Opening Practice: Press Release

Contact: Mary Maguire/312-718-8554 memaguire@aol.com
Maria Murphy/ 904-261-7022 maria@simplyputtogether.com



DEPRESSION IN A DOWN ECONOMY: FERNANDINA BEACH PSYCHOTHERAPIST ADVISES PEOPLE TO GET HELP FAST
-- Maria Murphy Opens Emotional Wellness Clinic --

(FERNANDINA BEACH, FL) - July 8, 2009 -- There is no doubt that the economy has people worried. When it interferes with sleep; energy; appetite or concentration, it’s time to seek professional help – and fast.
“For anyone prone to depression, an economic setback can cause major emotional trouble and it can even endanger their physical health,” says local psychotherapist Maria Murphy. “Anxiety can also cause significant damage.”
When it comes to depression and anxiety, the statistics are staggering. According to the National Institute of Mental Health:

• More than 40 million Americans suffer from anxiety disorders, including panic attacks and social phobias.
• Depression is the second most costly disorder in the country after cardiac disease.
• The cost of depression in the workplace is more than $100 billion.

Murphy is opening a new emotional wellness clinic in Fernandina Beach this month at 1303 Jasmine Ave, Suite 102 – B (Phone: 904.261.7022) and coordinating patient care with Dr. Patricia Leavy, a psychologist offering services to individuals, families and children. Areas of focus include:

• Depression and anxiety
• Resolving conflicts and improving relationships at home or on the job
• Grief counseling
• Improving parenting skills and family dynamics, including divorce and blended families.

Murphy says that even mild depression can cause relationships with family, friends and co-workers to suffer. Part of her counseling advice: stay optimistic.
“We should learn, we should live and we should laugh,” says Murphy.

About Maria Murphy
Maria Murphy creates opportunities for personal wellness. She is a psychotherapist and founder of Camp Curiosity, a division of Simply Put Together (www.simplyputtogether.com), a self-help website and publisher of an annual self-help planner of the same name.
Maria is a columnist for My Nassau Sun in Jacksonville, FL; Indy’s Child in Indianapolis and Cincinnati’s Parent. She produces and hosts the "Me Minute" for Army Wife Talk Radio and writes for parenting and women's websites, including buzzle.com and fabulouslyforty.com. Maria is mentor in the Fernandina Beach, FL school system and consults for the Tutor Mentor Connection, a national non-profit organization based in Chicago.