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By: Tracy Brown, AMFT As a therapist, I have the privilege of listening to many very meaningful stories. Within each unique narrative, I notice a common thread that weaves through nearly every experience – the desire for a satisfying relationship. In almost every story that I hear, at some point, there is a measure of conflict, frustration, pain, or grief concerning a significant relationship. Relationships have a huge impact on our lives, which can positively or negatively impact our daily functioning[...]

By Jen Novis LMFT Over the last couple of decades, there has been a lot of discussion about the negative effects of video games on children and teens. Parents have become concerned about children and teens becoming desensitized to violence, not having enough physical activity, or even becoming addicted to video gaming. These are valid concerns that need to be mindfully addressed and, if necessary, treated. However, there is another kind of gaming that is often overlooked that has very positive benefit[...]

By Jonathan King AMFT The world has changed, and the world of therapy has changed along with it. One of the very few positives that have arisen out of the pandemic, will be the significant increase in access and availability to mental health assistance by way of telehealth. The word is broad and covers many different modalities of communication between the therapist and client. Clients can access their therapy by old school telephone voice to voice interaction or by way of extremely clear live video sess[...]

By: Krystina Jones-Norvell LMFT “I just want my kid to LISTEN to me!” “Why can’t they just calm down?” “Ugh, they just want attention, that’s why they’re yelling and screaming all the time. But how can I make them STOP?” Exasperated and exhausted parents often say these things to me during our weekly sessions. Sometimes with tears in their eyes they just want help. My heart melts in the presence of these parents that are genuinely doing the best they can with what they have. With a t[...]

By: Megan Montague LMFT We all talk to ourselves throughout the day. Sometimes we are aware of this internal dialogue or “self-talk” and sometimes we aren’t. While self-talk seems fairly innocent it actually has a big impact on how we feel about ourselves and the decisions that we make. Let’s say you make a mistake at work. You may engage in positive self-talk that sound something like “It was just a small mistake. I tried my best. Everyone makes mistakes.” If you are like many of us however y[...]

By Kendall Raymond ACSW An observed trend in the practice of psychotherapy is where clients apologize for finding themselves back at square one with their symptoms. Whether a recent crisis plunged them into a new depressive episode, they ceased using their learned coping strategies, their panic attack got the best of them, or they reconnected with an abuser, clients often shame themselves for being imperfect and worry that their therapist will somehow think less of them for being human. Relapse is not an[...]

By Brenda Miranda, LCSW In this busy modern world, it can be difficult to slow down and take some time for ourselves. Mindfulness is a simple technique that can help you be more present and become aware of what’s happening inside and outside your body. Mindfulness means being aware of what you’re experiencing in this moment and accepting as it is, without trying to push your experience away or thinking that it’s wrong. Mindfulness can be a tool to practice to avoid self-criticism and[...]

As we all may know, the last 2 years have been full of mixed emotions. Through the midst of facing a global pandemic, you may have noticed a constant need to shift and adapt to the new norm. As a therapist and human, some themes I recognized with the spread of COVID-19, Delta Variant, and Omicron have been an increase of anxiety, trauma, PTSD symptoms, among other mental health conditions. I would like to share few things prior beginning your healing journey. First things first, this process may look differe[...]

By: Manuel Cruz, LMFT As we approach the two-year anniversary of a Covid-19 pandemic, I spent some time reflecting on the last twenty-four months and how much has changed personally and collectively. I thought about family members, friends, and even clients whose lives have been forever changed and even now continue to be impacted by this disease. I have read about and witnessed firsthand the increases in anxiety, depression, isolation, domestic violence, and drug and alcohol abuse since the beginning of[...]

By Michael Obregon LMFT Feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and anxious. You are not alone. About 1 in 13 people globally suffer from anxiety, which the Worldwide Health Organization reports that anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders worldwide. However, anxiety can present and manifest itself in many different ways. Being anxious is often described as a persistent state of worry or displaying excessive amounts of fear. Everyone worries about things now and again, but suffering from anxiety ca[...]