June 15, 2021

What is DBT?

June 15, 2021/ Laney Rapsey MS LPC

DBT stands for Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Dialectic means two opposites can both be true. For example, if a loved one did something that was hurtful to you, you can be angry with them, maybe even hate them, and still love them. Balancing two things helps keep us from experiencing emotions in extremes. Sometimes this is as simple as changing “OR” into “AND”. Instead of being happy OR sad, we can be happy AND sad. It’s hard to stay calm when you’re thinking in extremes, and dialectics allow us to stay balanced by noticing two truths at once.

May 04, 2021

5 Ways Men Can Especially Benefit From Therapy

May 04, 2021/ Amanda Ruiz MS, LPC

When I get emails or phone calls from men who want to start therapy with me, I get giddy. I really do! I am so grateful that we seem to be on the upswing as a country where overall, more men are seeking therapy now than ever before. The stigma around folks seeking mental health treatment, especially men, is slowly disappearing and I want to be a contributing factor in that trend. In order to support my current male clients, and encourage more men to seek help, I am writing today about what you can expect from high quality mental healthcare and why treatment is important.

January 26, 2021

4 Steps To Being More Sex-Positive

January 26, 2021/ Amanda Ruiz MS, LPC

Before I dive into this blog post, I need to say a few things. Sex is a loaded topic – different folks have different sexual practices, beliefs, experiences. And, this really isn’t something we often talk about at the dinner table, right? Talking about sex involves sensitivity, vulnerability, compassion, and kindness. It is important to read/listen with an open mind, without defensiveness or moral judgment, and with the goal of understanding instead of convincing someone to change their feelings or beliefs.

I am going to write today about what it means to be sex-positive, and some things you can try to become more sex-positive.

November 16, 2020

What is Beginners Mind?

November 16, 2020/ Amanda Ruiz MS, LPC

Beginners Mind is one of seven principles within Mindfulness meditation practice and the most important according to prominent Zen authors. The other six principles are Letting Go, Acceptance, Non-Judgement, Non-Striving, and Trust. I will interchange the terms “principles” and “practice” throughout the blog because principles are practiced and practice involves principles.

October 20, 2020

6 Ways to Cope When You Are Feeling Overwhelmed

October 20, 2020/ Amanda Ruiz MS, LPC

2020 has been a roller coast of a year for many, including myself! It was the year of big plans, changes, and aspirations all squashed due to the pandemic, and the many challenges and alterations it brought to life. The minute we seem to get answers or figure out a routine in this new normal, something changes, and we must pivot and draft a new plan of how to function in a new way of life. Trying to manage within a pandemic can be very overwhelming. On top of worrying about normal problems and life issues, there are now bigger matters at hand, most of which we do not have concrete answers to. Not knowing or having a plan of action can cause us to feel emotionally overwhelmed and fear the worst. These feelings are normal and can be addressed and worked on. However sometimes they become overbearing, feeling like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. Let’s discuss 6 ways to best move forward when those feelings begin to take over and it feels like you against the world with no end in sight.

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