mental health
We go to our primary care doctors when we are not feeling well or annual for a physical check-up. We go to the dentist 1-2 times per year for check-ups or when we are having a tooth ache. We get pedicures and manicures, massages, haircuts, etc. all to make ourselves feel good. But what is another important thing that controls our body that we tend to neglect? OUR MIND! We often forget that when we are not…
Read MoreUnderstanding non-binary or genderqueer pronouns can be slightly confusing as we are used to using “she/her/hers” or “he/him/his” pronouns, but now including non-binary pronouns need to start becoming a part of your daily vocabulary. Including “they/theirs/them” and others (see end of post) pronouns is very important. In this blog, I will help you understand and how to use the correct Non-Binary and Genderqueer pronouns. ⦁ Normalize Pronouns: Normalizing pronouns should become a part of your routine. Adding…
Read MoreI work with many clients who struggle with anxiety and/or depression, typically related to their personal or professional lives. I also notice that sometimes it is with the client’s fears that increase their anxiety, which then seems to increase tendencies of self-sabotaging thoughts, actions, and behaviors. My job as their clinical therapist is to identify reasons/triggers causing those fears, and then to help them find coping strategies that work effectively for them. I recently read an article…
Read MoreI work with many clients who are experiencing anxiety whether it is due to professional stressors or personal stressors. Part of my job as a clinical therapist is not only to assess reasons why clients are experiencing their symptoms of anxiety, but also to work with them on possible coping strategies to reduce their symptoms. I have read numerous research articles that explain the connections between our mind and body, especially when it comes to anxiety. For…
Read MoreAmanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR In my previous blog, Four Benefits of Self-Help Books, I described how self-help literature may help readers by providing easy interventions, using accessible language to explain scientific data, helping readers recognize that they are not alone, and offering inspiration. However, there are pitfalls of self-help literature of which every potential reader should be aware. There are four common limitations of self-help books: They Are One Size Fits All. Self-help books are written for…
Read MoreAmanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Self-help literature is a popular and profitable field. There are books available that address a variety of topics, such as managing emotion, negotiating complex relationships, developing better communication skills, and increasing self-esteem. Have you read self-help literature in the past and now wonder exactly how you benefited? Or have you considered picking up a self-help book? There are four ways self-help books could potentially benefit you: They Provide Quick and Easy Interventions. When…
Read MoreWhen first seeing a therapist or psychiatrist, a diagnosis is usually determined. It can cause a lot of uncertainty and the possibility of not knowing what the diagnosis means or what to do with what has been told to you. When this occurs, it tends to change our lives and the lives of the people we use as supports. Being able to not allow the mental health diagnosis drive our life, but instead for us to think…
Read MoreIn my previous blog post, How to Stick to New Years Resolutions, I talked about ways to set up resolutions for the year by being specific, setting measurable, achievable, and relevant goals, and time limits for yourself. Since we are a few weeks into the new year, I wanted to do a checkup to see how your resolutions were going for you. Have you been able to maintain your resolutions, or as I like to call them…
Read MoreWe often see other people around us being able to manage their time so well that they can go on trips, enjoy fun stuff, and work a hard job. We tend to compare ourselves to others more than we actually think we do. We often ask ourselves, “How can they do all of these things and not be exhausted?” In this post, it will identify ways to help you be successful in doing everything you want, just…
Read MoreAndrew McNaughton, LCSW, CADC Once we have begun to make positive changes in our lives and found stability in mood and behavior, it is important to develop a plan for sustaining these changes. Regardless of what we are working on in therapy and/or in recovery, I recommend that everyone develop a relapse prevention plan. This will provide a structured approach to increase our chances of countering any triggers or urges that could lead us to a symptom…
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