Beginning Therapy

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) uses mindfulness and cognitive strategies in harmony to tackle various mental health disorders. This therapeutic approach, inspired by the pioneering work of Aaron Beck in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), combines the strengths of CBT with the enriching power of mindfulness.  MBCT seeks to enhance healthy self-reflection,…

We can all benefit from therapy – that partnership with an unbiased, nonjudgmental expert is instrumental in managing our unique mental health challenges. That said, it is important to find the right provider, based on one’s needs and preferences. And when it comes to women, an important consideration may be…

These days, it’s not always easy to have a healthy relationship with food. However, there is a difference between feeling guilty after eating dessert and feeling out of control when it comes to when and how you eat. When someone’s relationship with food becomes distorted enough to affect their mental…

Unfortunately, we will all experience grief at some point in life. Loss is universal (whether we like it or not) — but the grief process isn’t. While we might share similar emotions or responses to loss, the journey through our grief is an incredibly individual experience.  That said, there is…

We all have our triggers—those little pet peeves and touchy subjects. But there’s a difference between having our temper flare temporarily and deep, seething anger that can feel impossible to let go of. For some people, anger is an emotion that’s difficult to control. It detrimentally erodes their interpersonal relationships,…

Though we might not often think about it, sleep is a very important part of functioning. Without sleep, our bodies struggle to think, act, and keep functioning. Over time, a lack of sleep can even cause health problems like heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and many other…

The only constant in life is change. Have you heard that one before? It’s a popular adage – but it doesn’t make navigating life transitions any easier.  What does make navigating life transitions easier is having an arsenal of coping strategies handy as well as a mental health professional who…

Depression refers to a cluster of symptoms which might include low mood, lack of enjoyment and motivation, sleep and appetite changes, feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, and even thoughts of death. These interfere with functioning and are likely to cause physical, cognitive, and behavioral changes. As such, it’s important to seek…

Stress is a daily part of life, for better or for worse. We all face challenges in our daily lives from figuring out how we get to our favorite coffee shop to completing daily tasks and maintaining our home.  How we manage our stress levels can impact our relationships, the…

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a staple in modern therapeutic treatment, being one of the more common therapy approaches used today. It even shares many similarities with cognitive behavioral therapy, another of the most common therapeutic approaches. DBT can be very effective in treating borderline personality disorder (BPD), as well…

Anxiety is a common and natural human response that can sometimes become overwhelming—impacting our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It’s that flutter of unease before a big event or the cautious concern for a loved one’s well-being.  However, for some, anxiety takes on a life of its own, leading to persistent…

One of the hardest parts of therapy can be reckoning with our emotions. Emotions affect all of us, but sometimes focusing on the ones that feel good can cause us to avoid the ones that feel worse. However, though not all emotions feel good at first, it can help to…