postpartum depression
In this video series, readers submit their questions for the therapists at Symmetry Counseling. In this blog, the letter writers asks Dr. Malec about the best way to talk to her boyfriend when he gets sulky and mistrustful at her going out with her friends. Watch the video above for Dr. Malec’s response, and read below for a summary of her advice. Dr. Malec says that in a relationship, we all need a balance of connection with…
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Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling Whether we do it consciously or subconsciously, we all keep score in our relationships to some degree. When we start keeping score in intimate relationships, we may tend to notice when we clean the house more, make more money, or take care of the kids more than our significant other. A study completed by Michael Ross and Fiore Sicoly in 1979 found nearly 75% of married couples overemphasized their contribution…
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Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling Antidepressants are a medication commonly used to treat individuals struggling with symptoms of depression. Some of these symptoms include lack of interest, fatigue, hopelessness, sadness, and even suicidal thoughts. The decision to take an antidepressant, engage in outpatient psychological therapy, or combine the two is entirely up to the individual and their needs. If you and your doctor have decided it may be best to begin taking an antidepressant medication,…
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Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Practitioner Social media, text messaging, and email have become staples of interpersonal communication in our culture. More and more people are establishing and maintaining long-distance relationships electronically. Yet corresponding this way can lack intimacy, which weakens our relationships with friends, family, and loved ones. Here are four ways to use electronic communication to feel close even when you’re far apart. 1. Send a Picture Images communicate and elicit a variety of emotions. We…
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In this video, Dr. Malec answers a question submitted by one of our readers. This letter writer wonders how to keep their partner engaged in difficult conversations. Watch the video above for Dr. Malec’s response. Approaching Difficult Conversations With Your Partner Invite your partner to the conversation It’s important that your partner gets the time and space they need to consider what they have to say. Don’t spring a difficult conversation on them; talk about it in…
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Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Feeling anxious is a common experience—and at times, it’s even a good thing, helping us to increase our motivation, awareness, and competitiveness. But other times, anxiety can feel overwhelming and even unmanageable. How do you know when your anxiety has become problematic? As a therapist who specializes in the treatment of anxiety, I’ve seen many clients whose anxiety has grown into a life-changing problem. This can happen gradually over years or as quickly…
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Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling Divorce is often a painful and stressful life event that leaves many men and women feeling alone, wondering how to get back into the dating scene. These individuals may have been married 2, 10, 20, or even 50 years before they decide to end their marriage, and are now facing the difficult task of re-building their lives. After some time has passed and you have processed your divorce, the thought…
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Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling In today’s world, social media makes it convenient to become invested in other people’s relationships and compare yourself to them. It is easy to start to panic when every day you open your Instagram account and you see a new engagement announcement. Feelings of discomfort, sadness, or anxiety may arise. You may start to ask yourself, “Why am I not there yet?” or think, “I should have found the one…
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Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling Infatuation is a strong, overwhelming, and powerful feeling that we all have felt at some point. You have just met the “perfect” person and you have fallen head over heels for them. You would give anything to be with this person, you get butterflies every time you think about them, and everything feels like a fairytale. If you are currently feeling this way about your new love interest, you may…
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The term codependency has become an increasingly common part of everyday vernacular for those interested in self-improvement. It is a term that often emerges in therapy as we begin to identify relationship patterns that maintain cycles of hurt, disappointment, and resentment. You may have even heard the term described in relation to you, a relationship in your life, or someone in your sphere. Yet, despite its increasing presence in common parlance, developing an easy-to-understand and accurate description…
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