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Amanda Gregory

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7 Questions to Ask When Choosing Your Child’s Therapist

June 20, 2018

You’ve decided that your child would benefit from participating in therapy. Now you need to choose a therapist. How do you decide? First, identify 3-5 therapists in your area who work with children and are accepting new clients. You can ask your child’s school counselor, teachers, other parents, and people in your community for recommendations. Once you’ve identified your candidates, request a free consultation with each of them. A consultation is an opportunity to ask questions of…

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5 Tips for Mindful Eating

June 18, 2018

Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Practitioner You look down at your plate and your food is gone, but you can’t remember eating. Sound familiar? This experience is called mindless eating, and it’s become a common practice in our fast-paced culture. Mindless eating can lead to significant physical and psychological issues. The antidote to mindless eating is mindful eating. The Center for Mindful Eating, a U.S-based nonprofit, defines mindful eating as having four parts: 1) Using your senses in…

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Checking In: Four Questions to Ask Your Therapist

May 27, 2018

Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Practitioner If you’re participating in therapy, it’s a good idea to check in with your therapist from time to time about how it’s going. Check-ins can provide you with valuable feedback about your progress, treatment planning, and time frames, all of which can help you to make informed decisions about your treatment. Many people expect their therapists to initiate check-ins, but therapists do not always know when their clients need an update. As…

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Six Tips to Gain the Benefits of Gratitude

May 25, 2018

Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Practitioner   It’s no surprise that expressing our gratitude positively impacts others—after all, who doesn’t like to feel appreciated? But it’s also good for us. Amy Morin of Forbes reported that scientific studies have shown how gratitude improves psychological health, physical health, sleep, and self-esteem. It’s in our best interest to express gratitude. Last month, I wrote my aunt a letter expressing appreciation for all the ways she has made a positive difference…

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Meet Our Therapists — Amanda Gregory

May 17, 2018

At Symmetry Counseling, we are proud of our staff of highly trained and experienced licensed mental health professionals. In the above video, meet Amanda Gregory, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor here at Symmetry Counseling. What made you decide to be a therapist? You know, I started in this field kind of unexpectedly. I started as a photojournalist and all of the assignments I loved always had something to do with people. I loved one-on-one portraits, and I…

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10 Logistical Questions You Should Ask When You’re Choosing a Therapist

May 8, 2018

Amanda Gregory, LPCP, EMDR Practitioner It’s important to find a therapist who’s a good match for your personality and needs. The first step in this process is figuring out the logistics: who, what, when, where, how much. This essential information can often be found on agency websites or other online sources, but if you’re unable to find answers to certain questions, you’ll need to ask potential therapists directly. Here are 10 questions you should ask prospective therapists:…

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What’s EMDR Therapy Really Like?

May 5, 2018

Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Practitioner EMDR—Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing—is a type of treatment which is gaining popularity among therapists and clients. EMDR uses eye movements or other types of bilateral stimulation to help the client to process distressing memories and beliefs. EDMR is best known as a method to treat trauma, but it can also be effective to address any past or recent events which cause current distress. Have you ever wondered what EMDR is like…

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Are Negative Core Beliefs Shaping Your Choices?

April 23, 2018

Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Practitioner I’m not good enough. I’m unlovable. I’m worthless. No one wants to believe these things. But they are common core beliefs. Dr. Greensberger and Dr. Padesky state that “core beliefs are absolute statements about ourselves, others or the world.” Core beliefs, they say, are “the deepest level of cognition.” In short, core beliefs are powerful. They dictate our emotions and actions, often without our awareness. These beliefs are created in childhood and…

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How to Celebrate Your Small Successes (And Why You Should)

April 20, 2018

Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Practitioner Do you focus more on your disappointments as opposed to your successes? If so, you’re not alone. Many people can quickly recall times when they were unsuccessful. Yet when asked about their successes, they struggle to identify any, or they minimize them. I had a client who experienced anxiety while taking public transportation. He told me that he had a panic attack in the past week and he was frustrated with his…

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Empathy Exercises: Two Strategies to Help You Connect with Others

April 8, 2018

Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Practitioner Empathy is one of the most powerful ways we can connect with others. Alfred Adler, founder of the school of individual psychology, wrote, “Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another and feeling with the heart of another.” The experience of stepping into someone else’s shoes without judgment and letting ourselves feel what they’re feeling is vital to experiencing intimacy in our relationships. But often it…

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