With everything going on in our world, sometimes I feel so on edge! My shoulders are up to my ears, my eyes are burning, and my head is pounding. This is the moment when I need to settle down. How do we do that? Remember what is in your control and let go of what…
The Cycle of Anxiety refers to patterns of avoidance we engage in, that ultimately intensify our anxiety. They Cycle of Anxiety starts off with anxiety itself. This looks different in everyone but can include: racing thoughts, increased heart rate, restlessness, and decision paralysis. Because anxiety symptoms are uncomfortable, naturally we look for relief and that is when Avoidance enters…
Psychiatry gets a bad rap in our culture. If you’ve spent any amount of time watching TV shows or movies you’ve likely seen psychiatry in a negative light. Psychiatrists are portrayed as being evil, incompetent, paternalistic, or at the very least, are typically committing serious boundary violations. How many scenes have we watched of a…
In a world where everyone is so busy and has so many demands on their time, it’s no wonder that people are stressed and anxious. We experience stress and anxiety in different ways, but whatever its form, it can be really hard to manage. Take a look at these five key ways to deal with…
When you love what you do, work feels like play. But even the most passionate people can begin to feel a change in their work routine that signals the onset of burnout. When we give our all to something for so long, it’s only natural that we begin to feel depleted and exhausted. If you…
As parents, our responsibilities are huge. From school drop-offs to bedtime stories, dinner prep, laundry and last-minute homework checks – it’s a lot of work! As a result, many parents experience what is known as parental burnout. Parental burnout refers to the stress that comes from being a parent on a constant basis. It happens…
A key component of overcoming an alcohol or drug addiction successfully is having a strong social support network. You have a better chance of staying sober if you surround yourself with positive influences. Support is extremely important when you are in the process of addiction recovery. The support can come from anywhere, let it be…
Standing on an open ledge is NOT recommended or required to overcome a fear of heights! From a psychologist, here is a 3-step process to help you overcome a phobia. What is a Phobia? Fear has a legitimate place in our lives. It helps keep us safe from threatening situations, like a wild animal or…
I started my career as a school social worker in Chicago in 2009. I quickly realized how important it was to have school counselors and social workers in schools. Beyond working with students individually and in a group setting, students often would stop by my office for reassurance, a quick talk, a hug, sometimes just…
It is important to be able to admit when we are wrong. I have been coming to terms with this more and more as I age. It seems like the older I get, the less I know. Recently, I caught an inaccuracy in a saying I have been using. For years, I have parroted the…