Andrew McNaughton
Andrew McNaughton, LCSW, CADC Congratulations on making the significant change of quitting using your drug of choice. Right now, I hope you are feeling a great sense of accomplishment, as well as renewed energy from living better with improved eating and sleeping habits. Making this initial change might be the hardest part of your recovery, but this will not be the only challenge you face. At some point, your newfound sober energy may turn into emotional fatigue,…
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Andrew McNaughton, LCSW, CADC Let’s face it, we all would benefit from improving our communication with each other. While I recommend therapy for anyone seeking to improve their communication skills, this blog will present a basic overview on some of the styles and techniques that can be used to improve your communication. The Four Communication Styles Passive communication occurs when we do not directly communicate our preferences and put the needs of others ahead of our own.…
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Andrew McNaughton, LCSW, CADC Overspending is not a new phenomenon; however, by having instant access to our money, limitless offers of credit, and 24/7 online shopping, overspending has taken on an extreme new form and can quickly get out of control if left unchecked. If you think your spending has become a problem, then it probably has. Here are 5 warning signs: Responding to stress: We have all at some point taken comfort in “retail therapy.” Overspending…
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Andrew McNaughton, LCSW, CADC Procrastination is the poison of progress, and its antidote is building motivation through planning and action. In the Stages of Change, we can find ourselves lingering in the Contemplation or Preparation Stages for weeks, months, or even years. Here are 5 simple steps to help increase motivation and overcome procrastination: Define the goal: What exactly are you striving for? Be as specific as possible. While goals of “be happier,” “get a better job,”…
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Andrew McNaughton, LCSW, CADC As we age, it can become increasingly difficult to meet new people and make new friends. If we are lucky, we hold onto some older friendships, but as real-life circumstances change (work, marriage, parenthood, etc.), we can find ourselves less engaged with our social circle. The solution to this problem would seem obvious: meet new people! But this is not as easy as it might seem. In my work as a therapist, one…
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Andrew McNaughton, LCSW, CADC Are you worried that a certain behavior is causing issues in your life? Are you wondering how to address problematic behaviors in your life? If you aren’t sure whether or not you need a professional therapist to help you modify a behavior, there are certain signs that indicate it is time to get help. These four red flags can can serve as warning signs that a behavior is becoming problematic. Red Flag #1:…
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Andrew McNaughton, LCSW, CADC, Symmetry Counseling Chicago Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) is a therapeutic discipline developed by Dr. Albert Ellis in 1956 that focuses on identifying and disputing irrational beliefs. Its basis can be summed up by the Greek stoic philosopher Epictetus, who said, “Men are disturbed, not by things, but by the principles and notions which they form concerning things.” The main tools of REBT are the ABC’s: A is the Activating Event, or more…
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Andrew McNaughton LCSW, CADC, Symmetry Counseling Chicago A recent Chicago Tribune article poses the question, “Are video games addictive?” The bulk of the article focuses on the experience of one young man, who described increasingly compulsive video game use to combat feelings of anxiety, depression, and isolation, and how he came to cope with his urges and find support with other problematic video game players. The rest of the article featured experts debating whether compulsive video game…
Read MoreAndrew McNaughton, LCSW, CADC, Symmetry Counseling Chicago Putting faces to statistics on mental health and substance use can help increase understanding and compassion for people struggling with addiction, mental illness, or dual diagnosis conditions. It can, however, be a difficult proposition to ask those in recovery to step into the spotlight of public attention. It is one thing for a mental health or addictions professional to be open about personal experiences in recovery, but many individuals in…
Read MoreAndrew McNaughton LCSW, CADC, Symmetry Counseling Chicago To share or not to share? This is the question in the mind of couples in our modern times. There is always a desire for assurance of trust in a romantic relationship, so naturally, there is sensitivity to any potentially untrustworthy behavior. Is the expectation of personal privacy an antiquated notion, especially for a romantic partnership? If there is nothing to hide, what is the harm in sharing phones, tablets,…
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