Is it Possible to Have a Healthy Relationship With Social Media?
Mary-Lauren O’Crowley, NCC, LPC There is no doubt that the internet has revolutionized our modern-day way of life. It has affected almost every aspect of our lives in both positive and negative ways. Without question, it has its benefits; however, everything seems to come at a price in this world. Some of the negative implications…
Read MoreRethinking the Resolution
Jessica Pontis, LCSW It’s that time of year again, the holidays have crept upon us, and somehow twelve months have flown by with the speed of both the hare and to tortoise simultaneously. With the change in the new year comes the looming desire to change something about ourselves, the dreaded New Year’s resolution. We…
Read MoreSelf-Interest vs. Selfishness: What Sets Them Apart
By Andrew McNaughton, LCSW, CADC “This may sound selfish, but I just want a weekend to myself.” Sooner or later, most people say some version of that sentence, usually followed by a flinch, like saying a want out loud is asking for trouble. If you’ve felt that specific guilt, wanting something for yourself and immediately…
Read MoreHow to Navigate Mental Health During Winter
Zoe Mittman, LSW Does anyone else feel like it was just summer? I know that I do, and I certainly feel as though we completely skipped over fall. Maybe you’re in the same boat as me, or maybe the summer months felt way too long. However, we are now entering late fall and early winter…
Read MoreUnderstanding the Science Behind Self-Worth
Self-worth comes up in therapy rooms constantly, and it’s a surprisingly hard thing to talk about. Some people worry that naming their own worth sounds egotistical. Others worry that admitting low self-worth will just invite pity instead of real understanding. On top of that, it can feel genuinely unclear where to even start improving it.…
Read MoreHow Does Self-Determination Impact Motivation?
Jessica Pontis, LCSW Have there ever been times when your life has felt out of control? Where no matter what you do nothing seems to change and you begin to feel powerless over your own circumstances? If the answer to these questions is yes, then it may be worthwhile exploring the topic of self-determination, and…
Read MoreWhat are the Stages of Change and Why Are They Important? Part 2
Jessica Pontis, LCSW In my previous post about the stages of change, I discussed the different stages of change and how they may present within the context of a person’s experience with smoking. Having outlined the stages, let’s focus our attention in part two of this discussion on how a clinician can appropriately assess where…
Read MoreUnderstanding the Mind-Body Connection
Zoe Mittman, LSW Did you know that there is a connection between your mental health and physical health? This is called the mind-body connection. Your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors impact your physiological functioning and vice versa. For example, have you ever noticed your palms and underarms getting sweaty, your heart beating rapidly, or your cheeks…
Read MoreWhat Is Decision Fatigue and How Do I Manage It?
By: Danielle Bertini, LPC Decisions, decisions, decisions. Choices, choices, choices. Why is it so hard to make decisions nowadays? And why are specifically millennials struggling with making decisions? I have heard many younger clients I work with discuss how there are literally TOO many choices, and they can’t decide what to do, which makes them…
Read MoreWhat Is Neuroplasticity In Connection To Trauma Healing?
Amanda Ann Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Certified Therapist Neuroplasticity is one of the reasons I became a trauma psychotherapist in Chicago. The brain’s amazing ability to transform and heal itself gives me hope that any trauma, no matter how entrenched in the brain, can be processed, integrated, and healed. What is Neuroplasticity? Britannica defines neuroplasticity as…
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