marriage counseling
Jessica Pontis, LCSW Are you the type to find yourself counting calories, being mindful of eating healthy to the point that it causes anxiety? Does the idea of not “eating clean” cause you to miss out of the joy of sharing meals with others? If the answer to these questions is yes it may indicate the presence of something known as orthorexia nervosa. While orthorexia is not recognized as a diagnosable disorder in the DSM-5, it is…
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Jessica Pontis, LCSW What’s your story? Do you consider the way in which you connect with your history impacts your present? How many times have you been asked that in your life? For those seeking to better understand themselves and their values these questions are important to ponder. There’s a therapeutic approach to help answer these questions, narrative therapy. Narrative therapy helps us discover opportunities for growth, empowerment, and the discovery of meaning on our past. While…
Read MoreJessica Pontis, LCSW As a provider one thing that I see that can significantly impact a client’s ability to meet their goals is ambivalence. It’s not uncommon for someone to question whether or not changing certain behaviors is really necessary to hit certain goals, and this type of thinking can be a normal process during therapy. After all, humans are typically creatures of habit, and any type of change (even positive change) disrupts our homeostasis and can…
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By: Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC When it comes to psychotherapy, trauma is a popular word. Within treatment, I often refer to trauma and the event experienced as a trauma with a little t or a capital t, depending on the gravity of the event. Little t traumas are highly distressing events that affect the individual on a personal level. Some examples are non-threatening injuries, emotional abuse, the death of a pet, bullying, or harassment. Big T…
Read MoreAmanda Ann Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Certified Date nights are opportunities for partners to affirm, strengthen, and renew their connection to one another. Some partners will schedule date nights weekly or monthly. In the winter, however, date nights can be difficult due to inclement weather. But since date nights are fun and beneficial, it’s a shame to skip them due to the season. When the weather turns harsh, consider these ten creative ideas for date nights indoors. Too…
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By: Zana Van Der Smissen Firstly, I have to disclose that I have always been a fan of group therapy. It has always been so interesting to watch people from all kinds of backgrounds come together to share their story in the hopes that others can relate. Group therapy has been an effective tool for many whether that means bringing a sense of community or giving an individual a space to be heard. But how do you…
Read MoreErin Ameri, LPC One of the main sources of anxiety I find clients struggling with is about setting boundaries in their relationships. Many of us tend to fall on the “people pleasing” scale and often feel guilty or selfish when we put our needs first. The problem with this is it leads to feelings of resentment and unmet needs, which don’t allow us to show up authentically in relationships. Social connection and support are powerful tools when…
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By: Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC It’s important to recognize that not all kids are raised by two parents, or by their biological parents at all. These children are not at a disadvantage. This blog series has articulated a large body of research within and across genders that highlight the needs that mothers and fathers (or other guardians) can fulfill as children. But don’t fret, if one or some of these needs go unmet, it does not…
Read MoreBy: Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC If you read part one to this three-part blog series, you learned about what sons need from their Dads and what daughters need from their Moms. As you can imagine, both of these needs are different, and both Mom and Dad must work together to cover their bases in different ways. An open line of communication regarding meeting the needs of children together as a team is always recommended, and checking…
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By: Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC For those of you that know me, you might be thinking “What is she doing writing about parenting, she just became one!” Well, I don’t blame you. Yes, I am new to this, constantly learning and researching to be the best parent that I can be to my new bundle of joy. As a clinician, I take the approach of always keeping myself open to learning. The minute one starts thinking…
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