Mental Strength & Psychological Endurance
Enduring conditions that tap into deleted energy sources is not easy. We need mental strength to persevere. Athletes know this well. Performance-driven individuals can relate. Parents know what I am talking about. Survivors are witness to this. What happens when faced with multiple blows? An athlete who experiences a life-changing injury that alters the course of their game. A Black mother whose child has died after another police shooting. A victim of domestic abuse who is living in a constant state of alert. A community that experiences collective trauma again and again.
Communities of color have been especially hit hard by COVID-related deaths, followed by the killings of George Floyd and Daunte Wright. It is with a heavy heart that we experience another wave of trauma amid adversities that individuals, families, and communities continue to manage day by day.
“Too much, too soon, too fast” is often used to describe trauma that overwhelms. When psychological stressors reach a peak, we find ourselves feeling overwhelmed and no longer able to perform. It may be hard to be fully present in relationships or difficult to get out of bed in the morning. Our bodies and minds are tapped out. Thoughts are distracted. Sleep is disrupted. Fatigue sets in. We may be tempted to give up, to lose hope and go through difficulties alone.
Sports psychology offers strategies that can help build resiliency to be mentally-strong. Therapy also can help. When faced with hardship, I would love to come along side you. To hold space, tap into your mental strengths, motivate, and encourage you for the days ahead.
In the race to fight systemic racism, we’ve experienced another loss. A setback. The pain is excruciating. It will take time to mourn and heal before moving forward. Caregivers and helping professionals will need energy and strength to help as we cope with the emotions and uncertainties ahead. Take time to seek out and connect to resources.
Here are some resources specific to self-care for the BIPOC community during the Chauvin trial.
A special thank you to our CARE therapist Noemi Lopez, for sending over these resources and finding new ways to better CARE for our community.
• https://namimn.org/bipoc/
• Self-Care Tips for Black People Who Are Feeling Overwhelmed by Racism (vice.com)
• https://www.apa.org/res/parent-resources/racial-stress-tool-kit.pdf
• Resources for the Derek Chauvin Trial – Guild (guildservices.org)
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLlFSWgK2y4
In addition, here are some practical ideas that we can apply right now to help improve resilience.
- Establish Daily Healthy Habits
Having a strong foundation of healthy habits such as getting adequate sleep, food, and exercise are so important. Daily rituals lead to successful outcome of goals and give us the strength and motivation to endure. - Focus on Self-Care
Listen to what your body needs. Do you need more rest? A day off? Social connection? Time to grieve? Space to process emotions? Especially during difficult times, it is important to be in tune with your body and mind. Focusing on self-care is a great strategy to help manage stress. - Connect with Your Emotions
Take time to experience and process your emotions such as sadness, anger, and anxiety. Be vulnerable to experience your emotions with others. - Seek Support
Individual, family, and community supports are great places to seek help, share your experiences, and gain support. Family, friends, religious/ spiritual communities, advocacy groups, support/ connection groups, and mental health resources are all outlets. - Maintain & Visualize Hope for the Future
While it can be difficult to stay positive, visualize finding strength and hope during hardship. Make an impact to help the BIPOC community. Take action in meaningful ways.
“There are opportunities even in the most difficult moments.”
–Wangari Maathai, Unbowed
Written By: Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC
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We’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day.
The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need. We’re Here for You.
What To Do (And Not To Do) When Your Child Comes Out To You
It takes courage for a child to come out as LGBTQ. While a parent may have a variety of responses, here are some important Do’s and Don’ts to keep in mind.
DO:
- Demonstrate Unconditional Love.
- Simple actions such as a hug, warm smile, and “I love you” are so powerful in addition to showing your child that you love them unconditionally.
- Provide Acceptance.
- Show that you see and respect your child for who they are. Ask your child how they want to be referred to. Help them feel affirmed.
- Take time to get to know your child, their identity, and the ways in which they express themselves. Get to know their friends and partner(s)
- Be Emotionally Supportive.
