Search Results for: depression
I have been working with Jennifer for over four years – during this time I have witnessed profound changes in my health, well being and consciousness. Up to this point I had pretty much exhausted just about every avenue of conventional and alternative medicine and counseling. I was profoundly depressed and saw no future and no hope. I can truly say that it is rare to find the combination of counselor and practitioner that Jennifer offers. I have never felt so minded, listened to and understood. Also, it is rare to find a practitioner that has true compassion and a passionate interest in holding the patient through the inevitable ups and downs of healing.” — Male, age 45
Change is inevitable in life, but perhaps one of the changes that can cause the greatest stress and anxiety is moving and, most especially, emigrating to another country, whether it be for business or life circumstances.
According to one text on Mental Health (The Expanding Family Life Cycle), “Even when freely chosen…the separation from loved ones, the intangible emotional vacuum left in the space where ‘home’ used to be; loss of community…immigrants are rendered isolated and susceptible to both individual and family distress.” (Falicov, C., 2016, p.223).
The immense change of home, cultural differences, and separation from family, friends and community can lead to feelings of homesickness, isolation and cause anxiety and depression. One group that is most susceptible to this are the wives, husbands, domestic partners, and family members of workers that are sent to work abroad. In many countries these partners are unable to secure work permits and thus work outside the home, further leading to loneliness and isolation.
In 2018 the American Chamber of Commerce estimates that as many as 155,000 people are directly employed by over 700 US firms in Ireland, with the vast majority situated in Dublin. The relationship between the U.S. and Ireland is strong and the U.S. accounts for 67% of all foreign direct investments. Both countries are English-speaking, Ireland is seen as a gateway to Europe, as well as offering tax incentives which make it a lucrative place for American companies to do business.
The typical employment contract is between one and three years, and in order to attract highly skilled upper management and consultants to relocate, these American companies offer highly competitive relocation packages to cover moving costs, housing, transportation, and education. However, these packages in many instances do not address the needs of the partners/spouses/families in transitioning, most especially with emotional support they may require while adjusting to their new home in a new country. This support is generally provided through groups or private counselling with mental health practitioners skilled in this particular area.
This same Mental Health text states “Migration is a massive individual and family transition in time and space. It begins before the act of relocation and goes on for a long time…the transition is replete with loss and disarray.” (Falicov, C., 2016, p.223)
In this area I have personal experience of migration, moving to Dublin from Los Angeles in 2001, back to New York in 2017, and then returning to Dublin in 2019. I understand first- hand the isolation and loneliness of moving and living abroad. Although Ireland shares the same language, it is a very different place than Los Angeles or New York, with many subtle and not so subtle cultural differences that left me at times feeling more of an outsider. While some are social and the language differences can be amusing (and the Irish are some of the most tolerant people I have met), it is also potentially embarrassing especially when occurring in public.
In 2006 I qualified as a licensed, registered Homeopath in Dublin, and as my clinic was located near the American Embassy, I treated many ex-pats struggling with feelings of loneliness, isolation and homesickness. If left without emotional support, these could lead to deeper feelings of depression as well as physical symptoms from sleep disturbances to hormonal imbalances from irregular cycles, PMT, and an aggravation of menopausal symptoms. In the consultation there is often a collective relief that the patient had met and could talk with someone ‘who understands.’ From the viewpoint of holistic health, emotional and physical states are often connected. Homeopathic remedies can often provide safe, natural and effective treatments to help address the physical symptoms as well as day to day support emotionally.
If you are an ex-pat and would like support with the transition to life in Ireland or have experienced physical symptoms as a result, feel free to ring me at 086 359 4557 for a confidential appointment. I’m available on Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays, and my Clinic is located at 15 Upper Baggot Street, Dublin 4. Further information is available throughout this website.
I have also started a completely separate therapeutic group counselling service for ex-pat Americans adjusting to life in Ireland. For more information, please visit http://adaptireland.com.
I suffered with anxiety, depression, insomnia, gut issues and a sluggish liver. My doctor wanted to put me on several medications, which I wanted to avoid at all costs, and I decided to go the natural route.
I received treatment from holistic doctors and tried acupuncture, herbal medicines, hypnosis, and even counsellors …and nothing worked! While searching the web, I read about the wonders of homeopathy and looked up a local practitioner and found Jennifer Gordon in Tarrytown.
She assured me that I wasn’t hopelessly broken and recommended a homeopathic protocol. Within a few weeks, my sleep improved and my anxiety and depression began to subside. Now I am all the way back to health!
