Latest news with #LCSW
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Financial infidelity' blows up a shocking number of relationships — why lying about money is so damaging
Money talks — but in many relationships, it's staying suspiciously quiet. A new survey by Casinos Analyzer found that 41% of people admit to sneaky spending behind their partner's back — and 57% say it blew up their relationship. Experts call this shady little trend financial infidelity. That's right — it's not just about sexts and secret flings anymore. Lying about your paycheck, hiding debt or 'forgetting' to mention that $300 Sephora haul can be just as damaging. So, if you're sneaking swipes of your credit card behind bae's back, you might be cheating — just with receipts instead of lipstick on your collar. As noted by the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, financial infidelity is when 'one person in a committed relationship keeps financial secrets from the other.' Jaime Bronstein, LCSW, a licensed relationship therapist and expert at Casinos Analyzer, explained in the study that this kind of infidelity, 'whether it's hiding a purchase, downplaying debt, or quietly overspending,' can be 'just as damaging as any other form of betrayal.' Just like cheating in the bedroom or the DMs, money betrayal can leave your partner feeling rattled, rejected — and blaming themselves for the whole mess. And it's more common than you think. As previously reported by The Post, half of men are playing financial hide-and-seek with their partners, keeping money secrets stashed like an off-the-books bank account, new research reveals. In a survey of 2,000 men, nearly one in two who are hitched or coupled up admitted to going rogue with their finances — with the most common covert move being a hidden savings account (14%). Others kept quiet about reckless spending (13%) or a secret credit card (12%). Roughly 1 in 4 said they were too embarrassed or ashamed to fess up, while nearly 20% claimed they 'just didn't know how to bring it up.' Turns out, it may not just be guilt — it's pressure. A whopping 48% of men say they feel the need to be financially successful, with more than half blaming their expectations and 27% pointing the finger at society. Commissioned by Beyond Finance for Men's Mental Health Month and conducted by Talker Research, the study shows what happens when cash and shame collide. In the former study, Bronstein stressed that financial infidelity 'chips away at trust and leaves one partner in the dark, often sensing something's wrong without knowing why.' That person, he went on, usually 'second-guesses their instincts and might not share how they're feeling.' Over time, he warned, this can create 'emotional distance and a disconnect that's hard to bridge.' If that doesn't sound ideal, the therapist recommended 'talking about spending, even when it's uncomfortable,' since this is a way 'for couples to begin reconnecting—not necessarily to fix their finances, but to understand each other better.' Ultimately, this is 'how you build trust,' he stressed.


New York Post
06-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- New York Post
What is ‘niksen'? This popular Dutch take on ‘rawdogging' is here to give your brain a boost
It's a daily dose of healthy dissociation. Even when you think you're doing nothing, you're surely still doing something. Even during so-called downtime, most people are taking part in leisure activities such as reading, knitting or watching TV. But folks from the Netherlands are adept at doing even less. @etoilemarley NIKSEN (v.) to purposefully do nothing • #logomania #etoilemarley • Dutch words TikTok words Word hunter Logophile Word lovers Word of the day Word obsession Linguaphile ♬ original sound – 𝙴𝚝𝚘𝚒𝚕𝚎 𝙼𝚊𝚛𝚕𝚎𝚢 The Dutch concept of 'niksen' translates to, literally, 'to do nothing.' The verb comes from the word 'niks,' which means 'nothing.' This isn't the time for hobbies, mindfulness or even meditation. Rather, niksen promotes simply existing. Like a waking state of sleep mode. Similar to the viral 'rawdogging' trend — where people forego all forms of entertainment on flights and other passenger commutes in favor of sitting quietly and staring into space — niksen is all about getting comfortable with zoning out in silence. 'Niksen implies the absence of structure, purpose, or outcome,' Angela Williams, LCSW, a psychotherapist and mindset coach, told Bustle. While it may seem boring to do nothing but sit in silence, Williams shared that there's plenty of benefits to the Dutch deed. The concept of niksen comes from the Dutch verb that translates to, literally, 'to do nothing.' Nata Bene – 'Imagine learning a new concept but having no time to sit with it, to understand it, or to learn how to apply it in your own life,' she added. 'Daily niksen can help you reintegrate the thoughts, lessons and emotions from the day.' Meanwhile, Olga Mecking, the author of 'Niksen: Embracing the Dutch Art of Doing Nothing,' describes the act as 'letting go of the outcome.' 'We always have in mind some kind of outcome. When we prepare meals, we think, 'This meal will help me lose weight or will make me healthier.' If we go for a walk, it has to be part of our 10,000 steps. So we lose that fun of just eating or just walking. So it's about letting go of the outcome,' she previously explained to The Guardian. 'It wasn't easy to find a definition,' she added. 'I found any strict definition would make people feel guilty. So many people tell me they feel guilty because they can't succeed in doing nothing.' When you're used to being on-the-go on a regular basis, it can be hard to simply do nothing. Williams recommended getting into the practice slowly by starting with some quiet time in the morning to just sit and think, or drink coffee while looking out the window. Niksen is the Dutch cousin of the 'rawdogging' trend, which saw passengers foregoing all forms of entertainment on planes and trains in favor of staring into space. Suzi Media – Think 'simply sitting in a chair or looking out of the window,' Ruut Veenhoven, a sociologist and professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands, who studies happiness, previously told Time. Williams added that participating in niksen can allow you to 'tap into more clarity' and feel more focused, creative and less stressed in the end. 'Even when we 'niks,' our brain is still processing information and can use the available processing power to solve pending problems,' Veenhooven explained, can ultimately boost one's creativity.

