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    5757 Flewellen Oaks Lane, Building 1 Suite 102, Fulshear, TX 77441

    info@cincoranchcounseling.com | 281-665-7811

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    child looking at a sign that says believe in yourself, The Power Of Positive Thinking blog, counseling center at cinco ranch, katy texas

    The Power Of Positive Thinking 

    August 5, 2022

    Tara Kong, MS, LPC-Associate Supervised by Melissa Barton, MA, LPC-S How can positive thinking impact your life? I once heard the phrase, “Change your thinking, change your life.” But is it that simple? Many people don’t realize the power of their thoughts. These thoughts can shape our lives by influencing our behavior in how we […]

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    The Power Of Positive Thinking 

    August 5, 2022
    child looking at a sign that says believe in yourself, The Power Of Positive Thinking blog, counseling center at cinco ranch, katy texas Tara Kong, MS, LPC-Associate
    Supervised by Melissa Barton, MA, LPC-S

    How can positive thinking impact your life? I once heard the phrase, “Change your thinking, change your life.” But is it that simple? Many people don’t realize the power of their thoughts. These thoughts can shape our lives by influencing our behavior in how we think. Positive thinking does not mean ignoring or avoiding difficult areas in life. Instead, it focuses on the positive, making the best of a challenging situation, and seeing others and yourself in a good light.  

    Why should we care about practicing positivity in our thought life? Will it make a difference in my life? Positive thinking has many benefits. These include better management of stress in one’s life, better coping skills in stressful situations, enhanced psychological health, better immunity to illness, better physical health, longer life, lower feelings of depression, and better cardiovascular health.  

    How to Practicing Positive Thinking in Your Own Life:

    1. Awareness

    It can be difficult at first to change your thoughts. Start aware of the ideas that run through your head each day. Do you think things such as I can do complex things? I may have made a mistake, but I tried my best and learned for next time. I am good enough. Or do you find your thoughts lean more towards beliefs like, I can’t believe I did that? I am so stupid. Why can’t I do anything right? If you have negative thoughts, stop your negative thought pattern and change those thoughts to more positive ones.  

    scrabble pieces that say think the best, The Power Of Positive Thinking blog, counseling center at cinco ranch, katy texas

    2. Create a Gratitude Journal

    Try writing in a gratitude journal. It is easier to stay positive by being aware of the positives in your life. I encourage people to try and think of three things each day that they are thankful for. Experiencing grateful thoughts helps people feel more positively.  

    3. Practice Positive Thoughts

    Practice positive thoughts in the way you talk to yourself. Positive self-talk impacts how we view ourselves and allows us to handle stress better. Think of it as if you are talking to a good friend. Would you ever tell a friend they are so stupid? No! So don’t speak that way to yourself.  

    4. Balance Positive Thinking with Realistic Expectations

    kid with a cup that says see the good, The Power Of Positive Thinking blog, counseling center at cinco ranch, katy texas

    It is essential to balance positive thinking with realistic expectations. For example, someone may have dreams of being a famous YouTube star as they begin to post videos. If that person expects instant and high success, they will likely be very disappointed. Few people can make a living by posting videos; it takes time and effort. In some cases, people have taken positive thinking too far by refusing to change their mindset no matter how dire or upsetting the situation is. This kind of mindset leads to one not being able to be and experience authentic feelings and emotions. It also can put a lot of pressure on a person always to be happy, and they can experience shame or guilt if they are not always able to maintain a positive outlook. Bottom line: practice positive thinking with realistic expectations so you can be successful.  

    Begin Therapy in Katy, TX!

    If you are ready to take control of your thought patterns, one of the therapists at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch can help! We provide counseling and mental health services. To begin counseling in Katy, TX follow these three steps:

    • Contact our office to set up an appointment or to learn more about changing negative thought patterns.
    • Meet with one of our positive therapists.
    • Uncover ways to understand your thoughts and how they can affect your behavior and attitude.

    Other Therapy Services We Offer:

    Here at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch, we offer counseling services for people of all ages in areas including counseling for kids, counseling for young adults, teen counseling, couples counseling, eating disorder treatment, men’s issues, women’s issues, anxiety treatment, depression therapy, trauma counseling, family therapy, and group counseling. Our therapists strive to post blogs regularly. We provide helpful information on a variety of mental health topics. To learn more about our therapists and counseling services, please reach out to the Counseling Center today!

    Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: 77441, 77494, adult therapy, awareness, child counseling, child therapy, expectations, fulshear texas, gratitude, individual therapy, journal, Katy Texas, positive thinking, positive thoughts, positivity, realistic expectations, therapy, thoughts

    mindfulness written on a piece of paper in front of a window, How to Regulate Your Emotions blog, begin counseling today in katy texas at the counseling center at cinco ranch

    How to Regulate Your Emotions

    February 28, 2022

    By: Julie Sekachev, M.Ed, LPC Associate Supervised by Melissa Barton, MA, LPC-S Do you feel as though you have difficulty with your emotions? Here at the Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch, we can help teach you ways you can regulate your emotions and improve your relationships. Become Aware of Your Emotions. The first step to […]

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    How to Regulate Your Emotions

    February 28, 2022
    By: Julie Sekachev, M.Ed, LPC Associate
    Supervised by Melissa Barton, MA, LPC-S

    Do you feel as though you have difficulty with your emotions? Here at the Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch, we can help teach you ways you can regulate your emotions and improve your relationships.Woman regulating her emotions, standing by a mountain, How to Regulate Your Emotions blog, begin counseling today in katy texas at the counseling center at cinco ranch

    Become Aware of Your Emotions.

