Counseling & Coaching
The holidays are often portrayed as a time of happiness surrounded by family and friends, but for some it can be a more difficult time. Especially in times of pandemic, when social distancing may cause physical separation, communication can become more strained causing feelings of isolation, loneliness and guilt. Within…
Many people have ideas about what the holidays spent with your family “should” be like. You’d expect your family members to love each other and be thankful for the time they get to spend together. Sadly, the reality for some families is much more complex. The truth is that many…
I have a patient, Ben, who used to dread heading home for the holidays. Due to the constant criticism from his parents, he and his family found it extremely difficult to relax and enjoy themselves. As soon as Ben walked through the door of his parents’ home, he felt ill…
The Christmas season is in full swing! You know what that means—plenty of holiday stimuli. Santa Claus runs rampant in your town, “Silent Night” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” blare from your radio, trees light every window, and horses disguised as reindeer trot down the street. Now, there are two…
This time of year is exciting and special for many, as families come together to celebrate the holidays. However, it isn’t exciting for all. In fact, it can be a very difficult time for people in addiction recovery. Here are a few common issues for those in recovery during the…
My parents do not approve of my relationship. I am 23 years old and I have lived with my boyfriend (who I plan to marry) since February 2019. Since then, I am constantly getting told that this was a bad decision and I am constantly being asked by my parents…
Between shopping for gifts, preparing for lavish dinners, and having visiting relatives and friends, the holiday season creates more stress than we might realize. This can lead to feeling burned out, tired, cranky and it might even make us miss out on the joy that is supposed to accompany this…
During the holiday season, there’s a distinct emphasis on giving thanks for all that we’re fortunate enough to have. But in trying to make the season festive, we often put unnecessary stress on ourselves and each other. As a result, we might not feel as merry as we could. That’s…
Let’s face it, sometimes the holidays aren’t always a time for fun and celebration. They can be a time of increased depression because we are alone, or they can be filled with anxiety because we have to be around family or people we don’t always get along with. Regardless of…
The holiday season is a time for good cheer and merriment! Or is it? For many, the mention of Hanukkah, Christmas, or New Year’s brings as many winces as it does smiles. The fact is, the holiday season can be as much of a burden as it is a celebration;…
During the holiday season, we think of family traditions, making memories, and spending time with loved ones. However, the holiday season can cause feelings of grief to become much more intense. The loss of a loved one can make even the most joyful celebrations difficult to bear, no matter how…