I have written a previous blog about the differences in mental health professionals and what their titles mean, but recently I have noticed that quite a few clients are still unsure about these differences. The differences between psychiatrist, psychologist, and counselor/therapist are not a matter of status or schooling, but more akin to knowing the […]

When my friend’s son was in kindergarten years ago, she took him to a therapist who implied to my friend (before ever meeting her son) that he had Bipolar Disorder. She even gave my friend a book to read about Bipolar Disorder before the next session.

Difficulty paying attention, daydreaming, trouble sitting still, talking out of turn. These are most likely all symptoms many lay people can identify as part of ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.  However, what about these symptoms: anxiety, racing thoughts, trouble sleeping and quick to anger?  Do you think of ADHD when you hear this list […]

Self-regulation is defined as control of oneself by oneself. Andrea Bell from Good Therapy defines good emotional self-regulation, as someone who “has the ability to keep their emotions in check. They can resist impulsive behaviors that might worsen their situation, and they can cheer themselves up when they’re feeling down. They have a flexible range […]

There are a lot of reasons why the holidays are stressful times. While they also bring a lot of joy, there is a plethora of reasons why people find their anxiety and depression levels to be elevated in the winter months. Family conflicts, financial difficulties, travel worries, and busy schedules can all create a rise […]

Choice is powerful. Choosing to be invisible and just being invisible are completely different experiences.  If you are the person in your home that “signed up” to do all of the necessary yet mundane things to keep everyone going, you are much more likely to be okay with being largely invisible.

Clean clothes, clean sheets and food in the refrigerator are all things that just magically happened for me growing up. Even though we were not affluent, all of my basic needs were met and I never thought twice about opening a drawer and finding clean clothes or wondering if we would make it to the […]

The book The Happiness Hypothesis written by psychologist Johnathan Haidt draws on scientific research and philosophy to explore ideas surrounding mental wellness and coping skills. This book is a great read to challenge your current way of thinking, and gain insight about how to cope with the age old questions of “what is happiness…how do […]

Most people come to counseling with an understanding that a counselor is not a guru or life coach. The job of a counselor is not to give a client some path to happiness, but instead to be a supporting character on a client’s own path that they dictate. Unlike going to a medical doctor, counseling […]

Until my very own nervous system got kicked into overdrive, I did not personally know what it feels like to be in this space. I liken it to having to get on a “roller coaster” for whatever reason (a move, a new child, a death in the family) and then trying to get off and […]