There’s been a brief hiatus for the Position of the Month, but we’re back with a bang! Since COVID-19 is still surging all over, you and your partner are likely still spending a great deal of one on one time together! Add in holiday stress and covid fatigue, y’all might really be in need of a connecting and tension reliving exercise! The two of you might feel more comfortable following the recommendations that have been posted for Sex and the Coronavirus Pandemic (found here).
I haven’t had a haircut since January. I haven’t seen my colleagues in person in eight months. I haven’t lingered over a long, relaxing meal with friends – in a restaurant or a home – in about that long. And I really miss seeing my clients in person. The energy and connection of being with people in person feed my soul.
For many people, this may seem like a silly question. Many people do not think much about their gender and how they define it. American culture, along with many others around the world, has had a strong focus on men versus women for a long time. Women have had and still have different rights, advantages, and experiences than men across the globe. Men and women have different societal expectations of roles within families, how they dress, how they play, who they love, and how they work, only to name a few. When most people think of gender, they think of the sexual body parts that we are born with and our chromosomal make-up, however, these things refer to our biological sex, not gender. Gender is how we express ourselves in relation to masculinity and femininity, not our biological sex.
hat’s a lot of people in emotional pain. There’s a pretty good chance that you know someone who has depression or has suffered from depression in the past. Would you know it if you saw it? Could you recognize depression in the people around you?
Did you know your brain has a negativity bias? That’s right. Your brain is actually wired to see negative context first and you have to work extra hard to think positively. In some ways, this is a strength because it allows us to best protect ourselves against danger. Although, it can also contribute to a lot of the pain, anger, and burnout we experience in our jobs, our relationships, and other parts of our lives. The good news is that we can change the neurochemistry of our brains by consistently practicing new ways of thinking.
It was 20 years ago this month that my grandfather passed away. This was my first experience with death and the dying process. I was 12 years old, and I still remember the feelings I felt to the news that he passed away… extreme sadness, shock, anger, worry, confusion, etc. Those are a lot of feelings for any child to experience all at once.
Oh Halloween, a time normally characterized by people of all ages dressing up as princesses, superheroes, or sexy nurses. In 2020, your plans for Halloween may be different. Maybe you are having a zoom party, or having a small gathering with friends, or maybe you have found a way to keep your traditions alive in your own, unique way. Whether or not you are dressing up in a costume this year for Halloween, I want to ask you this question:
There is a strong correlation between self-esteem and having the ability to communicate your needs and opinions. When your self-esteem is low, you avoid speaking up for yourself because the possibility of judgment from others is much scarier than coping with the situation on your own. You are constantly looking for validation from your peers and avoid opportunities for rejection at all costs. Unhealthy self-esteem is also linked with distorted thinking that makes you feel like your needs are less important than others’ needs, so it is common to convince yourself not to set boundaries. If you are unsure where your self-esteem falls on the spectrum, try reading the statements below to determine which category resonates with you the most.
This confusion is a fairly common start to a conversation about EMDR. The acronym is a bit lengthy and the full name is a mouthful! EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Whew! Try saying that five times fast!
Is how much time my teen plays video games a problem? Should I limit how long my kids have access to their XBOX? Do I need to buy them a top gaming PC? Is my son addicted to video games? Why are kids these days so obsessed with gaming?
Children face many obstacles as they grow such as school challenges, social issues, bullying, life transitions, etc. Each of these can rock one’s world that can lead to heightened anxiety or depression. All too often our child’s wellbeing is only associated with physical health while mental health and anxiety are overlooked. If your child was physically injured or sick, you would bring them to the doctor. If your child was failing a class, you would get them tutoring.
As parents, we are often looking for ways to provide our children with resources, support, and care. Perhaps, you’ve noticed your teen would benefit from speaking with a therapist and you’re unsure of how to approach the conversation with them. In all my years in the mental health field, I have seen parents take one of two approaches, forgoing the conversation and bringing the teen to therapy without their knowledge, or preparing the teen for the first counseling appointment. I
