To Rest or Not to Rest? You’re struggling to complete a paper for school or project for work. You notice you’re judging yourself for needing a break, thinking you’re “lazy” or lack drive. And because of this, you have difficulty listening to your body, even when it’s signaling for a break. Of course, our cultureContinue reading The Case for Rest
Window of Tolerance
What Is the Window of Tolerance? The window of tolerance is a psychological concept introduced by renowned psychiatrist, Dr. Dan Siegel. When in our window of tolerance, we can think and act clearly, responding to stressors and life’s demands with balance and control. Here, we feel present and engaged and can function mindfully and effectively.Continue reading Window of Tolerance
Suicide Prevention is a Community Effort
Every year, September’s National Suicide Prevention Month gives us the opportunity to shine a light on an issue that touches countless lives. Suicide does not just affect one person; it impact families, friends, and entire communities. Even though this topic can feel heavy and we might want to avoid talking about it, this month servesContinue reading Suicide Prevention is a Community Effort
Childhood Trauma and the Body: Pain, Autoimmune Functioning, and More
Have you ever wondered why people who were exposed to extreme stress early in life tend to suffer from physical ailments more than the general population? The ACEs study, a large-scale research endeavor, showed that those who were subjected to childhood trauma were, as expected, significantly more likely to develop mental health symptoms, such asContinue reading Childhood Trauma and the Body: Pain, Autoimmune Functioning, and More
Toxic Parenting: Problems and Fixes
When we think of “toxic parenting,” our minds often go to more obvious offenses – various forms of abuse or neglect. And while these behaviors are undoubtedly toxic, harm can come from a variety of behaviors. Below are some specific actions that can cause emotional difficulties for our children. If you find any of theseContinue reading Toxic Parenting: Problems and Fixes
10 Free Holiday Gifts for Your Kids
As the holidays approach, parents are often strapped to come up with affordable gifts for their kids. Keep this in mind – our kids want presents, but they also want our presence. Below are 10 gifts you can give your children that don’t cost a cent but that can have a significant impact on them,Continue reading 10 Free Holiday Gifts for Your Kids
Cultivating Self-Compassion
One of the things that comes up consistently in therapy, regardless of demographics or diagnoses, is difficulties with self-compassion. Let’s take a look at this concept here, as well as how folks can cultivate this important way of being in their lives. The word “compassion” is derived from the Latin com (with) passion (suffering). Self-compassionContinue reading Cultivating Self-Compassion
Non-Violent Communication
Many of the ways in which humans communicate can cause harm. We can be critical, judgmental, defensive, blaming, and attacking. And while this might not be our intention, we tend to be overly focused on our desires at the expense of others’ wants and needs. The good news is, we’re able to shift this focus,Continue reading Non-Violent Communication
Polyvagal Theory
Polyvagal theory is an approach to understanding the mind and body that highlights the autonomic nervous system. As background, our autonomic nervous systems are composed of two parts, the sympathetic nervous system (responsible for our fight-or-flight response) and the parasympathetic nervous system (responsible for calming us/slowing us down, or in life-threatening situations, the freeze response).Continue reading Polyvagal Theory
Healing from Grief with DBT Skills
Grief is a natural response to loss that affects nearly everyone. Grief can be defined as any type of loss that disrupts our lives, such as the loss of a relationship, health, financial stability, or the death of a loved one. It can leave you feeling isolated, anxious, depressed, or overwhelmed. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Continue reading Healing from Grief with DBT Skills
Therapeutic Benefits of Creativity
Introduction In a world that often feels chaotic and demanding, it is common to seek solace and respite from the stresses of daily life. For many, a highly relieving factor lies in creativity. Engaging in creative endeavors, through any form of self expression, can be profoundly healing. This blog post delves into the ways inContinue reading Therapeutic Benefits of Creativity
Validate with Ease: A Step-by-Step Guide
As discussed in our prior blog, validation is a significant component to interpersonal functioning. Learning how to validate others is one thing we can do to improve our relationships across the board. Here, we’ll take a look at how to master this skill. Before we begin, it’s important to know what validation is. . .Continue reading Validate with Ease: A Step-by-Step Guide
