As a therapist, I work with all types of people, teens, men, women, and couples, I have discovered there is one main thing we all have in common.

Every single person who exists or has existed at one point or another has one desire that at is at the core of who they are. It doesn’t matter how they grew up, what they experienced, how privileged they were, what race they are, or what gender. There is one thing that everyone desires.

In America, we often think about gratitude more as the holidays approach, but research reveals that gratitude improves all aspects of our health: physically, socially, and psychologically. I have read numerous articles that provide the benefits of being grateful. Personally, I was intrigued to try to add gratitude into the daily routines. The overall impact on my life was remarkable.

Have you ever considered how social media affects your mental health?

Social media has become a large part of our lives; we may not realize how much time we spend on social media. Some studies found social media to positively impact people’s lives, while others warned against the possible connection between social media and depression or anxiety.

In today’s world, the term “narcissism” is often tossed around in casual conversations, sometimes labeling individuals with an overly inflated sense of self. However, it’s essential to distinguish between narcissistic tendencies and clinical narcissism. This distinction can illuminate our understanding of human behavior and help us recognize that everyone can exhibit narcissistic traits without being a full-blown narcissist.

Self-love is appreciating who you are, accepting that person, and knowing you are loved by yourself. This is easier said than done in a world of self-doubt, but creating healthy habits can increase sense of self-worth and encourage healthy relationships. 

If there is one thing that I think everyone can agree on at the moment it is that we are living through uncertain times. Between the craziness of what is currently going on and the uncertainty of what is going to happen, we are all way more vulnerable to stress, intense emotions, and other unpleasant mental health consequences. So how do we cope with this? How do we prevent ourselves from falling victim to this unpredictability?

In a world that often celebrates flawless achievements and idealized images, it’s easy to fall into the trap of perfectionism. The pursuit of perfection may seem like a standard goal, but it often comes at a high cost to our mental and emotional well-being. Instead of bringing satisfaction, perfectionism can lead to stress, anxiety, and a constant feeling of never being "good enough." Perfectionism is the relentless pursuit of flawlessness, driven by an internal critic that demands nothing less than perfection in every aspect of life. Whether it’s in work, relationships, or personal appearance, this mindset creates an unyielding standard that’s nearly impossible to meet. The result is often chronic stress, anxiety, and a fear of failure that can prevent us from taking risks or trying new things. However, perfectionism can also lead to procrastination, as the fear of not getting it "just right" can be paralyzing.

Life can move at a fast pace and you may feel no matter how hard you try, there is always something left on the to-do list. Burnout has become a silent plague running rampant among the lives of countless people. But what exactly is burnout, and how can you identify the signs to stop the cycle of exhaustion?

From your significant other to your mother, relationships are complicated. This is not to say that relationships aren’t worth it. Though, sometimes it may feel that way. Sometimes you may feel the urge to cut ties because you’re sick of feeling hurt or tired of fighting. At the end of the day, the choice is yours. However, it may be worth exploring the concept of boundaries before burning any bridges

Our bodies biologically exist to be most efficient for survival. Our brains create schema- or mental frameworks based on our lived experience- to most efficiently process new things and fuel our thoughts and actions. If you’ve been fired in the past over a small mistake, your brain may create anxiety around every mistake at your next job. If you’ve been cheated on while a partner was distant, your brain may overanalyze your next partner’s presence in your relationship. Schemas are helpful when we need to survive, like when our brain shortcuts to avoid a dish that's fresh from the oven, but life is not always as simple as that.

The word “gaslighting” is everywhere. In fact, it was Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year in 2022. But depending on whom you talk to, or what you’ve seen on Twitter (X), Instagram, or TikTok, it can be hard to really understand exactly what it is and what it looks like.

Do you often find yourself struggling to keep up with the demands of both your work and personal life? Does it feel like there are never enough hours in the day to complete everything on your plate? If so, you’re not alone. Achieving work-life balance is a common challenge many of us face. The good news is finding a work-life balance is possible and obtainable.

People often either love or hate the concept of self-care, or at least the word itself. Maybe you find comfort and restoration in your self-care practices. But a lot of us struggle with what it looks like for ourselves or equate “self-care” with expensive candles and products or social media wellness trends, but there’s so much more to it.

