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What Does EMDR Therapy Look Like?

August 7, 2022

Amanda Ann Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Certified  EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an 8-phase therapy that uses bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, pulsars, and sounds) to process distressing memories and reprocess negative core beliefs. EMDR was originally created to treat trauma, but over time it’s been found to be helpful in treating complicated grief, substance abuse, anxiety/phobias, chronic pain, dissociation, stress, and personality disorders. EMDR has gained popularity among therapists and clients. Yet, there is…

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Am I Too Agreeable? An Introduction to People-Pleasing

August 6, 2022

By Eric Dean JD MBA MA MA LPC CADC Being agreeable is generally considered a positive trait. However, it can get to a point when agreeableness becomes people-pleasing and starts to have negative consequences on our lives. This post will define “people-pleasing” and identify common signs of this behavior.    According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a people-pleaser is defined as: “A person who has an emotional need to please others often at the expense of his or her own…

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Should I Get Psychological Testing?

August 5, 2022

Amanda Ann Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Certified  Psychological testing can be a beneficial resource to support your mental health. But do you need to participate in testing? In order to determine this, you need to know what psychological testing is (and what it isn’t).  Psychological testing isn’t a one-hour assessment, intake, or clinical interview that is conducted by a medical doctor, psychiatrist, or therapist/counselor. These assessments usually consist of an interview or brief assessment tools that can provide…

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Should I Invite a Loved One to My Therapy?

August 4, 2022

Amanda Ann Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Certified  Are you participating in individual therapy and are considering inviting a family member, friend, or romantic partner to your therapy session(s)? Are you wondering whether this is a good idea? I’ve discussed this decision with many of my clients. At times, my clients will determine that it’s a good idea, and other times they discover that it’s not.  Consider these points if you are thinking of inviting a loved one to…

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Sibling Abuse Part II: What Are Its Long-Term Effects?

August 3, 2022

Meg Mulroy, LPC  Survivors of sibling abuse face significant long-term effects due to what is often years of being abused by their sibling. Because it is hard for parents and other adults to notice when sibling abuse is happening, survivors often find themselves believing they deserved what happened to them and live with a lot of internalized shame. The effects of sibling abuse mimic parent-child abuse and can impact their sense of safety, well-being, and interpersonal relationships.…

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Sibling Abuse Part I: What Is It and How Can I Recognize It?

August 2, 2022

Meg Mulroy, LPC  Not getting along with your sibling is very common. If you live with that sibling, they will of course get under your skin- how could they not? Conflict, competition, and arguments are normal and can be healthy, but sibling relationships can also be abusive. According to Darlene Lancer, LMFT, and author of Sibling Bullying and Abuse: The Hidden Epidemic, sibling abuse is the most common but least reported abuse in the family. Instances of…

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How Can I Teach My Child Life Skills in a Fun Way?

August 1, 2022

By Karin Luk, LGSW Teaching children can be tricky. You know there are so many things you want your child to know like the importance of listening or being patient with others but HOW to teach these skills is a struggle. Play is an important part of every child’s development and it happens to be an effective, natural way to teach important life skills. Through play a child gets the chance to develop problem-solving skills, practice communication,…

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How Can a Therapist Help Me Overcome a Phobia?

July 15, 2022

By: Danielle Bertini, LCPC There aren’t many people I know who love spiders, let’s be honest. But what happens when that fear is so strong that it causes symptoms like hyperventilating, nausea, an overwhelming sense of doom, and dizziness? These are some common symptoms of a phobia. Phobias affect 9.1% of Americans, from fear of public spaces, confined spaces, spiders, and more. A phobia can feel like a prison sentence, where a person is restricted to the…

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Grief vs. Mourning: What’s the Difference?

July 14, 2022

As I reflect on my experience with grief after losing my mother suddenly in August 2021, my thoughts were: was she in pain; did I help her to feel comfortable; was she aware of my presence. Grief and mourning are natural parts of healing after the loss of a loved one or friend. While grief and mourning relate to each other, they can each have a distinct impact. Grief and mourning are common terms to describe feelings…

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How Can a Therapy Consultation Be Helpful for You?

July 13, 2022

By: Zana Van Der Smissen Hello, and welcome back to another blog! Today, I am going to be talking through therapy consultations before going into intake sessions and how they can be useful in learning if the therapist you are talking to is a good fit for you and your needs.  Firstly, what is a therapy consultation? A consultation is something that is offered by some therapists where you can ask any questions you’d like, or get…

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