- Home should be a place where your child can feel physically and emotionally safe. Model hope and normalcy for your child.
- Listen and Talk.
- Hear what your child wants to share with you and believe them. Talk, using open ended-questions and listen. Ask your child how you can be supportive.
- Respect Confidentiality and Boundaries
- Your child may or may not feel comfortable with disclosures to others. Respect this.
- Take Time to Process and Educate Yourself.
- Anticipate that there may be some confusion or discomfort after disclosures related to gender and sexuality. Find your own supports and resources.
- Become an Ally to the LGBTQIA+ Community.
- Learn how to advocate for your child. Challenge homophobia. Speak up! Don’t remain silent.
DON’Ts:
- Don’t provide ultimatums, “disown”, or show conditional love because of coming out.
- Don’t reject your child or their experience as “just a phase”.
- Don’t make emotionally abusive comments that your child is a disgrace, disappointment, etc. based on their identity.
- Don’t over-question, minimize, or doubt your child.
- Don’t make assumptions as this can invalidate your child’s experience. Saying things like “I knew it” or “Are you really sure?” is unhelpful.
- Don’t refuse to address your child by their pronouns.
- Don’t “preach”, shame, or use religion against them.
- Don’t give the impression that you are scared for them (e.g. that being LGBTQ is embarrassing)
Love, support, acceptance, and respect is so important!
Consider this:
40% of LGBTQ respondents seriously considered attempting suicide in the past twelve months, with more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth having seriously considered suicide. https://www.thetrevorproject.org. Transgender and nonbinary youth who reported having pronouns respected by all or most people in their lives attempted suicide at half the rate of those who did not have their pronouns respected. Other important factors for mental health wellness for LGBTQ youth included in-person LGBTQ affirming spaces and high levels of support from family, friends, or a special person.
Resources:
https://pflag.org/
https://namimn.org/education-and-public-awareness/nami-resources-lgbtq-community/
https://www.glaad.org/resourcelist
Written By: Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC
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Our wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898.
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We’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day.
The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need. We’re Here for You.
One Year Anniversary of COVID-19: Reflections of a Therapist
Can you believe it has been one year since providing therapy exclusively through telehealth? Pandemic shutdowns have drastically altered our way of life. It has also had a major impact on mental health as 2020 was a year of big emotions and significant life-changing events.
Last Spring, pandemic-related anxiety was overwhelming as individuals were transitioning to work from home, figuring out how to share space, do distance learning, and keep themselves and others safe. Organizing, board-games/ puzzles, and Zoom social events lost their appeal as the months went on. Many people were feeling an increased sense of social isolation, depression, and anxiety. College students were moving back home. Dating and social life changed. While some families were feeling increased tension, others were enjoying the relaxed pace with decreased obligations.
Holidays were being celebrated within immediate households and ambiguous grief was felt. Loss was a theme interwoven within our families, communities, and nation. In May 2020, at least 4 out of 5 American’s mental health was being impacted by COVID. Our essential and frontline workers were amid it all.
The killing of George Floyd sparked raw emotions, visceral responses, and a call for action. There were peaceful protests as well as riots that left destruction. Trauma was being experienced within the body and mind. Therapy provided a space to process anger, fear/ anxiety, hypervigilance, hopelessness/ despair, and sleepless night. Psychological distress to disturbing content, including replaying of images ignited trauma triggers, especially for those who have experienced racism, police brutality, and trauma. This was a time for difficult conversations about systemic racism and White privilege–a reckoning for justice and social change. Individuals were seeking a safe space to process mixed emotions, including White guilt and the desire to be do more and become advocates/ allies for social change for the Black community, and the greater BIPOC community.
It was stressful, even dangerous being in quarantine during a time intimate partner violence, substance misuse, and mental health concerns were at an all-time high. While the summer months offered more opportunities to be outdoors, there was also adjustment to the disappointments due to changes with restrictions on travel and celebrations of milestone events. Individuals got creative with alternative ways to still celebrate, including prom and graduations.
