Kara Thompson
Written by Kara Thompson, Licensed Social Worker The communication practice of “I” statements is an impactful tool that aims to prioritize feelings and experiences rather than blaming and demanding responsibility. In Part 1 of this blog series, we discussed the concept of “I” statements, identifying non-effective communication, and how to practice this communication tool. In Part 2 of the series here, we are exploring the role of “I” statements within the context of apologies. You can revisit…
Read MoreWritten by Kara Thompson, Licensed Social Worker As defined by GoodTherapy, an “I” statement “is a style of communication that focuses on the feelings or beliefs of the speaker rather than thoughts and characteristics that the speaker attributes to the listener” (GoodTherapy, 2018). The concept of “I” statements, developed by Thomas Gordon, encourages healthy and assertive communication that positively contributes to the building and maintenance of healthy relationships. While highly effective, it can at times be a…
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Written by Kara Thompson, Licensed Social Worker You’ve finally decided to give therapy a shot. You got connected with a therapist with availability that worked with your schedule, but decided to skip that “free 15-min consult call” they offered before setting up the first session. You’ve had a few sessions with Therapist A, but are finding yourself feeling disconnected and struggling to feel like they really “get you.” Therapist A takes a more formal and stoic approach,…
Read MoreWritten by Kara Thompson, Licensed Social Worker So, you’ve decided to give therapy a shot. It’s been years of contemplating and debating, maybe sprinkled with a little avoidance as well if we’re being honest. Over the last few years, you’ve heard your friends casually mentioning their therapist in conversation. You’ve even noticed a lot of therapy-related content on Instagram and TikTok… scrolling late at night and secretly questioning if it’s all just a “sign.” You woke up…
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Written by Kara Thompson, Licensed Social Worker Boundaries have been quite the hot topic in the mental health and wellness space recently. Maybe you are familiar with Nedra Glover Tawwab, therapist and author of the New York Times bestseller “Set Boundaries, Find Peace.” A prominent voice on social media platforms such as Instagram, Nedra speaks to the realistic and difficult situations that often challenge our boundaries. She uses her expertise in working with couples and individuals to…
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Written by Kara Thompson, Licensed Social Worker In Part I of this series, we explored the true intention of self-care. We may have begun to recognize the ways in which we may have mislabeled the activities we enjoyed as self-care despite considering their long-term effects on our well-being. Remember, self-care is about prioritizing our self in the now to better honor our overall wellness in the future. Now that we have some background on self-care, let’s dive…
Read MoreWritten by Kara Thompson, Licensed Social Worker Let’s imagine: You woke up at 6 am, hoping to be ready to take on the day but instead feeling a sense of dread. Those 4 glasses of wine the night before sounded great at the time, but we are paying for it this morning. It had been a long day and we thought, “Hey, we deserve it!” But now we’re just tired, groggy, and technically have some time to…
Read MoreWritten by Kara Thompson, Licensed Social Worker “Friendship, a state of enduring affection, esteem, intimacy, and trust between two people. “ – Britannica When thinking about growing up as a child, some of us may be able to recall both sweet and bitter memories around our journey of making friends. Maybe you’re able to remember that time in 2nd grade that you invited a classmate to a playdate but were fiercely rejected. Or maybe you have stored…
Read MoreWritten by Kara Thompson, Licensed Social Worker When exploring the concept of trauma bonds, it is helpful to start by understanding attachment. Attachment theorist John Bowlby defines attachment as the “lasting psychological connectedness between human beings.” While much of Bowlby’s work surrounded the attachment between child and caregiver, so much of his work influences what we know about connectedness in all nuanced relationships in our lives… even unhealthy romantic partnerships. When we experience a strong, intense emotional…
Read MoreWritten by Kara Thompson, Licensed Social Worker Self-esteem, self-care, self-talk… If you’ve spent any time reading the hottest self-help book or participated in any sort of individual therapy, I’m sure you’re familiar with these terms. As we spend time turned inwards towards the “self,” it’s also important that we bring our awareness to another: self-compassion. As defined by Dr. Kristin Neff and Dr. Christopher Germer, “self-compassion involves treating yourself the way you would treat a friend who…
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