Posts by Admin User
4 Ways to Achieve a Work-Life Balance in the Digital Age
Amanda Gregory, LCPC Do you feel as if you’re always working? Are you constantly checking work email, texts, or voicemail? Technology can blur the lines between work and personal life, and a poor work-life balance can negatively affect your mood, health, and relationships. In this age of technology, the struggle to establish and maintain a…
Read MoreBe Your Priority in 2018
The New Year is under way and for many, it is time to think of a New Year’s resolution. This might consist of changing a behavior that we wish to improve, or attempting to accomplish a goal. If you find yourself unsure of a resolution to try this year, making yourself a priority in your…
Read More6 Ways to Enhance Your Relationships with Nonverbal Communication
Amanda Gregory, LCPC, Symmetry Counseling Chicago Have you ever said the right words, only to be completely misunderstood? The reason might be your nonverbal communication. Here is an example: You tell your partner, “I’m really sorry. My actions have caused you to feel hurt, disappointed, angry, and betrayed. I truly understand now, and I feel…
Read MoreAre There Different Emotional Responses to Different Types of Alcohol (and Does it Matter)?
Andrew McNaughton, LCSW, CADC Do certain types of alcohol stimulate certain emotions, positive or negative, more so than others? A recently published study by the British Medical Journal attempts to answer this question by identifying how different types of alcoholic beverages—specifically red wine, white wine, beer, and liquor—impact the emotions of drinkers, whether they be…
Read MoreManaging Job Stress: 4 Coping Skills to Use at Work
Amanda Gregory, LCPC Audio Version Do you feel stressed at work and need to calm down quickly? Is the stress you experience at work carrying over into your personal life? Some of us wait until after work to cope because we don’t have access to our coping strategies. You can’t go to the gym, soak…
Read MoreHead into 2018 with an Open Mind
As we head into the new year, we may have thoughts that are preventing us from moving into 2018 with an open mind. These thoughts could be telling us that we aren’t good enough. These thoughts could be telling us we need to hold onto the guilt from our decisions in 2017. These thoughts can…
Read MoreShould I Leave My Job?
Workplace stress is one of the most common reasons that lead people to seek therapy. As much as we may want to separate our work and our personal lives, it is difficult to avoid the stress of the former bleeding into the latter. An important conversation that often emerges is an evaluation of when, if…
Read More4 Ways to Treat Seasonal Depression
Amanda Gregory, LCPC The cold temperatures and decreased sunlight of winter can generate or aggravate symptoms of depression —often referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Symmetry Counseling introduced this disorder in their blog Understanding Seasonal Depression, where she described some common symptoms. If you are experiencing SAD, there are a variety of helpful treatments…
Read MoreHow Exploring Your Family of Origin Can Improve Your Therapy Experience
Whether we like to admit it or not, we are impacted by our family. We do not live in a bubble, and our environment contributes to our personality and our habits. With my training as a Couple and Family Therapist, in the therapy process, I believe that for you to get the most effective help…
Read MoreThe Fear of Being Alone
Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling In my time as a therapist, I have encountered many individuals who fear they will be alone and single forever; a feeling that often keeps them involved in unhealthy relationships. Why is being alone and without a partner scary to so many people? For starters, the feeling of…
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