Mental Health

Three Things to Remember if you’re New to Therapy

Three Things to Remember if you’re New to Therapy

If you’ve just begun your journey into healing with the help of a therapist. It’s possible that you felt relief, finally being able to share troubles. You might have felt overwhelmed, as many emotions bubbled up to the surface. Maybe you were nervous going into it, not knowing what to expect. All of these feelings (or none of these feelings) are normal and to be expected when coming into this type of space. In this blog post, Amber Tunney explores three things to remember if you’re new to therapy.

Getting Ahead of Seasonal Depressive Symptoms

Getting Ahead of Seasonal Depressive Symptoms

If you have experienced a fall-time dip in mood, be it the winter blues or SAD, you are likely aware that when a decrease in motivation and loss of interest in typically pleasurable activities takes hold, it can be much more difficult to reengage with the things that make you happy or bring you meaning. “Getting ahead” of seasonal depressive symptoms does not necessarily mean preventing them. This blog post, written by Kat Filipov, LGPC, located in Baltimore, Maryland, explores the symptoms of SAD and winter blues, how to distinguish them and ways to get ahead of seasonal depressive symptoms.

Understanding Implicit Bias and Its Impact on Our Lives

Understanding Implicit Bias and Its Impact on Our Lives

Implicit bias is a universal experience that shapes our worldview. So much that happens in our brains happens without our conscious awareness. The negative assumptions we make about certain types of people impact our interactions, decisions, and behaviors and, frankly, make our world much smaller. In this blog post, Amber Tunney explores what implicit bias is, how it happens, its importance in our lives, and ways we can support ourselves and others when dealing with implicit biases.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and how does it Affect You?

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and how does it Affect You?

Have you ever taken inventory of how your mood changes during seasonal shifts? Perhaps that moody feeling you can’t exactly put your finger on or the sudden snap of your energy that was once fueled by warm weather and outside gatherings. Chances are, Seasonal Affective Disorder could be a contributing factor. This blog post, written by Brittany Spencer, LCPC, located in Baltimore, Maryland, explores what Seasonal Affective Disorder is, its signs and symptoms, how to distinguish it from winter blues, and when to seek support.

Therapy Hangovers & Post Therapy Self-Care

Therapy Hangovers & Post Therapy Self-Care

Have you ever had a therapy session when you left feeling exhausted, emotionally drained, and unable to do much for the rest of the day? Has it made you wonder if the therapy isn’t working? In this blog post, written by our Graduate student intern, Sehar Palla, we explore what is therapy hangover, why it happens and some helpful post-therapy self-care strategies.

Neuroception – Our Subconscious Ability to Detect Threats, Risks, & Safety: Then and Now

Neuroception – Our Subconscious Ability to Detect Threats, Risks, & Safety: Then and Now

Dr. Stephen Porges has coined the term “neuroception”, which describes how our neural circuits distinguish whether stimuli are safe or dangerous. While this phenomemon is innate and serves to protect us, sometimes traumatic experiences result in faulty neuroception - which causes individuals to perceive a situation to be harmful, even if there is no presence of a threat. This post explores the implications of polyvagal theory, stress responses, and neuroception.

Revisiting the 7 A's of Healing

Revisiting the 7 A's of Healing

This post explores the 7 A’s of healing detailed by Dr. Gabor Maté in his book, book, When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress.

Are you getting enough rest?

Are you getting enough rest?

Are you getting enough rest? In this latest blog post by graduate student intern, Sehar Palla, we explore the seven different types of rest. Hint: It’s not just sleep!

My Partner Just Got Sober. What Do I Do Now?

My Partner Just Got Sober. What Do I Do Now?

In her premier post for the Space Between Counseling Services blog, Kat Filipov, LGPC, helps readers explore how to support their partner(s) who are recently sober. If you are supporting a loved one who has recently decided to discontinue drug or alcohol use, this blog post is for you. Kat reminds us to set boundaries, seek additional support groups, and more.