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Mary-Lauren O’Crowley

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How to Reduce Stress to Improve Quality of Life

April 26, 2021

Mary-Lauren O’Crowley, MA, NCC  You don’t need to look too far in today’s society to see people who are worn out, fatigued, and stressed. Chances are, you yourself have had some enjoyable times, but you have likely also known your own fair share of stress. It doesn’t take much to ask why many like yourself experience stress. The world is currently in a pandemic, unemployment is at an all-time high, balancing family life with career pursuits requires…

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How to Build Healthy Habits

April 24, 2021

Mary-Lauren O’Crowley, LPC  As Ralph Waldo puts it “The first wealth is health”, health is something that must be first priority. When talking about heath, it doesn’t always mean physical health. In fact, it includes mental health as well which is often overlooked by many. It’s 2021 and definitely high time we start building some healthy habits that fuel both our mind and body. Many people find it hard to opt a new habit or change an…

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How to Build Happy Relationships

April 23, 2021

Mary-Lauren O’Crowley, LPC As human beings, we tend to make many relationships in life. Some are given to us by nature i.e., our family while others we make over the course of our lifetime. Relationships are the basic human need and they play a huge role in our happiness and mental health. From friends to life partners to acquaintances, every relationship nurtures us in a unique way. But relationships aren’t that easy and simple as depicted in…

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How Does Social Media Impact Mental Health?

April 20, 2021

Mary-Lauren O’Crowley, MA, NCC  Just last year, Instagram made headlines for announcing its Likes Suppression policy in an effort to mitigate distress caused by the act of liking, or approving of, someone’s photo. But do these efforts actually make a difference for the millions of vulnerable adolescents and adults utilizing these platforms or is it merely placation?  Social media has often been referred to as addictive, namely because of people’s recurrent and ongoing need to engage with…

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How Does Control Play a Role in Mental Health?

April 19, 2021

Mary-Lauren O’Crowley, MA, NCC Do you feel angered or out of control when things don’t go your way? If yes, you may be subjecting yourself to unnecessary suffering. As human beings, we have many common needs: food, water, shelter, love. One such need is also that of our need for control. Humans exercise control in all matters of their life, from choosing what to eat to who they want to date to where they want to work.…

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Where Can I Find Online Mental Health Resources

April 4, 2021

Mary-Lauren O’Crowley, LPC, NCC  If you or a loved one is struggling with issues pertaining to mental health and are seeking trustworthy resources, you have come to the right place. Below, you will find a list of notable mental health websites which provide valuable, research-based information to assist you as you navigate your personal mental health journey. Online Mental Health Resources: What are They and Where can I Find Them?  SAMHSA          The Substance Abuse and Mental…

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What Are Mental Health Apps And How Can They Help?

April 3, 2021

Mary-Lauren O’Crowley, MA, NCC Mental health apps are software tools designed to facilitate you regarding your mental health and well-being. They are easily accessible on your smartphone or mobile devices and focus on improving different facets of your mental health. These apps are designed to work on a wide range of areas associated with your mental well-being like stress management, improving mood, relaxation, enhancing sleep, reviving your thoughts, etc. Mental health apps offer you with therapeutic activities,…

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Understanding Bipolar I and II

March 19, 2021

Mary-Lauren O’Crowley, LPC, NCC  Every now and then, everyone will have a “bad day”. We may cry, feel depressed, overwhelmed and tired. We also will have other days where we are energetic, full of life and happy. A certain population, however, experiences unusual mood disorders which amplify more common mood swings. In fact, this population often battles chronic depression interchanged with extreme mania – severely enough to cause significant damage to relationships, careers and personal stability. What…

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The Importance of Mental Health and Its De-Stigmatization

February 19, 2021

Mary-Lauren O’Crowley, MA, NCC Roughly one in five Americans is living with a mental illness. Despite its pervasiveness, however, ⅔ of these Americans will not receive help. Whether this stems from reluctance due to widespread stigmatization or the inaccessibility of affordable care, the underlying premise remains the same: mental health care is incredibly important to the overall well-being of our society. 1) The Importance of mental health  According to the World Health Organization, 16% of global disease…

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How to Broach COVID-19 With Children

February 12, 2021

By Mary-Lauren O’Crowley, MA, NCC Living in the midst of a pandemic, we are constantly being inundated with news reports, statistics, and real-life stories about the impact of COVID-19. With a so-called “second wave” of shutdowns, it is no surprise that our children are also starting to feel the effects of pandemic fatigue. Schools have been closed for months, play dates have become a distant memory, and feelings of fear, frustration, and anxiety are likely building if…

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