Improving Mental Health and Breaking Bad Habits in the New Year
A few weeks into the new year is a great time to reassess those new year resolutions. As we settle back into the rhythm of everyday life, routine takes over. Making a change is hard work. It is much easier to stay with the old and familiar. You do not need a new year to […]
What to Do When the Holidays Bring Loneliness
It’s officially the loneliest time of the year. What may also be hard to understand is that many folks consider this the happiest time of the year. We all need feelings of connection and closeness. However, there are barriers that stop people from achieving the closeness they want. The holidays tend to bring that gap […]
Anxiety vs. Being Nervous: Why Language Matters in Mental Health
Addressing mental health has become a less taboo subject in recent years. In general, this is good as it lessens a major fear people face when seeking treatment, the fear of what other people will think. Also, as of late, some common mental health terms have entered mainstream vocabulary. Again, this has a positive side. […]
When to Seek Therapy for Feeling Lonely
I have never met any one who enjoys feeling lonely. Even people who are more introverted seem to like being around “familiar” people. People can go to extreme lengths to avoid feeling lonely. Humans are wired for connection, and when that need is not met, it can feel overwhelmingly sad and alone. There is often […]
The Value of Family Therapy
Each family is a unique system. A family is a unit made up of different individuals who all function separately, yet live and function together as a group. Each member has a different role, which evolves over time. Additionally, people’s needs will change, and that will affect the way the family works as a whole. […]
Recognizing your Partner’s Strengths for Healthier Relationships: Fairytales vs. Real Life
We all know the fairytale. It’s a tale as old as time. The handsome prince rescues the beautiful princess, slays the dragon, or breaks the spell. They instantly fall in love and ride off into the sunset. Not a commitment issue or disagreement in sight. No worries about rising house and childcare costs, everything just […]
Relationships and Therapy: Do Actions Speak Louder than Words?
Couples seek therapy to improve many dynamics in their relationship. They may want to develop better communication and parenting skills. They may also seek to improve their sex life and make a better overall connection with each other through therapy. Partners in a relationship are looking for a change to the way things have been […]
What Stops People from Seeking Therapy?
Many people do not think twice about a visit to the doctor. When someone has a toothache, you can find them at the dentist. When someone has a lingering pain, you can almost certainly find them at the doctor. We are a service-oriented generation. People are comfortable picking up the phone and scheduling an appointment. […]
How Often Do Couples Fight in a ‘Healthy’ Relationship?
It often feels like Hollywood and romance writers have taught us that true love should not involve conflict. These writers may lead us to believe our partner should never hurt our feelings and they should always be sensitive. They should anticipate our needs, always be there for us, and above all there should be no […]
Setting Better Boundaries in our Personal Relationships
There are a few unspoken rules when it comes to life. They are unspoken because we dislike talking about hard things as humans. Often, the harder it is to talk about something, the more important it is to talk about it. While boundaries are vital components of a healthy relationship, sometimes setting a boundary can […]