Therapy Chicago
Mary-Lauren O’Crowley Sometimes referred to as relationship addiction, codependency is a learned behavior through which an individual comes to rely heavily on their partner, often forgoing their own needs and desires in the process. This gravely impacts the individual’s ability to have a mutually healthy and satisfying relationship. A codependent individual may take on the role of a caregiver in meeting the physical, emotional, or psychological needs of their partner or their friends and family. The codependent…
Read More
Mary-Lauren O’Crowley, NCC, LPC Have you ever wondered how certain people are drawn to others? What makes an anxious, insecure and often clingy young lady drawn to a self-absorbed and avoidant young man? Why does an unemotional female seem to always be drawn to a man who feels a need to get desperately validated? What is the basis for toxic relationships? The answer to these questions is often accounted for by therapists in the sum of two…
Read MoreTo answer this question, one must first ask, how does resentment find its way into your relationship? Resentment is defined as “a feeling of bitterness, animosity, or hostility elicited by something or someone perceived as insulting or injurious (APA, 2020).” An article from BetterHelp (2020) has broken down resentment into three components: persistent anger, unfair treatment, and dwelling on upsetting experiences. Persistent anger is pretty much what it sounds like. It’s a feeling of anger, or even…
Read MoreAs the return to “normal” quickly approaches, so too does the return to working in an office, changing out of sweatpants and socializing with colleagues. If this thought stresses you out, or if you’ve begun working from the office and are feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. While these feelings are very valid and real, they are not permanent. Humans are incredibly adaptable and resilient beings, as we saw March of last year. While there will certainly be…
Read More
Amanda Ann Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Certified Financial abuse occurs more often than you think. If you’re unsure whether you’re experiencing financial abuse, please read my blog, “Are You Experiencing Financial Abuse?” If you’re experiencing financial abuse, it’s important to take steps to reestablish your financial safety. Every person’s situation is different, so please keep that in mind, as some of the suggestions here may not apply to you. Consider taking these actions in order to overcome financial…
Read MoreAs many of us begin to return back to the office part-time, a question I’ve been asked many times by clients is how they can create the healthiest work environment for themselves. I believe many individuals have used this time during the pandemic to assess and focus on their mental health and are now realizing the impact their work environment has on their overall well-being. So much progress has been made this past year in highlighting areas…
Read More
By: Danielle Bertini, LPC It’s been more than two decades since the launch of commercial dating sites like Match.com, which has evolved into a multibillion-dollar industry around the world (Orbuch, 2010). According to a 2019 Pew Research Center study, three-in-ten U.S. adults say they have ever used a dating site or app (Vogels, 2020). And although roughly 57% of online daters said they’ve had an overall positive experience on these platforms, 47% said that their recent experience…
Read MoreMary-Lauren O’Crowley, NCC, LPC Many of us have a strong emotional attachment to our furry friends. A pet is not “just a cat” or “just a dog” to us. They are a treasured member of our household who brings us company, laughter, joy, and even love. A pet may provide structure to your life, keep you social and active for the whole day, assist you in overcoming disappointments and problems, and even give you a feeling of purpose…
Read More
After living in a global pandemic for over a year now, many of us are struggling with feeling stuck. Stuck in our homes, stuck in the same routines, stuck in unhealthy patterns or relationships, and just stuck in general. Frequently, many of us are inspired and motivated by creative outlets or activities we partake in outside of working. However, many of those avenues haven’t been an option to us because of the restrictions from covid. This overall…
Read MoreSteven Topper LCPC One of the more challenging things to do is tell the people close to us that they’ve bothered, frustrated, disappointed, or hurt us. We tend to be conflict-averse, and even when we aren’t, we can do more harm in the ways we communicate these emotions. Navigating these choppy waters can be so difficult that many of us attempt to avoid these conversations, resulting in resentment, anger, and passive-aggressive behavior. There are many helpful strategies…
Read MoreDo You Need Help?
Not what you were looking for?