EP. 09 Surviving the Holidays ..read more

This week I wanted to talk about microaggressions associated with the LGBTQ+ community. Microaggressions is a term used to describe insults and dismissals towards a specific ethnicity, group or community. This is an entity that is now being used in the Q community with the intention to insult and or dismiss those who identify as a part of LGBTQ+ women and men. To mention a few of these microaggressions is what I would like for readers to take notice of and do a self examination of your bias'. Thoughts or comments such as the use of heterosexist or transphobic terminology, endorsement of hetero ..read more

 Being able to say ‘no’ is part of setting healthy boundaries with yourself and with others But, do you ever struggle with saying that little two-letter word? Ever feel the need to offer an explanation? Therapists are here to help you discover that there is no need to worry or explain (most of the time anyways).  Saying “No, thank you,” in response to an invitation, offer, or request is a full response. It is a respectful way to decline. So, why do so many struggle with the need to offer an explanation or take on far more than we should because we simply can’t say it? Typically, there is a fee ..read more

One of the hardest forms of abuse to recognize is psychological abuse,often referred to as emotional abuse.  Emotional abuse is most common in dating and married relationships, but it can occur in any relationship such as withfriends, family members, and coworkers.  It is a pattern of words or bullied behaviors, characterized by a person subjecting, frightening, controlling, belittlingor beratinganother person.  Emotional abuse can either be subtle and insidious or overt and manipulative.  These patterns tend to wear down a person’s self-esteem, professional and personal confidence,and undermi ..read more

Be a Real Couple not a Power Couple I hate this phrasepower couple.Just like the false perception that there are individuals out there who have it all together and live superhuman lives, the term power couple makes us believe there are couples out there who are the perfect match and feel nothing but love for each other. I have heardBeth and Randall called a power couple many timesover the past three seasons. Just recently we’ve started to see them struggle to see each other’s point of view and support each other well. As painful as this episode was to watch, I’m so glad the writers saw fit to ..read more

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Choosing a mental health professional can be a very daunting task. There seem to be so many of them! First, let’s answer the question: Should I choose a counselor, a psychologist, or a psychiatrist? First, you may want to learn more about the different types of professionals A counselor or LPC (licensed professional counselor) or also a LCSW (licensed clinical social worker) have spent two years getting a master’s degree and have had at least 3,000 hours of supervised practice. An LPC-I (intern) has graduated but has not finished their 3,000 hours yet. They may be a wonderful counselor who you ..read more

Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves even when we risk disappointing others. - Brene Brown Setting clear boundaries is the key to ensuring relationships are mutually respectful, support, and caring. Boundaries set the limits for acceptable behavior from those around you. Having healthy boundaries is all about having self-esteem. When we love, care for, and respect ourselves we set the standards for how other people treat us.   Love ourselves? When we have positive self-esteem we can understand what mutual respect, kindness, and love look like. When we love our ..read more

Relationship Expectations Expectations. We all have them. The question is are we aware that we have them? When working with premarital couples we often discover expectations that each person has that they had never communicated or even knew they had in the first place. We often assume our expectations are common sense or the way everyone does life. For example, a wife might have the expectation that her husband keepup with the car maintenance – keep the car washed, take it in for an oil change, stay up to date on the registration, etc. Meanwhile the husband may think that each car is the drive ..read more

NICU Veterans  There has been more and more talk about the possibility of NICU moms and dad needing screening for PTSD and not just Depression. This issue came to life when watching Kate, Toby and baby Jack in their first days together. Just like veterans deal with unresolved parts of their experience in war the same is true of NICU parents.  Very generally speaking, the symptoms that must be present in order to be diagnosed with PTSD are: 1. Experiencing, witnessing, being close to some who has experienced, or hearing repeatedly about a fatal, near fatal or sexually violating event.  2. You ..read more