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Holiday Survival

December 11, 2018

Kaitlin Broderick M.Ed, LCPC The holidays are also known as the happiest time of the year. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for a large majority of people. Many find the holidays to be the most stressful time of the year for a myriad of reasons. The holidays can be a source of financial stress for many people ranging from reasons of having to travel to see family, buying gifts for extended amounts of people, decorating the house…

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Are You A Perfectionist?

December 11, 2018

When I ask this question for the first time to my clients, I’ve found that most immediately dismiss the idea that they could, in fact, be a perfectionists. The primary reason? “Well…I’m not perfect.” Occasionally, those who will acknowledge their tendencies may claim that perfectionism is how they have been able to achieve success. While it is relatively easy to identify perfectionist aspects of our society and mainstream culture at large, it can be more difficult to…

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5 Negative Effects of Being a News Junkie and What To Do Instead

December 10, 2018

Maggie Reynolds, LCPC Mainstream media, right-wing media, political art, radio, social media…there is a lot of media available in our modern lives. With smartphones always in hand, our news diets can be to our brains what walking around with endlessly full plates of food hung from our necks would be to our stomachs: unhealthy and unproductive. It can wreak havoc on your mental and physical health, starting with your posture. Here are some of the costs of…

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The Basics of Self Soothing

December 8, 2018

Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling Our emotions can feel so big sometimes; so big that they can feel overwhelming and out of our control. When your emotions feel overbearing, how do you comfort yourself? Some people may be able to list out things that soothe them, but others may struggle to think of an adequate answer that question. Self-soothing, or grounding techniques, are used when we feel distressed, triggered, or overwhelmed by emotion and are…

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Everything In Moderation

December 8, 2018

Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling As many of you already know, “Everything in moderation”, is much easier said than done. It is common for individuals to struggle with moderation in at least one area of their life, if not more. Whether it be food, alcohol, emotions, sex, love, or gambling, it can be difficult to obtain a happy medium. When you look at it on a spectrum, some people fall in the middle and are…

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5 Signs You Are Overspending (and 5 Ways to Stop)

December 7, 2018

Andrew McNaughton, LCSW, CADC Overspending is not a new phenomenon; however, by having instant access to our money, limitless offers of credit, and 24/7 online shopping, overspending has taken on an extreme new form and can quickly get out of control if left unchecked. If you think your spending has become a problem, then it probably has. Here are 5 warning signs: Responding to stress: We have all at some point taken comfort in “retail therapy.” Overspending…

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5 Steps to Overcoming Procrastination

December 6, 2018

Andrew McNaughton, LCSW, CADC Procrastination is the poison of progress, and its antidote is building motivation through planning and action. In the Stages of Change, we can find ourselves lingering in the Contemplation or Preparation Stages for weeks, months, or even years. Here are 5 simple steps to help increase motivation and overcome procrastination: Define the goal: What exactly are you striving for? Be as specific as possible. While goals of “be happier,” “get a better job,”…

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8 Ways in Creating Successful Morning Routines and Why It is Important

December 5, 2018

If you read my recent blog post, “Creating Nightly Routines and Why It Is Important,” about how to implement an effective nightly routine, you may have been wondering what the morning routine you set yourself up for looks likes. As a therapist, I see many clients who struggle with starting their day off on “the right side of the bed” due to many stressors. If you had a productive evening routine the night prior, below is a…

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The Dangers of Searching for Your Soulmate

December 4, 2018

I work with many clients who are assessing their current romantic relationship or what they want in their future romantic relationship. Both are very useful and beneficial exercises to do. Many people are looking for their soulmate, and someone they can spend the rest of their life with. This idea of a soulmate may stem from wanting to find their own happy ending, that Disney movie fairy tale they have dreamed of ever since they were little.…

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Supporting Your Partner Through Depression

December 3, 2018

Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling Watching your partner battle the ugly symptoms of depression can feel like a devastating and helpless experience. They can’t seem to get out of bed, are irritable, angry, unmotivated, and sad all the time. Where do you even begin? While you try to help in the ways you know how, you may feel like every attempt you make is met with rejection. As their partner you may feel obligated to…

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