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Many of us have memories of experiencing hurt caused by a parent growing up. Perhaps these experiences are only small blips in an otherwise blissful childhood. Or perhaps there are a lot of blips, much too many. For those who have these memories, a common fear when having children is “how do I make sure my child never experiences what I did?”

Several years while on vacation, I read Daring Greatly by Brene’ Brown and it changed my life. I connected with so many of the things she was writing about – perfection, shame, vulnerability - and found myself using the book as a roadmap for “showing up and being seen” in my life.

Receiving a disability (intellectual, processing, emotional) diagnosis for your child, you almost feel as though you are being prepped for a battle. You are forced to justify your child’s existence and their right to all of the opportunities available the moment those words are uttered to you. Welcome to your new, never-ending and intimate relationship with the medical world. While the diagnosis can take on a role in your life that is unplanned, unwanted and emotional, you would do it all over again for your child -- because you are their biggest fan, advocate and supporter.

Social anxiety is typically related to several issues, including how we related in our family of origin and what our family taught us about feelings; what we learned about relationships from our childhood and adolescent friendships; how we communicate both verbally and nonverbally; how we read other people’s verbal and non-verbal cues; and especially how we avoid or deal with conflict. Another way we may increasingly become socially uncomfortable is by using alcohol or other drugs in social settings so that we can lose some of our ability to comfortably socialize without alcohol or drugs.

Half of all adults in the United States have at least one chronic illness. This can range from around 20% of people ages 45 to 64 and jumps to 80% of people over the age of 65. With these rates, about 45% of adults help aid a loved one with a chronic condition at some point in their life. Chronic illnesses are those that are not immediately curable and are present for an extended period of time. Some of the most common examples in the United States include diabetes, chronic headaches or migraine, epilepsy, arthritis, and asthma.

Being stuck inside during Everyday life is rapidly changing for all of us during this pandemic. Uncertainty is looming around every corner. On top of all the stressors and issues that originally brought you to therapy, there are new stressors and fears being added as a result of this pandemic. In addition to now having practice social distancing, employers are temporarily closing their doors - adding to financial stress; much-needed supplies aren't available for purchase, and of course the fear of our well-being and the ones we love.ng this time can take a toll on both your mental and physical health. Setting an intention for physical exercise can not only keep you busy but can improve your overall wellbeing. There are plenty of physical activities that can keep you busy during this otherwise boring and uncertain time.

Being stuck inside during this time can take a toll on both your mental and physical health. Setting an intention for physical exercise can not only keep you busy but can improve your overall wellbeing. There are plenty of physical activities that can keep you busy during this otherwise boring and uncertain time.

The COVID-19 outbreak has forced school closures across the country. Suddenly, parents and caregivers are being turned into homeschoolers, creating makeshift schedules and study tables as parents worry about their children losing academic progress. These concerns are heightened for parents of children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities, and other special needs.

For parents who are separated or divorced, navigating child custody and visitation can be challenging even in the best circumstances. In times of stress such as the COVID-19 pandemic, everything can suddenly become more complicated.

Talking with your children about their body and sex can be uncomfortable for many parents. However, the earlier your talk with your children about human development and puberty, the more open your children may be to coming to you about questions or concerns as they get older.

Addiction is often thought of as a decision or selfish behavior. What if I told you that the process of addiction is an automatic unconscious process of the brain that acts like a reflex? Dopamine is a big player in how the brain works and continues cycles of addiction. Dopamine is released in abundant amounts while using drugs or engaging in compulsive behaviors (e.g. gambling, sex, and compulsive eating.) But dopamine is also released as a reaction to stress, which creates the cycle of addiction.

My name is Brooke Cornett and I am a sophmore at Purdue University Northwest. Having dealt with ADD and ADHD in school as a child, and now studying Psych and Mental Health in college, I can offer an interesting perspective on the subject. I have had to, by trial and error, test these methods on myself growing up and now am in the position to study their effectiveness on a broader scale through the University.

Up by 5 a.m. prepping bottles, packing school lunches on your own, doing a load of laundry, responding to the teacher’s email, placing diaper bags in the car so you do not have to make three different trips because you don’t have an extra hand to help ,does any of this sound familiar? If it does, I imagine, “ you”, my lovely reader, are living the life of a single mother. It is by far the hardest, unpaid job that a woman will ever have, while it has its rewards, it is still very challenging.

One of the key factors about emotional intelligence laid out by Dr. Jeanne Segal is self-awareness. Self-awareness is described by Dr. Segal as the ability “to control impulsive feelings and behaviors, manage your emotions in healthy ways, take initiative, follow through on commitments, and adapt to changing circumstances.”

Up by 5 a.m. prepping bottles, packing school lunches on your own, doing a load of laundry, responding to the teacher’s email, placing diaper bags in the car so you do not have to make three different trips because you don’t have an extra hand to help ,does any of this sound familiar? If it does, I imagine, “ you”, my lovely reader, are living the life of a single mother. It is by far the hardest, unpaid job that a woman will ever have, while it has its rewards, it is still very challenging.

Up by 5 a.m. prepping bottles, packing school lunches on your own, doing a load of laundry, responding to the teacher’s email, placing diaper bags in the car so you do not have to make three different trips because you don’t have an extra hand to help ,does any of this sound familiar? If it does, I imagine, “ you”, my lovely reader, are living the life of a single mother. It is by far the hardest, unpaid job that a woman will ever have, while it has its rewards, it is still very challenging.

