If you are seeking therapy, then you are likely trying to make some change in your life so that it better aligns with your goals, pushing you towards happiness. However, change is difficult. It takes time, and it can be incredibly uncomfortable. When faced with the idea of going outside the comfort zone, particularly when there’s been a pattern of […]

It is not easy navigating the special education system. What is incredibly important in getting your child’s needs met will be having open lines of communication with the school and the team in charge of your child’s education, especially if they meet criteria to receive special education. At the end of the day, you will be your child’s greatest advocate […]

“They are just so bipolar.” This phrase is one that is commonly used in casual conversation, and typically, what the individual saying it means is that the person the phrase is referring to has frequent and intense mood swings between various emotions such as angry, sad, and happy. However, because the word bipolar has been used in this manner, it […]

There are various barriers that can get in the way of effective communication with those we care about, (e.g., partners, friends, children, parents), which can then worsen our relationships. The following are some common barriers in productive communication with others.   Not listening to the other person. Active listening is a skill that takes a lot of practice. Have you […]

There are various ways to cope with strong, negative emotions. One method is through self-soothing, which is when you comfort yourself through the five senses. By engaging in self-soothing, you can reduce the level of distress you are feeling. The following are examples of self-soothing you can engage in (*Note* The lists are not comprehensive). The Sense of Smell Candles, […]

It can sometimes be a struggle to get children to follow rules and expectations that have been laid out for them. More often than not, when rule-breaking occurs, what follows is the yelling of “don’t do that!” or “stop it!” However, that is likely not the most effective way of engaging with a child. Like adults, children simply want their […]

One of the more stigmatized areas of mental health is substance use and abuse; there are many who view substance abuse as a failing of the individual rather than an illness. However, while this may be the perception, it is not a moral failing if one has a substance abuse disorder. This can be even seen in how we are […]

There are various myths that are perpetuated throughout the media and society about mental health, and unfortunately, these myths cause harm and increase the stigma around mental illness. Below are some common myths about mental health and treatment. Myth: People with mental health issues are violent. While media will commonly link violent events, particularly shootings, to mental illness, thus perpetuating […]

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and with that comes the work of breaking down stigmas associated with mental health. Those with mental health issues can feel alone in their struggle, particularly because of the stigma associated with mental health. The language we use when describing mental health matters. Often, people are concerned about being labeled as “crazy,” “lazy,” or […]

When a child or adolescent acts in a certain way that defies rules or expectations that a parent or teacher sets, it can be sometimes hard to understand why they engaged in such a behavior. This can be frustrating because if we do not know why the child behaved in a certain way, that makes it difficult to change the […]