Articles

By Dr. Sara Michelson Licensed Psychologist Chapel Hill N.C. Why Holidays Can Feel Difficult Holidays are often marketed as times of joy, celebration, and connection, moments that families and friends look forward to with excitement; however, for many, holidays can feel difficult, even stressful or painful. This contrast between societal expectations of happiness and personal …

Maintaining Your Mental Health During the Holiday Season Read More »

Maddy Archambault, LAC In recent years, the concept of nervous system regulation has gained cultural traction—and for good reason. Learning to calm our bodies is essential for managing stress, anxiety, and trauma. However, many of us have unintentionally misinterpreted this practice, believing that any uncomfortable emotion is bad or must be regulated away as quickly …

Regulation or Bypassing: Are You Rushing Your Emotions? Read More »

In the 2003 holiday movie classic, “Elf,” the main character, Buddy, shares a particular fondness for the holiday season, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!” No matter what traditions you celebrate this winter, not everyone shares Buddy’s enthusiasm for this season. While the holidays can be a …

Supporting Your Mental Health During the Holiday Season Read More »

By Dr. Sara Michelson Licensed Psychologist Chapel Hill N.C. Insomnia, the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, can have wide-ranging effects on both physical and mental health. When chronic or severe, it can significantly impair an individual’s quality of life and overall well-being. Here is a breakdown of some of the primary effects of …

How Insomnia Affects us Read More »

How are you doing? Most of you have probably seen the recent post that went viral from Elmo asking the question “How are you doing?”… It is no surprise the number of responses the post attracted. This is one of the many ways Sesame Street seems to often understand what the world needs more than …

Where does anxiety begin – How do you treat it in therapy? Read More »

We all know the sensation of being caught in a spiral of negative thoughts, unable to break away. The name for this kind of intrusive and repetitive thinking pattern is called perseverative cognition;  this post takes a look at ways in which this particular thinking pattern contributes to anxiety and how we can effectively manage …

Counseling services Orlando: Anxious Thinking Read More »

Well, here we are. Another chapter ending and a new year beginning in linear time – all the while the earth in the northern hemisphere quiets. The tension in these rhythms is palpable to me as I practice surrendering into wintering while the world rages. – Current Practice: With this chapter of the moon, in …

Breathing into Winter Read More »

Emotions can play an important role in how you think and behave. The emotions you feel each day can compel you to take action and influence the decisions you make about your life, both large and small. Emotions can be short-lived, such as a flash of annoyance at a co-worker, or long-lasting, such as enduring …

Five Reasons Emotions Are Important Read More »

Anguish is an intense and complex emotional state caused by mental or physical suffering. When people experience anguish, they often feel extreme distress, sadness, torment, turmoil, and inner pain. While such feelings are often associated with losses or trauma, other overwhelming life challenges can also trigger this emotional state. Anguish feels like deep sorrow and …

Understanding and Managing Anguish Read More »

Getting Through Grief and Letting Go Letting go of grief is no easy task. Grief is something you might be holding tight to—a reminder of your loved one or a connection to their memory. Loosening your grip and ultimately surrendering your grief can seem like a scary and daunting task but it’s a necessary process …

Getting Through Grief Read More »

By: Alison Printz, LSW Swipe right on a picture of a cute stranger. Match with them. They message you. Go out on a few dates. A few dates turn into a couple months of dating. They’ve met your friends, they spend Sunday mornings with you having bagels, they’re best friends with your dog. Then when …

Shifting red flags to green flags: how to avoid the “situationship” Read More »

Self-help books and resources can provide valuable insights and strategies for personal development and growth. They often encourage us to “Eat the Frog” or “Do Hard Things” as a means to overcome challenges and achieve our goals. While these principles are helpful, many of us find that there are deeper reasons why we struggle to …

Does Self Help Help? Read More »

Love is a complex and multifaceted emotion that influences our relationships and overall well-being. As therapists, we strive to unravel the intricacies of human connections, seeking to guide individuals on their path to healthier and more fulfilling relationships. In this article, we delve into the ancient Greek forms of love, shedding light on how they …

Exploring the Greek Forms of Love: A Therapist’s Perspective on Understanding the Dimensions of Relating Read More »