Blog Archives
For some of us, the holidays are a time of beauty, wonder, and time with our loving families. For others, it can be one of the most stressful times of the year. And traveling during the holidays is among the most stressful parts of the holidays. With strained finances, long lines and cancelled flights at the airports, dysfunctional families, and being off schedule, the holidays are enough to drive anyone a little nutty. And if you add…
Cultural messages about weight and appearance often leave people feeling discouraged, ashamed, or disconnected from themselves. Conversations about health frequently revolve around size, dieting, and comparison. Over time, this weight-centered lens can affect mood, self-esteem, and daily habits in ways that feel discouraging. Learning how to honor your body invites a different path. At Symmetry Counseling, we help clients move away from constant self-criticism and toward a more balanced relationship with food, movement, and self-worth. A respectful…
We all know that the holiday season can bring a combination of excitement and stress for many people. Pressures abound as we attempt to make this time of year exactly right, and oftentimes, this means putting others’ needs ahead of our own. Although there are many benefits to doing for others, it can be detrimental in the long run if you are not also attending to yourself and your own needs. Challenge yourself this holiday season to…
Are you not looking forward to the upcoming holiday season because you are single? Unfortunately, many people who are not in a romantic relationship experience stress, sadness, depression, and loneliness during the holidays. And not for nothing. Our holiday culture certainly perpetuates the idea that the holidays are better when you are in a romantic relationship. We are bombarded with images related to buying that perfect gift for your special someone or sharing a cuddly night by…
Giving end of year bonuses is a very common practice among employers, and bosses often determine employee bonus distributions based upon financial and non-financial measures. End of year performance reviews and hoped-for bonuses are a frequent topic of conversation this time of year. Taking a cue from business, today I want you to think about whether or not you have earned a life bonus this year; that is, whether you have lived up to your own standards,…
What do you do when the joy and happiness portrayed during the holiday is not necessarily reflective of what you are really feeling? The holidays – a time of seemingly constant celebration – may in fact be a time of deep sorrow and sadness to those who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Perhaps the loss was recent, and this will be your first holiday season without someone you love. Of course, this time of…
Believe it or not, the holiday season is just around the corner. While most of us look forward to this time of year, it can also be a difficult season for many of us. For couples, in particular, it can be a time of contradictions. On the one hand, it is a time to connect, celebrate, and share our gratitude and love toward one another. On the other hand, however, the holiday season can generate a great…
Couples seek out therapy for many reasons, but one of the most common is to help their relationship recover from an infidelity. In fact, some research suggests that 30% of couples seek out therapy due to the damage of an affair, and couples who have experienced an affair are more likely to break up or divorce than those couples where there was no infidelity. These couples often feel as though the very foundation of their relationship has…
Think back to a time when you had a really terrible day. Now, imagine yourself in that day. What was that day like for you? How did you feel? Most likely, you were feeling down, unmotivated, frustrated, and perhaps even sad. Little things overwhelmed you and, really, you just wanted to go back to bed and sleep it off. You just were not feeling like yourself. Typically, these days come and go – and you feel like…
We all have bad days with our partner. We fight, act badly, and say things we don’t mean. At times we lose our ability to self-soothe, think logically, and treat our loved one well. For healthy couples, however, these missteps are addressed and resolved respectfully. In a healthy relationship, partners genuinely apologize, learn from their mistakes, and integrate this new knowledge into their relationship in a meaningful way. It can be easy to see where you and…