Millions of people experience extreme levels of fear when exposed to a situation, object or place they perceive as a threat. They may experience excessive anxiety even when the threat is not imminent. When the fear or anxiety is out of proportion to the threat, this disorder is known as a phobia.
4 Simple Ways to Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude
Gratitude is defined as the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. It has been said that gratitude is directly correlated to one’s happiness, and research has now proven this link. In his book Thanks!: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier, Dr. Robert Emmons demonstrates […]
5 Tips for Overcoming Everyday Parenting Challenges
Being a parent isn’t easy but with the right tools, from self-care to counseling, you can overcome challenges with your children. Here are a few insights from our therapists.
What to Do When You Want Couples Counseling But Your Partner Doesn’t
Have you reached a point in your relationship where you feel like you need some guidance? Couples counseling is therapy designed to address the needs and improve the relationship of a couple. Sounds great, right? Except in the case where your partner doesn’t want to go.
Improve Your Well-Being by Developing an Optimistic Outlook
How do you react when bad things happen in your life? Do you blame yourself for not doing things differently, or dwell on what you did wrong for long periods? If this sounds familiar, you may have a pessimistic explanatory style, as described by American psychologist Martin Seligman. In a nutshell, this means that you […]
What You Should Know Before Setting Up a Counseling Appointment
Calling to set up an appointment for counseling is a big deal! I know that firsthand because I am the one who answers the phones at Sound Mind Therapy a few days a week. More times than not, I hear phrases including “I have never done this before,” “I am not sure how to schedule […]
Are You Ready to BREATHE Through Worry?
Pink Dinosaur, pink dinosaur, pink dinosaur, pink dinosaur. What are you thinking about right now? More than likely, you are thinking about a pink dinosaur. The interesting thing is as you keep reading you will probably continue to think about pink dinosaurs. So, let’s stop thinking about pink dinosaurs. Can you do it just because […]
Evonne’s Tip on Fear
Do you know what is the real culprit that lurks behind all relationship problems-be it relationships with others, our partners and even with ourselves?
Evonne’s Tip on Listening
“Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person, they are almost indistinguishable.” — David Augsburger This is a quotation I read several years ago, and it struck such a strong chord in me that it has become part of my standard email signature. In all relationships, including couples, parents and […]
Tip of the Week to Strengthen Relationships for Couples
If you have something important you want to discuss with your spouse or partner, asking “Is now a good time to talk?” can make a big difference. It gives the other person a “heads up” that you want their undivided attention, that this is important to you, that you want them to really listen to […]