As a friendly reminder, blog posts are strictly psychoeducational in nature. They are not a substitute for or continuation of therapy. They also do not constitute a therapeutic relationship with the author or practice.
Ah, at last, the summer has finally arrived! For many people, this time of year brings a sense of joy, lightheartedness, and fun. Afterall, what’s not to like about sunshine, beach outings, vacations, and longer days? It would seem like a simple equation for happiness and uplifted moods- right? However, a small percentage of people experience summer much differently than the majority. You have probably heard of seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, which is typically associated with the winter months. This is when a person experiences symptoms of depression due to less sunlight and colder temperatures. However, for a smaller subset of people, summer has the opposite effect and triggers an increase in anxiety and depression symptoms. Experts believe it may be attributed to higher humidity levels, social pressures, body image issues, or longer days. So, what can we do to help ease summer depression symptoms? Here are a few tips to help cope with SAD in the summer.
Well, it is that time of year again- graduation is finally upon us! For many teenagers, the much anticipated day has arrived, and all those years of arduous work are about to pay off. Yet, with this important milestone comes many changes. Some of which may prove themselves to be stressful. So, how do we support our graduating teens in balancing the excitement of graduating with the unknowns and scariness of many new life changes? Here are a few helpful tips that parents can use to support their teens’ transition into college life.
Let’s take note of a particular population that has been facing a unique set of challenges over the past few years- our teens. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a loss of socialization skills, an increase in stress, and a disruption in the routines and norms of our teens’ lives. In fact, there is no better time to raise awareness of the importance of addressing the mental health needs of teenagers as the ramifications of their challenges are now being seen more readily both at school and at home.
In honor of Counseling Awareness Month, let’s talk about the therapy process! Have you ever considered going to therapy, but wondered how that would appear in the eyes of others? If so, then you are certainly not alone. In fact, many people shy away from the idea of seeking therapy, out of the fear of being evaluated or being labeled as “crazy.” It is not uncommon for us to wonder about what this process looks like in real-time. After all, many people have only been exposed to therapy by viewing how the media wants to portray the process. Picture the typical movie version of an overwhelmed person lying on a couch, while a serious clinician takes notes and asks invasive questions. Yet, this is an over-exaggerated depiction of what therapy actually looks like. In fact, therapy is quite different than this overused stereotype.
Let’s talk teens! Many teens experience a range of emotions that may seem complex to those caring adults around them. Throughout the teenage years, factors such as hormones, changing bodies and minds, as well as social pressures take the front seat. Left to their own vices, today’s teen often presents with symptoms of anxiety, depression, or a lack of healthy communication skills. So, how do we as adults navigate these tumultuous waters with our teens while still preserving our relationships with them?
