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Live Intentionally
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How to Become a Better Listener
Do you want to become a good listener? Have you ever had a conversation with someone who didn’t hear a word you said? How did you feel afterwards? I’m going to guess it didn’t feel great. We all have experienced times in our lives where we have not felt heard or understood. In order to understand each other, we must learn to be able to listen. As a counselor, countless individuals have sat in front of me, whether it be a husband, wife, friend, parent, or child, and say, “They don’t listen to me.” In fact, this may be one of the most common complaints I hear. Lack of listening…
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How To Improve Your Mood This Fall
Fall is in the air! I don’t know about you, but I love when we get a little bit of a break from our hot and humid summers. When fall begins, we know the holidays are on our way and time is about to change. The change in seasons can be an exciting time. However, it can also trigger shifts in mood and energy levels. Here are four ways to improve your mood this fall. What is Seasonal Affective Disorder? Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that can occur with the changes in season. This is different than just a brief period of feeling down or unmotivated. Normally, it…
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Therapy is for Everyone
Over the past decade in my work as a therapist, I have had the privilege to talk with people of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences. Through my interactions with others, I have realized therapy is for everyone. There are many reasons people seek therapy (also known as counseling). Maybe it’s because they’re going through difficult life transitions, experiencing unbearable grief, struggling in their relationships, or stressed out about life. Other reasons people seek therapy is because they are uncertain of how to navigate overwhelming feelings, traumatic experiences, conflict within their family, their child’s big feelings or behaviors, or something else entirely. Gone are the days when therapy is just for…
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4 Reasons to Seek Couples Therapy
Relationships are hard work. This is often easy to forget in the beginning when the relationship is fresh and new. So often we become involved with others and think that because we love them, that is enough to conquer all. Love is amazing and it is wonderful to be in love with another person. We often forget that relationships live on more than love. We need communication, connection, compassion, forgiveness, and love to make a relationship work. It usually isn’t until we start struggling in our relationship that we realize this. It can be very difficult to accept when our relationship may be unhealthy. This is even more true in…
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4 Strategies to Help Reduce Test Anxiety
From LEAP testing to taking the ACT or final exams, testing will be in full swing as we draw closer to the end of the school year. During times of testing, anxiety levels for students and teachers can increase. It’s stressful for students who want to do well and teachers who want their students to be able to show mastery of concepts they’ve been working on all year with their students. If your child begins to have test anxiety, here are a few strategies that might help them feel a little less anxious. 1. Put the Test in Perspective The first thing to do is to help your child put…
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3 Reasons to Consider Online Therapy
Have you ever thought about talking to a counselor or mental health professional? If so, then online therapy could be a way to get the help you need from the comfort of your own home. Here are 3 reasons to consider online therapy. This year has been tough. And if a pandemic wasn’t enough, add two hurricanes, winter weather, and life struggles into the mix, and naturally stress levels go up. When everything shut down last year, to help individuals navigate the uncertainty and emotions of this new reality online therapy moved to the forefront of mental health care. Before COVID, online therapy (also called teletherapy) was starting to become…
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Love the One You’re With
When February 1st hits, we know Valentine’s Day will soon be upon us. Walk into any store and you will see flowers, boxed chocolate hearts, and “I love you” cards, reminding us that “love day” is coming. Valentine’s Day is the one day of the year that reminds you to love the one you’re with. Yet, this shouldn’t be the only day of the year that we acknowledge and show love to your partner. Love your partner. Being intentional about finding ways to show your partner they matter each day of the year can go a long way in making your relationship deeper and more meaningful. Unfortunately, as a relationship…
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Move Forward In 2021
I don’t know about you, but I’m glad it’s 2021. If you’re like me, I’m sure you are ready to move forward in 2021. Especially after last year. There’s something about starting a new year that brings excitement and hope for what is to come. Many times a new year provides an opportunity to change the things in your life you may not be happy with. Which is why, many people make new year’s resolutions. But, if you are struggling to put one step in front the other, it may be a good idea to reflect on what you made it through in 2020. Reflection can often be the starting…
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Managing Holiday Stress
The holiday season can be a fun time for individuals and families. It often brings people together in celebration. But, with all the joy a holiday season can bring, it can also lead to stress and overwhelm. If you find yourself becoming overwhelmed by all the holiday joy, pay attention to how you feel. Protecting your mental health during the holiday season is important. To manage holiday stress: Prioritize The first step in managing holiday stress is to get clear on your priorities this holiday season. Is it having memorable experiences with your family? Is it to show your coworkers how much you appreciate them? Or, it’s spending time honoring…
