Bridgette W. Gottwald
By: Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC The downward spiral of negative thinking can be incredibly powerful. We’ve all been there and descended into a damaging thought pattern we don’t want to be in. Many of my clients struggle with this and once they go down the rabbit hole of negative thought patterns, they aren’t sure how to get themselves out. Naturally, this leads to an undesirable mood and feelings of being stuck. Often, it can be helpful…
Read MoreBy: Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC According to Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, a Harvard brain Scientist, there is a 90-second chemical process that happens within the brain and body in reaction to an external stimulus that feels dangerous or threatening. After this takes place, the person has a choice to make. Do I want to stay in this emotional loop or can I leave this behind? Any additional emotional response is the result of remaining within that…
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By: Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC This is a two-part blog series that breaks down how to effectively combat the negative habit of catastrophizing into small and realistic steps. Check out my next blog post to put all of the pieces together. Here goes part one! Are you a catastrophizer and would like the ability to think more positively? More than ever, many people are practicing catastrophizing with all of the unknown we are facing amidst this…
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Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC When it comes to politics, friends, relatives and strangers are consistently shouting at each other as opposed to engaging in discussions. Emotionally charged exchanges seem to be more of the norm these days “in venues ranging from local governments to national ruling bodies across the world.” Sometimes you may be reminded of a struggling marriage when you witness these shout-fests. Couples therapists would agree and utilize many interventions that have scientifically proven…
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Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC Interested in improving upon your life? According to NewsWire, 82% of adults within America plan to make changes to their personal well-being, so hopefully your answer to this question is yes. If your answer to your question is no, take five minutes to hear me out in regards to how The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz can make a significant positive difference within your life. With these agreements, you can rely…
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Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC Is anxiety your middle name? We all know how the symptoms of anxiety and stress affect our mental health, but what are day to day things that we can do and tools we can rely on during these difficult times? Read my list below to learn more! Deep Breathing Ok, this one is really obvious, I know, but I find this to be the most underestimated and overlooked one because typically clients…
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Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC For the first time ever, the word Corona means more than a refreshing beer with a lime, that we can drink while bonding and connecting with others. This global pandemic leaves our world in fear of what the future holds. It’s natural for this uncomfortable time of isolation and “social distancing” to feel weird for us, because our brains are wired for connection, not distance. During these trying times, there’s never been…
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Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC It’s normal to have difficulty sleeping during this unprecedented time of transition and uncertainty. COVID-19 evokes emotions such as fear and anxiety, which clearly have a drastic affect upon our sleep quality and rapid eye movement (REM) cycle. Lately, I have passed along the following suggestions to my clients about how to take better care of yourself by positively influencing your sleep schedule. Take Time to Wind Down I recommend establishing a…
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Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC I know I’m not the only one who is quarreling with quarantine and disappointed and shocked at how 2020 has turned out thus far. Watching people arguing in the grocery store about toilet paper is something I never expected to see. We’ve all been pushed out of our comfort zones – routines have been interrupted, plans completely destroyed and the whole world feels like it’s turned upside down. We continue to hear…
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Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC Feeling anxiety related to coronavirus, also known as COVID-19? Well, it’s safe to say that you’re not alone! There are so many things to be anxious about – catching the virus itself, adjusting to a new routine during quarantine, financial burdens, school closures, cancelled events, and many other things floating around on the media. Anxiety related to this virus has seemingly crossed the line. In order to mitigate your anxiety during this…
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