Blending Your Family

Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling Everyone goes into their first marriage expecting it to be their last, yet in today’s society, the terms “divorce” and “blended family” (or “stepfamily”) are not foreign concepts. A blended family or stepfamily forms when you and your partner merge your lives together with children from one or…

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Active Listening: What Does It Mean?

Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling We are told that “actively listening” to our significant others will help us connect and communicate with them more effectively. You may think you are a great listener, but the truth is most of us don’t listen as well as we could to those we care about. But…

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Accessing Appropriate Self-Care

By now, I am sure that you have heard of the importance of coping skills and taking part in regular self-care routines. Generally, when we plan self-care routines, we focus on one or two activities that help us feel better, such as going for a run, or getting our nails done. Too often, I see…

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Empathy Exercises: Two Strategies to Help You Connect with Others

Empathy Exercises Two Strategies to Help You Connect with Others 5abbc31426db7

Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Practitioner Empathy is one of the most powerful ways we can connect with others. Alfred Adler, founder of the school of individual psychology, wrote, “Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another and feeling with the heart of another.” The experience of stepping into someone…

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8 Benefits of Group Therapy

8 Benefits of Group Therapy 5abbc368184be

Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Practitioner Have you considered participating in group therapy? It’s worth thinking about. Many people have found group therapy to be helpful in addressing a variety of issues, from interpersonal skills to self-esteem. Group therapy involves meeting with a therapist and a group of individuals who have similar goals with the intention…

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3 Important Factors When Healing from Infidelity

3 Important Factors When Healing From Infidelity 5ab2b3e53c4fe

One of the most common reasons individuals and couples attend therapy is to heal from infidelity and decide if trust can be regained in the relationship. Statistics tell us that the majority of people will experience infidelity at some point in their relationships, and yet, it still remains a very taboo topic loaded with a…

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Communicating Your Needs to Your Therapist

Communicating Your Needs to Your Therapist 5ab2b67cca5e7

Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling As therapists, our goals include making sure our clients feel heard, understood, validated, and safe during our sessions. We work together with our clients towards a common goal and give our clients the tools they need to better cope with stressors in their lives and relationships. While we…

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Love Yourself First

Love Yourself First 5ab2b46f8c6c1

Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling Intimate relationships can bring so much light and happiness into our lives, but when they are unhealthy or come to an end, you may feel alone and empty. A quick fix that comes to mind when the relationship causes you to feel this way may be to invest a…

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Navigating your Relationship Through a Rough Patch

Navigating Your Relationship Through a Rough Patch 5ab2b6400248c

Maintaining a happy and healthy relationship requires work and can be a challenge in even the most successful couples. Over time, playfulness, love notes, and cuddling might become replaced with button-pushing, sarcasm, and a lack of appreciation. While every couple is unique in their strengths and challenges, there are things any couple can to do…

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How to Be Heard by Your Doctor

How to Be Heard by Your Doctor 5ab2b60a28122

Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Practitioner Communicating with your doctor, whether they be a psychiatrist, a primary care physician, or a specialist, can be difficult in this fast-paced health care climate. Nirmal Joshi, chief medical officer of PinnacleHealth, reported that patients’ chances of having their doctor’s undivided attention have decreased due to increased documentation requirements. Doctors…

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