5 Healthy Responses to a Loved One's Addictive Behavior
By: Andrew McNaughton LCSW CADC A loved one’s addictive behavior can quickly become our own problem for which we make ourselves feel responsible. Whether the behavior involves alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling, pornography, eating, stealing, hoarding, or any other potentially destructive compulsions, when it becomes problematic for the individual, it will likely become a problem for their…
Read MoreKeys to a Successful Marriage: 8 Tips
In the July issue of Chicago Woman magazine, Symmetry Counseling founder and author of Marriage in Modern Life, Dr. Anne Brennan Malec offers a concise list of “Keys to a Successful Marriage.” This advice comes from her years of professional training and practice as a marriage and family therapist, as well as from her own…
Read MoreLearning to Heal Your Inner Child
Do you listen to your inner child? As adults, we often become preoccupied with our “adult” roles and forget that despite the aging process, we were all once children. Your inner child is within you no matter how old you are, and this part now depends on your adult self for nurturing. If you struggle…
Read MoreKnow Your Strength: Connecting the Physical and Emotional Coping Skills
Situational mood problems like a temporary break up, money issue, or argument with a friend can seem devastating but anxiety or depression treatment can seem unfit at the time. Mood problems in general can create various types of distorted thinking like tunnel vision, all or nothing, and black and white thinking. I like to call…
Read MoreWhen is “Close” Too Close?
Over the years, our culture has placed more and more emphasis on romantic love. Relationships and marriages used to occur out of convenience and obligation. As the times have changed for the better, marriages have become more about building a relationship with someone who you have chosen to be “your person.” Therefore, our society has…
Read MoreChange Your Vocabulary, Change Your Thinking!
By Andrew McNaughton LCSW CADC How we choose the words we use in expressing our thoughts to ourselves and others directly impacts how we make ourselves feel. I have previously addressed rational and irrational thinking in a previous blog, and this will expand on those concepts by demonstrating the benefit of exchanging the vocabulary of…
Read More4 tips on nurturing the most significant relationship in your life
What is the most important relationship in your life? You might think it is your relationship with your significant other or your children or your parents. But the most meaningful relationship you will ever have is the one you have with yourself. Having a healthy relationship with yourself is the foundation upon which relationships with…
Read MoreHow Ready Are You to Change?
By Andrew McNaughton LCSW CADC Change is a process, and certainly not an easy one, but the benefits of making positive changes will almost certainly outweigh discomfort felt during the process. We are not, however, always prepared to dive into making changes, or are even able or ready to see that we could benefit from…
Read MoreReal Life Mindfulness 101
If you’ve recently been to a yoga class or read a self-help book, you’re probably familiar with the term mindfulness. During therapy, your counselor may tell you to be mindful of your emotions or behavior in a particular situation. Numerous research studies continue to demonstrate that mindfulness based interventions provide stress reduction and overall symptom…
Read MoreCommon Communication Issues Seen in Couples Therapy
As a marriage and family therapist, a question I often get asked is, “What is the most common issue you see in couples and marriage counseling sessions?” The answer, without a doubt, is communication issues. Couple after couple attend couples therapy and report that they have trouble communicating. Marriage and family therapists see common communication…
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