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Winter Survival Strategies

December 20, 2019

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.…

Alternatives to the Question “How Are You?”

December 19, 2019

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…

What Does “They” Mean?

December 18, 2019

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…

Best Ways to Relax

December 17, 2019

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…

Improving Your Mental Health With Mindfulness

December 15, 2019

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…

Part II of The Eight C’s: How to Achieve your Most Centered Self

December 14, 2019

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…

Part I of The Eight C’s: How to Achieve your Most Centered Self

December 13, 2019

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…

Why Grieving is Necessary

December 12, 2019

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…

Staying Calm and Confident for the Job Interview

December 11, 2019

Do you find the job search process overwhelming? Or do you find it difficult to stay positive during the job interview process from applying to several jobs? Or have you found yourself getting discouraged from not getting accepted to the dream job? Here are some tips in staying positive through the interview process. You may find this process overwhelming, particularly if you are trying to get your first job, make a job change transition, or if you…

The Importance of Sleep

December 9, 2019

Shannon M. Duffy, MFT, LCPC Sleep is the most important factor that we tend to overlook and vital for all aspects of one’s health. Everyone would all love to have seven to nine peaceful hours of sleep each night. However, that is not always the goal within our fast-paced society. It’s ironic that as an infant, there is so much importance on sleep and regulated sleep and then as adults we put more value on the waking…