Relationships – Heredia Therapy Group

By: Tracy Brown, AMFT What are boundaries and what do they have to do with building healthy relationships? A boundary shows where something ends and something else begins. It is where we draw the line to mark limitations and guard our personal space. Boundaries, whether physical, mental or emotional, are essential tools for building healthy relationships because they establish the rules and limits of interpersonal relationship. Our boundaries indicate to others what is allowed and what isn’t allowed in[...]

02 Jan 2023

Relationships

How to Avoid Power Struggles

By: Noreen Kopaczewski LCSW #16864 Sometimes getting your child to comply with a task can seem like a game of tug-a-war, with both of you wanting to get your way. Here is a technique I have found helpful to get your child to be more cooperative by giving them choices. I called it “Watch the Clock”. Here’s how it works: Give your child a directive. If they do not follow it, remind them of the task and that if they choose not to follow it, there will be a negative consequence.[...]

19 Dec 2022

Relationships, Uncategorized

Recognizing Verbal Abuse

By: Ligia Orellana MA, LMFT When the topic of abusive relationships comes up in conversation, one automatically assumes physical abuse. Although, there is one type of abuse that can be a lot more subtle. Verbal abuse which can be a frequently normalized type of communication based of one’s experiences in childhood, is one an individual witnesses from their parents; either between parents or parent to child. This type of communication style can suddenly creep into one’s romantic relationship without s[...]

05 Dec 2022

Relationships

Connections: Is it important or is it an illusion that’s it’s important?

By: Ruth Victor - Jackson MPA, M.S. Many questions come to mind as we live in our own perspectives of what life is or what life should be. One question is, "Why are connections important"? Connections are formed throughout relationships, either good ones, or bad ones. Is it the foundation of these connections that form how important they are to our growth in life, or do we need them to grow? Could it be an illusion to view one's connection as beneficial just because one has arrived by fortune and fame at[...]

Relationships

When is Couple’s Therapy Not Effective?

By Evelia Saucedo, MS, AMFT Couple's treatment is not effective when the couple does not have the same goal of working on the relationship. For instance, if one partner is open to therapy and the other partner is not fully committed to treatment or when there is no honesty in the relationship, when there is domestic violence or when one of the partners has already checked out, according to Relationshipcounselinggroup.com (August 30, 2020). Sometimes, when one partner or both have individual difficulties,[...]

13 Dec 2021

Relationships

Breaking the Cycle

By: Manuel Cruz, MA LMFT Emotional reactivity can be defined as the tendency to experience frequent and intense emotional arousal. In relationships, this happens when one individual is triggered by the behavior or emotion of the other. This trigger causes a fierce emotion and subsequent reaction that fuels a relational cycle filled with conflict, blame, and hurt feelings that, over time, can cause a relationship to break down. An inability to regulate one’s emotions is at the root of negative emotional[...]

29 Nov 2021

Relationships

Triggered?

By: Megan Montague LMFT “I’m so triggered!” has become a common expression these days, but what does it mean actually to be triggered? Being triggered essentially means that something in the present brings up similar feelings about something that’s happened in the past. How do you know when you’ve been triggered? A good indicator of being triggered is when your response to something feels larger or more intense than what is happening. An excellent example of this can be seen in the case of a wo[...]

08 Nov 2021

Relationships

How to Help Your Child with Mental Health

Evelia Saucedo, AMFT Building a solid relationship with your children is essential, just as important for your children to have strong relationships with others. Other responsibilities will sometimes get in the way of spending time with your children; it is crucial to find the time and space to spend some time together, even during breakfast or dinner. Building the presence around your child will make a significant impact in helping them feel confident and develop resilience, according to caringforkids.c[...]

11 Oct 2021

Relationships, Social Issues

A Social Boundaries Guide for Children, Teens and Adults With ASD

Written by: ROBERT DAVID CASAS, LCSW Disclosure: To begin I would like to disclose that this guide is not exclusively for children, teens and adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, but has been effective for many of my client’s in developing greater insight with social boundaries. I have also adapted this guide which is originally from the book called A Five Is Against The Law by Karl Dunn Baron. It is often that I meet with clients who are referred to therapy services due to negative experi[...]

27 Sep 2021

Relationships

Hot Tips for Hot Dates

Written By Luis Maimoni, LMFT #105978 Dating: love it or hate it, it's something we all go through to find intimate relationships. Unfortunately, it can get complicated. Here are five hot tips for avoiding the nots and finding the hots! Hot Tip #1 – Make Your List Before you venture out, think about what you're looking for. Smart? Witty? Legs, hair, or butt? How tall? Religious/spiritual practices? Do spelling and punctuation matter? Politics? Bad girl or Prince Charming? Children? Education? Comm[...]