Therapy Chicago
Steven Topper LCPC One of the key differences between us and all other animals is our ability to talk. Scientists have observed other animals using vocal sounds to communicate, yet something sets our talking apart from all the rest. Importantly, we are able to connect all words with all other words. We call this arbitrary relational responding, but that strange term belies a pretty simple game we can play: Not up, but _____. Not left, but ______.…
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Andrew D. Castillo, LCSW, MSW Depending on who you ask we are either on the cusp, or in the throws of the holiday season! While this may be a time for festivities and celebration with family and friends, we also know that the change in seasons can be a difficult time for many people, for a variety of reasons. We may experience seasonal patterns of depression or other diagnoses, face increased stressors associated with holiday expectations, or…
Read MoreAmanda Ann Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Certified Public Speaking is one of the most common phobias and sources of anxiety. Here are coping strategies which may help you to manage your anxiety while speaking publicly. Be realistic about your audience’s expectations. What are the expectations of your audience? Do they expect you to give a perfect speech? Are they critiquing your every word? Most likely, such high expectations are your expectations, not those of your audience. Perfection is…
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By: Danielle Bertini, LPC In a previous blog post, I discussed the topic of trauma bonding, including what it is, how it’s formed, and signs to be aware of. In this blog, we will explore ways to break these unhealthy bonds. But first, let’s have a refresher of what trauma bonding is. Trauma bonding develops out of a repeated cycle of abuse, devaluation, and positive reinforcement (Raypole, 2020). This trauma of abuse can create powerful feelings that…
Read MoreBy: Zana Van Der Smissen (TW: Eating Disorders. This article does contain content that might be triggering for some. If you find yourself feeling uncomfortable, please step away from the article and take time for yourself or reach out for help at Symmetry Counseling) The holidays are a time of year for cold weather, Christmas music and of course, food. Food is the main event for most families whether or not it is preparing as a family,…
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Jessica Pontis, LCSW Have you ever been in distressed and not know what to do with your emotions? Maybe you wanted to scream, cry, throw a temper tantrum, lash out at someone else? We’ve all had moments where we might not have known how to process our feelings, which might have resulted in behavior that was somewhat childlike. It’s not uncommon for people to revert to a childlike state when stressed, sad, or angry, but it…
Read MoreJessica Pontis, LCSW Have you ever looked in a mirror and not particularly enjoyed the person staring back at you? Have you ever judged your body, skin, or face? Perhaps there are stretchmarks in places you feel there shouldn’t be, or felt self-conscious about some gained weight during quarantine? You are not alone in these thoughts. It’s unfortunate how we have been conditioned to feel we should constantly be at war with our bodies. Constantly feeling as…
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Amanda Ann Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Certified Ghosting is when you abruptly end all communication or contact with a person (with whom you’ve had a relationship) without warning. Ghosting can occur in any type of relationship, but this blog will focus on romantic relationships which include casual dating, commitment, and every other category of romance. Ghosting is tempting. It’s a way to end a relationship without any conflict or effort. It’s a way to avoid being exposed to…
Read MoreMegan Mulroy, LPC Having a solid morning routine can help kick start your day and set you up for success in the workplace as well as in your personal life. When you are rushing to get out of the house that frantic energy can often follow you around all day and can trigger a bad mood. When we are rushed, we are more prone to make mistakes, be short with people, and miss deadlines. As a certified…
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By Eric Dean JD, MBA, MA, MA, LPC, CADC Odds are that you have taken hundreds of formal exams during your life – school exams, licensing exams, standardized exams, to name a few. But no matter how many exams you have under your belt, you still feel stressed and nervous in the days or weeks leading up to the exam date. With respect to exam performance, this is not necessarily a bad thing. Research has demonstrated that…
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