Danielle Bertini
By: Danielle Bertini, LPC You can probably think of a situation where a person just bugs you. Maybe you just don’t see eye to eye on things, and every time you have a conversation, your blood boils. The sad thing is that when you first met this person, you really thought there was a connection there. Before you make the decision to cut off all communication, maybe you end up in a situation where you are…
Read MoreBy: Danielle Bertini, LPC Friendships are important. They can help us shape our goals, give us rhythm to our days, and even largely determine happiness. However, true friendships in adulthood can be much harder to make and maintain. Bonior (2016) offers 10 ways to make, and keep, friendships as an adult. Make it a health issue. Friendships are not only important for your mental health, but they are actually also crucial for your physical health.…
Read MoreBy: Danielle Bertini, LPC I think we can all say a collective experience the world has shared this year (among other things) is that we are BORED. With the pandemic still around and most activities continuing to be shut down, there truly is not much to do to occupy our time. And here’s the thing—boredom is generally viewed as an unpleasant emotional state. When you feel bored and fatigued, 10 minutes can feel like an eternity. Because…
Read MoreBy: Danielle Bertini, LPC Have you ever heard of compassion fatigue? Maybe you heard it from the job you work at or from a family member. Maybe you’ve actually never heard of it before. Compassion fatigue can be a serious hazard, especially for those working in helping professions. This isn’t surprising, as those with the most empathy are the most at risk. So, what is it? Compassion fatigue is characterized by “physical and emotional exhaustion…
Read MoreBy: Danielle Bertini, LPC Stress definitely has a bad reputation, and for good reasons. When the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, not many people are wishing for “more stress” in the year to come. And there is science to back this up, as stress is often linked with negative health and well-being outcomes. However, Stanford psychologist Alia Crum and her colleagues write about how “the truth of stress is not so grim” (Pogosyan,…
Read MoreBy: Danielle Bertini, LPC Most people have heard of the word empathy, maybe even using it to describe themselves. Empathy is when you are in tune to other people’s feelings and life circumstances. For example, empathy might be when you give an appropriate, understanding response when someone loses their job, or when you show excitement to a friend’s pregnancy announcement—even if you have never been personally impacted by either of those situations. So, now what…
Read MoreBy: Danielle Bertini What do you think when you hear the word “codependency?” Many people are often very confused by this word. People often hear this term and think that it means someone who is “clingy” or “needy.” However, codependency can actually be a very harmful mental and behavioral trait. So, what is? Codependency was first recognized by family members of people who were struggling with alcohol, in which a cycle of dysfunctional needs is…
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By: Danielle Bertini, LPC Are you the type of person who tries their best to be respectful and show compassion and concern towards others when they need it? Maybe you’re too pleasing most of the time. Or maybe you really connect with the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” But how often is it that you cater to others, but they often don’t return the favor? Learning to stand up…
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By: Danielle Bertini, LPC With the upcoming presidential election right around the corner as well as the holiday season, I have found that many people are anxious with not knowing how to potentially discuss politics with their families. Although not every family structure talks about politics, some families enjoy talking about politics the same way some families talk about their favorite sports teams: with a one-sided passion that they expect everyone else to share. However, talking about…
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By: Danielle Bertini, LPC In some ways, we are constantly seeking “the best” from people. We want the best doctors, the best service at a restaurant, or even to get the best advice from friends. We don’t want people who will just tell us what to do, but people who have our best interests in mind. In this way, we are looking for great leadership. And we all have the ability to provide leadership at some point…
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