10 Ideas For In-home Winter Date Nights

Amanda Ann Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Certified  Date nights are opportunities for partners to affirm, strengthen, and renew their connection to one another. Some partners will schedule date nights weekly or monthly. In the winter, however, date nights can be difficult due to inclement weather. But since date nights are fun and beneficial, it’s a shame…

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The Power of Group Therapy

group therapy

By: Zana Van Der Smissen Firstly, I have to disclose that I have always been a fan of group therapy. It has always been so interesting to watch people from all kinds of backgrounds come together to share their story in the hopes that others can relate. Group therapy has been an effective tool for…

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Is Setting Boundaries Important In Relationships?

Erin Ameri, LPC One of the main sources of anxiety I find clients struggling with is about setting boundaries in their relationships. Many of us tend to fall on the “people pleasing” scale and often feel guilty or selfish when we put our needs first. The problem with this is it leads to feelings of…

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Raising Great Kids: What Does the Research Say? Part III

What Does the Research Say

By: Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC It’s important to recognize that not all kids are raised by two parents, or by their biological parents at all. These children are not at a disadvantage. This blog series has articulated a large body of research within and across genders that highlight the needs that mothers and fathers…

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Raising Great Kids: What Does the Research Say? Part II

By: Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC If you read part one to this three-part blog series, you learned about what sons need from their Dads and what daughters need from their Moms. As you can imagine, both of these needs are different, and both Mom and Dad must work together to cover their bases in…

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Raising Great Kids: What Does the Research Say? Part I

Raising Great Kids

By: Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC For those of you that know me, you might be thinking “What is she doing writing about parenting, she just became one!” Well, I don’t blame you. Yes, I am new to this, constantly learning and researching to be the best parent that I can be to my new…

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What is Cognitive Processing Therapy?

Mary-Lauren O’Crowley, NCC, LPC  Trauma can influence thoughts, emotions, and daily choices long after an event has passed. Cognitive Processing Therapy offers a structured and evidence-based approach to addressing trauma. It also focuses on the beliefs that often develop in response to those experiences. As a multi-state counseling and psychotherapy practice, Symmetry Counseling works with…

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How You Can Get Involved In Mental Health Awareness Month

mental health month

Mary-Lauren O’Crowley, NCC, LPC  The month of October is often known for the beginning of fall, Halloween decor, and pumpkin spice everything; however, it is also known for increasing public awareness of mental health disorders, reducing stigma and prejudice towards individuals living with mental illnesses, and promoting community wellness. The month of October is used for…

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Motherhood: What Does My Baby Need Most?

By: Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC About two weeks into motherhood, my sister-in-law sent me this “Love Letter from Your Baby” written by Jess Urlichs. While navigating the biggest and most rewarding and exciting, yet challenging thing that’s ever happened to me, also while recovering from a C-section, at the time there was nothing that…

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Mind the Mother: How Does Breastfeeding Affect Mental Health?

breastfeeding and mental health

By: Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC Breastfeeding…if you don’t have kids, you might be freaked out by the idea of it. If you have kids, you might have tried it and had your own experience with it. Has it turned out to be more challenging for you than you initially anticipated? You’re not alone. No…

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