Live Better. Love Better. Work Better.

marriage counseling

Categories

Where Are Our Values Hiding?

August 22, 2019
saeed mhmdi 130222 unsplash 1 5d0a6e913d25c

Steven Topper, LCPC For many of us, we know what we want: family, success, esteem, love — this list could go on forever. Many of us also find that when we get these things, they aren’t quite what we expected. Finally got that promotion and it’s not as glamorous as you thought? Get married and your partner still has all their issues you already know about (the audacity!)? It can be incredibly deflating to work so hard…

Read More

The Positive Impact of a Sincere Compliment

August 18, 2019
anthony ginsbrook 294309 unsplash 1 5d03b7bc82e19

Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor Take a moment to think about what it feels like when a stranger, coworker, or friend smiles at you and tells you they think your hair looks good that day, that you did well on a project, or that you seem happy. A simple compliment can shift your entire mood for the day and make you feel good. According to The Insider, one study even found that a single complement activates the…

Read More

Back to School Basics

August 15, 2019
backtoschool 1 5db9b03df3595

Hannah Hopper When summer comes to an end and the school year rolls around again, it can be a hectic and overwhelming transition for many kids. Whether you’re feeling relieved that the kids will have school again or feeling stressed that there will be a fuller schedule to manage, it can also be a stressful time for kids as they anticipate a new classroom, a different teacher, and another grade. The National Association of School Psychologists has…

Read More

Things You Are Wondering About Your Therapist But Are Reluctant To Ask

August 8, 2019
dreamstime xxl 104759845 1 5d02bfe6b38f0

Matthew Cuddeback, LCSW Sometimes your relationship with your therapist can feel one-sided. This is, in part by design, and appropriate, and in part it is an unintended consequence of the therapist-client relationship. This balance can be different for each client and therapist, and the bottom line is that the focus should be completely on the client’s well being. However, it is natural to have some questions about your therapist and your relationship with them. Some of the…

Read More

Preventing Work Burnout: Regaining Control Over Work Stress

August 4, 2019
dreamstime xxl 37859781 1 5d02b4934c6b5

Do you ever feel like you’re burning the wick from both ends? And that you’re having difficulty keeping motivated? Or feel a constant frustration and anger but feel unclear about where it is coming from? Or feeling low energy and depressed at work? As a therapist working with clients with workplace stress and having a history of working with Employee Assistance Program clients, I have heard numerous clients share their work-related stress and “burnout” experiences. Work-related burnout…

Read More

Quarter-Life Crisis

August 3, 2019
dreamstime xxl 158722962 1 5db9b309912c8

This summer is flying by, and with it passes a whole season of weddings and birthdays. With this fast flight into September, I have heard a lot of buzz from family, friends, and clients questioning where they are in their lives in comparison to their peers. Here are a few common thoughts I hear: “______ is getting married and I’m not.” “_____ is so excited about his/her/their promotion but I still don’t know what I want to…

Read More

Tips for Self Transformation

July 30, 2019
suzanne d williams 794133 unsplash 5ced63771b87f scaled

When it comes time to change the path of how your life is going, it can be challenging to know where to begin. Here are some ways to help you start the journey of self-transformation in other to have a well-balanced sense of self. Self-Knowledge: To know thyself is to have the awareness of your patterns. The self is always evolving, therefore distinguishing what you tolerate or accept is paramount, which takes time to accomplish with continuous…

Read More

The Problem of Why: How to Avoid the Trap Excuses Make

July 26, 2019
dreamstime xxl 58534129 1 5ced5d71c0e39

Steven Topper, LCPC When telling people you’re feeling down, or anxious, or just not quite right, how often are you responded to with one specific, difficult question: Why? This can feel like a ridiculous, uncomfortable question mostly because of what it is really asking. When people (parents, siblings, friends, significant others, coworkers) ask this, underneath it is a request to prove it. When people ask us why we’re feeling a certain way, on a deeper level is…

Read More

Denying Yourself Pleasure: Why We Do It and How to Stop

July 20, 2019

I work with many clients who struggle with anxiety or depression related to many reasons whether it is due to their personal or professional life. My job as their clinical therapist is to help clients understand possible reasons/triggers that are causing their anxiety and/or depression, and then possible coping strategies to help. After several sessions with some clients, I have noticed once they start reducing their symptoms of anxiety and/or depression, they then become uncomfortable with this…

Read More

The Relationship Between Identifying One’s Emotions and Preventing Depression

July 14, 2019
dreamstime xxl 69062012 1 5d2dfdd4c6d0c

As we transition and develop through different stages of life our ability to identify and communicate the emotions we may be feeling fluctuates. Although it may seem counterintuitive, at a young age we typically have a high ability to identify and express our feelings, which decreases through adolescence. When an individual is able to recognize their emotional distress and what it’s attributable to, they have a higher chance of being able to resolve the issue. This idea…

Read More