Saying yes to therapy is one of the most courageous steps one can take for one’s personal health. However, convincing a teen or young adult that they could benefit from therapy can feel like hiking Mt. Everest with no training! Here are some guidelines for navigating those conversations with your teen: 1. Take your teen’s perspective The teenage years is a crucial time of developing one’s self-identity. Your teen is in an intense period of defining their own values, beliefs, and place in the world, and so it’s important that they feel personally motivated to explore therapy. As a parent ..read more

“Grief is not an illness that needs to be cured, nor is it a problem that needs to be solved. It is a normal, natural response to loss.” — Paula Bunn, Director of Bereavement and Volunteer Services at Uni Care Hospice In the tapestry of life, grief is a thread that weaves its way through all our experiences, reminding us of our profound capacity to love and to lose. Grief is both a deeply personal and universal experience. Grief can be defined as the emotional experience associated with loss, such as anger, frustration, loneliness, sadness, and guilt. (Bunn, 2020). We experience grief when we ..read more

As an individual who divides their time between dog training and mental health advocacy, they frequently encounter inquiries about the distinctions among service dogs, therapy dogs, and emotional support animals (ESAs). Each category of dog serves a distinct purpose, leading to the implication that each type is subject to varying regulations or laws. Unfortunately, many people are a little fuzzy on the difference, especially when it comes to mental illness-related disabilities. Though not possessing legal expertise, we thought it would be helpful to jump on here and share some of the things th ..read more

Adolescence isn’t easy—for parents or their teens! While you can’t avoid the ups and downs of adolescence entirely, there are things you can do to make the transition to adulthood less chaotic. The suggestions below are a great way to support your teen and grow your connection even as they become more independent. I’ve also included links to two videos that relate to this topic. I shared the video on vulnerability with the teen support group I lead. We had a great conversation after, so I encourage you to watch this one with your teen if you can! Adolescence makes the brain vulnerable to depr ..read more

As someone who splits my time between dog training and mental health advocacy, I’m often asked about the difference between service dogs, therapy dogs, and emotional support animals (ESAs). Each type of dog has a different purpose, which means each type of dog is covered by different rules or laws. Unfortunately, many people are a little fuzzy on the difference, especially when it comes to mental illness-related disabilities. While I am not an attorney, I thought it would be helpful to jump on here and share some of the things that separate these different types of dogs. This article is not a ..read more

What comes to mind when you think about self care? Maybe it’s a hot stone massage or a vacation in Hawaii. Or maybe you think about your weekly therapy sessions. While self care can certainly include splurging on yourself or taking an hour to process your week, self care can also include more mundane things like cooking yourself dinner or taking a walk. Integrity Counseling Group is located in San Diego, so it’s no surprise that the most popular Self Care Saturday activities here take place outdoors. We are known for our beaches, but we also have incredible mountains and deserts just a short d ..read more

If you’re like me, you’ve always been interested in therapy, you’ve believed in it, and you’ve encouraged everyone you know to seek therapy. In fact, I often wish I had followed my dad’s advice for my college career and gone into a counseling career myself; who knows, maybe there is still time down the road! But for now I love that I get to support others in their counseling work. I love that I get to help everyone who calls find someone who can be their therapist, whether it is at Integrity Counseling Group or if that means referring them elsewhere. So as you’re thinking about making that pho ..read more

I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve seen more than one Hallmark Christmas movie in my life. While my theatrical tastes tend toward Marvel and Wes Anderson, Hallmark is always a winner with Christine’s grandma. Hallmark movies present a saccharine version of the holidays, complete with snow, marriage proposals, and over-the-top gifts between characters who are too good to be true. Yes, there is conflict and some level of character development. But in the end, the plot is wrapped up as nicely as a Harry and David’s gift basket under the tree on Christmas morning. If only holidays felt this simpl ..read more

I’ve never been formally diagnosed with seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). But as someone prone to bipolar depression, I have always noticed that my mood dips as the days get shorter, usually starting around my birthday in October (sad, I know!). While I haven’t found the miracle cure for seasonal affective disorder, and I still rely on therapy and medications to get through the winter, there are a few things that make me less likely to experience seasonal depression. First, what is seasonal depression? Seasonal depression, also known as season affective diso ..read more

When suicide becomes a possibility in your mind, you’re at a place where you need immediate help. Depression separates you from others. It can drive you to despair and keep you from feeling the very things that make life worth living. Where do you find help when you feel like no one cares and nothing matters -- but literally everything is at stake for you? If you have a family member or friend who is struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide, read How to Support a Loved One with Depression. How Do I Get Help When I’m Feeling Suicidal? If you believe you are in immediate danger of taki ..read more