The Positive Impact of a Sincere Compliment
Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor Take a moment to think about what it feels like when a stranger, coworker, or friend smiles at you and tells you they think your hair looks good that day, that you did well on a project, or that you seem happy. A simple compliment can shift your entire mood…
Read MoreWhy Do I Feel Anxious While Exercising?
Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Isn’t exercise supposed to be a good thing? You are constantly being told by doctors, loved ones, therapists, and the media that you need to exercise in order to receive a variety of health and psychological benefits. If this is true (and it is) then why is exercise causing you to…
Read MoreMaximize Your Summer
The summer is quickly passing by and Chicago’s winter tundra is getting nearer and nearer. As someone who loves the sunshine, I am trying to maximize the rest of my summer as I know I will miss it this Fall. So why not put together a list of things to do and start checking them…
Read MoreBack to School Basics
Hannah Hopper When summer comes to an end and the school year rolls around again, it can be a hectic and overwhelming transition for many kids. Whether you’re feeling relieved that the kids will have school again or feeling stressed that there will be a fuller schedule to manage, it can also be a stressful…
Read MoreStrengthen Your Relationships with Attachment Exercises
Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Would you like to feel closer to someone in your life? Attachment exercises can help. There is overwhelming research regarding the importance of developing secure attachments, as your relationships have a direct impact on your physical and psychological health. Whether it be a significant other, a child, a friend, or a…
Read MoreWhat to Say (and What Not to Say) to Someone Who’s Grieving the Loss of a Pet
Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Grieving the loss of a pet can be deeply painful, especially when the intensity of that grief surprises both the person experiencing it and those around them. Pets are often part of daily routines, emotional support, and personal identity, so their absence can feel unsettling in many ways. At Symmetry Counseling,…
Read MoreExamining The Portrayal of Mental Health in the Novel Where the Crawdads Sing
Matthew Cuddeback, LCSW Recently my mind repeatedly wandered back to a book I had just finished reading. It occurred to me that, like in mindfulness, I should not ignore my wandering mind, but instead acknowledge the cause of the distraction. I realized that my mind was making a connection between the book and my work…
Read MoreThings You Are Wondering About Your Therapist But Are Reluctant To Ask
Matthew Cuddeback, LCSW Sometimes your relationship with your therapist can feel one-sided. This is, in part by design, and appropriate, and in part it is an unintended consequence of the therapist-client relationship. This balance can be different for each client and therapist, and the bottom line is that the focus should be completely on the…
Read MoreHealing Your Health
There seems to be a lot of hype and news coverage recently about using a holistic and mind-body connection approach in taking care of our health and bodies. As a therapist, I have the privilege of working with clients who cope with chronic pain from migraine headaches and limited or decreased breathing capacity caused by…
Read MorePreventing Work Burnout: Regaining Control Over Work Stress
Do you ever feel like you’re burning the wick from both ends? And that you’re having difficulty keeping motivated? Or feel a constant frustration and anger but feel unclear about where it is coming from? Or feeling low energy and depressed at work? As a therapist working with clients with workplace stress and having a…
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