by Shaina Frank Are you in your mid-ish 20s? Have you found yourself in a recent space of crisis, wondering who you are or what you might do with your life? If so, you are right where you’re supposed to be, at least as far as psychosocial development goes. According to research, the current generation of 20-somethings struggles more and experiences higher levels of anxiety and depression. Greater uncertainty, pandemic life, and the “hustle culture” that paralyzes people of all ages at this time contributes to their sense of crisis. This specific stage of development is compounded by decisions ..read more

by Kelly Moran Parenting through the pandemic has presented challenges we never had before. Coronavirus has led to school closures, working from home, and isolating from others. Navigating the logistics of all this is hard enough for anyone. As a parent, trying to maintain control is even more difficult, especially if your children have trouble expressing emotions, utilizing coping skills, and understanding thoughts and feelings. The pandemic has strained the mental health of parents and children alike, which makes an already stressful environment more conducive for problematic behaviors. As a ..read more

By Michelle Spillane One of the questions I get asked a lot is, “How am I supposed to take time for myself as a mother?” However, self-care is pivotal for maternal mental health. As mothers, we often give all of ourselves to our children to make sure their needs and wants are met, which doesn’t leave much time for us, as individuals, to meet our own needs. When we do take the time to engage in activities we enjoy, such as exercising, reading a book, or coffee with a friend, we feel guilty that we aren’t engaging with our children during that time. So, what do we do about this? How do we balanc ..read more

By Lia Zalvin Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, otherwise known as PCOS, is, essentially, a hormonal imbalance that affects 5-10% of women in the United States who are of childbearing age. Our team at Clarity Counseling Center is here to help you understand more about this syndrome. Learn more and reach out to us today to find the counseling Wilmington, NC relies on.  What exactly does “hormone imbalance” mean? In short, it means the essential hormones circulating throughout your body — which help regulate things like a menstrual period, mood, hair and skin health, and metabolism — are not opera ..read more

By Staci Tokarz Do you often notice you say to yourself, “I can’t,” “That won’t work for me,” or “No”? To many of us, having such thoughts sounds fairly standard and harmless, right? The fact is, these negative thoughts are anything but harmless. These types of words have been shown to release dozens of stress-producing hormones and neurotransmitters throughout the brain, which immediately blocks your ability to think clearly. It has also been shown that negative thinking is self-perpetuating, which means the more you allow it, the harder it is to stop (Newberg & Waldman, 2012).  On t ..read more

By Joden Stoner Whether or not you’re aware of it, if you have an eating disorder, you are constantly fighting an internal battle in your head. No, you’re not crazy, nor do you have multiple personalities. However, most individuals with an eating disorder are able to identify a healthy self versus an eating-disorder self, and acknowledge there is a constant mental battle raging between them. The eating-disorder self can become relentless, hurtful, and demanding, and prevents that individual from enjoying life the way they deserve. Thoughts that portray eating-disorder self could present as som ..read more

by Brandee Samlow To an athlete, “the game” is not only their career, it’s their life. It’s everything they live and breathe, day in and day out. Athletes train in the gym and on the field every single day to become the best of the best. So what sets apart one great athlete from the rest? Most people would probably guess it’s more physical training, but in reality, something else plays a huge role. Sport psychologists would say that the way they think and the way they train their mind is what will make or break an athlete. So if you’re an athlete, the next question would be, “How do I train my ..read more

by Hillary Stevens If the thought of being in a large crowd, a holiday gathering at your grandma’s, or even a trip to the grocery store without a mask on is causing you anxiety, you’re not alone. Almost 50% of Americans have reported feeling nervous or anxious about returning to in-person and maskless events in a not-so-post-pandemic world — what is being referred to as “re-entry anxiety” (APA, 2021). Many individuals are experiencing these anxious symptoms for the first time, and that can be really scary. Those who have been diagnosed with anxiety may be seeing the all-too-frequent signs of a ..read more

by Becca Young Trauma is recognized as an individual’s response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event, which may overwhelm his or her ability to cope, cause feelings of helplessness, and diminish sense of self and the ability to feel a full range of emotions. Research shows that approximately 70% of people in the US will experience some type of traumatic event in their lifetime. Of this 70%, about 30% will go on to develop Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This may leave you wondering, why not all 70%? While the issue is too complex to identify a single cause, recent research suggest ..read more

by Katie O’Hara Have you ever experienced increased stress or worry around the holiday season? This could be any holiday, or a vacation that includes spending time with family. Do you dread family get-togethers, certain they will devolve into a fight over politics or differing views? Does the cost of traveling or hosting a house full of guests worry you? Or maybe you experience stress trying to make sure everything is “perfect” or knowing you’ll probably have to rush out to the grocery store at the last minute.  There is so much to love and enjoy around these occasions, but it’s important ..read more