The Mental Health Blog
Marriage: When to Call it Quits
Hopefully anyone you have asked about if you should call it quits in your marriage has responded with, “That is for you to decide,” because it is only for you to decide. Only you know the ins and outs of you and the dynamic between you and your partner. As you go...
What is Narrative Therapy?
There are so many different styles of therapy, it can be overwhelming to find a therapist you like and will utilize an approach that would be a good fit for you. A personal favorite of mine that I have come back to time and time again is Narrative Therapy. The basic...
The Dark Side of Some Religious Teachings
For some people, religion or spirituality is a deep source of comfort when hardship strikes. Perhaps you were led to believe in and follow a higher power who is all-loving and accepting, one who you can turn to in times of trouble for support, insight, and...
Family Conflict: How Can I Set and Maintain Boundaries?
Family can be a difficult topic to dive into if your family dynamic is filled with conflict. Human beings crave relationship and togetherness, but the relationship we seek sometimes seems out of reach. One of the most significant struggles come when someone is...
I’ve Set Up My First Therapy Appointment, Now What?
That’s great! Setting up the appointment can be a daunting step in the therapeutic process, but you did it! The anticipation leading up to the appointment can also feel intimidating no matter how many times you’ve been to therapy before. If entering into a new...
My Working Theory of Change
If you are currently sitting in a problematic situation or experiencing a difficult emotion, it can feel suffocating and endless. Sometimes, the severity and intensity of an obstacle we are facing or emotion we are experiencing can be so draining there seems little...
Managing Holiday Stress
The holidays, while wonderful for some, bring a lot more stress and pain than joy for many. There is a never ending list of reasons why: excessive spending, busier schedules, reminders of grief, and overall blues from Seasonal Affective Disorder. There is no sure way...
Intimate Partner Violence
Intimate partner violence can be extremely scary, shameful, and exhausting. Oftentimes, partners can feel exhausted from the cycle, scared, lonely, and feel shame for the abuse occurring. People may feel trapped in a relationship, feeling like they don’t know...
The Effects of Stress and Strategies to Reduce Stress
Do you ever just feel overwhelmed? Find yourself getting sick easily or feeling tired all of the time? You can’t ever seem to get enough sleep? There’s a good chance you could be experiencing stress. Let’s talk about the long-term effects of chronic stress. According...
Has the Latchkey Generation Overcorrected on Parenting?
Many in Generation X came home from school to an empty house devoid of adult supervision. We were expected to let ourselves in with our “latchkeys”, do our homework, complete our chores, take care of our Nealer siblings, and stay out of trouble until one or more...