Forgiveness – is it really worth it?
Most everyone has been hurt by others at some point in their lives; hurt or abuse can be physical, verbal, emotional, or sexual. Very few, if any of us, are exempt from a variety of situations that cause us pain. Some people have managed to move on from these situations; even major transgressions like physical…
Read MoreBefore forgiving – the effect of anger and resentment on the body
We’ve all heard how beneficial it is to forgive those who have done us wrong, and we have been told time and again that we can’t really move on unless we have forgiven them. However, we all know that forgiving someone is easier said than done. Resentment is something that we find easy to hold…
Read More7 myths about grief
Loss can turn your world upside down in an instant. When someone you love dies, daily routines can feel unfamiliar, and emotions can come in waves that catch you off guard. Myths about grief often add another layer of pain by suggesting there is a “right” way to mourn. At Symmetry Counseling, we often meet…
Read MoreWhat are reasonable expectations for relationships?
Expectations are attitudes and behaviors that we expect from other people. We are taught – explicitly and implicitly – that there are standards of behaviors, what we call the norms, when it comes to how we should treat each other. We see it being modeled in our family, and we also see it in school,…
Read More7 strategies to help you get over a broken heart
If you’ve ever had your heart broken, you know how painful it can be. There are times when the pain is so bad it becomes physical. Memories of happy times pop up uninvited anytime during the day, making you feel really sad and alone. One day you might feel okay, but the next, you could…
Read MoreWhen to forgive
You’ve been hurt badly – by a spouse, a family member, a friend. What they did left a lasting effect on you. Sometimes you don’t know how you have survived the hurt and the pain; there are even times where you’re not sure that you have survived it. You talk about what happened to your…
Read MoreHow can you tell if your partner is depressed?
Maybe you’ve noticed something different in your partner. He or she may be acting sadder than usual, may not be taking pleasure in the things that he or she usually enjoys, or may even be talking about death a lot. It could be your partner just down in the dumps, or these symptoms could be…
Read MoreHow do you know that your therapy is working?
Therapy is a highly effective tool for managing life’s many twists and turns. It can help you develop insight and change that brings you closer to a life that you want to live, full of meaningful relationships and self-love. Just because therapy can help does not mean that you always know what to expect during…
Read MoreWhat’s your romantic attachment style?
How do you interact with a romantic partner? Take a minute and ask yourself: Are you usually clingy and possessive? Do you have a tendency to push your partners away? Or are you comfortable with both giving and receiving love to your partner? This pattern of thinking, feeling, and behaving towards someone we’re in a…
Read MoreHow codependency can affect relationships
When it comes to relationships, we have been told again and again that it’s better to love others more than you love yourself. Sacrificing yourself is said to be the best way to show your love for someone. However, when we consistently put another’s needs before our own to our detriment, the relationship may be…
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