Irina Banfi-Mare, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist
303-547-3615
search our site:
For adults (individuals, couples, or families) coming to work with Irina Banfi-Mare for consultation or psychotherapy. Each person should fill out a complete packet. Obtain the password from Dr. Banfi-Mare.
This is where you verify the license for (and complaints against) psychologists or other mental health professionals.
Laws governing confidentiality, professional conduct, use of the title "psychologist," and a definition of psychotherapy.
An inspiring look at life lessons learned by actress Jane Fonda about facing fear, how it is never too late to change, struggling with perfectionism and intimacy, and how she achieved a sense of self-worth.
...on childhood trauma and adult health
Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime: Nadine Burke Harris
Pediatrician Nadine Burke Harris explains how the repeated stress of abuse, neglect, and parents struggling with substance abuse or mental health issues impacts the development of the brain and health across the lifetime.
...on self-esteem and self-compassion
The Space Between Self-Esteem and Self-Compassion: Kristin Neff
Kristin Neff discusses the benefits of self-compassion and the dangers of self-esteem. Self-esteem tends to involve comparison to others, self-criticism, and is contingent on how well we stack up to ideal standards. Self-compassion is about relating to ourselves kindly as we are, with flaws and all, and acknowledging our common humanity.
...on happiness
Dan Gilbert Asks: Why Are We Happy?
Martin Seligman on the State of Psychology
...on choices
Barry Schwartz on the Paradox of Choice
...on potential and meaning
Viktor Frankl: Youth in Search of Meaning (1972 clip, 4 minutes)
Mindfulness Meditation - Quick 15 Min Stress Relief Version
Based on the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn. Gentle and relaxing meditation focusing on non-judgmental awareness in the moment. This exercise increases awareness of the breath, body sensations, sound, thoughts, and emotions. Encourages self-compassion and awareness of transient nature of life.
Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD - Guided Mindfulness Meditation Series 1
Jon Kabat-Zinn is the founder of the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. This is a gentle 10 minute exercise to practice mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness has been found to be a highly effective method for dealing with depression, stress, and chronic pain.(Excerpt from Track 2)
Death Café
At Death Cafés people drink tea, eat cake, and discuss death. The objective is to raise awareness of death and to help people make the most of their lives. It is not a support group, but rather a place where people exchange ideas and information about issues related to death (fears, preferences regarding cremation or burial, allowing nature to take its course or "death with dignity," preferences regarding end of life care, ideas about what happens after we die, how we want to be remembered, etc). These discussion groups are free, not morbid, and generally inspiring and thought-provoking. There are two separate Death Cafés in Denver and hundreds throughout the world.
American Psychological Association
Psych Central
National Institute of Mental Health
Drug information Online
