Between balancing work, shopping, holiday parties, travel, and family events, it is easy to understand why the holidays are viewed as one of the busiest times of the year. Many perceived obligations become a priority, but one that is often forgotten or pushed too low on the priority list is your relationship. Instead of taking…

It is quite common for an individual to attend therapy due to having worry or concern about their partner, their friend, their parent, their child, and so forth. Clients who are worried about a loved one often seek out professional help to learn more about mental illness, substance abuse (among others) as well as to…

After a major break-up, the last thing on your mind is dating someone new. When you experience a break-up, it is important to mourn the loss of the relationship on your own, while leaning on your loved ones for support. One of the hardest aspects of a break-up is being alone with your difficult thoughts…

As a mental health provider, I am always concerned about and upset by the stigma and negative perception of mental illness/disorders, going to therapy or seeking mental health services, taking psychotropic medication, or even talking about mental health or illness/disorders in general. There is a significant number of untreated individuals who could greatly benefit from…

The holidays are traditionally a mix of happy and stressful emotions. There are the fun traditions to look forward to as well as time away from work, but commonly there can be friction associated with seeing many family members of differing backgrounds and ideologies at the same time of year. Additionally, it is easy to…

Dating someone of a different faith-background has become more and more common, especially among those living in cities and large suburbs. Interfaith dating is not necessarily a new phenomenon, but it has become increasingly common and, therefore, more normalized. Thanks to online and mobile dating, daters have access to all different types of potential matches.…

Let’s face it, uncertainty or the unknown can often times be scary and make us anxious. When something is uncertain or unknown, we tend to ask ourselves questions such as: “What could or will happen?” “What if the result is bad or I don’t like it?” “How will I deal with the situation if it turns out bad?” “What if I am not able to handle the outcome?” We think these questions help us to better prepare for the future by considering possibilities and thinking we can plan for them, but in reality, they are only causing more harm than good.

With the cold weather months upon us, darkness creeping in earlier and earlier, and less daylight hours available, it is important to address the topic of depression and more specifically, Seasonal Affective Disorder. I get asked often by my clients what they can do to help them with the “funk” they feel during the dark…

Not too long ago, when a relationship ended, it was relatively easy to cut them out of your life. Sure, you may remember their phone number, their address, and may have run into them from time to time if you are both living in the same city or neighborhood. However, once you broke up, you…

After experiencing one of the most polarizing election campaigns in recent history, it is natural to feel ambivalent or anxious about upcoming holiday gatherings that usually include people with a combination of opposing opinions and values. Without careful consideration and structure, what is supposed to be a joyous reunion of loved ones can turn into…