Making Sense of Triggers: Why the Mind Keeps Calling You Back. A question often raised is, why do people keep misusing substances even when the use creates negative consequences? The answer is that it results from how our brain works.…
Navigating the Storm: A Guide to Coping with Chronic Illness and Mental Health There is a strong relationship between medical conditions and mental health problems. Chronic illnesses can trigger existing mental health symptoms or create mental health challenges related to…
Setting Motivational Goals There is a close relationship between goals and motivation. Many people find it difficult to take action due to a lack of motivation. We dedicate some time and attention to setting goals in our counseling practice. The…
The Gentle Art of Disengaging: Managing Our Intrusive Thoughts Intrusive thoughts (unwanted) present themselves in different ways. They can occur frequently, intensely, persistently, or in a combination of any of these. These thoughts can range from annoying to overwhelming. Life…
Beyond the Scale Managing the Emotional Struggles of Weight Loss When we think of the holidays, we often picture family gatherings and festive meals—from Thanksgiving turkey to Christmas dinners, not to mention New Year’s Day brunches. While these occasions can…
Reset or Rebound? Making Dry January Healthier than a Fad Diet. Dry January is a time of year designated for individuals to stop drinking (abstain from) alcohol for the entire month. Believed to have originated in 2013 by a UK…
Families of active substance abusers experience a wide range of emotions. It is difficult enough for them to watch a loved one (user) spiral down with their substance abuse. What makes it even more challenging is seeing their attempts to help and support the user being ignored. They can put in a tremendous effort to change the course of their addiction, only to be thwarted and dismissed. Change, as baffling as it may seem, is resisted.