Jonathan Berkowitz is committed to helping his clients identify and manage stressors in their lives. As a licensed clinical social worker, Jonathan Berkowitz spends a significant amount of time treating people overwhelmed by stressful situations. Stress interferes with health and well being, says Jonathan Berkowitz, and the effects may be felt sooner than many people expect. Additionally, the effects of stress can worsen as time goes on, adds Jonathan Berkowitz.

There are valuable tools that people can incorporate into their lives, notes Jonathan Berkowitz, tools that will help identify and relieve stress before it does harm. Jonathan Berkowitz helps clients learn to scan themselves for signs of stress. Jonathan Berkowitz asks, “Do simple set backs like lateness or changed plans make you feel a disproportionate sense of failure? Do you feel useless,” inquires Jonathan Berkowitz, “unless it feels like everyone loves you all the time?”

With practice it becomes possible, points out Jonathan Berkowitz, to identify personal signs that warn of stress. A good way to track stress, adds Jonathan Berkowitz, is to keep a stress diary. Jonathan Berkowitz explains that a stress diary can help a person to analyze stress, becoming aware of when and where it happens most often. Try keeping a stress diary for one week, suggests Jonathan Berkowitz, and be sure to write down everything. Jonathan Berkowitz says that it’s also important to note the time and the cause of the stress. It may be a traffic jam making you late for work, says Jonathan Berkowitz, or a tantrum thrown by your child. Keep track of these worries, says Jonathan Berkowitz, and what they are about. It could be that car repair expenses are higher than you expected, adds Jonathan Berkowitz, or your hours have been cut back at work.

After a week of entries, Jonathan Berkowitz suggests studying them for patterns or other things that you have the power to change. Categorize the stresses, suggests Jonathan Berkowitz, according to internal and external stressors. External stressors include things caused by other people or events. An example of an external stressor, says Jonathan Berkowitz, is an expensive car repair bill. Internal stressors, continues Jonathan Berkowitz, are caused by your own thought patterns and interior monologues. According to Jonathan Berkowitz, an example of an internal stressor is when an individual beats him or herself up about not earning enough money to pay for those car repairs. Another common example of internal stress, continues Jonathan Berkowitz, is worrying about things that are not likely to happen.

Stress diaries can be very helpful, says Jonathan Berkowitz, because they can give you a renewed sense of perspective on the stressors. For example, if you notice that the traffic of your morning commute is a consistent source of stress, Jonathan Berkowitz suggests exploring different ways to get to work. With new perspectives, says Jonathan Berkowitz, solutions to stressful situations are likely to become more readily apparent.

About Jonathan Berkowitz

Jonathan Berkowitz received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Queens College in Flushing, New York in 1994. Following studies at the Long Island University, Jonathan Berkowitz became a certified school social worker and school Psychologist in 1997. Jonathan Berkowitz earned a Masters of Clinical Social Work from New York University in 1999, and later was recognized as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). In 2000, Jonathan Berkowitz was issued a Post Masters certificate in Early Childhood and Adolescence Psychotherapy. Jonathan Berkowitz obtained Post Masters certification in Gestalt Therapy from the Gestalt Association of Psychotherapy in New York City in 2002.

It was while Jonathan Berkowitz was studying at Queens College that he served in the Brooklyn Public Schools as a special Education Instructor from 1993-1994. Jonathan Berkowitz also served as a school Psychologist and Social Worker in Brooklyn with the Board of Education. Additionally, Jonathan Berkowitz did an internship in social work at Maimonides Psychiatric Outpatient in Brooklyn.

During 1999 and 2000 Jonathan Berkowitz worked as an outpatient social worker, MSW, CSW at New Hope Guild in Brooklyn, New York. Jonathan Berkowitz served as Administrative Assistant, MSW, and LMSW at Fordham Tremont Center in Bronx, New York during 2003-2004. Additionally, Jonathan Berkowitz offered his services as Clinical Social Worker, MSW, and CSW to the Jewish Board of Family & Children Services in Brooklyn, New York from 2002 through 2006.

During 2004–2005, Jonathan Berkowitz worked at the Bikur Cholim Department of Clinical Services in Rockland, New York as Administrative Director, MSW, and LMSW. Jonathan Berkowitz currently maintains a private practice in Teaneck, New Jersey focusing on children, adolescents, couples, and families.

To contact Jonathan Berkowitz, call 646-338-5424 or email berkj1517@yahoo.com. For more information about his services visit www.familiesheal.com.