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7 Ways to Challenge your Birthday Blues

March 9, 2019

Many people struggle with birthday anxiety or depression as they get older. You might remember celebrating with friends, family, cake, and laughter as a child but as an adult, your birthday may feel like a reminder of unmet goals or disappointments. As a licensed therapist, I help clients realize some of the reasons why their birthday is a trigger for their anxiety and/or depression. Many times it is based on the fact that they have created a…

Supporting Someone Who is “Coming Out”

March 7, 2019

In more recent times, it has become more prevalent for individuals to come out and express their sexuality. For some, this may be a simple process, but others may experience obstacles such as mixed emotions with their loved ones and support systems. They may also have a difficult time with expressing their emotions and feelings to loved ones. In this post, I have identified helpful ways to support a loved one who identifies as a part of…

Exploring your Relationship Sound House

March 5, 2019

An intimate relationship with a partner can be fulfilling and rewarding, yet challenging at the same time. If you have ever been in a relationship with another person, you know that there are inevitable struggles that will transpire along the way. How these struggles are managed and processed within the relationship is one of the markers for how successful and lasting the relationship will be. Sometimes, when struggles occur for a couple, the issues at hand are…

When You Want To Do Nothing, You Have To Do Something

March 4, 2019

The symptoms of depression can present various ways. Maybe you can’t seem to escape the mental chatter in your mind and the echoing thoughts are dragging you down. Perhaps you don’t feel motivated to do simple daily tasks even though you “know” you “should”. It is even possible that you feel drained by the mere thought of doing something that has been enjoyable in the past. All of these experiences are normal symptoms of depression, so, you…

Self-Compassion Starter Kit

March 3, 2019

It seems this “self-compassion” buzzword has been everywhere lately- but what exactly is it, what gets in the way of being compassionate with yourself, and how can you start to practice implementing it? Self-compassion is working to respond to yourself with kindness, empathy, and understanding. This approach is an alternative to negative self-talk which is often littered with judgement and criticism of oneself. Increasing self-compassion in your relationship with yourself can lead to increased happiness, optimism, curiosity,…

Don’t Worry Your Life Away

March 2, 2019

Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling There is always something to worry about: money, career, bills, relationships, loss, illness, the future, etc. While these are valid concerns and a normal part of life, there is a point where excessive worry begins to negatively impact your physical and mental health. We worry because we are afraid that something bad will happen and think about all the “what if’s”. You may think, “What if I lose my job?”,…

Real Ways to Enhance Your Sex Life

March 1, 2019

Despite what you see on TV or read online, real skill in the bedroom doesn’t come from wearing sexy lingerie or memorizing sex positions. Having a satisfying sex life comes from a true understanding of your sexual needs and those of the people you have sex with and knowing how to openly communicate those needs. Move into a deeper understanding of your sexual well-being by exploring these areas of your sex life: Figure out what your brakes…

Do I Need a Diagnosis?

February 27, 2019

Shannon M. Duffy, MFT, LCPC In my professional experience, many individuals and couples have sought out therapy for a diagnosis to give them a label or clarification for what is or has been concerning them. For some, it is necessary to aid in providing the best form of treatment or provide appropriate referral sources for a treatment plan. However, there are also situations where the diagnosis itself can cause distress or even create disruptions within the treatment…

5 Steps to Change your Career Destination

February 26, 2019

I work with many clients who are very dissatisfied in their career. My job as their clinical therapist is to help the client identify some of the reasons they are unhappy in their job. After assessing some of these reasons with my clients, we then work together on how he or she can cope with these particular reasons they are unhappy in their job. For some clients, that takes on an entirely new challenge in which they…

Tips to Survive Winter after the Holidays

February 24, 2019

Kaitlin Broderick, LCPC The holidays can give meaning to the dreary winter months. Even if they cause stress, they might bring comfort as a milestone or something to look forward to. But after the presents have been unwrapped, and the holiday lights go out, the days are still short, the air is still frigid, and snow still blocks the sidewalk. This is the time of year when many of us (especially Midwesterners) are left feeling like we’re…