    The first step to regulating our emotional state is to become aware of what we are feeling. Become aware of your emotions by labeling them. If you have a hard time identifying what you are feeling at the moment, try using a feeling wheel, you can use the one here: https://feelingswheel.com/

    When you label what you are experiencing, you will gain more clarity and control over your emotions. Labeling emotions also lowers cortisol, the stress hormone in the body. If you have a hard time identifying your feelings- start with the body. What sensations are coming up for you? Tightness in the chest? Feeling hot, trembling hands, a sad sinking feeling? Jot down these sensations. You can use the “Thought Diary” app to help you keep track of your emotional state.

    Pause and Practice Mindfulness.

    mindfulness written on a piece of paper next to a window, How to Regulate Your Emotions blog, begin counseling today in katy texas at the counseling center at cinco ranch

    Resist the urge to react to your triggers. Mindfulness is the most powerful step. The moment we are aware of our emotional state, we are not yet ready to decide the next move because our bodies are activated. If you notice a trigger, do not react right away. A trigger is something that happened just before you had an intense emotional reaction. For example, this could be an email, text,or something someone says to you. A pause could mean taking an hour to identify what you are feeling and why, or it could take several hours or even a day to feel calm before you determine your next move. Remember, strong emotions and impulses are just feelings that will pass and do not need to be acted upon immediately.

    Emotional Regulation.

    Try not to rely on your partner or others for this step. Practice regulating your own emotions through:

     

      • Guided meditation, deep breathing exercise, journaling, or spending time in nature.
      • Try the Calm or Headspace app for guided meditation or checkout “Headspace Guide to Meditation” on Netflix.
      • Feel your feelings: when an unpleasant or uncomfortable feeling arises in the body, it creates a story or a narrative. Begin to redirect your mind away from your thoughts. Instead, notice the sensations in your body (chest tightness, ball of nerves, tightness in shoulders). Breathe into the sensation, notice it, allow it to be without judgment. Your mind will want you to go back to the story about the feelings, redirect back to the body and, breathe, repeat. Trust that the feelings will subside, and you will move through this state.

    Respond Instead of React.

    When we react to our triggers, it feels automatic and unplanned. When we react, we operate based on our sensations, thoughts, or feelings that we may not have acknowledged. Responding, however, requires careful thought, reflection, and choice.

    Ask yourself:

    • “How do I want to respond to this?” “What feels right for me?”
    • Use assertive communication to talk to the other person after you feel calm using the “gentle startup” (I feel…about what….I need).

    For example, let’s say your significant other cancels your date last minute. An automatic reaction may be, “I can’t believe you would do this, I cleared out my plans, and you’re just canceling last minute?! We are done!” Another more passive automatic reaction could be, “No worries, it’s ok, let me know when you will be free!” Both reactions do not consider your needs or the other person’s needs and may end a relationship. A more thoughtful response could be: “things happen, I understand, I feel disappointed, I wanted to see you. I would appreciate a little more heads-up in the future to schedule something else if need be. Let me know when you are free next so we can reschedule.”

    woman sitting in front of a turquoise wall with wings painted behind her, How to Regulate Your Emotions blog, begin counseling today in katy texas at the counseling center at cinco ranch

    If you would like more help being in control of your emotions or ways to practice mindfulness, one of the therapists at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch can help!

    We provide couples counseling, as well as other mental health services. To begin couples counseling in Katy, TX, follow these three steps:

    1. Contact our office to set up an appointment or to learn more about how to increase assertive communication 
    2. Meet with one of our knowledgeable therapists
    3. Find new ways to become your most authentic you!

    Other Therapy Services We Offer:

    Here at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch, we offer counseling services for people of all ages in areas including counseling for kids, counseling for young adults, teen counseling, couples counseling, eating disorder treatment, men’s issues, women’s issues, anxiety treatment, depression therapy, trauma counseling, family therapy, and group counseling. We provide helpful information on a variety of mental health topics. Our therapists strive to post blogs regularly. To learn more about our therapists and counseling services, please reach out to the Counseling Center today!

    Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: awareness, big feelings, calm, counseling, emotional, emotional regulation, Emotions, feelings, how to regulate emotions, katy, meditation, mindfulness, overwhelming feelings, pause, react, regulate, regulation, respond, texas, therapy, trigger, triggers, yoga



    281-665-7811
    info@cincoranchcounseling.com

    23236 Kingsplace Drive
    Katy, TX 77494

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