The upcoming presidential election triggered new wave of emotions as many families experienced tension with family and friends with differing viewpoints about Black Lives Matter and political beliefs. Individuals were experiencing anxiety, panic attacks, and in some cases heart attacks with stress. Not feeling physically or emotionally safe was experienced by individuals within the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ community, especially leading up to the election results. Many individuals were feeling more hopeful before the long, cold, and socially isolating winter set in. Depression and loneliness were common themes.
While many people are starting to adjust to the “new normal” of the pandemic and get vaccinated, there are still many uncertainties as schools, businesses, and entertainment venues begin to open. There are decisions about return to in-person activities, what it will be like to finally meet again in person. There are concerns about future outcomes and the implications of decisions. It is a balance of having time to reflect on the past and plan for the future, while live in the present. The last year has given us much to reflect. Within the pain and suffering, there is room for hope, growth, and renewal.
“We are powerful because we have survived, and that it what it is all about- survival and growth.” –Audre Lorde.
Written By: Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC
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Our wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898.
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We’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day.
The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need. We’re Here for You.
Self-Injury Awareness
Self Injury Awareness
There are behaviors that we tend to keep hidden from others due to shame, embarrassment, anxiety, stigma, or fear. This month, I would like to increase awareness of self-injury, which is especially prevalent among teens and college students. Self-injury includes deliberate acts of harm on one’s body that are typically done in an attempt to help relieve intentse emotional pain that has become overwhelming. Forms of self-injury include skin cutting, burning, scratching, piercing/ puncturing the skin as well as hitting/ punching self, or head-banging. Although the intent to cause serious harm is typically not the goal, it is certainly a possibility and therefore should not be treated lightly.
Individuals who engage in self-injury tend to struggle with expressing emotions, regulating emotions, and coping with distress. They may feel lonely, worthless, alone, or rejected. For those who struggle with accepting or loving their self, self-injury may be a way to punish themselves. Individuals may feel anxiety/ panic and out-of-control, wanting distraction. For some people, self-injury helps relieve tension associated with anxiety, anger, or frustration. For others, self-injury serves as an escape to feelings of numbness.
The signs and symptoms of self-injury are often hidden and done in private. For example, self-injurious behaviors tend to take place when friends/ family members are sleeping or not at home. Injuries such as cuts, scratches, burns, or scarring may be covered by long sleeve clothing or done on places of the body such as the torso or thighs. It is so important to reach out and talk to someone such as a trusted friend, family member, or community support. It is also important to consult and seek help from a professional in the medical or mental health field. If you are concerned about someone who engages in self-injury here are some ways to help:
How to Help Someone Who Self-Injures
- Increase awareness of self-injury.
- Listen in a caring, supportive, and nonjudgmental manner.
- Encourage use of healthy coping skills to help build resilience.
- Take talk and behaviors of self-injury as serious.
- Increase social connections.
- Assist with locating or suggesting people who can help. Resources include a pediatrician or school counselor (for children), primary care physician, mental health professional, spiritual/faith-based leader, or supportive friend/ family member.
- Call 911 or to seek help for life-threatening injuries or suicide attempt.
- Reach out to your local crisis recourses or contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
It takes a big step of courage to reach out. My hope is that individuals who engage in self-injury can feel comfortable to seek support by getting treatment to help learn healthier coping strategies. Please join others as they speak up and seek help during Self-Injury Awareness Month. Your collective voice is so important as we work together to help reduce the stigma.
Written By: Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC
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Our wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898.
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We’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day.
The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need. We’re Here for You.
Practicing Mindful Sex
Feeling alone …
You find yourself scrolling through social media and before you know it, you find yourself “doomsturbating“—doomscrolling while masturbating. This outcome is not too much different than other self-soothing activities we tend to find ourselves doing while stressed, anxious, depressed, lonely, or just plain old bored.
