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What Are Mental Health Apps And How Can They Help?

April 3, 2021

Mary-Lauren O’Crowley, MA, NCC Mental health apps are software tools designed to facilitate you regarding your mental health and well-being. They are easily accessible on your smartphone or mobile devices and focus on improving different facets of your mental health. These apps are designed to work on a wide range of areas associated with your mental well-being like stress management, improving mood, relaxation, enhancing sleep, reviving your thoughts, etc. Mental health apps offer you with therapeutic activities,…

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How Can Boredom Be Beneficial?

April 3, 2021

By: Danielle Bertini, LPC I think we can all say a collective experience the world has shared this year (among other things) is that we are BORED. With the pandemic still around and most activities continuing to be shut down, there truly is not much to do to occupy our time. And here’s the thing—boredom is generally viewed as an unpleasant emotional state. When you feel bored and fatigued, 10 minutes can feel like an eternity. Because…

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How Can a Dog Help with Ongoing Pandemic Anxiety?

April 2, 2021

At this point in the pandemic, I think we’ve all heard the term “Covid puppy” or even got a Covid puppy ourselves! If you didn’t take the plunge to get a dog during the pandemic, maybe you have a dog or puppy at home with you that you got prior. I, myself, fully gave into the craze and got myself a Covid puppy. She’s a 20 lb., black, mini goldendoodle named Willow and I could not be…

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Harry Kraemer, Pt. II: How Do I Become My Best Self?

April 1, 2021

By: Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC If you read my last blog post, Harry Kraemer, Pt. I: How Do I Find Purpose and Satisfaction?, some of these concepts will look familiar to you. Part one of this two-part blog series discussed Harry Kraemer’s take on living and leading through a values-based life. It broke down the four principles that values-based leadership is built upon self-reflection, a balanced perspective, true self-confidence, and genuine humility. Harry Kraemer, Pt. II:…

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Harry Kraemer, Pt. I: How Do I Find Purpose and Satisfaction?

March 31, 2021

By: Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC What if someone told you that you’d be able to live a “values-based life by identifying and committing to your values and priorities?” Perhaps what you are saying is important to you isn’t actually aligning with what you truly devote your time to. Maybe you are talking the talk but failing to walk the walk. Sound familiar? It’s okay, you’re not alone. Harry Kraemer, Pt. I: How Do I Find Purpose…

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Does The Weather Truly Affect Your Mood?

March 30, 2021

Melanie Lustbader, LPC           It is a fact that sunlight increases serotonin levels in the body that makes a person happier. This may be a reason that moods are elevated in the summer. In the winter months, the sun may come out less and therefore result in decreased mood. According to Dr. Nigel Barber, an evolutionary psychologist, “Most of us tolerate the short days of winter, although being confined at home due to extreme cold interferes with…

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Does Everyone Drink?

March 29, 2021

By Andrew McNaughton, LCSW, CADC Depending on your age and social circle, it certainly may seem like everyone, or nearly everyone, is drinking alcohol, whether it be the occasional drink once or twice a month or regular weekend binges. The reality is, no, of course not everyone drinks, and there are recent statistics to pour over, courtesy of the annual federal government survey. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) releases their results from the…

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Do I Have a Gambling Problem?

March 28, 2021

By Andrew McNaughton, LCSW, CADC Gambling has pretty much always been popular since money has existed. Today, it is as immediately accessible as it ever has been through online lottery purchases and mobile apps for casinos and sportsbooks, where players can win and lose real money really fast. In Illinois, online sports betting became legal in 2020, just in time for the professional football season to start. Advertisements for titillating promotions make the lure of trying sports…

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Compassion Fatigue: What Is It and How Can I Prevent It?

March 27, 2021

By: Danielle Bertini, LPC            Have you ever heard of compassion fatigue? Maybe you heard it from the job you work at or from a family member. Maybe you’ve actually never heard of it before. Compassion fatigue can be a serious hazard, especially for those working in helping professions. This isn’t surprising, as those with the most empathy are the most at risk.            So, what is it? Compassion fatigue is characterized by “physical and emotional exhaustion…

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What Happens To My Brain When I’m Anxious?

March 26, 2021

Ariannah Hood, LMSW Everyone deals with anxiety to varying degrees and if you find yourself dealing with intense and consistent anxiety it can be helpful to know what is going on inside your brain and what you can do to counter it.  Anxiety is a response to perceived danger and stressful events. We can actually credit stress and anxiety for helping our primitive ancestors survive by staying vigilant and responding appropriately to dangerous situations. However, today we…

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