By: Rachel Fowler, MS, LPC, NCC Journaling is a coping strategy that can help people explore difficult thoughts and emotions, but staring at a blank page can sometimes feel overwhelming. Grief journal prompts provide a little more structure by giving you a place to begin. Writing after a loss can offer a private space to express…
By: Rachel Fowler, MS, LPC, NCC Grief does not only happen after someone dies. Non-death grief can occur after many types of loss or significant life changes, including divorce, infertility, illness, changes in relationships, loss of trust, career changes, or changes in identity. These experiences can trigger emotional, physical, and cognitive reactions similar to those experienced…
By: Rachel Fowler, MS, LPC, NCC Grief reactions can be both visible and invisible. Some common grief reactions, such as crying, difficulty concentrating, or struggling with daily tasks, may be noticeable to the people around you. Others happen internally and may be much harder for others to see. Invisible grief reactions can affect your emotions, thoughts,…
By: Rachel Fowler, MS, LPC, NCC There are many types of grief, and understanding how grief can show up may help you make sense of your emotions after a loss. Grief comes in many shapes and sizes, but did you know it also comes in different types? Grief is a universal experience, but what and how…
By: Jennifer Vannoy Supervised by: Dr. Cheri Locke, PhD, MA, LPC-S, CST, CCTP One of you wants it more. The other wants it less. Now what? Mismatched libidos are one of the most common concerns couples bring into therapy. If you’re reading this, chances are you and your partner feel out of sync when it…
By: Jennifer Vannoy, Practicum Student Supervised by: Dr. Cheri Locke, PhD, MA, LPC-S, CST, CCTP “I’m Too Embarrassed to Talk About Sex in Therapy…” Talking about sex in therapy can feel awkward, especially if you’ve spent most of your life being told sex is private, shameful, or something “nice people” don’t discuss. Yet for many…
By: Jennifer Vannoy, Practicum Student Supervised by: Dr. Cheri Locke, PhD, MA, LPC-S, CST, CCTP Sexual health and mental health are closely connected, yet many people don’t realize how much one can affect the other. I’m writing this blog because sexual concerns are incredibly common, but many people feel embarrassed to talk about them—even in…
By: Jennifer Ponce de Leon, MA, LPC Child perfectionism can look like straight A’s, perfect behavior, and a child who never seems to make mistakes. While many parents see these traits as signs of success, perfectionism often masks anxiety, fear of failure, and the belief that love and acceptance depend on achievement.As a therapist, I…
By: Jennifer Ponce de Leon, MA, LPC Therapy for perfectionism can help when high standards, rigid thinking, and self-criticism start to feel more exhausting than motivating. If you’re someone who prides yourself on being “high-achieving,” “detail-oriented,” or “just likes things done the right way,” there’s a decent chance you and rigid thinking or perfectionism are close acquaintances….
By: Simrah Wasim, MS, LPC, NCC As a therapist, one of the most common questions I hear is, “What type of therapy is best?” The honest answer is: it depends on you. Different approaches serve different needs. One approach I often use is Solution Focused Therapy (also known as Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, developed by Steve…