Live Better. Love Better. Work Better.

grief counseling

Categories

What is Radical Acceptance, and How Can It Help Me?

February 28, 2021

Jessica Pontis, LCSW            It feels like anxiety and uncertainty are at an all-time high, and that it feels more and more unreasonable to manage.  After living in our current state for months, how can we maintain hope and see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel?  One thing that may be helpful in this fight is the practice of Radical Acceptance.  Radical Acceptance is a distress tolerance skill commonly used in Dialectic Behavioral Therapy,…

Read More

What Is Codependency and How Can I Work Through It?

February 27, 2021

By: 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…

Read More

What Are 7 Forms of Domestic Abuse Besides Physical & Sexual?, Part 2

February 22, 2021

By: Ashlee Stumpf, LPC To review from part one of this short blog series, “Domestic abuse…can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner,” (UN.org). These relationships include partner, significant other, family member, roommate, or a person in an intimate relationship with someone adjacent to you. The forms often less discussed than physical or sexual abuse but are still commonplace is…

Read More

What Are 7 Forms of Domestic Abuse Besides Physical & Sexual? Part 1

February 21, 2021

By: Ashlee Stumpf, LPC COVID-19 has caused countless issues for us this year; some directly, some indirectly. One indirect consequence of this virus is the rise of domestic violence. To be clear, domestic violence has been at epidemic levels for years, but with recent stay-at-home orders, job losses, and lack of out of the house interaction the reports have gone up. However, no matter the situation, it is NEVER appropriate to abuse another person. Whether your relationship…

Read More

What Am I Missing? Practical Tips for Understanding Your Emotions

February 20, 2021

Hannah Hopper, LPC, NCC Emotions can be confusing and hard to pin down–particularly if you grew up in a family that didn’t talk much about feelings. There is a whole set of vocabulary words that can describe what is going on inside, but it can be like learning a whole new language if you’ve never been in a setting where you needed to use these words for yourself. Another thing that can make it hard to identify…

Read More

Productivity Methods: Which Work Best for You?

February 16, 2021

By: Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC Have you been struggling to stay productive or get things done recently? Well, you’re not alone! This time of year when temperatures continue to drop, we spend countless hours of the day inside. As we continue to work remotely amidst the global pandemic, it can be particularly challenging to stay productive. This blog will introduce and discuss the following three productivity methods: The Pomodoro Method, the Getting Things Done (GTD) Method,…

Read More

They Really Were on A Break: Couples Therapy with Ross and Rachel

February 15, 2021

Matthew Cuddeback LCSW            It can be fun to discuss the ways in which mental health is portrayed in pop-culture, but it can also provide insight into the national psyche as well as lift up positive and healthy portrayals of mental health issues and knock down those that are not. One such interesting example worth exploring is the relationship between Ross and Rachel, two of the main cast of characters on the hit 90’s sitcom Friends. While…

Read More

Pandemic Fatigue: What It Is and Ways to Combat It

February 14, 2021

As we enter December, I won’t even mention how far into the pandemic we are. That said, more and more clients are beginning to present with similar symptoms. These symptoms are reminiscent of those struggling with depression, although, these are symptoms many of these clients have never felt before. It’s impossible to ignore the impact the Covid-19 pandemic is having on the mental health of individuals throughout the country and around the world.  Many of the core…

Read More

How to Broach COVID-19 With Children

February 12, 2021

By Mary-Lauren O’Crowley, MA, NCC Living in the midst of a pandemic, we are constantly being inundated with news reports, statistics, and real-life stories about the impact of COVID-19. With a so-called “second wave” of shutdowns, it is no surprise that our children are also starting to feel the effects of pandemic fatigue. Schools have been closed for months, play dates have become a distant memory, and feelings of fear, frustration, and anxiety are likely building if…

Read More

How to Boost Your Self-Esteem

February 11, 2021

Mary-Lauren O’Crowley, MA, NCC Put simply, self-esteem is the way that we view ourselves and our capabilities. For some, their opinion of themselves is very positive; however, for others, they may find that they are stuck in a pit hole of self-criticism. Falling victim to low self-esteem is not an age-related event, as it can happen throughout our lives and can even be a result of trauma, toxic relationships, work stress, or other difficult experiences that make…

Read More