Jennifer took the time to understand what was happening mentally and physically and taught me that in holistic therapies it is all connected. She even treated my finger which was smashed in an accident. I have never written any review until now but I feel that I need to share my story and the wonders of homeopathy!
Male – Age 62
I started visiting Jennifer in October 2014. I had just been diagnosed with a fistula and was told I would have to have multiple surgeries as the wound would not heal by itself. I had also been suffering from anxiety and generally feeling very depressed for several years. When I found Jennifer on Google I was scared and felt very alone.
After the first session I instantly felt a change. I was stronger, more positive and ready to heal.
I visited Jennifer several times over a 9-month period. Today I can honestly say my anxiety has disappeared, I no longer feel scared, alone or depressed. My fistula has healed and I am better than ever before.
I could not recommend Jennifer enough. She is incredibly caring, insightful, an all-round amazing person, not to mention an incredible healer! – Female, age 30
Two and half years after a separation, I started going to Jennifer for some homeopathic treatment. I began to feel calmer and more relaxed within a few days. After some ‘tweaking’ to find the best blend, I now have a daily remedy that keeps me positive, relaxed and able to take control of my life again. I am delighted with my progress (if I do say so myself!!) and starting homeopathy has been a real turning point in my life. Female
The homeopathic medicines began to lift my depression within days and improved my sleep and energy. I feel like myself again and my wife can’t believe the difference! Thanks a million. Male – age 37
I was prescribed with strong antidepressants by my GP due to severe anxiety attacks that I had been suffering. I was extremely unhappy with the stated long-term side effects of these drugs, and sought alternative advice from another two doctors and again was prescribed antidepressants. I felt that little attempt had been made to diagnose what was causing these attacks and that the purpose of the antidepressants was to desensitize my emotions so that in effect I could no longer feel my emotions. This, for me, was a massive price to pay as I felt that if I could no longer feel my emotions then I would no longer be a human being which to me defeated the purpose of life.
I came to Jennifer to see if homeopathy could assist me with what was now a very serious issue for me as it was severely impacting my work and was leaving me both mentally and physically wrecked. I immediately felt more comfortable when Jennifer addressed the root causes of the anxiety attacks and matched the homeopathic remedies to these root causes. The remedies prescribed by Jennifer strengthened my immune system and helped to initially ease and then stop completely the anxiety attacks. The remedies have no adverse side effects whatsoever. The remedies also gave me the strength and clarity to make the changes I needed in my life to prevent the anxiety attacks occurring again.
I found the counseling aspect of Jennifer’s treatment especially helpful as it assisted in giving me the confidence to move on and deal with my issues and helped me to recognise that the anxiety attacks were not unnatural or my fault and that they were simply a natural response by my body to the external pressures that were being exerted on me. I can now say that I am completely free of anxiety attacks, that I am a definite convert to homeopathy and that I cannot recommend Jennifer highly enough. — Male, age 28
I was referred to Jennifer Gordon by a Doctor for menopausal symptoms. I had reached a point where I felt I couldn’t cope any longer with mood swings, lack of sleep, hot flashes and depression. It was as though I had been possessed by someone or something else.
After my consultation with Jennifer, and her ability to understand and assure me she could help, I left her office with great enthusiasm. I could not believe that within a matter of days I had been transformed back in time to the old me.
It is now six weeks since I first visited Jennifer and I still cannot believe how good I feel. I wake in the mornings feeling like I have had a month’s holiday, the hot flashes have decreased from about 10-15 per day to 3-4 and the intensity has decreased by at least 80%.
I feel even and calm now and full of the joys of living. The icing on the cake has been that I have now lost 10lb weight over the six weeks and have no food cravings anymore. It’s a miracle. Thank you so much Jennifer, you have saved me! — Female, age 52
I recently spent an extraordinary week in Redondo Beach, California where more than 500 medical doctors, veterinarians, dentists, naturopaths, and homeopaths from around the world convened at the World Congress of Homeopaths. They came together to discuss advances in homeopathic treatments and remedies and the integration of medicine. More than 50 workshops were conducted to discuss homeopathic treatments for anything from ADHD, Autism, and Vaccinations to Dementia, Depression, and Cancer.
The session began with Dr Martin Chaplin, who discussed the physics behind the controversial concept of dilution and its role in homeopathic pharmacy. It was both challenging and inspiring, to see that homeopathic remedies might be measured and understood through the theories of quantum physics. Dr. Chaplin believes that it is truly a matter of time before quantum physics explains homeopathy and how it works.
