How Can a Dog Help with Ongoing Pandemic Anxiety?
At this point in the pandemic, I think we’ve all heard the term “Covid puppy” or even got a Covid puppy ourselves! If you didn’t take the plunge to get a dog during the pandemic, maybe you have a dog or puppy at home with you that you got prior. I, myself, fully gave into…
Read MoreHarry Kraemer, Pt. II: How Do I Become My Best Self?
By: Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC If you read my last blog post, Harry Kraemer, Pt. I: How Do I Find Purpose and Satisfaction?, some of these concepts will look familiar to you. Part one of this two-part blog series discussed Harry Kraemer’s take on living and leading through a values-based life. It broke down…
Read MoreHarry Kraemer, Pt. I: How Do I Find Purpose and Satisfaction?
By: Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC What if someone told you that you’d be able to live a “values-based life by identifying and committing to your values and priorities?” Perhaps what you are saying is important to you isn’t actually aligning with what you truly devote your time to. Maybe you are talking the talk…
Read MoreDoes The Weather Truly Affect Your Mood?
Melanie Lustbader, LPC It is a fact that sunlight increases serotonin levels in the body that makes a person happier. This may be a reason that moods are elevated in the summer. In the winter months, the sun may come out less and therefore result in decreased mood. According to Dr. Nigel Barber, an…
Read MoreDoes Everyone Drink?
By Andrew McNaughton, LCSW, CADC Depending on your age and social circle, it certainly may seem like everyone, or nearly everyone, is drinking alcohol, whether it be the occasional drink once or twice a month or regular weekend binges. The reality is, no, of course not everyone drinks, and there are recent statistics to pour…
Read MoreDo I Have a Gambling Problem?
By Andrew McNaughton, LCSW, CADC Gambling has pretty much always been popular since money has existed. Today, it is as immediately accessible as it ever has been through online lottery purchases and mobile apps for casinos and sportsbooks, where players can win and lose real money really fast. In Illinois, online sports betting became legal…
Read MoreCompassion Fatigue: What Is It and How Can I Prevent It?
By: Danielle Bertini, LPC Have you ever heard of compassion fatigue? Maybe you heard it from the job you work at or from a family member. Maybe you’ve actually never heard of it before. Compassion fatigue can be a serious hazard, especially for those working in helping professions. This isn’t surprising, as those with…
Read MoreWhat Happens To My Brain When I’m Anxious?
Ariannah Hood, LMSW Everyone deals with anxiety to varying degrees and if you find yourself dealing with intense and consistent anxiety it can be helpful to know what is going on inside your brain and what you can do to counter it. Anxiety is a response to perceived danger and stressful events. We can actually…
Read MoreCommon Defense Mechanisms: What Are You Defending and Why?
By: Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC More often than not, we defend ourselves and our actions – sometimes without even realizing it. Maybe if we weren’t so busy explaining ourselves to others, we’d have more room for important things like compassion, understanding, and empathy. What Are the Id, Ego, and Superego? Often when the word…
Read MoreCan’t Fall Asleep? Avoid These Behaviors
Amanda Gregory, LCPC You have to get good sleep. If not, you’re risking your physical and emotional health. But, what if you simply cannot fall asleep in the first place. Perhaps you’ve tried new methods to improve your sleep. Yet, you may need to focus on cutting out certain aspects that could be hindering her…
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