Therapy Chicago
Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling A word as simple as “you” can change the dynamic of a conversation. Using “you” in a sentence such as “You never listen to me” or “You always wait until the last minute” insinuates the other person is at fault. Placing blame on another person is often used as an easy defense to avoid feeling your own pain or recognizing your own faults. When you begin to use tactics to…
Read MoreMadissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling Where do you feel your anxiety? Do you experience your heart begin to race, muscles tense, shortness of breath, stomach aches, or excessive and intrusive negative thoughts? If you have ever experienced or struggled with symptoms of anxiety, you may have been instructed by others to “calm down” or “just relax”. You also probably know that calming down and relaxing is not as simple as it sounds when you are…
Read MoreAmanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Practitioner It’s no surprise that expressing our gratitude positively impacts others—after all, who doesn’t like to feel appreciated? But it’s also good for us. Amy Morin of Forbes reported that scientific studies have shown how gratitude improves psychological health, physical health, sleep, and self-esteem. It’s in our best interest to express gratitude. Last month, I wrote my aunt a letter expressing appreciation for all the ways she has made a positive difference…
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Many of us grew up hearing the phrase, “April showers bring May flowers,” regarding the weather being gloomy and rainy in April with the hope that it will bring flowers in May. While this phrase pertains to the weather, it can also pertain to your life, particularly your professional life. Most people go through an adjustment period at some point in their life such as resigning from a toxic job environment or getting fired or laid off…
Read MoreAt Symmetry Counseling, we are proud of our staff of highly trained and experienced licensed mental health professionals. In the above video, meet Amanda Gregory, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor here at Symmetry Counseling. What made you decide to be a therapist? You know, I started in this field kind of unexpectedly. I started as a photojournalist and all of the assignments I loved always had something to do with people. I loved one-on-one portraits, and I…
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Memorial Day is just around the corner. While many of us may think of it as a three day holiday weekend, others may consider it to be a tough day if they have lost someone who was a soldier. Memorial Day might also be a trigger for people who have lost individuals in their lives that may not have been a soldier, but were simply just a close friend or family member. Everyone goes through different stages…
Read MoreAt Symmetry Counseling, we are proud of our staff of highly trained and experienced licensed mental health professionals. In the above video, meet Alexa Ehrlich, an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist here at Symmetry Counseling. What made you decide to be a therapist? I decided to become a therapist because I have always just really loved understanding relationships, meeting people in my friends’ lives, my family’s lives. I’ve always not only liked relationships but I’ve been really…
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May brings the beginning of the graduation season: graduating from undergrad, graduate school, or obtaining new licenses or certifications. Even if you didn’t just complete your last semester in an academic program, maybe you completed a goal or graduated from a big milestone in your life, which also is a big success! Congrats! However, with all of the new possibilities that graduation brings, many new graduates also feel anxious as to what is next in their life.…
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Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Practitioner EMDR—Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing—is a type of treatment which is gaining popularity among therapists and clients. EMDR uses eye movements or other types of bilateral stimulation to help the client to process distressing memories and beliefs. EDMR is best known as a method to treat trauma, but it can also be effective to address any past or recent events which cause current distress. Have you ever wondered what EMDR is like…
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Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling The first date is an experience that can bring up a mixed bag of emotions. Many people feel a range of emotions including insecurities, nervousness, excitement, anxiety, and even fear. You are not only worrying about making a good first impression, but also have the task of determining if the person sitting across the table is a good match for you. The amount of pressures and anxieties that come along…
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