The amygdala is a collection of nuclei near the base of the brain – the limbic system - where emotions are given meaning, remembered, and attached to associations, as well as responses to them (emotional memories). The amygdala is also known for its role in the processing of fear. In infants, a distress cry helps signal to caretakers to come “save” them. It toddlers, this same response may show up, or they may attempt to “flee” the danger by crawling away. Later in life, a “fight” back response might show up in anger or conflict.

For those of you reading and connecting with this blog - first note - You Are Not Alone - I see you and feel with you. Infertility and pregnancy struggles can be a long and lonely journey for many. The stigma associated with infertility can also make the grief and loss that much harder, and the wide range of emotions can make it hard to process. Coupled with the fact that not many talk about it, the secrecy, shame and isolation that goes with infertility struggles can affect your mental health. My infertility struggles followed the same path as many.

Nearly 93% of households with school aged children reported some form of distance learning during the Covid-19 pandemic (US Census Bureau, 2020). As children prepare to make the transition back to an in-person learning environment, which has a plethora of benefits including peer motivation, social interaction, and an overall better structured learning environment; The transition also may come with some mental health challenges including social anxiety, lack of social skills, and fear.

A big part of the mental health space is emotive language and vocabulary. Therefore, it’s long overdue that we talk about “Blame Culture” and how much of a large part self-criticalness is at the core of the most common mental health issues. Blame is often a means of attempting to hold ourselves accountable. However, it often is excessive and leads to self-gaslighting that involves nitpicking, fault-finding, complaining, exonerating the role that mental health plays.

Beyond the stigma of therapy participation, there is a bigger challenge in FINDING THE RIGHT THERAPIST. As a therapist, I am aware that the most valuable part of treatment with a client and the best indicator of success is the therapeutic alliance. This alliance is measured by the patient’s perception of their relationships with the therapist, and is important in the patient’s willingness to share and engage in the therapeutic process.

Social media has served as an important platform for increasing awareness of mental health and helping reduce the stigma of mental health disorders. Many people have found connection on social media with others who are also struggling, as well as a community to share and express themselves in a way that maybe they wouldn’t have felt comfortable before.

Studies have found that spending quality time together gives families the opportunity to be present with each other and strengthen relationship bonds. Family vacations are a great way to take a break from day-to-day responsibilities, explore other cultures, and create life-time memories.

Many of us have heard the words, “Feel your feelings,” but what exactly does that mean? Such a statement often comes off as vague and confusing. When hit with a wave of anxiety, are we not feeling it? Well, yes and no. Sitting with emotions, AKA, “feeling your feelings,” is more than just feeling it; it is also processing it from a place of curiosity and non-judgment.

When was the last time you sat down and doodled, painted, or otherwise created? I imagine that for many folks, the last time they made art was when it was required for school. But did you know that art can have a profound and positive impact on your mental health?

In many circles, there is a growing trend to only focus on the positive. This thought-process touts the idea that if you solely focus on the “good,” you can always be happy and avoid things like sadness, pain, hurt, and anger. Some will say just drink more tea, consume only organic food, use this or that supplement, get into aromatherapy, smile more, or do more yoga.

For some people, the holiday season is filled with celebrations, gift exchanges, luminous decorations, and endless food. Oh, the food. It’s a season expected to bring joy. But for others, it is filled with sadness, disappointment, and grief. The silent expectations from the holiday season left you feeling like Ebenezer Scrooge. Bah Humbug.

To better understand what psychedelic assisted therapy is and why it is believed to be effective, it may first be helpful to understand how psychedelics work. According to the National Institutes of Health, “Hallucinogens (psychedelics) are a diverse group of drugs that alter a person’s awareness of their surroundings as well as their own thoughts and feelings.”

January is Human trafficking Awareness Month. Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide – including right here in the United States (Department of Homeland Security, 2022). There are many preconceived notions about what human trafficking is, who it affects and why it happens. This blog will highlight facts and fiction surrounding human trafficking, how you can identify it, as well as how to help support survivors.

Expressing your love through flowers, gifts and dinner on Valentine’s Day is great, but identifying ways to connect and revisiting your shared values and experiences with your partner can offer long-term strategies for strengthening your relationship.

Body dysmorphia often stems from negative body image, and it can and does impact anyone, at any age. A person experiencing symptoms of body dysmorphia may feel that they are larger than their actual size, experience insecurities regarding how their body looks in comparison to others, and may also struggle with low self-esteem as it relates to their perception and relationship with their bodies. If these thoughts are left unaddressed and allowed to run unchecked, these symptoms can lead to body dysmorphic disorder.

You probably don’t need a therapist to tell you that your environment has a huge impact on your mood and overall well-being. Just think about it, most of us start and end our day at home. A clean, well-thought out environment can help us feel calm and grounded. While a messy, disorganized home can distract us from feeling present and connected. Being more mindful of your environment can help reduce anxiety and low mood. Not sure where to start? No worries! Grab your favorite snack and let's talk about 5 ways you can create a peaceful space at home.

Gottlieb explores her personal journey in psychotherapy as she cleverly weaves together several clinical case studies of clients she is treating. These clinical case studies include a seemingly egocentric television producer, an elderly woman facing depression and shame, a newlywed suddenly diagnosed with cancer, and a young woman navigating love and alcohol use.

As we grow and develop, we begin to see the ways in which we ourselves might have had distorted thinking when we were teenagers. Sometimes, we might even begin to forget what it was like to feel impulsive, or we might forget how much we didn’t know. However, these things are related to more than just life experience, it also reflects the development of our brain.