Supportive Friends and Empowering Therapists
Will Goodwin , M.A
The scene is common. Usually, a group of men or women gathered around one distressed individual, plying them with tissues, words to bolster one’s masculinity, ice cream, and occasionally a nip of an adult beverage. For centuries, women and...
The Power of Self Compassion
Most of us can be critical of ourselves from time to time. We may judge our performance, appearance, behavior, or personality. Feelings of guilt or shame may prompt us to reflect on something we said or did. Reflecting on...
When “Perfect” Isn’t Good
Are you wondering, “Why is my child so easily stressed/overwhelmed?” “Why is my child so easily frustrated?” or “Is my child struggling with perfectionism?” If you ask these questions, there is a reasonable chance your child may struggle with...
Sleep and Mental Health
Brittany Glaser , M.A., M.Div.
When I was growing up, my mom would always ask us in the morning, “How did you sleep last night?” Now I find myself working with teens and asking them a slightly different question, “Did you sleep last night?”....
5 Social Skills that Every Kid Needs to Master Part III
We’ve come to our final two social skills that every kid needs to master. While there are more than just 5 social skills, these five are foundational for all others that develop over time. #4 Recognizing Feelings in Others...
The Importance of Superheroes in Play
Superheroes have always been around but lately it seems they have increased in the movies and television, so it would be only natural that our children are interested. Entering fantasy play can allow kids to unburden themselves and have...
Selfish or Self-care?
Madeline Redetzky , M.S.
People in our society often prioritize work, school or other people over their own health and well-being. When they come to therapy and are challenged about it, they state they do not want to be selfish. I have heard...
Mental and Emotional Flexibility in the Age of COVID-19
Rebecca L. Marshall , Ph.D.
If you scroll through social media feeds, you’ll find a lot of advice about how to “flatten the curve” of the COVID-19 pandemic. You may be told to take the virus and its effect on your physical health very...
3 Reasons for Premarital Counseling
Often when you find that special person that you are ready to marry ‘until death do you part,’ you’ll have plenty of input from others. Many of your friends and family will be telling you what they think of...
You Don’t Have to Be Alone
Stephen Walters , M.Div., M.A.
September 10, 2019 was World Suicide Prevention Day. I work with many clients that deal with trauma and/or depression. I’ve worked with many clients that have contemplated or attempted suicide. Previous to my career as a counselor, I have...
How are Food and Emotions Connected?
Rebecca L. Marshall , Ph.D.
Our culture now has a term for anger associated with hunger. Irritable, hungry people are often called “hangry”, a condition solved quickly by eating. While being “hangry” is not usually a serious problem, you may have wondered what kind...
How Does Sleep Affect Your Emotional Life?
Rebecca L. Marshall , Ph.D.
Parents of adolescents often tell me that their children stay up too late, usually on electronic devices, and that they are sleep-deprived during much of the school year. Most parents assume that poor or insufficient sleep is impacting their...
Learning to Grieve Well
Grieving affects all aspect of our life, and getting through a day, can seem overwhelmingly complicated. Paradoxically, finding a way to live with the pain of grief enables us to heal. Effectively coping is to alternate between enduring the pain...
Suicide Prevention
Suicide is an epidemic that has been impacting our nation and community. It’s important to take some time to touch on this difficult topic. A big part of this is learning to be intentional about noticing things in your...
If You Are on The Fence About Counseling…
Since becoming a counselor, it has continued to surprise me how many misconceptions there are out there about counseling and mental health care. In fact, one of the very first clients I ever had asked me if he had...
Gaining Connection with Your Child
We are all busy, let’s face it. As adults we are working, parenting, and squeezing in “adult time”; and children are studying in school, doing activities after school, and playing with friends. With our busy schedules, we feel guilt...
5 Social Skills that Every Kid Needs to Master Part I
We are living in an increasingly digital world. As a result, social skills that were so easily developed 20 years ago are becoming less and less natural to our children. Rather than going around the neighborhood to see who...
Effectively Navigating Change
Fall is approaching and there will be significant changes in our world. Leaves will fall and the temperature will as well. This is a change that we expect to happen each year. Expected changes can be nice however does...
Why Mindfulness?
Do you feel you often forget things or conversations? Do you have difficulty staying focused or completing a task? Do you find yourself feeling bored if you are not doing more than one thing at a time? Do you...