Mental Health Topics

Depression has many noticeable symptoms, including feelings of hopelessness, changes in appetite, and difficulty concentrating. One of the more impactful depression symptoms is sleep disturbances. Those struggling with depression may sleep too much or not enough, and these sleep disturbances can exacerbate other depression symptoms. Read on to learn more…

A therapeutic approach or modality is a perspective counselors and therapists can use to understand and work with their client’s presenting concerns. Holistic counseling, though, can be applied in almost any situation to make treatment more effective and impactful. Holistic counseling looks at every area of a person’s life to…

The term “karma” refers to a spiritual law of cause and effect, suggesting that our actions in past lives can influence our current circumstances and relationships. In the context of relationships, a karmic relationship is believed to involve individuals who have a connection based on past actions and experiences in…

Sigmund Freud, a neurologist and the father of psychoanalysis, is one of the most influential men of the 20th century. When you think of psychology, you usually think of Freud, which is why we decided to dedicate this article to him and his most notable quotes. Sigmund Freud’s Life Work…

Anxiety is a natural part of life, but when anxiety goes beyond standard stress or fear, it can have a negative impact on life and relationships. Those with untreated anxiety might withdraw from or get irritable with their friends, and anxious parents might model fears and worries to their children. …

If you struggle with stress, it’s important to find ways to cope so you have healthy strategies to help you deal with whatever comes your way.  The good news is that there are several different resources for stress and several different ways to deal with it. Exercise, counseling, and just…

Have you noticed negative mental dialogue going on in your own head, calling yourself names and incessantly chattering? This thought pattern is called self-criticism, which is the act of evaluating, judging, or scrutinizing oneself, often in a negative or harsh manner. This critical voice can manifest in various ways, such…

We may not realize it, but we interact with a variety of conditioned stimuli on an average day, from getting up when the school bell rings to stopping at a red light in traffic. Conditioned stimuli can be created knowingly or unknowingly, but all elicit certain impulsive actions based on…

In unhealthy or abusive relationships, many complex feelings and dynamics can develop over time. These relationships are rarely simple, which can make them difficult to end.  In the case of trauma-bonded relationships, breaking a trauma bond can be a long and involved process. However, with the right help from a…

Trauma dumping refers to a situation where an individual shares their traumatic experiences in an overwhelming, often boundary-violating manner without the listener’s consent. While it’s not  always intentional, trauma dumping typically crosses interpersonal boundaries and may cause the listener to feel overwhelmed or trapped.  Learn more about how to spot…

Parent-child relationships aren’t always easy to navigate, and they can become fraught with tension when past conflict goes unresolved. When someone has issues with their mother, it can be difficult to know how to change things. When managing conflict in any relationship including with one’s mother, it’s important to prioritize…

An “affect” is a nonverbal method of communication that expresses emotion on an individual’s face. Though people’s feelings can appear on their faces without conscious effort or even notice, one’s affect doesn’t have to match their feelings. Different from someone’s affect, mood is specifically what someone is feeling, something that…