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Are There Benefits to Conflicts in Relationships?

May 26, 2022

Amanda Ann Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Certified  Couples and family therapists have told me that the couples and families that they worry about the most are the ones that engage in little to no conflict. This may sound surprising, but it’s not if you consider the fact that conflict is a necessary and healthy part of all relationships. All relationships need conflict in order to healthily grow and remain strong. Here are a few of the benefits of…

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What Is Codependency?

May 25, 2022

Part I: Control, Caretaking & Self Abandonment Meg Mulroy, LPC  Codependency has become somewhat of a buzz amongst my peers. Used casually, I’ve heard people say, “She can’t do anything without him — they are so codependent,” or, “Those roommates are completely codependent — they are attached at the hip!” One of my professional and personal pet peeves is the misuse of this word. Codependency has been defined in many different ways, but according to Melody Beattle,…

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Why Doesn’t My Partner Understand Me?

May 24, 2022

Zoe Mittman, Licensed Social Worker Have you found yourself asking the question, “why doesn’t my partner understand me?” If so, this blog is for you. I get it. It is extremely upsetting to feel misunderstood and not heard in a relationship. You can see your perspective so clearly that it is so frustrating when your partner cannot view a situation in the same way. Exploring Relationship Dynamics I want you to pause for a moment and visualize…

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What Makes a Good Therapeutic Alliance?

May 23, 2022

Jessica Pontis, LCSW Making the choice to connect with a therapist can be challenging, after all, people don’t usually seek out therapy if they’re feeling great. Finding a good therapeutic fit is essential to having a good experience.  It’s important to be thoughtful in what you’re looking for in a therapist and trust the process. Recognize that maybe the first person you connect with isn’t going to be the best fit for you, but don’t let that…

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What Is Alcoholism? Pt. 1

May 22, 2022

Shannon Keating Society seems to have this stereotype of what an “alcoholic” looks and acts like. I cannot count the number of friends and acquaintances that have described a significant abuse of alcohol but laugh off the idea of being an alcoholic. I think we can partially blame Hollywood and the inaccurate and generalized portrayal of alcoholic behaviors on television or in movies.  Examples of alcohol justifications and some challenging responses: “Well, it’s not like I start…

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What Are the Signs of Enmeshment?

May 21, 2022

Jessica Pontis, LCSW Close family bonds are important for development and overall mental and physical health. However, healthy boundaries are mandatory when creating a healthy and functional family unit. What happens when a family system fails to create appropriate and healthy boundaries? Often, that family becomes enmeshed with one another. Enmeshment is the phenomenon that occurs when the dynamics of the family don’t allow individuals to maintain their own space, both physical and emotionally (Spears, 2022).   While…

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What Are the Archetypes In a Dysfunctional Family?

May 20, 2022

Jessica Pontis, LCSW Like all other systems, families also seek to achieve some sort of homeostasis. In healthy family dynamics, there is a system in place that gives all members permission to acknowledge their feelings and discuss them openly with other members of the system and the trust of knowing that these feelings will be respected. For those who exist in what may be considered a dysfunctional family, people may not feel safe displaying their authentic selves,…

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Exploring Childhood Beliefs About Emotional Needs

May 19, 2022

Written by Kara Thompson, Licensed Clinical Social Worker In a previous blog post “Calming Down: “What Do You Need From Me?’”, we explored how we can provide support to our loved ones by seeking to better understand their needs. It was recommended that instead of trying to assume what our loved ones need in a moment of high emotions, we could ask the question, “What do you need from me?” As explained in that article, one of…

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The Lost Art of Listening, Pt. II: Why Am I Talking?

May 18, 2022

By: Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC If you read my previous blog post, you learned about the value of listening, the improv approach, leadership, and motivation. Part two of the lost art of listening blog series will discuss the never-ending learning curve and go over some helpful dos and don’ts to listening that you can implement into your own life. Rather than just sitting quietly, make an active effort to show the person that you are listening…

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The Lost Art of Listening, Pt. I: Why Am I Talking?

May 17, 2022

By: Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC It’s likely that when you feel cut off while speaking, it’s by your closest family members, friends, and or colleagues. Have you ever wondered what it is that keeps so many of us from really listening? This two-part blog series will help you to understand and provide you with helpful reasons people tend to not hear one another, as well as easy-to-learn techniques that can help you to become a better…

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