College, Mental Health Topics How to succeed in college: Prevention and proactive strategies soften the transition by Hannah DeWitt on Aug 8, 2023 College can bring some of the most precious times, offering life-changing and beautiful opportunities. However, it can also be a stress-filled time, full of change, uncertainty, and hard work. College is unique in that you are learning to function in a new academic environment as well as learning to function…
Mental Health Topics, Relationships, Self-Improvement Upward bound: Tips for setting and enforcing boundaries for women by Laura Harris, LCMHC on Aug 5, 2023 Hi ladies, it’s me, Laura, can we talk about boundaries for a bit? The title of this article reflects my hope to boost mental wellness for the distressed reader by providing tips and analogies for forming and enforcing boundaries. These tips can benefit anyone and it provides special consideration to…
Mental Health Topics, Self-Care Learning how to relax: Simple relaxation techniques and other stress reduction tips by Laura Harris, LCMHC on Aug 4, 2023 Stress is simply a fact of nature—forces from the outside world affecting the individual. Sometimes stress can be positive: exciting and inspiring, looking forward to new opportunities. Other times stress may have a more negative effect: intense mental pressure, muscle tightness, or anxiety and nervousness. Your body responds to stress…
Ask a Therapist, Grief & Loss, Mental Health Topics How do I cope with a death when it was a down-low friendship? by Valerie Proctor Greene, LICSW on Aug 2, 2023 Q: How do I cope with death with a down-low friend relationship? A: First, I want to offer sincere condolences for your loss. You have layers of challenges to unpack and process. It is very important for you to have emotional support at this time. While the grief process is…
Mental Health Awareness, Mental Health Topics National Wellness Month: A guide to prioritizing your well-being by Alexandra Cromer, LPC on Aug 1, 2023 It’s great to make an effort to improve your mental or physical health, but what about other wellness areas? There are a variety of wellness areas that contribute to our overall well-being, and it’s important to give time to each of them when we can. National Wellness Month is a…
Feelings & Emotions, Mental Health Topics, Relationships How to gain someone’s trust back: Manageable steps for rebuilding security and stability in relationships by Christine Ridley, LCSW on Jul 27, 2023 To make mistakes is to be human—but when our actions result in us hurting someone we’re close to, it’s possible to lose their trust. And odds are, if you’re reading this, you’ve either lost someone’s trust, or are searching for ways to forgive someone for something they’ve done to you….
Behavioral Issues, Communication, Mental Health Topics, Psychology Habitual lying: What does it look like and what are its causes? by Theresa Lupcho, LPC on Jul 27, 2023 Everyone lies from time to time. Whether it’s to get out of work or spare someone’s feelings, lying every once in a while is normal and common. However, when someone lies frequently, they are known as a habitual liar. Lying often is harmful, and can even be a sign of…
Mental Health Topics, Self-Care The how and why of self-care with a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor by Laura Harris, LCMHC on Jul 27, 2023 Self-care refers to a routine of behaviors a person performs, on their own with the intention to maintain and improve their own health. Because self-care is inherently unique to a person, it is difficult to say what will work for each. For that reason, I have delineated some of the…
Beginning Therapy, Mental Health Topics, Relationships Marriage counseling: A comprehensive guide for curious couples seeking support by Theresa Lupcho, LPC on Jul 27, 2023 Have you ever been in the midst of a conflict with your significant other and wished that you could rewind, start over, and reset? Maybe you didn’t know how to heal the emotional wounds that were inflicted in the heat of the moment—and still don’t. Sometimes an expert is required…
Mental Health Topics, Relationships What is emotional intimacy? Overcoming emotional barriers and fostering closeness by Kate Hanselman, PMHNP-BC on Jul 25, 2023 We all want to feel loved and valued by the people around us, but how do we get that? One type of connection that accomplishes this is emotional intimacy. Being emotionally intimate with people is an important part of developing relationships and allows us to create a deeper, more honest…
Disorders, Mental Health Topics, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Relationship OCD: Examples, symptoms & treatment approaches by Alexandra Cromer, LPC on Jul 20, 2023 Even though relationship OCD is not recognized in the DSM-5 as a formal subtype, this form of OCD causes obsessive thoughts around controlling and/or perfecting one’s partner and/or the relationship. Relationship OCD can occur both when someone is actively in a relationship or even when they are single. Learn more…
Mental Health Topics, Race & Identity, Self-Improvement Refocus: Mental wellness tips for the Black woman by Laura Harris, LCMHC on Jul 20, 2023 Hello Black women, my name’s Laura, and I’ve been certified Black since the ’80s. The title of this article reflects my intention for the distressed reader to shift their perspective to a more helpful focus to support mental wellness. This is intended to occur through analogies and tips. Let’s begin!…