Yochanan Berkowitz is a counselor and licensed clinical social worker who helps countless people identify and overcome the problems in their lives. People can find themselves under a lot of stress, notes Yochanan Berkowitz, because of financial or personal difficulties. Yochanan Berkowitz says that stress should be treated as soon as possible because it can have a detrimental affect on one’s overall health.

Many people find apparent relief from stress, says Yochanan Berkowitz, when they indulge in vices or bad habits. Yochanan Berkowitz points out that some clients report turning to alcohol, tobacco and caffeine to relax or clear their heads. Yochanan Berkowitz explains that these methods for reducing stress do not actually work. Those who use alcohol to calm down or “take the edge off” of their problems, notes Yochanan Berkowitz, will find those problems waiting for them when the alcohol wears off. Using alcohol excessively as an escape mechanism, continues Yochanan Berkowitz, can actually lead to rebound behavior. Yochanan Berkowitz explains that this means that once the alcohol wears off, problems will seem bigger than before.

Yochanan Berkowitz says tobacco is another myth of stress management. Yochanan Berkowitz notes that smokers often report using tobacco to calm their nerves. In reality, tobacco is a stimulant drug, says Yochanan Berkowitz, causing increases in heart rate and blood pressure. The illusion of relaxation, reports Yochanan Berkowitz, comes from the relief a smoker feels at feeding their nicotine craving. However, according to Yochanan Berkowitz, the nicotine craving causes more stress in a smoker than the smoking itself. For this reason, smokers are under the illusion that they are being calmed when they consume nicotine, says Yochanan Berkowitz, but they are actually feeding an addiction and stimulating their body, not relaxing it. In overall health terms, says Yochanan Berkowitz, a non-smoker is usually less stressed than a smoker. A person battling with stress, concludes Yochanan Berkowitz, should be encouraged to quit smoking rather than use smoking for false relaxation.

About the Author

Yochanan Berkowitz began his professional studies in Psychology at Queens College in Flushing, New York. In 1994, Yochanan Berkowitz earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and following further studies Yochanan Berkowitz was awarded a Masters of Clinical Social Work. Later Yochanan Berkowitz received the designation of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

During his studies at Queens College, Yochanan Berkowitz had the opportunity to employ his passion for helping others in the New York City Public Schools as a special Education Instructor in Brooklyn from 1993-1994. Yochanan Berkowitz also served for several years as a school Psychologist and Social Worker with the Brooklyn Board of Education. Several years were also spent doing an internship in social work at Maimonides Psychiatric Outpatient in Brooklyn.

In 1997, Yochanan Berkowitz became a certified school social worker and school Psychologist following studies at the Long Island University. Yochanan Berkowitz received his Masters of Clinical Social Work two years later from New York University. Completing additional studies in his chosen field, Yochanan Berkowitz obtained a Post Masters certification in Early Childhood and Adolescence Psychotherapy in 2000 and Gestalt Therapy certification from the Gestalt Association of Psychotherapy in New York City in 2002.

Yochanan Berkowitz used his experience to serve in Brooklyn as an outpatient social worker, MSW, CSW at the New Hope Guild from 1999-2000. Yochanan Berkowitz added breadth to his vocational opportunities while serving as Administrative Assistant, MSW, and LMSW at Fordham Tremont Center in Bronx, New York during the years of 2003-2004. While there, Yochanan Berkowitz began offering his skills as a Clinical Social Worker, MSW, and CSW at the Jewish Board of Family & Children Services in Brooklyn New York.

The years 2004 and 2005 found Yochanan Berkowitz at the Bikur Cholim Department of Clinical Services in Rockland, New York where he was the Administrative Director, MSW, and LMSW. Currently Yochanan Berkowitz maintains a private practice in Teaneck, New Jersey that primarily serves children, adolescents, couples, and families.

To contact Yochanan Berkowitz by telephone, call 646-338-5424. Yochanan Berkowitz can also be reached via email at berkj1517@yahoo.com. For more information about his private practice visit www.familiesheal.com.