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.

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.

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.

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?”

In a world where diversity is celebrated, neurodiversity remains a crucial yet often misunderstood aspect of human variation. Neurodiversity represents a beautiful landscape of human interoception and connection. It encompasses individuals who may have differences in thinking, learning, or processing information.

Life can sometimes be a rollercoaster of stress, emotions, demands, and responsibilities. It's all too easy to get caught up in the hustle and forget to take a breather. That's where the "Pleasant Events" DBT skill comes in handy. It's like hitting the pause button on life's monotony or chaos to savor some much-needed joy.

As an athlete, understanding the basics of nutrition and fueling your body is essential for achieving optimal performance, promoting recovery, and preventing injury. Proper nutrition provides the body with the necessary fuel and nutrients to support the demands of training and competition.

Summer can be an exciting time for tweens - a chance to explore new interests, make new friends, and have fun in the sun. But it can also be a time of stress and uncertainty, as tweens navigate transitions and changes in their lives.

As a parent, watching your child struggle with an eating disorder can be incredibly difficult. Supporting your child during meal times is an essential part of their recovery, but it can also be one of the most challenging. Here are five tips to help you support your child during meal times in eating disorder recovery.

Mornings tend to have a bad reputation for being rushed and stressful - but they don’t have to be! Having a morning routine or “morning ritual” can help individuals feel less anxious, empowered, and in control. Taking the time to plan how you want to feel in the morning instead of letting feelings take the wheel can put you in a state of “responding” rather than “reacting”.

Avoidant / Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) sometimes referred to as “selective eating or picky eating” is an eating disorder which affects a person's physical and/or mental health by significant impairment to eating or feeding behaviors. ARFID behaviors are not motivated by…

Valentine's Day is a time when many people celebrate love and affection with their significant others. While this holiday can be a source of joy and happiness for some, it can also be a source of stress and anxiety for others.

For many, Valentine's Day can bring up feelings of loneliness, depression, and low self-esteem. In this blog, we will discuss how mental health affects relationships, the impact of societal pressures on Valentine's Day, and ways to cope with negative emotions during this holiday.