How about watching TV while mindless eating? You may find yourself eating past your comfort level and making choices that contribute to feelings of guilt and shame. By incorporating mindfulness, it helps one to fully enjoy pleasure in the moment in activities whether it be eating chocolate or having sex. Mindfulness is about being fully present.
Mindfulness can offer a wonderful sense of freedom when practicing mindful-sex. Have you ever experienced anxiety before, during, or after sex? What is it like to have sex with a partner(s) when you are pre-occupied and insecure about your body, orgasms, or overall performance? Biological, psychological social/ environmental and cultural factors are all important aspects that affect sexual health.
Sexual relationships struggle when they are impacted by feeling detached, preoccupied, unsatisfied, or even numb to pleasure. What would it be like to feel mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually connected while having sex?
Many individuals that seek help for relationship concerns, especially around intimacy and sex often struggle with communication. Sex and sexuality are important aspects of what makes us human. Good communication can lead to sexual satisfaction and improved mental health. Communication and consent are vital to practicing mindful, hot sex.
No matter your “relationship status”, I challenge you to treat yourself to pleasure. It does not need to be sexual, although if you choose to have mindful sex, prepare yourself for something even better than chocolate!
Here are Steps to Get Started:
• Set aside an intentional time to practice mindful sex.
• Enjoy a multi-sensory experience. Indulge the senses with sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.
• Be fully present to experience the moment rather than focus on performance.
• Practicing loving and nurturing yourself. Learn first how to be comfortable with and in your body. Discover new erogenous zones.
• Increase your comfort level to communicate. Talk to your partner(s) about what you want.
Finally, do not be afraid to talk to your therapist about your sexual health concerns. Yes, it is OK to talk about sex in therapy! Not only is it OK, but it is also encouraged.
Written By: Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC
We’re Here to help
Our wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898.
Meet Clinicians
We’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day.
The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need. We’re Here for You.
How to Maintain Friendships When Feeling Depressed, Anxious, Etc…
Friendship is a beautiful thing—childhood friends, friends from school or college days, friendships formed through work, and other stages of life. Sometimes friends are made in the least expected places, bonding through pain, hardship, and times of suffering. Reaching out for help is not easy, nor is reaching out for social support when struggling with depression or anxiety.
When one is struggling with mental health, it can be difficult to maintain friendships. Yet, this is a time when we need support from friends. If you are feeling anxious or depressed, who are three people that you could call right now? When is the last time that you reached out to someone? Has it been in the last day, last week, last month?
We all have a need for social connection, through the good times and through the bad. It is especially important to maintain friendships while feeling depressed, anxious, etc.
Here are Three Ways to Maintain Friendships:
- Take a Step to be Vulnerable and Reach Out
• Start with small steps. Sending a simple text or making a phone call is a great start.
• A good starting point is to reach out to the top three names that come to your mind.
• Be open about what you are feeling and what would be helpful, perhaps just someone to listen.
• If you are lacking social supports, reach out to community supports or a mental health resource line. https://mn.gov/covid19/for-minnesotans/get-help/mental-health - Take Care of Your Mental Health
• A good friend can offer support but will not be able to “fix” your depression, anxiety, etc.
• Separate yourself from your mental health. For example, I am a person who is feeling depressed vs. I am depressed.
• Practice coping skills that encourage being able to tolerate negative emotions and build on social connection. One of my favorites is listed here: https://www.dbtselfhelp.com/html/accepts.html - Recognize that you are Important to Others
• Sometimes people are reluctant to reach out to friends as to not “burden” or stress out others. Although it may not feel like it during times of struggle, your friendship is a precious gift.
• Friendships give and take. How would you respond to a friend? Showing and receiving kindness, patience, and understanding are qualities of a great friendship.
“You are a piece of the puzzle of someone else’s life. You may never know where you fit, but others will fill the holes in their lives with pieces of you.” -Bonnie Arbor
Written By: Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC
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Our wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898.
Meet Clinicians
We’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day.
The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need. We’re Here for You.