Associated Press
28-04-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Malka Shaw, LCSW, Launches Kesher Shalom Projects to Address Trauma, Antisemitism, and Mental Health
Kesher Shalom equips professionals with tools to address trauma, antisemitism, and the psychological impact of propaganda, bias, and indoctrination. 'This is not just about Jews- We're in a global psychological crisis. Understanding how manipulation spreads is key to protecting mental health, morality, and safeguarding the next generation.'— Malka Shaw, LCSW NUTLEY, NJ, UNITED STATES, April 28, 2025 / / -- Malka Shaw, LCSW, a licensed trauma therapist, consultant, and speaker with over 25 years of experience in the mental health field, is proud to announce the continued growth of Kesher Shalom Projects (KSP) — a clinician-led initiative founded in response to the psychological toll of rising antisemitism, misinformation, and cultural trauma. Shaw's work is profoundly shaped by her personal and professional experience with large-scale trauma, beginning in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks. She has since dedicated her career to supporting individuals and communities through high-impact, emotionally charged events — from natural disasters and mass violence to cultural grief and long-term burnout. Her deep understanding of Jewish life is informed by extensive Jewish education and lived experience across a broad spectrum of religious observance. This allows her to speak to the complexities of identity, tradition, and communal pain with nuance and authenticity. As a therapist licensed in New Jersey, New York, and Florida, her practice focuses on trauma recovery, relationship challenges, women's mental health, and Jewish cultural competency. However, the devastating events of October 7th catalyzed a new chapter in Shaw's work. Jewish clients and therapists were reeling. Misinformation was spreading. Institutions were slow to respond. To hold space for her peers, Shaw and others organized what was meant to be a one-time Zoom processing session for Jewish therapists, sparked by a conversation in a WhatsApp group. But something deeper emerged from that gathering: a collective need for education, grounding, and culturally competent support. From that spontaneous moment, Kesher Shalom Projects was born — a clinician-led response rooted in empathy, truth, and healing. A Therapist with a Mission In her private practice, Shaw integrates evidence-based modalities such as EMDR, CBT, and family systems therapy with a highly personalized and trauma-informed approach. She helps clients reconnect to themselves, navigate fractured identities, and rebuild strength in the aftermath of distress. As both a clinician and a mother of three, she understands how the weight of collective trauma shows up in homes, relationships, and workspaces. And she brings that understanding to her work as a speaker, educator, and consultant, addressing complex intersections of mental health, cultural harm, and resilience. She is passionate about the implications for the next generation. 'I work with people who've been through fire — emotionally, politically, spiritually,' Shaw says. 'I know what it's like to carry grief and still show up. And I want to help others do the same, with tools that are both practical and emotionally honest.' Introducing Kesher Shalom Projects Kesher Shalom Projects (KSP) was founded by trauma therapists in response to the overwhelming emotional toll following October 7th. KSP is not an advocacy group, but rather a professional development and education initiative focused on mental health, trauma recovery, and Jewish cultural understanding. Its mission is to: Support Jewish individuals and communities in navigating trauma and professional challenges with resilience and clarity. Educate allies, institutions, and the public on Jewish cultural competency, antisemitism, and the psychological impact of propaganda and indoctrination. Build bridges across communities using trauma-informed tools that promote dialogue, dignity, and repair. KSP offers: Live workshops, CE trainings, and webinars for clinicians, schools, and organizations. Signature frameworks like the GUARD System (a resilience-building protocol) and the BRIDGE Protocol (a model for engaging individuals exposed to hate or extremist ideologies). Community-based programs such as the Rise Above series combine Jewish tradition, psychological insight, and group support for those facing collective grief and burnout. Co-facilitated with other experts in the field, Jodi Taub, LCSW, Gina Ross, MA, and insights from Julie Riga, MBA. KSP serves as a resource for professionals across fields—mental health, legal, medical education, and leadership—offering tools to navigate trauma, bias, and disconnection. A Movement Rooted in Connection At its core, Kesher Shalom Projects is about restoring connection — to ourselves, to each other, and to truth. 'Kesher' means connection. 'Shalom' means peace. Malka Shaw has made it her mission to bring both to places they're most needed. 'Antisemitism doesn't just harm Jews — it degrades the moral and emotional fabric of society,' Shaw explains. 'Healing requires us to confront propaganda, reckon with silence, and equip professionals with the insight to hold space for pain without getting lost in it.' As KSP expands, Shaw and her team continues to consult with organizations, lead trainings, and speak publicly on psychological resilience, identity, burnout, and combating cultural distortion through education and empathy. Malka Shaw The Kesher Shalom Projects +1 973-271-7788 email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Other Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. 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Fox News
17-04-2025
- Fox News
From The Vault: How To Catch A Predator
Child sexual abuse can take shape in many forms, making it a threat that can be especially difficult to spot. But with an understanding of how grooming can occur, families can take the necessary steps to make sure their children are protected. Emily revisits her conversation with the author of Duck Duck Groom, Anna Sonoda, LCSW to discuss the ways in which grooming can take place, and how to intervene when warning signs are present. Follow Emily on Instagram: @realemilycompagno If you have a story or topic we should feature on the FOX True Crime Podcast, send us an email at: truecrimepodcast@ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit