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Having close friendships is one of the healthiest and most important parts of living a meaningful and fulfilling life. When we have close people who we can rely on for emotional support or can call after we have had a rough day, it makes everything feel more manageable. No matter how tough of a time you are having, if you have a close circle of people who you have your back, you are less likely to feel…

Most of us are busy people. We juggle full time and demanding jobs, taking care of our homes and families, trying to spend time partners and loved ones, all while trying to get at least 8 hours a sleep a night and squeeze in some exercise somewhere in the bustle. It’s exhausting just thinking about it. On top of our busy schedules, we are also constantly bombarded with messages from the media and our culture that tells…

Valentine’s Day can be one of the most anxiety-provoking holidays of the year because couples and singles put too much pressure on themselves to do something extra special and fulfilling, and one day or event often cannot live up to those expectations. People want to feel loved, cared for, and appreciated. But how can one date or one gift show all of that? What if you just started dating someone, how do you acknowledge the holiday? If…

We live in a time when it is basically possible to get whatever we want when we want it. We can order food any time of the day, place an order online and have it the next day, or turn on the television and watch something instantly. There is a sense of or expectation of instant gratification, significant influences from social media and peer pressure to always have the best, to “keep up with the Joneses,” and…

At some point, in any close and intimate relationship, whether it be a partner, a parent, a sibling, or a friend, difficulties and issues arise, and uncomfortable conversations must be had. People disagree, people have different beliefs and values, and people make mistakes. Preventing any issue from coming up in a relationship is unrealistic. The issues themselves do not necessarily damage relationships, it is how the issues are handled and communicated that can damage relationships. When these…

Studies show that more couples are meeting through online and mobile dating sites and apps than any other way combined. This tells us that most people who are seeking a new relationship are currently using or have used online or mobile dating sites and apps; however, these dates do not always transpire into a relationship. I often work with singles in individual therapy who are having trouble dating through dating websites and mobile apps. I hear all…

Have you heard of Blue Monday? Apparently is it the saddest or most depressing day of the year and usually falls on the third Monday of the new year, which in 2017 is Monday, January 16th. Per Wikipedia, “The concept was first publicized as part of a 2005 press release from holiday company Sky Travel, which claimed to have calculated the date using an equation.” This equation took into account Monday being considered as the worst day…

Let me first start off by disclosing that I do not have a medical degree or license, nor do I have any formal training in psychiatry, psychotropic medication, or any medical field. All of the opinions and information in this post are based on what I have learned, experienced, or have heard during my work as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker both with clients who actively use medication and those who struggle with the decision to use…

Did you know that over seventy-five percent of New Year’s resolutions fail? Often times we create New Year’s resolutions that we are capable of achieving but it is usually our mind set that holds us back from sticking to or maintaining them for the year. We may have the best of intentions and motivation to achieve what we set out to do, but often one set back, slip up, or cheat and we completely give up. New…

New Year’s is a time of reflection as well as setting goals for the next year. As a therapist, I always encourage my clients to reflect on their year and discuss whether or not they have any New Year’s resolutions. From my experience, both personally and professionally, New Year’s resolutions are great in theory, but can often be very difficult for people to follow through on. I often hear people express that they want to make a…