Dreams have fascinated humans since the beginning of time. They can be mysterious, exciting, and often confusing. At times, dreams feel incredibly real, making us question whether the dream actually happened or might happen in real life. Dreams can inspire creativity, tell us stories that may not relate directly to our waking lives, or sometimes... Continue Reading →
The Healing Language of Stories: Integrating Books into Therapy
Gone is the old adage that children need to be seen and not heard. Children need to be heard just as much as adults do. When a child has gone through something that they just don’t have the words for, sometimes a great way to help is the use of children’s books. This is a... Continue Reading →
The Practice of Loving-Kindness Meditation
In recent years, loving-kindness meditation has become an increasingly popular mindfulness practice. Rooted in ancient Buddhist tradition and now widely used in modern therapeutic settings, it offers a structured way to cultivate warmth, care, and goodwill toward ourselves and others. Research continues to explore its potential for improving emotional well-being and reducing mental health symptoms,... Continue Reading →
Understanding the Circles of Control, Influence, and Concern
In today’s fast-paced and unpredictable world, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the number of challenges we face. News headlines, personal responsibilities, health concerns, and the behavior of others can all create a sense that there are a lot of things we need to manage. Focusing too much on things we cannot change, however, often leads to worry, stress, and... Continue Reading →
Psychological Distance
Many of the daily choices we make, about health, relationships, and goals, for example, are influenced by something we rarely notice, psychological distance. This concept refers to the mental space we perceive between ourselves and a person, event, or idea. Even if something is physically close, it may still feel distant in our minds depending... Continue Reading →
How Video Games Can Open Doors in Therapy
Video games are often viewed as simple entertainment, but they have increasingly become meaningful tools in counseling, especially for children, teens, and young adults. Because gaming is already a part of many clients’ daily lives, integrating it into therapy can strengthen the connection with a client, and it can give the client a safe place... Continue Reading →
The Cognitive Triangle and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Part 2: Creating Change
In the first part of this blog series, we explored how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected and how patterns like negative thinking and schemas can shape our experiences. But awareness alone isn’t enough to create lasting change. In this second blog we’ll survey the practical tools that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) provides to help... Continue Reading →
Recognizing the Cycle of Narcissistic Abuse
Most people have encountered someone who seems magnetic when you first meet them. They are confident, charming, and larger than life. But for some, that shine slowly reveals a shadow. Narcissism should not be mistaken for simple selfishness or someone who enjoys looking in the mirror; it is a complex personality pattern that can quietly... Continue Reading →
The Cognitive Triangle and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, A Two-Part Series
Part One: Foundations Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely used and practical approaches in mental health care today. At its core, CBT helps people understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are deeply connected and how changing one can influence the others. This two-part series will break down the key ideas... Continue Reading →
