cognitive behavioral therapy
Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling Antidepressants are a medication commonly used to treat individuals struggling with symptoms of depression. Some of these symptoms include lack of interest, fatigue, hopelessness, sadness, and even suicidal thoughts. The decision to take an antidepressant, engage in outpatient psychological therapy, or combine the two is entirely up to the individual and their needs. If you and your doctor have decided it may be best to begin taking an antidepressant medication,…
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Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling Have you ever been curious as to why you smile at a dog every time one walks past you on the sidewalk? Do you notice that after you come home from a long, stressful day at work and play with your pet, you are in a better mood? It turns out that all pets, not just therapy pets, can boost your mood in many ways. While it’s easy to notice…
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A reader of our blog wrote in to ask our advice about a friend who keeps making plans with them and then later canceling. Watch the video above for Dr. Malec’s response. Everyone experiences a friend canceling plans on them from time to time, and it never feels good. In the video, Dr. Malec recommends that you take the time to address this issue with your friend. Whether you set up a time to meet up in…
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Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Practitioner Social media, text messaging, and email have become staples of interpersonal communication in our culture. More and more people are establishing and maintaining long-distance relationships electronically. Yet corresponding this way can lack intimacy, which weakens our relationships with friends, family, and loved ones. Here are four ways to use electronic communication to feel close even when you’re far apart. 1. Send a Picture Images communicate and elicit a variety of emotions. We…
Read MoreTo quote one of my favorite shows, Game of Thrones, “Winter is coming.” Some people love winter in the Midwest. We get to experience the beautiful snow and celebrate the holiday season. Others, however, dislike winter. We view it as getting colder, we notice that we don’t see the sun as often, and we start to realize just how warm and comfortable our bed truly is. Whether you enjoy the winter or not, you may begin to…
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In this video, Dr. Malec answers a question submitted by one of our readers. This letter writer wonders how to keep their partner engaged in difficult conversations. Watch the video above for Dr. Malec’s response. Approaching Difficult Conversations With Your Partner Invite your partner to the conversation It’s important that your partner gets the time and space they need to consider what they have to say. Don’t spring a difficult conversation on them; talk about it in…
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For those unfamiliar, the prospect of starting therapy can be daunting. It is often a realm of thought, emotion, and vulnerability that many of us work so diligently to ignore. You may have also have been in therapy before yet struggled to see the results, which can make the prospect of re-engaging somewhat scary. While understandable, there are a few factors which can help make your therapy experience positive and beneficial. Pick a therapist who is right…
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Amanda Gregory, LCPC, Symmetry Counseling Chicago Sadness is a healthy emotion that we all experience sometimes. But depression is far from healthy. As a therapist who has worked with depressed clients for more than a decade, I know it can be difficult to tell if what you feel is healthy sadness or harmful depression. There are some common symptoms you can look out for that will help you to identify if you’re experiencing depression. Persistent Depressed Mood…
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The twenty-four-hour news cycle, covering what can feel like an increasingly violent and chaotic world, is enough to make anyone feel overwhelmed, depressed, and disheartened. This blog entry is written in the immediate aftermath of the Las Vegas mass shooting, yet it is entirely possible that by its posting, another tragic event will have unfolded. While some outlets do take special care to honor victims, a significant portion is often devoted to analyzing details about the horrific…
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Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Feeling anxious is a common experience—and at times, it’s even a good thing, helping us to increase our motivation, awareness, and competitiveness. But other times, anxiety can feel overwhelming and even unmanageable. How do you know when your anxiety has become problematic? As a therapist who specializes in the treatment of anxiety, I’ve seen many clients whose anxiety has grown into a life-changing problem. This can happen gradually over years or as quickly…
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