Embracing You: Navigating Body Image

Embracing You: Navigating Body Image

Think about how roles have changed for women and girls society in the last 50 years. Now a women’s place is not only in the kitchen. Women can pursue any career that they would like to, doctor, psychologist, teacher, politician, etc. The sky is the limit. However, over 50% of girls by the age of 13 report feeling unhappy with their bodies according to the National Organization of Women. By the age of 17, it increased to over 70% of girls. We call this feeling 'body image,' and it's about how we see ourselves, not how we really are.

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The Power of Automatic Thoughts: Relationship Edition

The Power of Automatic Thoughts: Relationship Edition

Many of us can still remember the events that have left us feeling rejected, unvalued, unheard, and unseen. We can recall the day, the time, the person, and the words that left an imprint on the way we view things today. One of today’s trends is the stinging feeling of “unreciprocated energy” from our family and friends. Throughout our childhood years, there may have been life events or situations that created a foggy lens that changes the way we view and process similar situations, life events, and relationships today. Maybe, in the past you have invited some friends and family to an event however they didn’t show up- or maybe you have been reaching out to your loved one’s but they haven’t been as responsive or engaged as you would like them to be. Regardless of what their reason may be, it could have left you feeling like “No one loves or cares about me” or “I’ll never have successful relationships'. These unhealthy thinking patterns are what we call Automatic thoughts.

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How Self-Compassion Can Soothe Trauma and Anxiety

How Self-Compassion Can Soothe Trauma and Anxiety

After a traumatic or anxiety-inducing experience, some people notice an increase in thoughts such as “it’s all my fault,” “I can’t trust anyone” or “everywhere I go is unsafe.” After trauma, your brain can hyperfocus on the negative as a way to keep you safe from future danger.

It is working so hard to keep you safe that it doesn’t mind if it puts you down in the process.

While you may appreciate your brain’s commitment to safety, repetitive negative thoughts can take a toll on your mental health. In fact, one of the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder is “persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs or expectations about oneself, others, or the world” (that explanation is taken from the DSM-5, the diagnostic manual that counselors use). Trauma survivors might feel like they have negative self-talk on repeat in their brain with no idea how to hit the power button or turn down the volume.

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How Do We Identify Our Needs?

How Do We Identify Our Needs?

So often when we are feeling frustrated in life with our jobs, families or other relationships, we end up feeling the same thing over and over again but aren’t able to identify in those moments what is familiar. Because of this, we can tend to either ignore those feelings and begin to have a pattern of dealing with that person or circumstance that often leads to feeling those same feelings over and over again without any real resolution or positive outcome. I often talk to clients that knowing how to express and communicate the change we need to feel or see is the first step towards moving into a new pattern of communication.

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4 Ways To Give Yourself Extra Care During Colder Months

4 Ways To Give Yourself Extra Care During Colder Months

If you’re anything like me, colder weather and shorter days mean a number of things are changing:

1.   Getting out of bed in the dark? Yeah, that feels like running a marathon.

2.   Lunch looks more like pork mac and cheese than a grilled chicken salad with almonds, goat cheese and fruit.

3.   Doing the dishes when you get home from work is infinitely less appealing than putting your feet up and watching holiday-themed movies.

We get out of healthier habits and slip into hibernation mode. Our bodies aren’t as well-nourished because the foods that seem more appetizing have higher levels of fat and sugar. We are lounging more and moving less. All of these factors lead us to feeling sluggish, less emotionally stable, and generally yucky!

 Self-care to the rescue! I am here to tell you there are ways to boost comfort and contentment without sacrificing true care for your mind and body. Here we go.

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