Have you heard someone use the phrase Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? It can easily sound intimidating and likely led you to a Google search to uncover the meaning of this mystery style of counseling. So, what does this complex phrase mean exactly? What does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) mean? Cognitive Behavioral Therapy involves evaluating the way… CONTINUE
Tips for Managing Daily Activities while Struggling with Depression
by Jennifer Mudarrie, LICSW Did you know that one-third of U.S. adults have symptoms of depression or anxiety and 47.4% of adults 18 to 29 years showed signs of anxiety or depression? So many of us struggle to make it through days filled with obligations, commitments, and plans. Feeling this way is overwhelming and can… CONTINUE
Signs the Pandemic Is Affecting Your Mental Health
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so now feels like a great time to revisit a topic that has affected the nation’s collective mental well-being for over a year now: the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a 2020 CDC study on mental health, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts during the pandemic, at least 40 percent of… CONTINUE
LGBTQ Counseling: Being Proud of Who You Are
The Pride movement is called “pride” for a reason: to recognize and be proud of the impact LGBTQ people have had in the world. For years, the LGBTQ community has faced hate crimes, bullying, HIV/AIDS, cultural conflicts, and lack of equality and justice, as well as mental health disorders, substance abuse, and eating disorders. LGBTQ… CONTINUE
How Counseling Can Provide an Opportunity to Re-establish Christian Faith
One of the most confusing things for a Christian is when they experience anxiety or depression symptoms and wonder where God is. Generally speaking, when a person comes into relationship with God they experience an initial elevation of hope, joy and peace over their newfound identity in Christ. As time progresses, many Christians then go… CONTINUE
Recognizing and Treating Depression
Suppose you have a pebble in your shoe. Despite this nagging distraction, you try your best to make your life work. You get a massage, drink a margarita, fall in love, win the lottery. You do what you do, but still there is this pebble in your shoe. Now suppose you’ve always had a pebble… CONTINUE
Being Kind to Yourself – Saying Goodbye to Negative Self-Talk
There I go again, being a jerk. Why am I so lazy? I keep repeating the same mistakes. I don’t deserve to be happy . . . Negative self-talk is a common symptom of depression and anxiety. It’s an attempt to motivate yourself by self-criticism. But you won’t make yourself feel better by making yourself… CONTINUE
Does Depression Make You Tired?
Persistent fatigue and low energy are among the most common symptoms associated with depression. When you’re depressed, certain brain chemicals (serotonin and dopamine, primarily) are often out of balance. These brain chemicals regulate various things, including sleep, energy, focus and motivation levels. When these chemicals are off, sleep tends to suffer in one of two… CONTINUE
Signs of Depression in Men
How common is depression in men? According to the American Psychological Association, about 30% of men will experience an episode of depression in their lifetime. However, depression tends to effect men and women differently, and often goes undiagnosed in males. Whereas depressed women are more likely to report feelings of sadness and episodes of crying,… CONTINUE
Does a Good Cry Really Help?
by James Robbins, M.A., LPC Crying is good for you–just not for your sex drive. Crying is a form of self-medicating. Not chopping-an-onion crying, but emotional crying. It seems to provide two main benefits. Stress relief. When you cry emotionally, you are detoxing. Your tears contain ACTH, a chemical that becomes cortisol. Cortisol is the… CONTINUE