Are you thinking about finding a therapist for yourself or someone you care about? This can be intimidating for many… you are not alone. Many people put off getting help or treatment due to the fear of the unknown or the stigma around seeing a therapist. This article will provide some answers to help guide you on your journey towards therapy. Explore Your Preconceptions The attitudes we have toward seeking therapy can be influenced by friends, family and/or social media. It will be important to explore what your individual perceptions and attitudes towards therapy are. This can be done on your own time, or even with your new therapist. Work…
Teen Therapy
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The Importance of Parents (and Siblings) Being in Therapy, Too
To me, one member of the household in therapy, is like only filling one car tire with air… All tires must be full and the axis aligned for the car to run smoothly. This is not just limited to parents, but includes siblings, too.
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When Winter Slumps Take Over
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Redefining Success: Prioritizing Mental Health in Tumultuous Times
A common concern brought to light in therapy is the tendency for clients to be too hard on themselves, to be too rigid with their expectations, or to fall prey to all or nothing thinking. These thoughts might sound like “It’s not good enough”, “This is not how I pictured it”, “If I don’t get an A, then I might as well fail”, or “That person is so good at it, I must be awful”. As a therapist, I often find myself trying to help my clients be kind to themselves rather than bullying themselves into performance. We try to find the line between being self-motivated and self-critical. These common…
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The Misconceptions Behind Self Harming Behaviors
Self harm is on the rise* in the US and around the globe. Yet many misconceptions around the behavior continue to persist. These misconceptions often lead to missed opportunities to intervene and provide proper treatment. It also leaves those who self-harm feeling stigmatized and ashamed to ask for help. What is Self Harm? Self-harm is the more commonly used word for Nonsuicidal Self-Injury (NSSI). Mental health professionals use the definition of NSSI from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5): the deliberate, self-inflicted destruction of body tissue without suicidal intent and for purposes not socially sanctioned, includes behaviors such as cutting, burning, biting and scratching skin. While the…
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My Child or Teen Asked for Therapy
5 Reasons for seeking help for your kid immediately upon their request! By Guest Blogger Laura Goldstein, LCMFT Family Therapist and Owner of Montgomery County Counseling Center Some children find their way to therapy because their parents seek it for them. Less often, it’s because they have asked for it themselves! And when they do ask, it’s a pretty special moment! Kids put themselves in a super vulnerable position to ask for help. They risk being seen as weak. They risk feeling embarrassed, shameful, or guilty for struggling. They risk offending their parents or making their parents feel badly they can’t be the ones to help. So if your child has overcome ALL…
