Therapy
Social media is a prevalent platform that many, if not most, people in our society participate in. Whether you use Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat, or a combination of them, you know how easy it is to get caught up in the medias and the interactions that you have on them. Social media is perceived to be an outlet that allows us to stay connected with our friends and peers, as an easy tool that allows us…
Steven Topper, LCPC On any given day we’ll be asked one question that, for the most part, afford only three acceptable answers. When I get asked, “How are you?” I know that I can say: I’m great; I’m good; or I’m alright (though for that last one, make sure there’s a bit of cheer and smile in my voice!). It’s all well meaning, people don’t want to bother others, often we’re only being asked because the asker…
Life often feels like a routine of responsibilities, deadlines, and to-do lists. Yet beneath all of that structure, there is usually a quiet voice asking for something more. That voice is the desire for passion. Passion exploration involves uncovering the activities, values, and experiences that spark energy and joy. Some people stumble upon their passions early in life, while others spend years searching, but the process of discovery is always worth it. Why Passion Exploration Matters Passions…
How did you develop the way that you think about the world around you? Did you learn it from your parents, from school, or from your job? I recently read an article titled “The 2 Mental Shifts Highly Successful People Make” by Benjamin P. Hardy. Hardy discusses two major changes in thinking people make that ultimately lead to a higher likelihood of success. To begin this process, we must unlearn the way we think about the world…
Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor Anger is an emotion that we have all felt at some point in our lives. While we have all experienced it, many don’t realize anger is considered a secondary emotion. A secondary emotion is defined as an emotional reaction we have to a primary emotion such as sadness, hurt, rejection, trapped, humiliation, etc. When we react with anger it feels automatic and sometimes uncontrollable, but we do it to protect ourselves from…
Often times we are not honest with ourselves even though we can trick ourselves with being honest. We tell our friends to be honest and we try to be honest as much as we can, but we all have faults and we tend to fall off at times. You might have a friend that is not 100% honest with you at all times, and sometimes separation occurs. Don’t be that person that is being separated from their…
As a parent, do you ever feel like you get overwhelmed? Or do you feel like you forget the “simplicity” of life before you had a child? Or do you wish that you could get back the quiet and calm times you had prior to being a parent? If you can relate to any of these questions, then here are a few ideas to bring you back some peace of mind. 1.Take a breath. Pause and intentionally…
As a clinician, I have encouraged clients with positive psychology tips in their daily lives, often mentioning ideas such as using “self-affirmations” or a “reframing” perspective. A self-affirmation might be an encouraging or praising thought for something they either like about themselves or felt they did well at. A reframing perspective is looking at a stressful situation through a different lens/paradigm. Or I might encourage clients to practice gratitude in their lives — identifying things they are…
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) serves over one million passengers each day. If you live in Chicago or have ever visited the bustling city, you are likely familiar with the CTA and the “L” train system. With so many daily passengers and endless possibilities for mishaps or “interesting situations”, the “L” can at times be a stressful experience for anyone involved. How does this apply to individuals who utilize the CTA and have mental illness? Having either…
Sexual intimacy and mental health are more intertwined than you may think. For many, sexual health and intimacy is a very important aspect of life. How we interact with our partner(s) sexually is largely influenced by how our mental health is doing. There are so many different life experiences that impact our mental health and our beliefs and values around sex and intimacy. For example, think of how one’s experiences with trauma may impact their mental health…
Do You Need Help?
Not what you were looking for?