A Blog By ,Haley Broadaway, A ,Weight-Inclusive/Fat-Identifying Therapist Sometimes, as a therapist, it's difficult to remember that I am a human. As a human, I have needs that need fulfillment to thrive. I educate my clients on self-care, but I always throw in the caveat, "Easier said than done..." because it's true. It's easy to talk about self-care but not very easy to implement and practice routinely. Various factors get in the way of self-care maintenance as a person (and as a therapist), but I must make time for myself and my sanity. Self-care doesn't have to be a grand, expensive gestur ..read more

Physical Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety Written by Haley Broadaway Anxiety can manifest with various symptoms, and most people mindfully acknowledge the mental toll anxiety takes. Still, because mental health connects to whole-body health, mental health can show up physically, especially when it comes to anxiety. It is not uncommon for anxiety pain to go unnoticed due to everyday stressors, but checking in with our bodies can be an excellent self-care source. Checking in with your body is not supposed to come from a judgmental place; it is best to approach yourself mindfully to understand the s ..read more

New traditions during the 2020 holiday season - Haley Broadaway Households in the United States are being urged to stay home following the Thanksgiving Holiday due to predicted surges of Covid-19. Gathering for the holidays is an age-old tradition, and many are feeling the grief that comes with holding to safety guidelines. It is normal to yearn for the level of comfort and belonging that traditions contribute to our identity. While it is undoubtedly painful to stay away from those you love, it can be incredibly arduous to miss special traditional norms. After all, tradition amplifies our core ..read more

Managing Grief During the 2020 Holiday Season by, Haley Broadaway This 2020 holiday season will look different for families. The loss endured during this pandemic, whether the direct result of COVID or not, has had a tragic impact. No matter what you celebrate, navigating grief and losing a loved one can prove to be emotionally challenging. It is my sincerest intention to help you get through the holidays while holding space for your grief. It Is Ok to Be Sad Permit yourself to be sad. Put aside any expectations of putting on a brave face. If you plan to host or visit family, designate an are ..read more

Measuring Success in the Age of COVID by, Haley Broadaway According to the ,Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are currently over 10 million people unemployed in the United States. Many Americans prioritize their notion of success with their occupation. It is no wonder that individuals struggle with the internalized feeling of failure during this time of economic distress. If this resonates with your current emotional status, please note that you are not alone. ,Merriam-Webster defines success as a "favorable or desired outcome." Then, it extends to describe it as "the attainment of wealth, fa ..read more

How to Navigate Holiday Food Anxiety by ,Taryn McPherson When you struggle with your relationship with food or have struggled with it in the past, holidays like Thanksgiving can bring up many mixed emotions. The holidays may make us think about joyful gatherings with loved ones and bring up anxiety about all of the food we will be surrounded by and the food talk that will go with it. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the upcoming holidays and worried about how to celebrate while honoring your healing relationship with food, here are a few things to keep in mind. Don't skip meals/restrict in th ..read more

November is National Adoption Awareness Month by, Diana Beck If I wish you a happy birthday, how would that make you feel? Think about your initial reaction to reading the words “happy birthday.” Chances are, you experienced an immediate emotional response that has been ingrained within you for many years. Joy? Guilt? Loss? Rejection? Happiness? A pervasive sense of hollowness, irritability, and dread? Birthdays are a distinctive experience for every one of us, especially if you are an adoptee. We cannot choose our birth, the day we are born, our birth parents, or our birthplace. These are co ..read more

The Four Pillars of Self-Care by ,Haley Broadaway Self-Care has been a hot topic this year. It has been a rough year for most people, and everyone is trying to stay afloat in this storm that is 2020. With the pandemic surging and the Holidays around the corner, anxiety and stress levels are certainly running high. It is common for us to use self-care as a survival tool for circumstances when we are knee-deep in “the mud” that is life. I want to invite everyone to imagine self-care as something one practices regularly as you would any skill you would attempt to master. The great part is, we su ..read more

Body positivity and body neutrality are two concepts or movements that have attracted a wealth of attention. Body positivity is about finding love, celebration, and acceptance for your body, no matter your weight, shape, or appearance. Body neutrality lies more in the middle. There is no end goal of loving your body; it is instead about simply finding acceptance. Body neutrality shifts the focus from physical appearance and encourages us to remove all critical beliefs we may carry about our bodies. Body positivity encourages us to celebrate our bodies. However, body positivity can be very diff ..read more

YOGA AND THE MIND by, Jessica Mariglio Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom. - Viktor Frankl At its core, beyond the physical postures and the trappings of studios and classes, the practice of yoga is a psychological practice of self-study. It is about coming back into contact with what presently is as opposed to what we wish would be present. In many ways, yoga is about understanding our nature-- observing the fluctuations of the mind and emotions without becoming identified with th ..read more