Dr. Amy Recommends — Blog — Dr. Amy E. Keller, PsyD, MFT

Dr. Amy E. Keller is a Doctor of Psychology in Psychoanalysis and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has a private practice in Pasadena, California and is the author of Get Real, Get Going: The Definitive Roadmap to Starting the Private Practice of your Dreams.

All tagged Dr. Amy Recommends

My Love Language is the Gottmans

Apr 13

Apr 13 My Love Language is the Gottmans

Dr. Amy E. Keller

Communication Tools, Dr. Amy Recommends, Relationships

It’s no secret that Dr. Amy is a huge fan of the Gottman’s and their work with relationships. In this blog post, she recommends some free resources to help you tap into the Gottman’s teachings in order to help you improve your own relationships.

Relating to Family: Aging Parents

Apr 6

Apr 6 Relating to Family: Aging Parents

Dr. Amy E. Keller

Dr. Amy Recommends, Relationships

In this post, Dr. Amy explains that it is important to connect with an aging loved one: you’ll get to know them better, you’ll strengthen your relationship, and create genuine memories in the process. Read on for communication tips and questions you can ask to get the conversations rolling.

Am I Worried, Anxious or Stressed? And What's the Difference?

Mar 30

Mar 30 Am I Worried, Anxious or Stressed? And What's the Difference?

Dr. Amy E. Keller

Dr. Amy Recommends, Wellness, Trauma to Transformation

In this article, Dr. Amy explores the differences between worry, stress, and anxiety and she explains how to recognize the symptoms of each and gives readers tips on how to move past them.

Unplugging: Scheduling Screen Free Days

Mar 10

Mar 10 Unplugging: Scheduling Screen Free Days

Dr. Amy E. Keller

Dr. Amy Recommends, Wellness, Work Life Balance

While the internet can enrich our lives and make many things more convenient, studies show that over-exposure to screens makes us less healthy and happy. In this post, Dr. Amy advocates for less screen time and offers suggestions to help you unplug and find the joy outside of your screen.

Has the coronavirus affected your friendships?

Mar 2

Mar 2 Has the coronavirus affected your friendships?

Dr. Amy E. Keller

Dr. Amy Recommends, Relationships, Work Life Balance

Feel like social distancing has cost you some friendships? You’re not alone! In this blog post, Dr. Amy explains the general rules of friendship and the good habits you need to develop if you want to make, sustain or deepen your friendships.

Getting Real with Self-Talk

Feb 16

Feb 16 Getting Real with Self-Talk

Dr. Amy E. Keller

Dr. Amy Recommends, Wellness

It can be hard to simply switch our brains to “thinking positive thoughts,” because those thoughts sometimes… can feel fake. In this post, Dr. Amy walks you through the steps to reframe your thoughts to be more positive without feeling like you are lying to yourself.

Celebrate Your Friendships!

Feb 9

Feb 9 Celebrate Your Friendships!

Dr. Amy E. Keller

Dr. Amy Recommends, Communication Tools, Relationships, Wellness

Friendships are more important than we realize, they boost your happiness and ease your stress. Just like in a romantic relationship, friendships flourish when you nurture them, read on to discover Dr. Amy’s tips for celebrating your friends.

Mental Health Panel: How to Strengthen, Cope, & Heal during these Challenging Times

Dec 8

Dec 8 Mental Health Panel: How to Strengthen, Cope, & Heal during these Challenging Times

Dr. Amy E. Keller

Dr. Amy Recommends, Trauma to Transformation, Wellness

Recently, Dr. Amy Keller joined with local Pasadena wellness experts to discuss ways to Strengthen, Cope, and Heal during these challenging times. She's proud and excited to be able to share that talk with you now. Enjoy!

It's Not Cruel to Be Kind

Nov 10

Nov 10 It's Not Cruel to Be Kind

Dr. Amy E. Keller

Dr. Amy Recommends, Wellness

Life is starting to move fast: the holidays are approaching, COVID, travel plans, family obligations, “supply chain issues”. AAAAAAAH! The best way to handle life’s anxieties and frustrations? Be Kind! You won’t just be making life nicer for another person, you’ll be helping yourself, too. Dr. Amy explains how a little kindness can go a long way - for everyone.

