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Andrew McNaughton LCSW, CADC, Symmetry Counseling Chicago A recent Chicago Tribune article poses the question, “Are video games addictive?” The bulk of the article focuses on the experience of one young man, who described increasingly compulsive video game use to combat feelings of anxiety, depression, and isolation, and how he came to cope with his urges and find support with other problematic video game players. The rest of the article featured experts debating whether compulsive video game…
Read MoreAndrew McNaughton, LCSW, CADC, Symmetry Counseling Chicago Putting faces to statistics on mental health and substance use can help increase understanding and compassion for people struggling with addiction, mental illness, or dual diagnosis conditions. It can, however, be a difficult proposition to ask those in recovery to step into the spotlight of public attention. It is one thing for a mental health or addictions professional to be open about personal experiences in recovery, but many individuals in…
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Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling There are many married couples that think their marriage can withstand anything, but can it withstand a sexless marriage? A sexless marriage is defined as a marital union in which little to no sexual activity occurs between the two partners (fewer than 10 times per year) and Newsweek magazine estimates that around 15-20% of couples fall in this category. While there tends to be a sexual drop off within the…
Read MoreAndrew McNaughton LCSW, CADC, Symmetry Counseling Chicago To share or not to share? This is the question in the mind of couples in our modern times. There is always a desire for assurance of trust in a romantic relationship, so naturally, there is sensitivity to any potentially untrustworthy behavior. Is the expectation of personal privacy an antiquated notion, especially for a romantic partnership? If there is nothing to hide, what is the harm in sharing phones, tablets,…
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Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling As we age, we have a lot to look forward to: becoming financially stable, settling into our identities, becoming confident in our career decisions, traveling, or possibly starting a family. However, regardless of these potential benefits to aging, there is often a common struggle that many adults bring into therapy: making new friends in adulthood. Growing up, making friends may have seemed like a breeze; you made new friends on…
Read MoreAmanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Practitioner, Symmetry Counseling Chicago Financial abuse is often a well-kept secret. Lately, more people have been speaking up and speaking out against physical, emotional, and sexual abuse in intimate relationships, yet financial abuse is rarely mentioned. Nevertheless, it does happen. When couples decide to marry or cohabitate, many choose to combine their finances. This creates the possibility that one partner could experience financial abuse. How can you tell if you are experiencing financial…
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Often, the media, TV shows, movies, and the occasional friends “therapy gone wrong” story can paint the image of what many think when hearing the word therapy. This paves the way for misconceptions and false ideas of what the therapy process is and can deter people from turning to a therapist for support. As a culture, we are not informed of the purpose and power of therapy. It is my hope that this reflection can help reduce…
Read More“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop Kindness is an essential and transformative aspect of human relationships. By intentionally practicing kindness in our lives, we can transform our experience of loving and being loved. Choosing to be kind to our friends and family members enriches these relationships, making them more rewarding for all while fostering an environment where true closeness can occur. But what does it mean to be kind? Merriam-Webster defines kindness…
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Take a minute to think back to when you were growing up. What did your relationship with your parents look like? Do you have memories of your parents being there for you? Did they take care of you when you fell off your bike, or comfort you when you were being picked on at school? Or do you find yourself having memories of the reverse? Do you remember having to take your sibling to school because your…
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In recent years, meditation has become a noteworthy buzzword in the global West to which reportedly amazing results can be attributed. However, there remains confusion regarding what meditation is and is not, which can make it seem beyond the scope of possibility for most of us. It often conjures up images of temple monks remaining in silence for days on end. Yet mediation does not need to be relegated only to monks and yoga masters. You do…
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