Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can positively transform the way we experience the world. Yet, during stressful times—like the holiday season, a busy workweek, or moments of uncertainty—it can feel especially difficult to tap into thankfulness. Practicing gratitude doesn’t mean ignoring challenges; instead, it’s about finding moments of appreciation amidst the difficulties, which can help ground and center us.

The holiday season is often painted as a time of joy and celebration, but for many, it can also be a period of heightened stress and emotional difficulty. Challenges such as navigating family dynamics, busy schedules, financial pressures, and even loneliness can take a toll on our mental well-being.

Each year in my work with clients, the theme of coping through the holidays resurfaces. What started as a short handout early in my career as a therapist has, over a decade later, grown into a 21-page workbook designed to help clients develop skills and tools to build insight and resilience through the season’s highs and lows.

Election seasons often bring intense emotions as we face the uncertainty of the results and what they could mean for our lives, communities, and country. If you’re feeling on edge, know that you’re not alone—many people experience heightened anxiety during elections, and there are strategies that can help you feel more grounded and in control. 

At Healgood, we’ve been supporting clients (and ourselves!) through election anxiety by using evidence-based approaches that include techniques from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), neuropsychology, and relational strategies. Here’s how these approaches can help you stay grounded.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood as a personality quirk or an intense preference for cleanliness and order. In reality, OCD is a serious, potentially debilitating mental health disorder that affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. As OCD Awareness Month brings these discussions to the forefront, we aim to increase awareness, understand the signs and symptoms, including what's "normal" and what's OCD, and highlight the importance of seeking evidence-based treatment.

Receiving a neurodivergent diagnosis later in life can be life-changing in ways you might not expect. In this blog post, we’ll explore what it means to receive a neurodivergent diagnosis later in life, how it can impact your mental health, and what steps you can take to navigate this change with compassion and support.

As summer fades and the new school year approaches, it's normal to feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. Whether you're a student, parent, caregiver or teacher, the shift from the more flexible summer schedule to the structure of the school year can be challenging for everyone involved. It's important to acknowledge this transition and offer kindness and understanding to ourselves and each other.

The Olympics are a global celebration of athletic achievement, showcasing the incredible feats of athletes who often dedicate their lives to perfecting their sports. While these performances can inspire admiration and awe, they can also set unrealistic standards for viewers.

Like many families, our family spent part of the 4th of July weekend going to see the wildly popular animated film, Inside Out 2, a follow-up to the first film, Inside Out (2015). If you’re not familiar with the film series, it explores the complex world of emotions through the experiences of a young girl named Riley, who is guided by her internal emotions: Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger, and Disgust.

Family therapy is a powerful tool for healing and growth, but it is often misunderstood. Myths and misconceptions can prevent families, especially those with adolescents and young adults, from seeking the help they need.

At Healgood, we want to clarify what family therapy is—and what it isn't—while shedding light on our unique approach that integrates Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with family systems theory.

May 1st marks World Maternal Mental Health Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the essential mental health concerns facing mothers and families worldwide. This day shines a light on the significant impact of maternal mental health (MMH) on the well-being of mothers, fathers, children, and the entire family unit.

Think of the young persons in your life. What knowledge and skills would you identify as being essential to their long-term well-being?

You probably highlighted key social and emotional competencies, such as effective communication, empathy, emotional regulation, perspective-taking, collaborative problem-solving, and aligning actions with personal values. Socio-emotional learning (SEL) nurtures these essential life skills, equipping individuals to flourish in all aspects of their lives.

If you are concerned that someone you know may be struggling with an eating disorder (ED), sharing that concern with them can feel daunting. It can seem impossible to find the words to express your care and concern in an effective way. While you cannot control how the person responds, you can do your best to offer meaningful support and encouragement.

This week, February 26 — March 3, 2024, is Eating Disorders Awareness Week. In honor of this week, I wanted to bring more light to how weight stigma and biases impact eating disorders. As a clinician deeply engaged in supporting individuals with eating disorders, it's imperative to address the harmful misconceptions surrounding physical appearance and eating disorders. Despite their intentions, statements like "You don't look like you have an eating disorder" perpetuate weight stigma, undermining the complex interplay of thoughts, behaviors, and emotions associated with these disorders.

Today is Valentine’s Day — a day to celebrate love, but there's a type of love often overlooked in the world of therapy – the love we have for our clients. Now, before you raise an eyebrow, let's dive into this taboo topic and explore why the heart of therapy beats with genuine caring and connection.

The creation of visual art not only serves as a therapeutic outlet for expressing emotions but also holds the potential to significantly calm and enhance overall mental well-being, particularly for individuals coping with stress or struggling with emotion dysregulation. As a powerful form of self-expression and a means to process thoughts and feelings, the efficacy of this healing tool has been explored and tested in a clinical therapy setting—a field of study known as neuroaesthetics.

As we step into the promising embrace of a new year, many of us find ourselves reflecting on the past and envisioning the future. It's a time when resolutions are crafted with the best intentions, fueled by the desire for positive change. However, as a Licensed Professional Counselor with a specialization in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), I encourage you to approach your resolutions with a unique perspective—one that incorporates the principles of acceptance and change.

During the holiday season, traditionally associated with "peace, comfort, and joy," many are grappling with holiday stressors alongside family problems, anxiety, depression, trauma, and various challenges. Adding to the complexity is a backdrop of global concerns.

The teenage years are a rollercoaster of emotions, challenges, and growth for both teens and their families. Frequent questions we get asked by parents of teens is, “Is this normal teen behavior?” “How can I best support my teen in this life stage?” and “Could my teen benefit from therapy?”

It’s that time of year where the air begins to be filled with the scents of pumpkin, cinnamon, and pine needles. This time of the year is often synonymous with joy, festive decorations, and the company of loved ones. However, it's important to acknowledge that the holiday season can also be a complex tapestry of emotions, challenges, and stress. As a mental health clinician…