Five Truly Scary Film Relationships

Oct 27

Oct 27 Five Truly Scary Film Relationships

Dr. Amy E. Keller

Dr. Amy Recommends, Work Life Balance

With Halloween right around the corner, ‘tis the season for things that scare us. In some cases, the scariest aspect of a film is not a ghost or a monster, but someone much more human and close to the main character. Read on to see Dr. Amy’s nominees for the scariest relationships on the silver screen!

Turning Bad Habits into Good Ones

Oct 6

Oct 6 Turning Bad Habits into Good Ones

Dr. Amy E. Keller

Dr. Amy Recommends, Getting Unstuck

In this post, Dr. Amy discusses Judson Brewer’s book, The Craving Mind: From Cigarettes to Smartphones to Love – Why We Get Hooked and How We Can Break Bad Habits, and how you can transform your bad habits into a good ones.

Debt: Suze Orman understands, even if your parents don’t!

Apr 7

Apr 7 Debt: Suze Orman understands, even if your parents don’t!

Dr. Amy E. Keller

Dr. Amy Recommends, Get Real Get Going

Once upon a time there was a young graduate student named Dr. Amy who was struggling with money. She found herself up to her eyeballs in debt from school, working for peanuts while getting her training hours for licensure, and all the while trying to figure out how to pay the rent on her crappy little apartment. Then one day little Dr. Amy discovered a very smart lady name Suze Orman and the rest is history….

acknowledges that there are times you have to beg, borrow and max out a credit card to get yourself on a professional track, and that it can be okay to invest in yourself and your career.

From Drama to Empowerment: Healthy Alternatives to Karpman's Triangle

Mar 3

Mar 3 From Drama to Empowerment: Healthy Alternatives to Karpman's Triangle

Dr. Amy E. Keller

Dr. Amy Recommends, Getting Unstuck

Dr. Amy revisits Karpman’s Triangle and offers an approach for transforming it into a healthier alternative.

Making Marriages Work: Hopes & Dreams

Dec 30

Dec 30 Making Marriages Work: Hopes & Dreams

Dr. Amy E. Keller

Dr. Amy Recommends, Getting Unstuck, Relationship Success

As we round the corner into a new year and contemplate our own resolutions, Dr. Amy discusses the importance of also learning about your partner’s hopes and dreams for the future.

How to Celebrate Winter Solstice -- and More!

Dec 21

Dec 21 How to Celebrate Winter Solstice -- and More!

Dr. Amy E. Keller

Dr. Amy Recommends, Trauma to Transformation, Wellness, Self-Care

In honor of today’s Winter Solstice Dr. Amy advises that we all take a moment to appreciate the lessons we’ve learned this year and to lay the framework for a better future.

Dealing with Feelings: Listening Tips for Men (which is an aphrodisiac for women)

Dec 2

Dec 2 Dealing with Feelings: Listening Tips for Men (which is an aphrodisiac for women)

Dr. Amy E. Keller

Getting Unstuck, Dr. Amy Recommends, Relationships

The best aphrodisiac is good communication! Read on as Dr. Amy shares a few tips for men on how to be better listeners.

Ocean as Therapy

Dec 11

Dec 11 Ocean as Therapy

Dr. Amy E. Keller

Emotional Healing, Personal Growth, Self-Care, Therapeutic Retreats, Trauma to Transformation

Dr. Amy shares some insight on the therapeutic properties of the ocean. What’s your happy place?

Dr. Amy's Picks: Books To Help You Find Love and Keep It

Apr 5

Apr 5 Dr. Amy's Picks: Books To Help You Find Love and Keep It

Dr. Amy E. Keller

Dr. Amy's Picks, Communication Tools, Relationship Success

Looking for love? Or, are just looking for new ways to improve your relationship? Try these books, they're full of great advice and the perfect compliment to counseling.