The next session was an exploration of the Organon of Medical Art, the work of Dr Samuel Hahnemann, who is known as the ‘father of contemporary homeopathy.’ What most struck me from the lecture was the pure courage and determination of Dr. Hahnemann, who in the 18th Century proved the basic theory of homeopathy of ‘let like be cured with like’. Due to an accidental poisoning with quinine, he observed similar symptoms as those of his patients with malaria. He then gave the quinine in small quantities to these patients, and noted that their symptoms were improving, and far beyond the average recovery rates of malaria at the time. This observation began a lifetime quest of clinical observation with further homeopathic remedies, and culminated in a philosophy that was to be the foundation of homeopathic theory and practice – as documented in the 6 Editions of the Organon of Medical Art.
Dr Richard Moskowitz then spoke about the controversial issue around vaccinations and several commonly prescribed drugs in his seminar ‘A Homeopath Looks at the Medical System.’ This was a compelling discussion of the potential long-term side effects of many drugs and the rising numbers of auto-immune disorders, allergies, ADHD, Autism, and many other conditions. Lectures ended with open forum questions and often a dialog between the speaker(s) and the audience. Although the participants were passionate at times, these exchanges were often a healthy dialog that was honest and respectful on all sides.
The following day began with Dr Paul Herscu, an international homeopath, lecturer and founder of the New England School of Homeopathy in Connecticut. Dr. Herscu spoke about his life-long work with children and the growing evidence in the effectiveness of homeopathy in treating ADHD and Autism. Clinical trials reveal that homeopathy can provide safe and gentle treatments in not only physical symptoms around these afflications, but also support emotional and behavioural symptoms that affect learning and development. Because so much of my work is with children, I came away with several resources in both ADHD and Autism as it is an area I would like to explore further in my practice.
Later that day David Warkentin spoke about the unusual or peculiar symptoms in homeopathy that often lead to better remedy selections. He had some very amusing examples of unusual symptoms of babies who eat chalk or bite their toenails, for example, as being sometimes the symptoms that lead to a remedy that is most homeopathic or similar to that individual. Later I attended a lecture on new treatments for allergies, asthma and depression. Dr. Vangelis Zafeifou from Greece gave an inspiring talk on the potential of homeopathy in supporting patients with life changes, from parenthood to mid-life and then into the aging process.
The following day was spent discussing more remedies in the support of Autism and ADHD, as homeopathic remedies are playing an increasing role in treating children where conventional medicines are either ineffective or inappropriate, or in cases where the child needs further support. Other areas, such as the growth of homeopathy in veterinary care for animals, were also taken up in various panel discussions. I met a veterinarian from San Francisco who was attending the conference to expand her own skills in homeopathy for treating her animal patients. In practice she has found remedies to be very effective with cats and dogs for conditions from skin rashes to behavioural problems around fear or hyperactivity. She believes that homeopathic veterinarians will be in great demand in the next decade.
The final day was perhaps my favourite as it began with Dr Todd Rowe giving an assessment of the health of the homeopathic community in the United States. His statistics from more than 2,000 homeopaths and patients revealed some of the underlying issues that surround both the affordability and access to homeopathic care throughout the country. The detailed quality of the survey provides valuable insights for professional organizations, training facilities, practitioners and medical doctors to embrace the necessary changes for homeopathy to continue growing into the next decade. Peggy Chipkin, homeopath and author, gave a lovely insight into practice and again how big an impact homeopathic treatment can have on an individual in all areas of his or her life. She spoke of Gandhi’s infamous statement that homeopathy is ‘the only complete system of medicine.’
The conference concluded with Dr. Wayne Jonas who spoke about the increasing need to quantify homeopathic trials through a conventional context with several new studies that do just that. He said that we are on the ‘cusp of something great’ in terms of the growing consciousness of health and wellness, and homeopathy has an important role in that movement. He ended with a video of some of the humanitarian work being done by Jeremy Sherr in his work in Africa around AID’s related symptoms. This was a meaningful and hopeful way to conclude the week-long conference.
I came home feeling inspired about the brilliant work being done by homeopaths around the world, and by the growing number of conventional doctors, veterinarians, and dentists who are training and using homeopathy in their practices. I would agree with Dr Jonas that we truly are on the fringe of a major awakening to the possibility of a mind-body connection in relation to health and wellness. I met a paediatrician from New Jersey who was finishing her 4 years of training in homeopathic medicine with the hope of having more tools to help her patients; she believes that her conventional training is filled with limitations. There is so much to be hopeful about…
Homeopathic treatment got me physically and emotionally back in balance. Jennifer was a very good listener who knew how to ask all the right questions. — Male, age 40