Grief is such a hard concept. Like what does it mean, how does it work, can I check off some boxes and work my way through it quickly?

A definition from Wikipedia has it defined as- Grief is the response to the loss of something deemed important, particularly to the loss of someone or some living thing that has died, to which a bond or affection was formed.

Are you often feeling dread or unease? Do you find that your hands are sweating, your heart is racing, or your stomach is constantly in knots? What if I told you these, my friend, are known to be normal symptoms of anxiety? Anxiety is a feeling that arises when your body’s response to danger is activated. You might experience this when thinking about a test or being in a crowded room. What is ironic is that anxiety can manifest in various ways for different people. While it is commonly experienced, it doesn’t have to dominate your life. I want to help you alleviate your pain, calm your anxious mind, and be free from anxiety that interferes with your day-to-day life. Believe it or not, there are many tools within your reach to help relieve anxiety. You just need guidance on how to get there. There is one simple rule for managing anxiety: Change the Channel

There has been a time or two where you have once said “I dont want to watch this” or “I dont want to hear that”. You have the power to say that to anxiety too.

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a relatively new form of psychotherapy that aims to quickly and effectively alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories. Unlike traditional talk therapies, which may take months or even years to yield significant results, ART is designed to produce rapid relief in as few as one to five sessions. At the core of ART lies the belief that traumatic memories are stored in the brain in a way that maintains their emotional intensity, often leading to symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and intrusive thoughts. By engaging in a structured process of visualization and bilateral stimulation, ART seeks to reprogram the way these memories are stored, allowing individuals to process them more adaptively.

Giving yourself grace involves treating yourself with kindness, compassion, and understanding, especially during times of difficulty or failure. It's about recognizing that everyone makes mistakes, experiences setbacks, and has imperfections, but that these do not diminish your worth.

Therapy is a structured and confidential process designed to help individuals address personal challenges, explore emotions, and work towards positive change. Here's what you need to know about therapy and privacy:

You might ask yourself, what is the purpose of asking certain questions in therapy? Therapists ask questions to gain a deeper understanding of your concerns, history, relationships, and goals.

This information helps them provide personalized guidance and support tailored to your needs.

Therapists are trained to maintain professional boundaries and respect your privacy. They will not ask intrusive or inappropriate questions without a valid therapeutic reason. If you feel uncomfortable with any question, you can express that to your therapist.

Taboos in mental health refer to societal stigmas, misconceptions, or cultural norms that discourage open discussion, acknowledgment, or acceptance of mental health issues. These taboos can contribute to feelings of shame, isolation, and reluctance to seek help among individuals experiencing mental health challenges. Reducing these feelings associated with mental health taboos requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses societal attitudes, promotes awareness and education, and fosters supportive environments.

Los tabúes en salud mental se refieren a estigmas sociales, conceptos erróneos o normas culturales que desalientan el debate abierto, el reconocimiento o la aceptación de los problemas de salud mental. Estos tabúes pueden contribuir a sentimientos de vergüenza, aislamiento y renuencia a buscar ayuda entre las personas que experimentan problemas de salud mental. Reducir estos sentimientos asociados con los tabúes de salud mental requiere un enfoque multifacético que aborde las actitudes sociales, promueva la conciencia y la educación y fomente entornos de apoyo.

Positivity is a great way to support a client to become more optimistic that involves providing encouragement, fostering hope, and helping them shift their perspective toward a more positive outlook on life. Our fantastic therapist, Brianna Peed, LPC-A says that she likes to end every one of her sessions on a positive note having the person reflect on a couple of things they feel proud of themselves for from the week or just some things that have been going well. La positividad es una excelente manera de ayudar a un cliente a volverse más optimista, lo que implica brindar aliento, fomentar la esperanza y ayudarlo a cambiar su perspectiva hacia una perspectiva más positiva de la vida. Nuestra fantástica terapeuta, Brianna Peed, LPC-A, dice que le gusta terminar cada una de sus sesiones con una nota positiva, haciendo que la persona reflexione sobre un par de cosas por las que se siente orgullosa de sí misma durante la semana o simplemente sobre algunas cosas que han sido va bien.