Stuck on Negative Thinking
For many of us, we tend to get stuck on negative thinking. For some reason, our brains defer to the negative. According to the National Science Foundation, 80% of our thoughts are negative and 95% of our thoughts are repetitive. WOW. That is a lot of negative, repetitive thoughts!
We all have thoughts and feelings about ourselves and important aspects of our life—relationships, work, school. We may find our brain “stuck” on the past, unable to let go. Anxious and depressive thinking can impact our ability to be fully present in the future, especially when expending time and energy worrying about the future.
Exactly how many thoughts do we have? Researchers at Queen’s University in Canada estimated that we have 6,200 thoughts-every-day. Researchers were able to establish a way to identify when a thought ends and begins thorough isolating “thought worms” which are moments of being fixed on the same idea.
Here are some common examples of negative thought patterns:
Pessimism:
• Our “mental filter” focuses on the negative. We may minimize the positives and may “spiral” into depressive thinking.
Catastrophizing:
• Making small problems into big problems or “worst case scenarios”, assuming the worst will happen.
Rumination:
• Repetitive thought(s) in which your brain tends to get “stuck” on negativity.
• Individuals may find that they have a hard time moving on. They may struggle with obsessions and experience anxious distress.
Perfectionism:
• Placing unrealistic high standards on self.
• Individual may find themselves being hyper-critical; feeling like a “failure” when standards are not met.
Negative and repetitive thought patterns are present in both anxiety and depression. There are many cognitive-distortions present in negative thinking. These distortions can be treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy, using techniques such as cognitive-restructuring.
Other helpful interventions include:
• Practicing gratitude
• Surrounding yourself with positive people
• Increasing awareness of negative self-talk and replacing it
• Establishing new rituals/ habits within your routine
• Learning how to “let go” of negativity and practice self-compassion.
Written By: Charlotte Johnson MA, LPCC
We’re Here to help
Our wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898.
Meet Clinicians
We’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day.
The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need. We’re Here for You.
Seasonal Depressive Disorder
SAD? Are you feeling tired, lacking energy, experiencing fatigue, and a loss of motivation? These are common in those with a seasonal pattern of depression.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is viewed as a form of major depression. In addition to depressed mood and/ or decreased interest or pleasure activities. Additional symptoms often include a tendency to oversleep, difficulties concentrating, and irritability.
Seasonal affective disorder tends to begin in the fall (Sept/ Oct) and last through the spring (March/ April). January tends to be an especially difficult month for many individuals, exacerbated this year by the stressors of the pandemic.
A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that over half of the US adult population (53%) have reported negative mental health impacts due to COVID-19 related stress. The duration the pandemic, combined with the winter months have experts concerned winter-and-pandemic-stressors-could-be-double-whammy-for-mental-health. For those of us experiencing Minnesota winter where the days are shorter, the sun sets sooner, and the temps are frigid it can be harder to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine.
• Did you know that for those with visual impairments, the risk of developing seasonal-affective-disorder is almost three times higher?
• Women are especially at risk, as 4 out of 5 people with SAD tend to be women.
• Susceptibility to seasonal depression may also be influenced by eye color due to the amount of light the eye can process and melatonin production. #Why-blue-eyes-keep-the-blues-away.
Changes in the amount of sunlight appears to trigger seasonal-affective-disorder. These changes may negatively impact one’s “biological clock” which controls sleep-wake patterns and disrupt the functions of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. Serotonin helps regulate mood.
These are several theories about the causes of SAD. Research suggests nimh.nih.gov/health/publications sunlight is an important factor that aids in the maintenance of normal serotonin levels. For those with SAD, these are problems with regulation that result in decreased serotonin.
Melatonin production may be another factor as producing too much melatonin increases sleepiness. Melatonin is a hormone that is important in maintaining a regular sleep-wake schedule.
Low vitamin D levels could also be a factor as it is believed to promote serotonin and those with SAD tends to receive less vitamin D through exposure to sunlight.
