H.A.L.T. — Hungry? Angry? Lonely? Tired?
The world unrelentingly asks us to overextend ourselves. Self-care is praised in name, yet too often, we feel selfish or guilty putting ourself first. In a sea of never-ending external demands, it seems paradoxical to focus on one’s self. However, if we are depleted, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually, our ability to manage life’s complex…
Read MoreYou Are Not a Burden
Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling Whether you are going through a breakup, loss of a job, experiencing depressive symptoms, anxiety, or stress at home, you usually turn to those you love and care about to help you through that difficult time. However, if the challenging time seems to be lingering and you are…
Read MoreWhy You Shouldn’t Snoop
Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling In the age of technology and social media, it is extremely easy to check up on your partner to see who they are texting, whose photos they are “liking” on Instagram, or what they are looking at online. These behaviors are easy to turn to when you are…
Read MoreAnything Can Be Addictive
Andrew McNaughton LCSW, CADC, Symmetry Counseling Chicago A recent Chicago Tribune article poses the question, “Are video games addictive?” The bulk of the article focuses on the experience of one young man, who described increasingly compulsive video game use to combat feelings of anxiety, depression, and isolation, and how he came to cope with his…
Read MoreBe the Face of Success in Therapy and Recovery!
Andrew McNaughton, LCSW, CADC, Symmetry Counseling Chicago Putting faces to statistics on mental health and substance use can help increase understanding and compassion for people struggling with addiction, mental illness, or dual diagnosis conditions. It can, however, be a difficult proposition to ask those in recovery to step into the spotlight of public attention. It…
Read MoreSexless Marriage: Can My Marriage Survive?
Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling There are many married couples that think their marriage can withstand anything, but can it withstand a sexless marriage? A sexless marriage is defined as a marital union in which little to no sexual activity occurs between the two partners (fewer than 10 times per year) and Newsweek…
Read MoreTalk, Don’t Track: How Technology Can Hurt Trust and Communication in Your Relationship
Andrew McNaughton LCSW, CADC, Symmetry Counseling Chicago To share or not to share? This is the question in the mind of couples in our modern times. There is always a desire for assurance of trust in a romantic relationship, so naturally, there is sensitivity to any potentially untrustworthy behavior. Is the expectation of personal privacy…
Read MoreMaking New Friends Throughout Adulthood
Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling As we age, we have a lot to look forward to: becoming financially stable, settling into our identities, becoming confident in our career decisions, traveling, or possibly starting a family. However, regardless of these potential benefits to aging, there is often a common struggle that many adults bring…
Read More7 Signs of a Financially Abusive Relationship
Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Practitioner, Symmetry Counseling Chicago Financial abuse is often a well-kept secret. Lately, more people have been speaking up and speaking out against physical, emotional, and sexual abuse in intimate relationships, yet financial abuse is rarely mentioned. Nevertheless, it does happen. When couples decide to marry or cohabitate, many choose to combine…
Read MoreNegative Notions: Busting Common Misconceptions of Therapy
Often, the media, TV shows, movies, and the occasional friends “therapy gone wrong” story can paint the image of what many think when hearing the word therapy. This paves the way for misconceptions and false ideas of what the therapy process is and can deter people from turning to a therapist for support. As a…
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