Counseling Chicago Archives
Matthew Cuddeback LCSW We all have those moments when we tell ourselves things that aren’t helpful or particularly kind- “I’m so stupid for thinking that. Why am I such a loser? How could I think they liked me? I am not good at my job, etc.” These thoughts build up over time and form powerful beliefs. It is important to recognize when this happens and to do work to counteract these patterns of negative thinking. There…
Read MoreBy: Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC If you read my last blog post, How Do I Sleep at Night, Part I?, you learned about seven ways to improve upon better sleep and sleep quality at night. Here is the next part to this two-part blog series that share more helpful information about improved sleep patterns and habits. Cut back on alcohol Alcohol increases the “symptoms of sleep apnea, snoring and disrupted sleep patterns.” Additionally, it alters the…
Read MoreBy: Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC Not the best sleeper? That’s okay – you’re not alone. Research tells us that poor sleep has an adverse effect and immediate negative effects on your “hormones, exercise, performance and brain function.” Additionally, it can increase weight gain and put you at a higher risk for disease. This blog will share seventeen evidence-based tips to help you get better sleep at night. Increase light exposure during the day Your body has…
Read MoreHannah Hopper, LPC, NCC I work with many clients who want to establish better boundaries in their relationships, and typically after setting a boundary, people feel a greater sense of autonomy and freedom. In my last blog, I focused on ways to identify when you may be needing a boundary, and how to listen to your feelings. This blog is more focused on how to have a conversation around boundaries and steps to take that may help…
Read MoreHannah Hopper, LPC, NCC I work with many clients who have been talking about having better boundaries in their life. For some, they have started noticing the need for better boundaries in relationships since having more time at home for reflection; others are noticing the need for better boundaries now that the holiday season is here and more family relationships have come to mind. And some people are noticing a need for different boundaries with their partner…
Read MoreAs the joy filled time of year around the holidays pass, many individuals struggle going into the months of January and February. It’s cold, gets dark earlier, and it feels like there are less things for us to look forward to on the day-to-day. Coming from a time period filled with holiday cheer, we find ourselves with the question of how we can continue to feel and spread joy to those around us. This may feel like…
Read MoreIt’s not uncommon to move through life thinking, “I’ll be happy when…”. We think of happiness as a destination, a place we’ll arrive to when other areas of our lives fall into place. Fortunately and unfortunately, this is not the case. Whenever we hit whatever we initially think will make us happy, there’s another milestone we need to reach making happiness feel further and further away. There is no universal definition of happiness and there is no…
Read MoreBridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC If you read my last blog post, How Can I Thrive? Part I, you learned about a recent interview I did for the Kellogg School of Management. I left off discussing tips on avoiding burnout. Below you will find the rest of the list! How Can I Thrive? Part II: Incorporating Mental Health and Therapy into Your Life Business school is an unusually stressful time for students. Any tips on how…
Read MoreBridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC People typically don’t join the helping profession for recognition or appreciation, but every now and then it comes along when it’s most needed! This two-part blog series will share a recent interview I did for the Kellogg School of Management and help you learn how you can thrive by incorporating both mental health and therapy into your own life. Symmetry Counseling has many talented clinicians that you can get matched with today…
Read MoreHannah Hopper, LPC, NCC 2020 has been a tough year (that might even be an understatement). We’ve all experienced new and unexpected challenges in different areas of our life, and it can be really easy to focus on all that has gone wrong. In the past several months, I’ve been trying to practice more gratitude in my life, and encouraging my clients to practice this too. Why practice gratitude when life is so hard? I had the…
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