Dealing with Stress During the Government Shutdown

Part of the challenge with this kind of stress is that it is outside of our control. Most people can handle almost anything for a few days, but after that window of time, endurance fatigue starts to set in and people begin to feel overwhelmed and hopeless. It’s important to do what you can to manage the stress of the uncertain and unknown. Here are a few things that we recommend to our clients during times of stress…

College & Eating Disorders: Know the Warning Signs

Going to college is an exciting time in an adolescent’s life! Everything is new: new freedoms, new experiences, new friends, and new life paths. It is also a major life transition that is stressful and demanding. This transition often triggers an eating disorder in those who are genetically pre-disposed or otherwise vulnerable. Early detection and intervention are critical as eating disorders can be so devastating.

Challenge Your Pattern: Aggressive Behavior

Aggressive behavior is a style of expressing one’s feelings and needs in a way that violates the rights of others. This pattern of behavior will often generate fear in others and alienate them from the aggressor. An individual with a pattern of aggressive behavior will blame others instead of taking accountability for their actions.

Addicted: 12 Questions to Help You Decide If You Are

Am I addicted? This is a question we hear our clients in the Atlanta area circling around frequently in therapy. Many times, clients have come to therapy because a family member or friend is worried about how much the client is using, but the client (and many times the family member or friend) might not really be sure if they are addicted.

Change: A River We Fight or Embrace

The River of Change.

We usually find ourselves entering this river suddenly and unexpectedly. Oftentimes the current is so strong that we are pulled in without a chance of eddying out or resting for even the briefest moment.

Challenge Your Pattern: Passive Communication

Passive communication is a style where one has developed a pattern of avoiding expressing their opinions and/or feelings. They often avoid protecting their rights, and identifying and meeting their needs. People who tend to develop passive ways of communicating usually suffer from low self-esteem and feel “I’m not worth it.” This style of communicating can also lead to feelings of anxiety, helplessness, depression and anger.

The Dating Coach Answers: How Do I Find An Emotionally Available Date?

It seems a lot of people have difficulty finding someone who is “emotionally available” for a relationship. Many stay in a relationship way too long, only to finally realize their romantic partner is unwilling or unable to follow through with a commitment. In order to find an emotionally available person, you first have to weed out the ones who are obviously not available to you.

Story & Identity: What We Can Learn From Miley Cyrus

We are all telling a story with our lives. Many times it’s hard for us to see what kind of story we are telling. We can feel a sense of meaninglessness. We might ask questions like, “What does my life really add up to?” Or, “Do people notice me?” Other times we might feel keenly aware of who we are, what we believe, and where we are headed in life.

Body Neutral: Helping Your Daughter Avoid Body Image Issues and Disordered Eating

The way you talk to your daughter about her body and the changes she is undergoing can greatly improve her chances of developing a healthy self esteem and body image. This goes a long way in preventing disordered eating which affects overall health. In particular, the mother in a girl’s life is especially influential in how her daughter will view herself and her body. A mother’s own personal relationship with her body, food, and herself is likely to be passed down to her daughter.