Live Better. Love Better. Work Better.

life coaching

Categories

Considering Medication to Improve Your Mental Health? 6 Questions to Ask Your Doctor

August 4, 2018

Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Practitioner If you’re considering medication to improve your mental health, it’s vital to get comprehensive information from your doctor. Some people prefer to search the internet for medical information. In this case, that would be a mistake. The material you find online might not be accurate, and much of it might not apply to your specific needs. When prescribing medication, your doctor takes into account factors such as your medical history, your genetics,…

Read More

From Bad to Worst: 4 Ways to Manage Catastrophizing Thoughts

July 24, 2018

Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Practitioner When you anticipate a worst-case scenario, you create unnecessary anxiety. Dr. Boyes of Psychology Today has written that catastrophizing is a common cognitive distortion in which you predict a negative outcome followed by a catastrophic result if that negative outcome were to occur. For example, I tend to feel anxious when driving in the snow because I have certain catastrophizing thought patterns. I assume that if it’s snowy, I will encounter unsafe…

Read More

DBT Modules Explained (Module 3 and 4)

July 22, 2018

In the previous blog post (DBT Basics), I was able to explain the very basics of DBT. In this post, you will get a better understanding of 2 of the 4 modules (the other two were explained in “DBT Modules Explained (Modules 1 and 2) that are used when working with individuals or groups in a DBT scope. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, also known as DBT, was founded by Marsha Linehan, who is currently still teaching at the…

Read More

DBT Modules Explained (Module 1 and 2)

July 19, 2018

In the previous blog post (DBT Basics), I was able to explain the very basics of DBT. In this post, you will get a better understanding of 2 of the 4 modules that are used when working with individuals or groups in a DBT scope. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, also known as DBT, was founded by Marsha Linehan, who is currently still teaching at the University of Washington-Seattle. There is the Linehan Institution which offers DBT intensive training.…

Read More

The Balancing Act: Achieving Work-Life Balance

July 14, 2018

Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling Maintaining a balance between the expectations of your career and your home life is no easy task. Many times, a poor work-life balance can result in you getting burnt out in your career or feeling like your work life is carrying over into your home life. For example, stressful work situations or encounters throughout your day can still affect you at home, as you may feel anxious, depressed, stressed, and…

Read More

Anne Malec Featured in The New York Times

July 9, 2018

At Symmetry Counseling, we understand how difficult it can be for engaged couples to consider prenuptial agreements. No one wants to think about divorce before you even get married; it might even feel like you are “jinxing” it if you do. As difficult as it can be, it is worth the effort to protect you and your family. This is one of many topics we can cover in premarital counseling. While many couples struggle to bring it up, there…

Read More

Manage Your Anxiety with Grounding Techniques

July 8, 2018

Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Practitioner Get yourself grounded and you can navigate even the stormiest roads in peace. — Steve Goodier Anxiety is a stormy road that can leave you disoriented, distracted, and even physically or emotionally detached. Grounding is an approach to manage anxiety by helping you to focus on the present moment. When you are focused, it is more difficult to continue to feel anxious, as your mind must choose between experiencing anxiety and being…

Read More

What is REBT? It's as Simple as ABC!

July 5, 2018

Andrew McNaughton, LCSW, CADC, Symmetry Counseling Chicago Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) is a therapeutic discipline developed by Dr. Albert Ellis in 1956 that focuses on identifying and disputing irrational beliefs. Its basis can be summed up by the Greek stoic philosopher Epictetus, who said, “Men are disturbed, not by things, but by the principles and notions which they form concerning things.” The main tools of REBT are the ABC’s: A is the Activating Event, or more…

Read More

Four Ways to Maintain Positivity In Your Life

July 3, 2018

Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling With all the negativity in the world today, it can be difficult to maintain a positive attitude on a daily basis. Constantly being faced with life’s challenges, negative attitudes, and bad circumstances can often leave you feeling in a bad mood overall. Over time, these bad days can turn into you feeling disappointed, depressed, stressed, and anxious for months or even years. While it is cliche, a positive mindset can…

Read More

Your Worst Critic: Yourself

July 1, 2018

Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling Think about what you say to yourself when you are feeling down: “You aren’t pretty enough”, “You aren’t important”, “You are a screw-up”. These are just a few of many thoughts that you may say to yourself when you are in this mindset. Now take a second and ask yourself if you would say these things to a friend or family member. The answer is most likely an “of course…

Read More