Shrink Rap: Seasonal Office Parties Gone Wrong

09 Dec Shrink Rap: Seasonal Office Parties Gone Wrong

Dr. Paul Hokemeyer

Dr. Paul Hokemeyer is a nationally recognized expert on Eastern philosophies, relationships, and emotional healing. A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, he holds a PhD in psychology, as well as a doctorate in the law. A part-time Telluride resident, Dr. Hokemeyer is based in the New York City office of the Caron Treatment Center. He is also a contributor to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health, “The Dr. Oz Show,”  Good Morning America, The Today Show, CNN’s Prime News, Fox News, Oprah Radio and more. This blog about holiday gatherings in general and office parties specifically appeared in Dr. Paul’s newsletter, along with information about “textlationships” and sex addiction.

As we gear up for a month of office parties, family shopping trips, dinner parties, etc. it is a good idea to think ahead on how you can successfully navigate the season of events. For some, these gatherings are simply an opportunity to enjoy the company of loved ones. For others they are mine fields of tension and pressure. Most likely, the majority of us experience some of both. The key to a successful Holiday season is deciding what is important and coming up with strategies on how to manage or avoid holiday blues.

Many look forward to a seasonal cocktail at a holiday gathering but for some alcohol is the main source of grief. While a wobbly coworker making moves on the boss’s daughter might be funny in a movie, these blunders are painful in the moment and can ruin careers and relationships. If you find yourself waking up with a few regrets of your own, the first step is to gauge the level of damage with coworkers or family and then work to regain your equilibrium. I gave more tips in an article on how to recover from a holiday party gone wrong for the November issue of Self Magazine. Additionally, the Caron Foundation put out the results of a new study on alcohol abuse during the holidays with information on healthy drinking limits. An important look at American’s skewed perception of high risk drinking.

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