Creative outlets can be a helpful way to channel and process inner thoughts. Whether through music, drawing, painting, writing, or other artistic mediums, art can provide focus, improve clarity, and inspire honesty—valuable tools in the context of psychotherapy. Art can be used to advance cognitive functions, boost self-esteem, confront emotions,…
When you’re managing depression or anxiety, starting a medication like Wellbutrin (medical name bupropion) can come with mixed emotions. You might feel hopeful about the potential for relief, but it’s easy to feel anxious and wonder if it will actually make a difference. It’s natural to keep tabs on how…
If you’re on Prozac (fluoxetine) or considering it, you might wonder: can you drink on Prozac? Prozac is an antidepressant designed to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, supporting your healing process. However, if you enjoy an occasional drink, it’s natural to question how alcohol might interact with your medication….
While it is possible to overshare in therapy, therapy is a time and setting where oversharing is usually appropriate, welcomed, and helpful. That’s because the more details a client shares about their experiences and feelings, the more a therapist can gain insight into who they are and help guide them…
There may come a time when someone with a mental illness — like depression, anxiety, or PTSD — needs your help. While mental health conditions require proper treatment from a mental health professional like a counselor or psychiatrist, you can provide help in the form of comfort, reassurance, and support….
“Forgive yourself. Let it go. Forget about it. Move on.” They’re easy phrases to say, but so much harder to actually do. We all mess up sometimes, whether it’s lashing out at a friend, engaging in self-destructive behavior, or cutting corners at work. Those mistakes often come with overwhelming feelings…
September is National Suicide Prevention Month and is an important chance for each of us to understand how suicidal thoughts can be identified, prevented, and treated. The resounding theme of National Suicide Prevention Month is to provide support and compassion to those struggling with mental health conditions or life circumstances…
We all get jealous occasionally—but retroactive jealousy can make someone start obsessing over their partner’s romantic past. Retroactive jealousy, also known as Rebecca syndrome, can be so intense that it can derail a person’s relationship, mental health, and ability to trust others. Although this type of relationship anxiety can warp…
Most of us have had this experience: you burst into tears unexpectedly and have to pause to ask yourself, “Why am I crying?” Emotions can seem to surface randomly and for no clear reason, leaving you confused, surprised, or even frustrated. However, emotions are a product of situations, conditions, or…
Gender dysphoria is the term used to describe deep feelings of distress, unease, and discomfort because one’s biological sex does not align with their gender identity, or the gender they view themselves as. Gender dysphoria is a recognized condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), and…
Generally considered to be the gold standard of therapeutic counseling methods, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) aims to help clients cope with many of life’s hurdles by assessing the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. CBT is particularly well-known for offering clients coping strategies that work well outside of therapy. CBT…
Cognitive distortions are inaccurate thoughts that we believe to be rational but only serve to perpetuate negative thought patterns and behaviors—ones that often make us feel bad about ourselves. Because cognitive distortions are the backbone of negative thinking and emotions, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on helping patients change these…
