grieve Well: An Encouraging Guide to Navigating Loss and Finding Healing

Grief is a natural response to losing someone or something that is important to us. The process can be overwhelming, and our emotions can be intense and varied. However, understanding our feelings and taking care of ourselves as we grieve can help us heal and move forward.  1. Accepting Your Feelings and Understanding Grief A. Embrace Your Emotions Grieving is a highly individual experience, and there is no right or…

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How Does Therapy Work?

Therapy is a widely recognized tool for improving mental health, but many people are still unsure about what happens during a therapy session. Media portrayals and misconceptions about therapy can contribute to this uncertainty, leading potential clients to feel apprehensive about seeking help. In this blog, we will explore the truth behind therapy, debunk common myths, and provide insight into how therapy works to improve mental health and well-being. Understanding…

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The Social Appeal of a New Year

When it comes to our behaviors, as much as we’d like to think we’re adaptable, we are creatures of habit. But every year, as December comes upon us, amidst the holiday shopping and family planning, we reflect on our journey so far and reflect on ways to improve our lives. Amidst the seasonal shifts in weather, daylight saving time, and holidays, we jump into more change. Whether it’s in our…

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Reclaiming Yourself During a Pandemic

From socially distancing and working from home to living in a post-pandemic world with masks, constant testing, and a new world order. I think I can speak for the majority when I say that am not the only one feeling a sense of not being in control.  With the state of our affairs feeling so uncertain and unbalanced during a nationwide pandemic, how do we regain our sense of self…

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Why creating a routine can be helpful during coronavirus

The coronavirus outbreak is a global issue that is causing a lot of concerns for humans everywhere in the world. It is disrupting our lives, our economy, our finances, our social and family circles, as well as our physical and mental health. Our daily habits have changed, our life looks different, and everything happened so quickly, which is anxiety provoking. You might be working from home at this point, or…

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How vulnerability can help you enhance your relationship.

Being vulnerable in a romantic relationship. Throughout my experience working in France and now in the United States, I have observed partners going from regularly fighting and talking about breaking up to being close to one another and having a strong and secure attachment bond. So, what has helped them go from a stage of defensiveness and verbal attacks to a more peaceful lifestyle? I have noticed that couples that…

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New Year, New You! – 3 Ways to Find Your Authentic Voice in 2019

To find your authentic voice, be an explorer. How so? Have you ever been to a new city and felt an undeniable vibe? Like the atmosphere was alive, breathing a certain feeling into your lungs. Some cities that come to mind are New Orleans, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Nashville, San Francisco, etc. Unmentioned, of course, the hundreds of quaint little towns scattered across the map. What do they all have…

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How Overthinking a New Relationship Can Undermine Your Connection

The start of a fresh romance has its own unique learning curve. If you’re like most people, you may be tempted to analyze every little move. Yet, overthinking a new relationship can actually damage the authentic connection between you. Despite the intense and immediate connection that romance novels depict, usually that initial connection is fairly sensitive. In other words, it requires a bit of nurturing. Think of your new emotional…

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5 Easy Ways to Build Your Self-Confidence—Starting Now

Many things in life can impact your self-confidence. Think back to events in your childhood. Perhaps your parents divorced, you relocated to a new neighborhood or school, or you struggled with a physical illness or disability. In adulthood, you may have experienced a difficult relationship, dealt with a toxic work environment, or trudged through financial losses. Life has a way of twisting and turning in unexpected ways. Often, these experiences…

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Why Self-Care Is More Than a Day at the Spa

Despite the term “self-care” taking on a rather fluffy meaning nowadays, it’s far more empowering than most people believe. And self-care is more than a day at the spa. Yes, daily self-care goes far beyond sweating out stress in a sauna or taking a mud bath. Somewhere along the lines, self-care has gotten a luxurious connotation assigned to it. As if taking care of yourself was optional. It’s vital to…

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