Adolescence can often feel like an uphill journey, both for the child blossoming into adulthood and for the parents seeking to guide them. As a psychotherapist specializing in teen mental health and parenting strategies, I’ve witnessed and navigated these choppy waters. It’s possible to build a bridge of trust and open communication with your teen, […]
Continue readingHow to Know if You’re an Introvert
What’s the difference between introversion and extroversion, and how can you tell whether you’re an introvert? We’ve got the answers you need below. Introversion vs. Extroversion Before exploring common signs of introversion, it may be helpful to first explain what it means to be an introvert as opposed to an extrovert. These two opposing personality […]
Continue readingIs Happiness Really a Choice?
You might have heard that happiness is a choice and wondered if that’s actually true. Unfortunately, for some individuals, mental health conditions like depression and bipolar disorder make it difficult for them to feel happy. There can also be several factors outside someone’s control—such as their age, physical health, or geographic location—that could make it […]
Continue readingNutritious Halloween-Themed Snacks
Halloween is right around the corner. And that means our angelic children will soon turn into little demons and monsters after consuming copious amounts of sugar. What if this year we could forgo all of that sugar (and all of those unpleasant sugar crashes?) and instead feed our kids healthy snacks? The following snacks are […]
Continue readingUnlocking the Power of the Polyvagal Theory: A Guide to Calming Your Anxiety
Ever feel like your anxiety has a mind of its own? Well, what if I told you that there’s a way to understand it better and even control it? Today, we’re talking about something called the Polyvagal Theory. Don’t worry. It’s not as complicated as it sounds! Grab a snack, get comfy, and let’s dive […]
Continue readingCoping With Grief & Loss
If you’ve recently lost someone or something, you may be going through the grieving process. Below, we explain what grief is and how long the grieving process can be expected to take. We also offer some tips on how to cope with loss. What Is Grief? The emotional pain that you feel after a loss […]
Continue readingManaging Work-Life Balance
Do you have trouble balancing work and your personal life? If so, you’re not alone. According to Mental Health America (MHA), almost 40% of U.S. adults who are employed full time reported working 50+ hours a week, and 18% work 60+ hours. Despite how common it is for people to work long hours, having a […]
Continue readingHow to Know You’re Dealing with a Narcissist
We all believe we know what narcissism looks like. After all, aren’t a majority of politicians and Hollywood A-listers narcissists, projecting their massive egos onto the world? While that may be true, narcissists come in all shapes and sizes. They walk among us, some of them obvious, and some of them covert. So how can […]
Continue readingCouples: How to Regulate Yourself During Difficult Conversations
Sharing your life with someone means having open and honest conversations, even when those conversations are a bit difficult. But that’s easier said than done. During hard conversations, it’s common for many people to become triggered by something their partner has said. Calm one moment, but the next they’re thrown into “fight or flight” mode, […]
Continue readingSilence Your Inner Critic
Every single human being has two voices battling it out inside their head. The one voice is our champion, encouraging us to feel confident and to reach our fullest potential. Then there’s that other voice. The one that is critical of every move we make. The one that looks at all of our perceived flaws […]
Continue readingMental Health Effects of Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse is not as easy to spot as physical abuse, but oftentimes its effects can be just as traumatic. Emotional abuse can involve a wide range of tactics, including gaslighting, shaming and manipulation. All of these are intended to leave the victim feeling confused, powerless and hopeless. Typically people suffer from long-term or short-term […]
Continue readingWhen is it Time to Ask for Help?
Depression is a complex mental health issue that varies widely between individuals. This is why it can be difficult for some people to recognize what may be a situational discomfort that may pass on its own, and what may be more serious and require professional help. The Difference Between Mild and Serious Mental Health Issues […]
Continue readingHow Fitness Impacts Your Mental Health
When most people commit to a fitness routine, they do so to improve their physical health. Perhaps they need to lose weight or find a natural way to lower their blood pressure or blood glucose. And while exercise definitely impacts a person’s physical health, it also significantly impacts their mental health as well! Here are […]
Continue readingBeginner’s Guide to Focusing on Mental Health
These days, many people focus on their physical health. But few give much attention, if any, to their mental health. What does mental health refer to? Mental health describes a person’s overall psychological health and well-being. It has much to do with the way you feel about yourself, your ability to manage your emotions, how […]
Continue readingMental Health Effects of Excessive Screen Time
If we’re honest, most of us would admit we look at some form of digital screen more than we do the face of our friends and loved ones. From our phones to iPad, laptops and flatscreen TVs the size of an entire wall, screen time for most people is definitely on the rise. But what […]
Continue readingHow to Regulate Your Emotions with Mindfulness
Life has been beyond challenging for most of us the last couple of years as we’ve dealt with a global pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. And just when we thought we were all out of the woods and life was back to normal, we now find ourselves facing sky high inflation, a recession, and the threat […]
Continue readingUnderstanding Common Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety is very common—in fact, according to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA), anxiety disorders affect 40 million U.S. adults every year. Yet many people don’t have a strong understanding of anxiety and may not realize that it can take many forms. Here are some of the most common types of anxiety: Generalized […]
Continue readingNurturing Positive Relationships
No matter how independent you may be, it’s still important to build healthy relationships with your immediate and extended family members, friends, and coworkers. Research suggests that when we foster connections with those around us, it can: Improve our self-esteem Make us more cooperative, empathetic, and trusting Strengthen our immune systems Extend our lives Reduce […]
Continue readingOvercoming Depression: Practical Steps
Do you experience persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, hopelessness, worthlessness, or guilt? Are you feeling fatigued, anxious, restless, or like you can’t focus? Have you lost interest in the activities you once enjoyed, or have your coworkers or loved ones noticed that you’ve been more irritable than usual? If this sounds familiar, you might have […]
Continue readingUnderstanding Panic Disorder
If you’ve had at least four panic attacks and you regularly worry that you’ll experience another one, you may have panic disorder. In some cases, this type of anxiety can make it difficult for people to leave their home, since they may worry about when and where their next panic attack will occur. What Does […]
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