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By Eric Dean JD MBA MA MA LPC CADC In the 1960’s, researchers conducted multiple studies with rats on the effects of drugs. The experimenters placed rats in a cage with two levers, one with drug-laced water and the other with plain water. Rats would obsessively press the lever for the drug-laced water until they overdosed and died. The conclusion then was that the chemical hooks in the drug were the most important factor in addiction; that…
Courage may seem like a strange area to discuss in relation to mental health. However, courage presents itself every day and various capacities and can help us conquer life’s challenges. In today’s world, simply getting out of bed, calling up a friend, or making it through the day can be an act of courage. As the rate of mental health struggles rises, whether due to COVID-19 or other life challenges, asking for help and support is an…
Toxic positivity is not a phrase many of us are used to hearing. Isn’t positivity, well, positive? Some of the time yes, and some of the time no. To better understand, it’s important to know the definition of toxic positivity. “Toxic positivity is the idea that we should focus only on positive emotions and the positive aspects of life. It’s the belief that if we ignore difficult emotions and the parts of our life that aren’t working…
By: Emily Brennan, MA, LAC, NCC As adults with busy schedules and a full slate of responsibilities, it is easy to forget about our inner child. The inner child is beneath our consciousness and holds unmet needs, suppressed emotions, traumas, and pain from our past. Our inner child also holds joy, creativity, curiosity, and the ability to play. When we become adults, we are told to grow up and forgo the inner child within us all. The…
By: Danielle Bertini, LPC In Part one of this blog, I discussed the topic of enmeshment within family systems, including what it is and signs for noticing it is occurring. As discussed, growing up in an enmeshed family might mean that you now have replicated enmeshment and codependency in other relationships in your life. In part two of this blog we will discuss four components of reversing enmeshment and becoming a healthier, more authentic version of yourself. …
Kaitlin Broderick LCPC Constantly saying “yes” can leave you drained and stretched thin. Plans stack up, obligations grow, and personal time slowly disappears. Learning how to stop being a people pleaser begins with noticing these patterns and understanding why they happen. Guilt often shows up when thinking about disappointing someone. Anxiety may surface when turning down a request. Cultural messages about staying busy and being agreeable can add pressure. Agreeing to overtime, attending events you do not…
Hannah Hopper Over the past several decades, psychological research has focused on the benefits of having high self-esteem. There are countless books, podcasts, and articles that promise to give tips for increasing your self-esteem, so much so that high self-esteem seems like the most important thing when it comes to good mental health. But psychology professor and researcher Kristen Neff says that boosting your ego won’t necessarily make you feel better in the long run. The problem…
By: Emily Brennan, MA, LAC, NCC You have probably heard the phrase, “It’s nice to be nice.” An accurate statement, indeed. What about being nice to ourselves? It may sound cheesy, but how “nice” we are to ourselves and our ‘self-talk’ in general is more important than we think. Self-talk is our inner dialogue and it can sound harsh and critical or tender and loving. For many of us, it is much easier to be self- critical…
By: Danielle Bertini, LPC In Part one of this blog, I discussed the topic of enmeshment within family systems, including what it is and signs for noticing it is occurring. As discussed, growing up in an enmeshed family might mean that you now have replicated enmeshment and codependency in other relationships in your life. In part two of this blog we will discuss four components of reversing enmeshment and becoming a healthier, more authentic version of yourself. …
By Hannah Hopper The National Alliance on Mental Health highlights that many children struggle with depression in their teenage years, but it’s often undetected by parents. Teenage depression can look different than adults struggling with depression, and this blog gives several ways that you can help your child cope. 1) Pay attention to the warning signs Teens go through a lot of different stages, and this can make it harder to pinpoint if your child is feeling…