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How Can I Grieve After a Breakup?

April 17, 2022

Amanda Ann Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Certified  The end of a romantic relationship can be devastating due to all the losses that you are forced to experience all at once. You have lost the relationship, future plans/aspirations, financial/physical/emotional support, and perhaps, even aspects of your own identity. These losses need to be grieved so that you are able to move forward. After a breakup, you might immediately begin grieving, or it might take some time for you to…

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How Can I Calm Myself Down? Physical Self-Calming Methods

April 16, 2022

Amanda Ann Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Certified  When you experience intense anxiety, anger, sadness, or excitement, you might need to calm yourself.  But do you know how? Are you aware of the self-calming methods that might work best for you? Self-calming methods are often considered coping skills and are ways of exercising self-care, yet   different methods work for different people. The trick is to discover which methods best meet your needs and are the most effective in…

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How Can I Calm Myself Down? Cognitive Self-Calming Methods

April 15, 2022

Amanda Ann Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Certified  When you experience intense anxiety, anger, or sadness, you might need to calm yourself. Do you know how? It’s important that you find self-calming methods that work best for you. There are physical and cognitive methods for self-calming, and they often overlap (for an account of common methods of physical self-calming, see my blog piece titled How Can I Calm Myself Down? Physical Self-Calming Methods). Try these cognitive self-calming methods in…

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How Can I Help a Loved One Seek Therapy?

March 26, 2022

Meg Mulroy, LPC  When someone you know and love is struggling with a mental health issue, it can often feel helpless and scary. There is a lot of pain in our own lives that comes from watching others that we love struggle and hurt. If you’ve been in therapy or work in the mental health field, you are probably drawn to suggest therapy to this person in your life. It makes sense that you would want to…

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Understanding Processing in the Treatment of Trauma

March 23, 2022

What is Top Down Vs Bottom Up Processing in the Treatment of Trauma? Mary-Lauren O’Crowley, NCC, LPC Trauma is a loaded term that often elicits a strong response from those who hear it uttered. It covers all aspects of insult to a human body including physical injury and psychological disturbance; however, most tend to think of trauma as an injury to the mind or the nervous system as a result of something overwhelming, indescribable, or terrifying happening. While…

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Understanding Informed Optimism

March 22, 2022

Informed Optimism: What Is It and How Can It Be Used to Cultivate a More Well-Rounded Mindset?  Mary-Lauren O’Crowley, NCC, LPC Do you ever find yourself thinking that the worst will happen? You are not the only one. As a matter of fact, many people often jump to conclusions and create their own version of reality, all as a result of fear. When your head is overrun with negative thoughts and pessimism, you start to doubt yourself and your…

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How to Draw Boundaries With Family Members

March 21, 2022

Mary-Lauren O’Crowley, NCC, LPC  You may find that your peace, time, efficiency, and privacy get compromised because you are unable to draw boundaries with your family members. It is indeed a difficult task to say “enough” to a family member, especially if they are toxic, but you need to do so. As a child, there are certain rules you must follow, but as you turn into an adult you need to learn to draw the line to…

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Helpful Resources for New Mothers

March 20, 2022

Mary-Lauren O’Crowley, NCC, LPC Being a first-time mom comes with its own set of challenges, as you are exposed to various new experiences, from breastfeeding to soothing a crying baby. You’ve already conquered one difficult task by giving birth to your child, and now the second – the overwhelming chore of parenting your child – is causing you anxiety. You probably assumed that everything would be okay after your child was born. Still, as you begin your…

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What Is a Quarter-Life Crisis and Is It Real?

March 19, 2022

Mary-Lauren O’Crowley, NCC, LPC  Lately, it would seem that older generations are under the assumption that younger people, specifically of the millennial generation, are easygoing if not irresponsible, with no stressors to be had. But this is an over-generalization and by no means the reality. Although younger generations typically enjoy the benefits of good health, they are also prone to chronic stress brought on by long hours and low wages, crippling student loans, and a newer generation of…

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Grief: Why We Cannot Simply “Get Over It”

March 18, 2022

Mary-Lauren O’Crowley, NCC, LPC  “Get over it.” These words are not only insensitive, but they are also extremely misguided. In today’s society, grief is treated in a rather cold manner, as if it is something that can be processed and healed within a week’s time and we can then return to life as usual. This may be due in large part to the improper understanding of the process of grief and how it truly feels.   Grief…

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