One interesting thing that I recently learned from my optometrist is the connection between eye health and mental health. This is a friendly reminder that if you have not had a recent eye exam, now may be a good time to schedule one. It is also the perfect time to see a therapist!
SAD Treatments Include the Following:
- Increasing exposure to light during the winter
- Exercising outdoors
- Using light therapy such as a SAD lamp
- Psychotherapy
- Antidepressants
- Vitamin D
Written By: Charlotte Johnson MA, LPCC
We’re Here to help
Our wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898.
Meet Clinicians
We’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day.
The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need. We’re Here for You.
Being Mindful and Compassionate in Tough Conversations
Reflecting on the last year, there are many tough conversations that have started, are taking place in the present moment, and have yet to be had.
Tough conversations often create discomfort and can lead to avoidance. There may be reluctance to speak up due to fear of consequences. What will people think? How do I manage my own anxiety? Consider for a moment that remaining silent during tough conversations also communicates a message. What message do you wish to convey?
Having tough conversations, including conversations about racial inequalities and social justice is important as we share responsibilities in our responses, and act in alignment with our values. At CARE, we are committed to diversity and human rights; therefore, we seek to create space for dialogue while being mindful and compassionate.
As we encounter others within conversation, being mindful and compassionate can make a huge difference.
Here are Some Ways to Practice Being Mindful and Compassionate in Tough Conversations
• Recognize and embrace our common humanity.
• Take care of yourself to be fully present for others.
• Step outside your comfort zone and lean into discomfort.
• Focus on relationship building. This includes people who are different than you.
• Practice having intentional dialogue using interpersonal effectiveness skills.
• Listen to understand. Be patient with others.
• Hold space for others’ pain—their stories, others’ experiences, and viewpoints.
• Notice what is going on in your body.
• Practicing mindfulness and self-compassion, offering yourself and others loving-kindness.
Written By: Charlotte Johnson MA, LPCC
We’re Here to help
Our wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898.
Meet Clinicians
We’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day.
The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need. We’re Here for You.
Why is Therapy Valuable?
Imagine success…becoming the best version of yourself. That is one of the many amazing benefits of therapy. Since mental illness alters a person’s thoughts, feelings, and/ or behaviors in distinct ways, therapy helps one gain better control of these areas.
I like to reframe the benefits of therapy for anyone who is struggling with understanding, expressing, or coping with their thoughts, feelings, or behavior.
Therapy provides a safe space to talk, an outlet to express, and a nonjudgmental ear to listen.
Clients come to therapy for many different reasons. Some people feel alone, misunderstood, isolated. Others feel overwhelmed and anxious. Life is stressful and you do not need to go through it alone. Therapy helps normalize these experiences and provide a “roadmap” how to navigate through them.
Therapy is a place where you can be vulnerable, to feel seen and heard. To work through stressors or trauma and process uncomfortable emotions such as shame.
The benefits of therapy can directly impact one’s view of self and others. It can lead to increasing understanding through gaining insight. The therapist can assist with questions to ponder, and techniques that may offer a fresh perspective.
Skills and strategies learned in therapy offer long-term benefits not only for one’s emotional health but also physical health. It leads to improved feelings of self-worth and confidence. Therapy can improve relationships and boundary setting. It teaches and builds healthy coping skills. Your therapist can help you develop daily habits that set you up for success.
Whether you have been thinking about seeing a therapist for many years or have recently thought about therapy and would like to take a proactive approach, here is what wellness looks like:
• Expressing thoughts & feelings
• Coping with stress & setbacks
• Having a sense of purpose & meaning
• Using your knowledge & skills
• Maintaining physical health (diet, nutrition, sleep, exercise)
• Creating a pleasant & safe environment
• Finding satisfaction with financial & work situation
• Developing healthy relationships & supports
Written by: Charlotte Johnson MA, LPCC
We’re Here to help
Our wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898.
Meet Clinicians
We’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day.
The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need. We’re Here for You.
