Live Better. Love Better. Work Better.

Posts

Categories

The Basics of Self Soothing

December 8, 2018

Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling Our emotions can feel so big sometimes; so big that they can feel overwhelming and out of our control. When your emotions feel overbearing, how do you comfort yourself? Some people may be able to list out things that soothe them, but others may struggle to think of an adequate answer that question. Self-soothing, or grounding techniques, are used when we feel distressed, triggered, or overwhelmed by emotion and are…

Read More

Everything In Moderation

December 8, 2018

Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling As many of you already know, “Everything in moderation”, is much easier said than done. It is common for individuals to struggle with moderation in at least one area of their life, if not more. Whether it be food, alcohol, emotions, sex, love, or gambling, it can be difficult to obtain a happy medium. When you look at it on a spectrum, some people fall in the middle and are…

Read More

5 Signs You Are Overspending (and 5 Ways to Stop)

December 7, 2018

Andrew McNaughton, LCSW, CADC Overspending is not a new phenomenon; however, by having instant access to our money, limitless offers of credit, and 24/7 online shopping, overspending has taken on an extreme new form and can quickly get out of control if left unchecked. If you think your spending has become a problem, then it probably has. Here are 5 warning signs: Responding to stress: We have all at some point taken comfort in “retail therapy.” Overspending…

Read More

5 Steps to Overcoming Procrastination

December 6, 2018

Andrew McNaughton, LCSW, CADC Procrastination is the poison of progress, and its antidote is building motivation through planning and action. In the Stages of Change, we can find ourselves lingering in the Contemplation or Preparation Stages for weeks, months, or even years. Here are 5 simple steps to help increase motivation and overcome procrastination: Define the goal: What exactly are you striving for? Be as specific as possible. While goals of “be happier,” “get a better job,”…

Read More

8 Ways in Creating Successful Morning Routines and Why It is Important

December 5, 2018

If you read my recent blog post, “Creating Nightly Routines and Why It Is Important,” about how to implement an effective nightly routine, you may have been wondering what the morning routine you set yourself up for looks likes. As a therapist, I see many clients who struggle with starting their day off on “the right side of the bed” due to many stressors. If you had a productive evening routine the night prior, below is a…

Read More

The Dangers of Searching for Your Soulmate

December 4, 2018

I work with many clients who are assessing their current romantic relationship or what they want in their future romantic relationship. Both are very useful and beneficial exercises to do. Many people are looking for their soulmate, and someone they can spend the rest of their life with. This idea of a soulmate may stem from wanting to find their own happy ending, that Disney movie fairy tale they have dreamed of ever since they were little.…

Read More

Supporting Your Partner Through Depression

December 3, 2018

Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling Watching your partner battle the ugly symptoms of depression can feel like a devastating and helpless experience. They can’t seem to get out of bed, are irritable, angry, unmotivated, and sad all the time. Where do you even begin? While you try to help in the ways you know how, you may feel like every attempt you make is met with rejection. As their partner you may feel obligated to…

Read More

Being “Perfect” Isn’t Always Perfect

December 2, 2018

Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling What does it mean to be a perfectionist? It is easy to believe that those who classify as a perfectionist are on track to become perfect, but that is far from the truth. Being a perfectionist isn’t necessarily about things being “perfect”, but needing to be and striving for it at any cost. For example, a perfectionist may hold beliefs such as “I am not okay as I am”, “No…

Read More

How to Date Mindfully

December 1, 2018

Shannon M. Duffy, MFT, LCPC Audio Version When discussing the approaches to take towards being open to dating, they typically entail setting expectations and addressing your wants and needs out of a relationship. This mentality can at times bring on anxiety, self-doubt, and feelings of desperation. Taking a different type of approach to dating by incorporating the Dialectic Behavior skill of Mindfulness can create a more present moment focus towards patience in the dating process. The main…

Read More

6 Tips to Strengthen Your Relationship with Your Pet

November 30, 2018

Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR As a therapist, I always ask new clients if they have a pet. It might seem like an odd question, but research studies have indicated that having a relationship with a pet can positively impact your physical and mental health. To make the most of that positive influence, it’s important to ensure that your bonds with your pet are strong. So how do you strengthen a relationship with an animal? Try these six…

Read More