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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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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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In my previous blog, Avoid the Four Horsemen, I discussed details of Dr. John Gottman’s Four Horsemen of communication: criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling. When these four communication styles were witnessed within a couple, Dr. Gottman’s research was able to determine they can be predictive indicators of the end of a relationship. Although these four communication styles were a predictor of the end of a relationship, recognizing that the Four Horsemen are a part of your communication…
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When first seeing a therapist or psychiatrist, a diagnosis is usually determined. It can cause a lot of uncertainty and the possibility of not knowing what the diagnosis means or what to do with what has been told to you. When this occurs, it tends to change our lives and the lives of the people we use as supports. Being able to not allow the mental health diagnosis drive our life, but instead for us to think…
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In my previous blog post, How to Stick to New Years Resolutions, I talked about ways to set up resolutions for the year by being specific, setting measurable, achievable, and relevant goals, and time limits for yourself. Since we are a few weeks into the new year, I wanted to do a checkup to see how your resolutions were going for you. Have you been able to maintain your resolutions, or as I like to call them…
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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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I work with many clients who discuss feeling anxious due to a number of stressors, whether it be related to their professional or personal life. Some clients even discuss feeling worried or anxious related to noticing their children exhibiting symptoms of anxiety as well. I recently read an article from The New York Times that touched on this topic, “How to Help a Child with an Anxiety Disorder” by author Perri Klass, M.D. Dr. Klass discusses several…
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Andrew McNaughton, LCSW, CADC Once we have begun to make positive changes in our lives and found stability in mood and behavior, it is important to develop a plan for sustaining these changes. Regardless of what we are working on in therapy and/or in recovery, I recommend that everyone develop a relapse prevention plan. This will provide a structured approach to increase our chances of countering any triggers or urges that could lead us to a symptom…
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Andrew McNaughton, LCSW, CADC Congratulations on making the significant change of quitting using your drug of choice. Right now, I hope you are feeling a great sense of accomplishment, as well as renewed energy from living better with improved eating and sleeping habits. Making this initial change might be the hardest part of your recovery, but this will not be the only challenge you face. At some point, your newfound sober energy may turn into emotional fatigue,…
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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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