Let’s talk about boundaries in relationships. What are they, why do we need them, and how do we communicate these to our partner? What are boundaries? In simple terms, we can define boundaries as being our rules, limitations, and basic sense of self. In clinical terms, our sense of self is called autonomy, but for…
I was a therapist who did not “need” therapy. I started my career working with a very vulnerable population, children in foster care. These children had experienced horrors that were hard for me to even imagine. I created a safe environment for them, I worked hard to gain their trust, to provide a non-judgmental space…
“Grow up and start acting your age!” she screams with the hope of jarring him violently enough to wake him from his drunken stupor. Further entrenching in his defiance, with all the maturity and vigor he can muster, he shouts, “Make me!” How could he not see his childish behavior? He is so selfish. How…
Understanding and treating mental health concerns can easily become overwhelming. With common practice dictating the evaluation of and administration of the benefits of medication, it can seem second nature to focus on the symptoms of mental health disorders as a point of change. It can seem normal to engage in the discussion of the effects…
Over the decades, theories and treatment of substance and alcohol abuse have shifted. Early on, addiction was seen as a moral issue. If a person could simply invoke resolve and repent for their issues, then they can deal with their choice to drink or use. This was emphasized by programs such as Mother Against Drunk…
On September 14th, 1986, former First Lady Nancy Reagan spoke to the American public about the dangers of drugs and gave her solution to this grave issue: “Just Say No.” Possibly well-intentioned, but severely misguided, her call to action was taken on by the American public and the international stage at large. For his part,…
Triggers are a way our body communicates important information to us about what is and isn’t tolerable. While many people immediately want to know why they are triggered, a more important question to ask in the moment is “What is happening for me right now?” and get very detailed about the answer. Let’s take a…
Alcohol and drugs can significantly affect the body and psyche, especially when used over a prolonged period. Therefore, when trying to quit or minimize substance usage, a person who habitually consumes high amounts of drugs or alcohol might experience withdrawal symptoms. Read ahead to learn how to have a successful withdrawal from addiction. Also learn…
I was at Walgreens in the middle of August when I saw Halloween candy out. School semesters hadn’t started, we hadn’t even made it past Labor Day, and here I was staring down aisles of candy, pumpkins, and decorations. Nearly a month later, it’s mid September, and my local Target has Thanksgiving decorations and turkeys…
It has been an especially long two years. It has been said, “there are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.” This definitely rings true as the past few years have been full of life-changing events. Just a few weeks ago, the Russia-Ukraine war started, reverberating throughout the world. There have…