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Is My Significant Other an Introvert or an Extrovert, and Does It Matter?

August 2, 2018

Have you ever wondered if you are an introvert or an extrovert? If your significant other is an introvert or an extrovert? The extrovert/introvert scale is actually a spectrum as some people are a blend of both. One way to find out where you might fall on the spectrum is by taking the Myers Briggs Personality Test. So, you take the test and realize that you and your partner are not the same type. Does it matter…

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The Basics of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

August 1, 2018

In this video blog, Shannon Duffy talks about the basic modules of dialectical behavioral therapy. Follow along for our video series in which our team of experienced therapists in Chicago explains different therapeutic concepts that you may find helpful. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to connect with one of our counselors and we would be happy to help!  Dialectical behavioral therapy, or DBT, originated in the 80s as a…

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7 Tips on How to Cope with a Breakup

July 30, 2018

Going through a breakup with your significant other is not the easiest life transition. It can be very challenging, sad, stressful, confusing, complicated, and anxiety provoking. Whether you are the one who initiated the breakup or the one who was doing the breaking up, it can be a hard mixture of emotions to navigate. While a feeling of heartbreak is a normal response while going through a breakup, it is also an opportunity for some self-reflection. The…

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Tips To Regaining Trust From Your Partner

July 28, 2018

Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling Trust, the feeling of safety within your relationship, is one of the most crucial components to a healthy relationship. Unfortunately, trust can easily be broken. Whether you were unfaithful, lied, or crossed a boundary in your romantic relationship, the trust your partner once had for you has been altered. Breaking the trust in your relationship leaves your partner feeling betrayed, insecure, hurt, and angry. While you may want everything to…

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Getting The Closure You Deserve After a Breakup

July 26, 2018

Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling Many of us have experienced breakups and know they can be messy and ugly. Often we are left with unanswered questions, resentment, anger, and fears that seem to stick with us for longer than we would like them to. So what do you do when you need closure and are not able to receive it from your ex? There are several ways to obtain the closure you deserve on your…

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4 Warning Signs of Problematic Behavior

July 26, 2018

Andrew McNaughton, LCSW, CADC Are you worried that a certain behavior is causing issues in your life? Are you wondering how to address problematic behaviors in your life? If you aren’t sure whether or not you need a professional therapist to help you modify a behavior, there are certain signs that indicate it is time to get help. These four red flags can can serve as warning signs that a behavior is becoming problematic. Red Flag #1:…

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From Bad to Worst: 4 Ways to Manage Catastrophizing Thoughts

July 24, 2018

Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Practitioner When you anticipate a worst-case scenario, you create unnecessary anxiety. Dr. Boyes of Psychology Today has written that catastrophizing is a common cognitive distortion in which you predict a negative outcome followed by a catastrophic result if that negative outcome were to occur. For example, I tend to feel anxious when driving in the snow because I have certain catastrophizing thought patterns. I assume that if it’s snowy, I will encounter unsafe…

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How Talking to Yourself Can Help You Manage Emotions

July 24, 2018

Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Practitioner Talking to yourself is often viewed as a sign of severe mental illness. Yet there are many people who to talk to themselves — both silently and aloud — and it’s not a predominant symptom of any mental illness. Talking to yourself can be a good method to refocus your attention, organize your thoughts, and facilitate action. You might ask, “What was I doing?” in order to bring your attention back to…

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DBT Modules Explained (Module 3 and 4)

July 22, 2018

In the previous blog post (DBT Basics), I was able to explain the very basics of DBT. In this post, you will get a better understanding of 2 of the 4 modules (the other two were explained in “DBT Modules Explained (Modules 1 and 2) that are used when working with individuals or groups in a DBT scope. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, also known as DBT, was founded by Marsha Linehan, who is currently still teaching at the…

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DBT Modules Explained (Module 1 and 2)

July 19, 2018

In the previous blog post (DBT Basics), I was able to explain the very basics of DBT. In this post, you will get a better understanding of 2 of the 4 modules that are used when working with individuals or groups in a DBT scope. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, also known as DBT, was founded by Marsha Linehan, who is currently still teaching at the University of Washington-Seattle. There is the Linehan Institution which offers DBT intensive training.…

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