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5 Tips on How to Face Negative Feedback in the Workplace

March 16, 2019

I work with many clients who dread their annual work reviews with their bosses because it causes them either stress, discomfort, and for some clients, even anxiety and/or depression. As their clinical therapist, I help them uncover reasons why constructive feedback is a trigger for these feelings. I then help the client learn coping skills to manage the feelings that come from feedback whether it is from their boss, family, friends, or even their significant other. I…

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How to De-Clutter Psychological Clutter

March 15, 2019

If you like to “Netflix-and-chill”, it’s likely that you have watched (or at least heard of) the popular show Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. This show is gaining a lot of attention because the premise hits close to home for many people – de-cluttering your cluttered life. Marie Kondo, the adorable mastermind and host of the show, applies the KonMari method to help families de-clutter their homes. The KonMari method is broken down into five specific categories…

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A Dynamic Duo: How to Work with Two Therapists

March 14, 2019

Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Many people have benefited from receiving concurrent mental health services from two therapists. Each therapist may provide a different service such as individual therapy, couples therapy, or group therapy. For example, you might see one therapist for individual therapy and another therapist for couples therapy. You could also work with two therapists who provide the same service but vastly different focuses and/or interventions, such as Financial Therapy or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing…

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Beyond Inkblots: The Benefits of Psychological Testing

March 13, 2019

Amanda Gregory, LPCP, EMDR Have you considered psychological testing? You may want to. Psychologists perform psychological testing (also referred to as assessment) by providing a variety of standardized instruments or tests. Many people have found testing to be helpful for a variety of reasons. Here are ways that you might benefit from psychological testing. Diagnosis clarification. Usually, initial mental health diagnoses are based on a clinical interview which can last 50-60 minutes. This process has limitations because…

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Stonewall Stonewalling

March 12, 2019

Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling Conflict, disagreement, and confrontation are things every couple experience at some point in their relationship. While it is a healthy and normal phenomenon, fighting can also include unhealthy behaviors and communication patterns. In these situations, one partner may become very activated and begin to yell while the other starts to shut their partner out by walking away, playing on their phone, or not speaking to their partner. This shutting out…

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Prioritizing Time To Unplug

March 11, 2019

Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling When it comes to a healthy work-life balance, the term “unplug” is one that is often thrown around. Designating some time for yourself to unplug from work is a critical part of psychological self-care yet many find it difficult to fully disconnect. The number one reason for the lack of a break is that people don’t want to fall behind or return to a mess. Whether it is the weekend…

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Collaborative Care

March 10, 2019

Shannon M. Duffy, MFT, LCPC When we seek out help from medical providers, we are putting trust in that the provider can “fix” or “solve” our presenting concerns. This is also seen within the mental health field, in how individuals will enter therapy for answers to what is “wrong” with them. Finding these answers cannot always come from the help of just one provider or treatment method. It can be helpful for an individual to utilize all…

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7 Ways to Challenge your Birthday Blues

March 9, 2019

I work with many clients who struggle with celebrating their birthday. Perhaps they grew up in a childhood where they celebrated it with their friends and family, a party, a cake, presents, and filled with joy and happiness. I have noticed a trend with my clients that as they get older, they start to dread their birthday. As their clinical therapist, I help the client to realize some of the reasons why their birthday is a trigger…

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Using Communication Styles to Increase Effective Communication

March 8, 2019

Whether I am working with couples, families, or individuals, one topic never fails to come up in therapy. Communication. Communicating is something that we are constantly doing, either verbally or nonverbally. Communication may be challenging with others when you are not communicating clearly and effectively. It would be important to note that what is clear and effective to you, may not be the same to someone else. For instance, you may need to speak very clearly and…

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Supporting Someone Who is “Coming Out”

March 7, 2019

In more recent times, it has become more prevalent for individuals to come out and express their sexuality. For some, this may be a simple process, but others may experience obstacles such as mixed emotions with their loved ones and support systems. They may also have a difficult time with expressing their emotions and feelings to loved ones. In this post, I have identified helpful ways to support a loved one who identifies as a part of…

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