Family therapy can help to address conflicts in relationships and other disconnects within a group of family members. Sitting in a therapist’s office with your whole family and confronting challenging issues may seem stressful, but there are many potential beneficial outcomes that can be realized from spending that time together. “The ultimate hope is that families can start functioning in a way that helps each person thrive and feel connected, but also have their own independence and sense of self that fosters safety so that the relationships in the family can continue to grow instead of dev ..read more

Retirement is a major life change. It can bring on a wide range of emotions, from feelings of excitement and freedom to fears and anxiety about finances and filling your time once you no longer have the daily routine of a job. This is especially true for people whose identity was closely tied to their career. Many people discover that retirement is not an event but rather a much longer transition that has many phases.  Even if they are financially prepared to stop working, many people are simply not psychologically ready to retire. “I struggled with it. It wasn’t what I expected,” Nancy ..read more

Coping with life’s stressors isn’t always easy to do alone. However, not all therapeutic relationships work out for the best, leaving clients questioning whether or not they should terminate their therapy sessions.  “People’s goals for therapy sometimes change, and therapy might not always end up meeting those goals,” said Catherine Eubanks, an associate professor of clinical psychology at Yeshiva University and an expert in therapeutic relationships.  If you’re considering ending your relationship with your therapist, it can be important to recognize the signs when the relationship ..read more

If you and your partner are constantly arguing about finances, your problems could run deeper than an overdue power bill or an expensive restaurant meal. Conflicts about debt, purchases and other money problems may indicate relationship issues that need to be addressed sooner rather than later. “For couples, the hardest thing to talk about is sex and finances, and that’s because our parents didn’t talk about it when we were growing up,” said Jordie Smith, licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) and owner of Jordie Smith Counseling, LLC in Canton, Michigan. Having conversations about mon ..read more

In the age of social media and mixed-messages about how girls are supposed to look, act and learn, girls can face significant self-esteem issues during adolescence—a crucial period for forming and developing one’s identity, according to the Child Mind Institute.  Even within the few years of adolescence, messaging and appropriate strategies can vary widely depending on girls’ ages. View the available resources that are geared toward unique age groups using the links below:  Self-Esteem Resources for Young Girls (Ages 5–11) Self-Esteem Resources for Teen Girls (Ages 12–18) Self ..read more

Sitting down at the kitchen table with a box of colored pencils to shade in a flower or a bird isn’t just for kids anymore. Adult coloring books have emerged as a popular activity for people trying to reduce their stress and create a sense of calm. In fact, the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) encourages the use of coloring books for recreation and self-care. But, while artmaking does have therapeutic benefits, it’s important to distinguish it from art therapy. Taking artmaking a step further, art therapy emphasizes processing emotions with a credentialed art therapist through the expe ..read more

The content in this article is for informational purposes only; individuals should always consult with a mental health professional before making decisions related to personal health. The National Institute of Mental Health reported in 2019 that more than 1 in 5 adults in the United States has a mental health condition. While symptoms can affect a person’s behavior and engagement with their work, the outcomes are different for everyone—and often not what people would assume. “The bottom line is that many workers with serious mental illness are capable of working in regular, competitive workpl ..read more

Video games can be a pain point for some couples. When one partner spends more time playing virtual football games with their friends rather than engaging with their significant other, that can create tension or resentment. But during a pandemic when people are trying to stay home as much as possible, there are limited options for entertainment and recreation. Video games, particularly the collaborative ones that allow people to play with family and friends, can be a source of community and social connection during COVID-19 restrictions when people are struggling with mental health problems ..read more

After viewing the police interaction with George Floyd that led to the man’s death, a 21-year-old Black student who has been an active peaceful protester since high school joins in demonstrations calling for an end to police brutality. But this time is different. During one of the demonstrations he attends, police physically confront protesters and use tear gas on the crowd. Although he isn’t harmed, simply witnessing mistreatment has not just intensified his anger, it has led to an out-of-character hypervigilance that’s commonly associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. For Tamara Fere ..read more

Transitioning from a teenager to an adult can be stressful. Given hormonal changes and adjustments to new life phases, many teens experience ups and downs in their mental health. But what happens if these mood swings indicate a deeper issue? Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that affects roughly 2.9% of American adolescents. Characterized by intense high and low moods, bipolar disorder affects mood stability, energy levels and the ability to think clearly, according to the National Association of Mental Illness. Left untreated, it can lead to many co-occurring issues, such as substance misu ..read more