We all know that mistakes are a normal part of life; however, believing this is often easier said than done. We live in a hyper-competitive world and social media can often create the illusion that we are expected to have flawless lives. In reality, life is messy and it can’t be filtered. My challenge for you (and for myself) throughout...[ read more ]
After being diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder years ago, it took me a very long time to find any positives to such a condition. Nowadays, I embrace that I'm designed differently and that having anxiety doesn't mean that I'm broken. Here are some lessons that anxiety taught me. Flexibility If I had a nickname, it would probably be Mr. Routine....[ read more ]
Social media, like anything else we consume, has its pros and cons. Pros: Apps such as Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat allow us to keep up with friends, network, and promote businesses; for example, I use Facebook groups to network with other therapists and to receive referrals for new clients. These apps also help families separated by distance to stay connected....[ read more ]
Most of you have probably taken some form of personality test throughout your life. I've taken a ton; in fact, I recall a handful of job applications that had a variation of personality test on them. Personality tests are cool because they help us gain a better awareness of ourselves and how we operate in the world. My favorite of...[ read more ]
What is trauma bonding? This phenomenon is more commonly known as Stockholm Syndrome. Trauma bonding occurs when a victim caught in the abuse cycle becomes dependent on their abuser physically, psychologically, and socially, making it more difficult to escape the abuse as time goes on. As a therapist, I have done research on the abuse cycle because to me, it’s...[ read more ]
I wrote this post a year ago on Father’s Day on my personal blog. Given that it’s still relevant, I am sharing it here, as I know for many, Father’s Day carries with it a lot of pain and brokenness. I kept the post in present tense. *** Prior to getting married last year, I didn’t give much thought to...[ read more ]
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Last week, I found myself reflecting back to my earliest memories of mental illness. The first instance that came to mind probably occurred when I was around 11-years-old. My mother was dating the man that would later become her husband. Brian had a son a few years younger than me and I remember my...[ read more ]
For this last post for Counseling Awareness Month, I'm excited to share a book review of Samuel Pollen's The Year I Didn't Eat. What is the book about? Max is a 14-year old in the 9th grade. He has friends, a supportive family, and a dog. But a year ago, someone disrupted life as he knew it. Her name is...[ read more ]
For today's Counseling Awareness Month post, I am excited to share my interview with award-winning author, Laleh Chini. Laleh is the author of Climbing Over Grit, which has recently won The Canada Book Award. Before we get into the interview, I'd like to share a brief summary of the book, as I've had the pleasure of reading it. Climbing Over...[ read more ]
For today's Counseling Awareness Month post, I'm excited to share an interview that I did with Shalanda Jackson, LCSW. Shalanda is the owner of J Group Counseling Services, a private practice for psychotherapy where she offers individual counseling and group counseling. I understand that you do group therapy for anger management. Tell the readers about what that group is like...[ read more ]