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When Is It Time for a Mental Health Check-Up?

January 28, 2019

We go to our primary care doctors when we are not feeling well or annual for a physical check-up. We go to the dentist 1-2 times per year for check-ups or when we are having a tooth ache. We get pedicures and manicures, massages, haircuts, etc. all to make ourselves feel good. But what is another important thing that controls our body that we tend to neglect? OUR MIND! We often forget that when we are not…

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Understanding Non-Binary/Genderqueer Pronouns

January 27, 2019

Understanding non-binary or genderqueer pronouns can be slightly confusing as we are used to using “she/her/hers” or “he/him/his” pronouns, but now including non-binary pronouns need to start becoming a part of your daily vocabulary. Including “they/theirs/them” and others (see end of post) pronouns is very important. In this blog, I will help you understand and how to use the correct Non-Binary and Genderqueer pronouns. ⦁ Normalize Pronouns: Normalizing pronouns should become a part of your routine. Adding…

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How to Stop Self-Sabotaging Thoughts and Actions

January 25, 2019

I work with many clients who struggle with anxiety and/or depression, typically related to their personal or professional lives. I also notice that sometimes it is with the client’s fears that increase their anxiety, which then seems to increase tendencies of self-sabotaging thoughts, actions, and behaviors. My job as their clinical therapist is to identify reasons/triggers causing those fears, and then to help them find coping strategies that work effectively for them. I recently read an article…

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Four Ways Self-Help Books May Not Be Benefiting You

January 23, 2019

Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR In my previous blog, Four Benefits of Self-Help Books, I described how self-help literature may help readers by providing easy interventions, using accessible language to explain scientific data, helping readers recognize that they are not alone, and offering inspiration. However, there are pitfalls of self-help literature of which every potential reader should be aware. There are four common limitations of self-help books: They Are One Size Fits All. Self-help books are written for…

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Four Benefits of Self-Help Books

January 22, 2019

Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Self-help literature is a popular and profitable field. There are books available that address a variety of topics, such as managing emotion, negotiating complex relationships, developing better communication skills, and increasing self-esteem. Have you read self-help literature in the past and now wonder exactly how you benefited? Or have you considered picking up a self-help book? There are four ways self-help books could potentially benefit you: They Provide Quick and Easy Interventions. When…

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Guide to Being Successful

January 18, 2019

We often see other people around us being able to manage their time so well that they can go on trips, enjoy fun stuff, and work a hard job. We tend to compare ourselves to others more than we actually think we do. We often ask ourselves, “How can they do all of these things and not be exhausted?” In this post, it will identify ways to help you be successful in doing everything you want, just…

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Prioritize Yourself, Even if it Feels Strange

January 14, 2019

How many times have you woken up in the morning and thought, “I have the flu, but if I do not go into work, my colleague will have to pick up the slack.” Or at night thought, “I really want to stay in tonight, but I promised my best friend I would celebrate their promotion.” This is a very common dilemma that people face every day. As is often the case in our society, putting others first…

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How to Accomplish Your To-Do Lists Without Procrastinating

January 13, 2019

I often meet with clients who are balancing many different stressors in their life whether it be with their family, work, friends, school, or perhaps a variety of many different stressors. It can be easy to lose track of things you want to complete in a timely manner, especially if that list grows and grows each day. Procrastination is a slippery slope of adding more stress to your busy plate of stressors. I do believe that some…

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Overcoming Emotional Labor

January 12, 2019

Do you live with a partner or roommates and feel that you are the “manager” of the home? Do you feel that you consistently have to pick up after others, or feel that their version of cleaning is not clean at all? Do you feel that you are constantly nagging people to do things around the home? You are not alone! The feeling of being a household manager, and feeling unappreciated for all of the internal work…

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Prioritizing Time For Yourself

January 10, 2019

Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling When life gets busy the first thing that falls to the wayside is any time we dedicate to ourselves. We stop going to the gym, grab a “quick” dinner rather than a healthy one, put off our hobbies, and may even isolate from friends and family. Over time neglecting yourself and your needs will take a toll on your mental and physical health. When you don’t make time for yourself…

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