mental health
Hannah Hopper The pattern goes like this. You’re sitting at work with a string of unanswered emails, a project that keeps getting kicked back no matter how many times you’ve met with your team, and a daunting number of tasks to complete for the day. So you pick up your phone and start scrolling to have temporary relief from the anxiety of the to-do list. And while becoming more focused can feel like a daunting task, there…
Amanda Ann Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Certified You’ve learned many methods to manage your emotional and physical health. You know that these skills work and you know that you should use them. But, you’re not. Why? You might think you’re lazy or forgetful. Yet, the reasons you’re not using coping skills can be complicated. Here are a few common reasons you may not be using your coping skills: You’ve convinced yourself that you don’t have the time. This…
Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Certified Therapist Winter has arrived. Some people love Winter. They feel content in the cold weather, the darkness, and the holiday season. Others don’t notice much of a difference in their moods during Winter. However, some people report a noticeable increase in depression, anxiety, and low energy during the Winter months. If your mood is negatively impacted by the Winter season there are many strategies you can try in order to cope. Socialize.…
Amanda Ann Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Certified “How are you?” “I’m fine.” “Are you really fine?” “No, but that’s not what you want to hear.” Do you truly want to know about someone’s well-being? If so, the question “how are you?” may not be the best option. The question “how are you?” tends to invite responses that are short, inaccurate, superficial, and polite. If that’s not want you want, then you might consider a few alternatives. I came…
Language continues to grow as people find words that better reflect who they are. One question that comes up often in counseling and everyday conversations is: what do they/them pronouns mean? Pronouns may seem like small words, yet they carry meaning tied to identity, belonging, and how someone wishes to be addressed. At Symmetry Counseling, conversations about identity, pronouns, and self-expression often arise in individual counseling sessions. We work with ages 10 through adulthood and provide both…
We are constantly on the go and I feel like there are many times that I am not able to relax until I get into bed, if even that. We have such a need to keep on going and keep checking everything off our list until it is done for the day or until our bodies say “no more!”. What are some ways that you can relax more? Being able to relax not only your body, but…
Hannah Hopper Have you ever felt distracted by stressful events that happened in your past, this last week, or even several hours ago? Have you ever been so anxious about what could happen in the future that you’re unable to even focus on the things that are happening in your present moment? If any of these things have been true for you (and let’s be honest, we’ve all experienced this at some point), then you might consider…
In my previous blog post, Internal Family Systems and the Eight C’s: Part One, I briefly explained the basic idea of what Internal Family Systems (IFS) theory is and one of its tenets, which is the concept of the Eight C’s. As humans, we function as our most aware, centered Selves when we operate from the Eight C’s. I discussed the first four C’s which are calmness, clarity, curiosity, and compassion. In this post, I will explore…
Mental health practitioners are trained in various theories and intervention models that allow them to help their clients in an effective, comprehensive way. One model that I have lately been intrigued by is the Internal Family Systems (IFS) theory. This model integrates the systems theory model and multiplicity of the mind; it explores multiple parts of the individual mind and how all of these parts interact as a system, in self and in the environment. One aspect…
Have you lost a loved one in your life and feel a huge void? Or feel a roller coaster of emotions? Or feel like you’re going crazy? As a therapist, I work with a lot of clients who have lost a family member, spouse, or someone very close to them, and whom are unsure of what to do with the overwhelming emotions. One of the most common concerns that I hear is that they feel like they…