Counseling
Coping mechanisms are strategies we use to manage stress, trauma, and overwhelming emotions. They help us navigate difficult situations. However, not all coping mechanisms are created equal. While some strategies offer immediate relief, they may ultimately cause harm in the long run. Recognizing the difference between maladaptive and healthy coping mechanisms is key to building emotional resilience and improving overall well-being. Maladaptive vs. Healthy Coping Mechanisms Maladaptive coping mechanisms are behaviors that might offer short-term relief but…
Read More
What are Grounding Skills? While our first thought about “grounding” might be about getting in trouble by parents, caregivers, or even teachers, we are referring to a different type of grounding. Grounding can be described as our ability to stay present and be in the ‘here and now’. What does that mean? When experiencing racing thoughts, anxiety, depression, big emotions, etc., we can find ourselves focused on past situations and experiences, or a fear of the future,…
Read More
Anxiety is likely a word you have heard before, but how do you know if what you are experiencing is anxiety? Anxiety is a response that typically occurs when the body is under stress, in an unfamiliar situation, or in danger. Anyone can experience anxiety but not everyone has an anxiety disorder, so how do you know the difference? Symptoms of Anxiety: First, I will start by explaining the symptoms of an anxiety disorder. The most common…
Read More
When discussing authentic leadership in the workplace, a common definition reveals that it encompasses individuals who are self-aware and mindful of how their behavior and thoughts are perceived by others; are aware of their own and others’ morals, values, knowledge, and strengths, and are confident, optimistic, hopeful, and resilient. While this definition captures the essence of authentic leadership, research shows that this type of leadership is continuously evolving. Authentic leaders tend to think outside the parameters of…
Read More
“Maybe I should see a therapist…” – we’ve all had that thought. Whether it’s following a bad break-up, handling years of unhealthy family relationships and interactions, or even after realizing that you hate your job and may need someone to talk to about it. But when is the line crossed from “I can handle this on my own” to “I really need to talk to someone about this”? Unmanageable vs. Uncomfortable Everyone endures anxiety at some point.…
Read More
As we age and life becomes more complex to navigate, our tendency to engage in maladaptive behaviors to cope with such changes can occasionally increase. We are inclined to utilize our most comfortable skills and habits that help us in getting through the day in the easiest way possible using the least amount of effort and resources. But how do we know if these coping behaviors are maladaptive? The American Psychological Association has an excellent definition of…
Read More
In Parts 1 and 2, I introduced coping skills and cognitive restructuring techniques. Hopefully, you had a chance to try them out. Now, I will tie this blog series together through a discussion of core beliefs and acceptance. What are Core Beliefs? In Part 1, I briefly touched upon core beliefs. To recap, core beliefs about a situation can lead to anxiety, and processing these core beliefs can be beneficial. Now, let’s delve deeper into the concept…
Read More
In Part 1, I introduced various coping skills for managing anxiety. I hope you had a chance to try out those techniques. Now, I will discuss strategies to understand, challenge and reframe maladaptive thoughts. This approach is rooted in the principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) At its core, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), is about changing the way we think and behave in order to reduce anxiety. It operates on the premise that…
Read More
If you are reading this post, chances are you’re experiencing some level of anxiety. What if I told you that you hold more control over your anxiety than it does over you? Anxiety often feels overwhelming, but it is important to recognize that you can navigate through it. Anxiousness and Control It is natural to feel consumed by anxiety, as if it is completely beyond your control. However, anxiety is a response to perceived threats or stressors.…
Read More
Reducing negative self-talk is not an easy task, but it is possible! Here are some strategies: Embrace Self-Compassion Leaning into self-compassion over positivity is a more attainable goal. While it may seem intuitive to counter negativity with positivity, positive thinking alone might be more harmful than helpful. If you can get to a point where you think positively about yourself, that’s wonderful, but it is not necessary. My hope is that you can achieve unconditional positive regard…
Read MoreDo You Need Help?
Not what you were looking for?