Blog

Solving a problem by yourself can be hard. It can be another battle entirely to resolve a problem with a partner. It’s difficult to even know where to begin, how to navigate creating a solution, and even more so, what steps to take to make it a smooth and effective conversation. Here we will describe a simple five step process to solving the next problem in your relationship.

Are you wondering why you are not feeling heard or validated in your relationship? Are you wanting more connection and understanding from your partner? Quite often couples fall into negative communication patterns and don’t realize the impact they have on the relationship. These patterns can erode trust, disrupt psychological safety, and limit intimacy. Dr. John Gottman has identified 6 signs that a relationship may be in trouble. Let’s review these signs:

It may sound counterintuitive, but conflict is normal and necessary in relationships. It is important that we have an outlet for sharing our hurts, our grievances, and our concerns. Just because couples argue does not mean that a couple is unhappy or should break up. In fact, how we fight with our partners is often the determining factor in couples staying together or breaking up.

As a parent, you want your child to feel comfortable and supported when working with a mental health professional. Telepractice, where sessions take place virtually, offers surprising advantages for both you and your child.

Therapeutic journaling is expressive writing that goes beyond daily journal entries. It is a deeper, nonjudgmental look at our inner thoughts and emotions related to a specific situation. With research to support the tool, one can use it as an adjunct to therapy or a standalone intervention.

“The Broken Hearted are the bravest among us because they dared to love.” This Brenee Brown quote is one of my favorites. It reminds me that love and heartbreak are human experiences. I have worked with many who beat themselves up after a breakup, stating that they were fools and will never love again. They are actually courageous, vulnerable and loving individuals.

Children always have a way of sensing when there is tension at home. They are very intuitive and can pick up on subtle changes between their parents. If you have found that you and your partner are facing a significant and ongoing challenge in your relationship, the time may come when you need to let your children know. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when letting your children know that you and your partner are having difficulties.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is built on the belief that if we change the way we think, we can change the way we feel and behave. The idea is that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all connected. CBT has been the focus of much research and has been found to be an effective form of therapy for many mental health concerns, including depression and anxiety.

No parent ever wants to hear that their teen is thinking about purposely causing harm to their body. However, a recent study published by the American Journal of Public Health indicates that 1 in 10 high school boys and 1 in 4 high school girls report having engaged in self-harm in the past year. Self-harm, or the act of purposely hurting oneself without the intention of suicide, is a scary reality for our teens that we need to be aware of. It’s important to distinguish that self-harm is not a mental illness, but it is a sign that your teen is struggling and needs to learn alternative coping strategies.

Anxiety is an emotion that can become more ingrained and louder when you try to push it away or avoid it. Being aware of anxiety is one of the most important first steps to overcome it. Looking at your anxiety decreases the emotional charge and allows space for your body and mind to settle.

There is a wonderful technique developed by the creator of Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dr. Aaron Beck called A-W-A-R-E. Try this the next time you feel that first twinge of anxiety, and you might be able to stop it in its tracks.

Experiencing anxiety and panic can be frightening and overwhelming, but finding relief is possible. Often our reaction to these feelings can make a bad situation worse, but with a few simple strategies, you can manage anxiety in the moment no matter where you are. Relief can come more easily with continued practice, and, after enough practice, the ability to cope is almost effortless. Anxiety is something you won’t have to fear any longer. Relief from anxiety is possible with these simple coping strategies:

With the hustle and bustle of jam-packed schedules, it can be hard for kids to learn mindfulness and to stay calm and present in the moment. It might feel even harder to carve out time to try to teach them! But mindfulness doesn’t have to be sitting on a pillow cross-legged with your eyes closed. And it doesn’t have to be complicated or last a long time. Mindfulness can be practiced everywhere.

Here are six simple activities that you can try with your kids to teach them mindfulness – even if it’s just a couple minutes a day!

Therapists often receive calls from concerned parents wondering if their child needs therapy. In most cases, it’s difficult to make that determination over the phone, but after an initial meeting, a further assessment may be possible. During that first session, a therapist will listen and watch for several things such as certain behaviors or a mention of any changes in the child or adolescent’s life.

Many people experience periods of sadness or feeling down, but how do you know when it’s time to seek counseling? Here are five signs that it may be time to get help from a professional.