Counseling Chicago Archives
What is Breakup Grief? There is no blueprint for how long, what steps are required, or how you should feel when a relationship ends. Breakup grief is the deep-seated pain and sense of loss felt after the end of a relationship. When you are grieving a relationship, you are not just mourning the loss of your significant other, but also the hopes, dreams, goals, and plans you had with that significant other. Following a breakup, you have…
Read MoreBy Plascilla Foster, LPC, NCC You are in a long-term relationship, and you have been with your partner for some time. You are single and dating. You could be a divorcee or a widower. In all of these different scenarios you may have asked yourself the question, “Should I get married?” For some individuals, it may be, “Should I get married again?” Deciding to get married may feel scary, and despite the effects, one may have experienced…
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Mary-Lauren O’Crowley, NCC, LPC Being a first-time mom comes with its own set of challenges, as you are exposed to various new experiences, from breastfeeding to soothing a crying baby. You’ve already conquered one difficult task by giving birth to your child, and now the second – the overwhelming chore of parenting your child – is causing you anxiety. You probably assumed that everything would be okay after your child was born. Still, as you begin your…
Read MoreMary-Lauren O’Crowley, NCC, LPC Lately, it would seem that older generations are under the assumption that younger people, specifically of the millennial generation, are easygoing if not irresponsible, with no stressors to be had. But this is an over-generalization and by no means the reality. Although younger generations typically enjoy the benefits of good health, they are also prone to chronic stress brought on by long hours and low wages, crippling student loans, and a newer generation of…
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Mary-Lauren O’Crowley, NCC, LPC “Get over it.” These words are not only insensitive, but they are also extremely misguided. In today’s society, grief is treated in a rather cold manner, as if it is something that can be processed and healed within a week’s time and we can then return to life as usual. This may be due in large part to the improper understanding of the process of grief and how it truly feels. Grief…
Read MoreBy: Zana Van Der Smissen Whether you are moving out of a rental, buying your first home, or moving into college dorms, moving stress is very real. It can be exhausting, anxiety-inducing, and can overall end up being a negative experience for most. However, I am here to say that you can find ways to cope with that stress and even find this new chapter exciting! So first let’s talk about what moving stress might look like.…
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Forgiveness and trauma recovery create a complicated relationship for many survivors. Long-term healing unfolds in personal waves, and no single step fits everyone. Many people experience significant progress without forgiving an abuser, and forced forgiveness creates emotional blocks instead of relief. This topic deserves space for practical guidance, personal choice, and internal growth. Understanding Forgiveness and Trauma Recovery Forgiveness and trauma recovery often get linked as if they must move in one direction, yet survivors benefit from…
Read MoreAmanda Ann Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Certified Therapist “Forgiveness is for you, not the other person” “Don’t let someone rent space in your head.” “You need to forgive so that you can move on.” “You’ve likely heard popular sayings like, ‘Forgive for your own sake’ or ‘Don’t let someone rent space in your head.’ Do you believe them? When it comes to recovering from trauma, perhaps you shouldn’t. Forgiveness is potentially problematic when incorporated into trauma treatment. It’s been…
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Kaitlin Broderick LCPC Perfectionism can be thought of as the belief that your worth as a human being is tied to your achievements and therefore, you cannot fail at anything. We live in a culture where people are constantly praised and respected for their achievements; especially in work. Perfectionists often have a pervasive feeling of just not being good enough. It can impact every area of one’s life including work, relationships with others, and even the relationship…
Read MoreSteven Losardo, LMFT We currently live in an extremely fast-paced world. A world where we don’t often let our brains shut down and rest. Between work stress and family responsibilities, and unexpected challenges, such as illnesses, it’s no wonder people have such a hard time sleeping (6 steps, 2020). However, sleep is vital to our mental health. Lack of sleep can lead to anxiety, depression, mood swings, poor diet, etc. In this article, we’ve put together 5…
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