When most people think of mindfulness, they picture someone sitting cross-legged with their eyes closed, attempting to empty their mind through meditation. This is one of the biggest misconceptions about mindfulness. Meditation is indeed one way to practice mindfulness, but the concept itself is much broader. Mindfulness is an active psychological skill that helps you notice your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations without immediately reacting to them. Instead of elim

The recommendation to "put your oxygen mask on first" comes from the safety videos on airplanes. A parent should put their mask on before helping their child with their mask. This spirit of this expression is supported by research in child and adolescent psychiatry, indicating that parental wellness can drastically impact the wellness of their child. Tending to one's self-care before helping others isn't always easy, in every day life and especially during the fallout of a ma

Sleep Difficulties can affect Everyone Sleep difficulties are a common issue that can really impair quality of life and wellness. Poor sleep is linked to worsening physical and mental health. Physical and mental health problems can likewise worsen sleep. There are many causes of sleep problems and various routes for treatment. Some people sleep too much, some too little, and some have disrupted sleep. Some common approaches include: Sleep Hygiene refers to the practices and h

Psychotherapy is another way to say talk therapy. There’s often an unhelpful and potentially harmful misconception that working with a mental health provider is for “crazy” people or only those suffering from major psychiatric disorders. While it can help people with severe problems it can also be helpful for those with more mild symptoms or difficulties. Adulting is hard! Some see therapy as a part of self-care or self-discovery or a resource when dealing with a life transit

ficuspsych Weather can have a significant impact on mood. Everyone is different; some love the rain and find it calming while others loathe it and feel cooped up and isolated. Some find hot weather energizing while others find it oppressive. Learning how weather can affect mood and developing ways to manage it can help people better navigate their environments. There are evidenced based treatment approaches to dealing with mood dips related to weather and more serious problem

Comparison can negatively impact self esteem and lead to an attitude of unhappiness. There are ways to try to cope and limit this.

One of the most common tools I teach my clients is called “grounding”. This is a powerful strategy to use if you’re feeling overwhelmed by difficult emotion or anxiety, flashbacks, or unwanted memories. Grounding exercises can be done anytime, anywhere, by oneself, and often without others noticing. Grounding is NOT a relaxation exercise. It is an active strategy that helps your mind connect with more neutral aspects of your external world. By utilizing grounding strategies,