Childhood trauma encompasses a range of adverse experiences, from physical or emotional abuse to neglect, witnessing domestic violence, or experiencing natural disasters. These experiences can leave deep emotional scars that persist into adulthood if not properly addressed.

In the realm of mental health, behaviors are often categorized into two main types: internalizing and externalizing. These classifications serve as valuable tools for understanding and addressing various psychological issues that individuals may face.

“When you haven’t had enough sleep, everything feels ten times harder. Sleep has a profound effect on every aspect of your wellbeing, so if you think your sleep is not as good as it could be it is well worth your time and effort to try improving it” (Smith, 2022).

Divorce is undoubtedly one of the most challenging experiences a person can endure. It's a process fraught with emotional turbulence, uncertainty, and profound life changes. However, amidst the storm, there are ways to navigate the journey and emerge stronger on the other side. It is important to be able to identify coping strategies to help you cope with a divorce.

Postpartum depression is not simply feeling "blue" or tired after childbirth; it is a serious mental health disorder that can significantly impact a mother's ability to care for herself and her baby.

Behind every successful marriage lies a foundation of understanding, communication, and commitment. However, achieving this idyllic union requires effort and dedication from both partners. This is where pre-marital and marital counseling step in as invaluable tools for navigating the journey of marriage.

In real life, Valentine’s Day can bring about a multitude of emotions. You may view Valentine’s Day through a lens of grief, loneliness, despair, or be left wondering, when is it your turn to find love? Valentine’s Day blues may very well exist. In 2022, research showed that women in their 30’s to 40’s, when compared to men and other age groups, struggled with greater depressive symptoms following Valentine’s Day when not receiving a Valentine’s Day gift (Lange et al., 2022).

Living with or supporting someone with a personality disorder can be a challenging journey, but with the right tools and understanding, it is possible to navigate these waters successfully. Personality disorders are mental health conditions characterized by persistent patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that deviate from societal expectations.

Failure is something we all experience. It is common to fear it, like being afraid of making a small mistake, experiencing a setback, or being humiliated in front of others. But, some people may have a fear of failure that is crippling. There are various reasons for how fear of failure can be developed, but largely it is related to how we think about failure.

Codependency is a complex and multifaceted behavioral pattern that can manifest in various types of relationships (Stafford L, 2001). At its core, it involves an unhealthy reliance on others for emotional well-being, self-esteem, and a sense of identity. Codependent individuals often prioritize others' needs over their own, experiencing an overwhelming desire for approval and validation from those around them.

Impulse control disorders (ICDs) are a group of psychiatric conditions characterized by a chronic inability to resist impulsive behaviors that can lead to harm or negative consequences. These disorders can manifest in various ways, such as compulsive gambling, binge eating, or explosive outbursts of anger (Schreiber, L., Odlaug, B. L., & Grant, J. E., 2011).

Much like a thriving plant, self-esteem requires care, attention, and a nurturing environment to blossom. In this blog post, we'll explore the essence of self-esteem, its impact on our lives, and practical strategies to cultivate and elevate it.

According to the Merriam – Webster dictionary gratitude is “the state of being grateful: THANKFULNESS” (Merriam-Webster.com, n.d.). Scientific studies have found that the state of being grateful has an association with mental and physical benefits. These benefits will be explored in this article. If you struggle with gratefulness, stay tuned to the end where some gratefulness tips will be given to help you learn how to be more intentional about gratitude.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, often referred to as OCD, is a mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is a complex and multifaceted disorder that involves a combination of distressing thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). In this blog post, we will delve into the world of OCD, exploring its various facets, from its symptoms and causes to treatment options and the lived experiences of those affected by it.

The first step in managing behavioral issues is to identify and understand their underlying causes. Behavioral problems often stem from unmet needs, emotional distress, or developmental challenges (Justicia-Arráez, A., Pichardo, M. C., Romero-López, M., & Alba, G.,2021). By taking the time to observe and listen to the person experiencing these issues, you can gain valuable insights into their triggers and motivations. This understanding is crucial for tailoring your approach effectively.

Relationships! What comes to mind when you hear that word? Peace, Joy, Stability? Or, Anxiety, Unrest, Stress? Maybe…a little of both. Relationships can be, well, beautiful AND complicated. There are MANY factors that go into how we view relationships and the feelings that are evoked with just that one word.

Narcissism is a personality disorder characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, a constant need for admiration, and a lack of empathy towards others. Dealing with a narcissistic individual can be challenging and emotionally draining. However, it is possible to survive and maintain your sanity in such situations.

Behavioral issues are an inherent part of human nature, encompassing a wide range of actions and reactions that individuals exhibit in response to various stimuli. Whether it's a child acting out, a coworker displaying hostility, or a personal struggle with self-discipline, behavioral issues are a common facet of our lives (Fabian & Pykett, 2022). Understanding the underlying factors, addressing them effectively, and empowering individuals to overcome these challenges is essential for personal growth, harmonious relationships, and a thriving society.

Using evidence-based research, we discovered the importance of seeking treatment to give your child tools to help cope with the symptoms of anxiety. As a parent, you hold an important role, in either helping or enabling your child’s anxiety. Sometimes, we can get caught up in the immediate desire to help our children “feel better” and, instead of helping, we unintentionally enable their anxiety. In this blog we will discuss ways you may unintentionally reinforce your child’s anxiety and review some healthy ways you can help your child cope with their symptoms.

Is your child struggling with anxiety? If so, they are not alone. In youth, an anxiety disorder is the most common mental health disorder (Villabo et al., 2018) affecting 15-20% of youth (Kagan et al. 2016; Salloum et al., 2018; Wu et al., 2019) with about 75% of these youth beginning symptoms between the ages of 11 and 21 (Starrenburg et al., 2017). As a parent your hope may be that your child will “get over” their anxiety or “grow out of it” however research has shown, when high levels of anxiety are left untreated, anxiety is known to continue into adulthood (Starrenburg et al., 2017).