Codependency: What Is It?

Codependency: What Is It?

The original concept of “codependent” came from wives of the alcoholics who started Alcoholic Anonymous, Bill Wilson and “Dr. Bob.”  The men would have AA meetings in people’s houses and the wives would sit in the kitchen and talk over coffee and dessert.  As they exchanged stories about their experiences, they realized they all had done similar things in an effort to protect their husband from consequences of their alcoholism.

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Great Mental Health Apps To Try

Great Mental Health Apps To Try

Phone apps can be an incredible support for monitoring behavior and emotions, supplementing therapy, or for improving or maintaining mental health and wellness.  While mental health apps do not substitute treatment from a mental health professional and do not provide a diagnosis, they can be used in conjunction with therapy to help you build awareness of habits and patterns, as well as independently to support self-care.  Many of these apps are based on scientific research and evidence based therapy techniques.  I recommend some of them to support work I do with my clients and I use them personally. 

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Assertiveness - You Can't Live Without It!

 Assertiveness - You Can't Live Without It!

If I got a dollar every time I heard a client say, “I don’t like conflict and I avoid it at all costs,” I would be a wealthy woman! Conflicts (aka disagreements) are everywhere – at work, at home, at your favorite restaurant, and within your own head (or is that just in my head?). If you think you can walk through life avoiding it, pretending it doesn’t exist, and still live a fulfilling life, you are just wrong. I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you really are wrong. Here’s why.

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Improve Your Marriage : 3 Tips To Increase Closeness To Your Partner

Improve Your Marriage : 3 Tips To Increase Closeness To Your Partner

What happens when your relationship stops being a priority? Most will speak to the difficulty of maintaining closeness in marriage or romantic relationships. We often find ourselves lost in the hustle and grind of our day to day lives. It is so easy to get overwhelmed with everyday stressors such as managing work projects, family tension, or even your child’s soccer practices! Slowly over time that spark begins to fade and those feelings of excitement are replaced with monotony and endless binging of our “favorite” series, leading to disconnection and apathy. I know many couples who find themselves struggling to feel connected or motivated to connect with their partners. How do we fix this? What can we do to remind each other of how important our relationship is? Well today I have a couple of tips that have helped couples to bring some connection and intimacy back into their relationship.

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Learn more about the SYMBIS Premarital Counseling Assessment!

Learn more about the SYMBIS Premarital Counseling Assessment!

Earlier this month, I posted a blog letting you know all about the key benefits of the SYMBIS. Today I wanted to provide you with an inside look at what each SYMBIS report details about your relationship. Just for those who may be reading about the SYMBIS for the first time, it is an evidence-based report created to fit your specific relationship. SYMBIS stands for Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts! The SYMBIS is a great tool for premarital education and counseling that can help you in maintaining those wonderful feelings you have been experiencing during your engagement process. 

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