Clarity Counseling Center Blog
Are You in a Relationship with your Phone?
Many times couples present with the complaint that one (or both) partner spends too much time on his/her phone and, as a result, does not give the other sufficient time or attention. In our ever-evolving, tech-savvy, overly connected world, this has become a problem in many people’s lives, whether they are in a relationship or not.
Holidays & Boundaries
Holidays are stressful. You are already coping with regular everyday anxiety and boom!, holiday season arrives, full of triggers. You’re invited to social events, work gift exchanges, family or friend group texts. And then there’s all the hype on social media, culminating in those annual highlight reels: images of happy people in beautiful settings, cute couples, families in matching pajamas cuddled together drinking hot chocolate…
The Therapeutic Relationship
The decision to come to therapy is often not an easy one. It can be rife with stress about if it will be helpful, how we will be perceived, what emotions and issues will come up, what kind of commitment it may require, and how our lives may change through therapy. It is certainly a courageous act to trust a new person with the most vulnerable parts of our lives and selves in the search for relief. This process of establishing trust is central to one of the most important ingredients in therapy: the therapeutic relationship.
Combating Perfectionism with Self-Compassion
In a society that often feels based on competition and being the absolute best, it’s no wonder individuals can become entangled in the overwhelming and impossible need to be “perfect.” Perfect at their job or in school, perfect in their relationships, perfect at being a parent, even perfect at taking the perfect Instagram pictures. With such easy access to compare ourselves to others and constant reminders of what success others are experiencing (hello, social media), perfectionism is on the rise and has greater ability to sneak its way in, leaving us feeling anxious, inadequate, or unworthy.
Why Do Young Adults Get Stuck?
As a therapist, one of the things I often hear is, “I’m stuck, and I don’t know how to get unstuck.” If this is you, the first thing you should know is that you are not alone. The second thing you should know is, this is not new to Millennials.
Survival Tips for New Parents
People often say that being a parent is one of the hardest—and best—things they’ve ever done. I didn’t know how true this statement was until I became one myself. A quick google search will give you an endless amount of information on how to prepare for this new adventure: “must have” items, remedies for morning sickness, baby shower ideas, maternity outfits, baby name finders…the list goes on. With all this information at my fingertips, why do I often find myself asking, “Why didn’t anyone ever tell me this?”
5 Ways to Rebuild Your Relationship with Yourself after a Breakup
Breakups are hard, even if the relationship was healthy and the breakup mutual. No one likes to hurt someone else or to feel hurt. Common thoughts or feelings after a breakup include: “I have a pit in my stomach and can’t eat,” “I lack closure,” “I can’t sleep,” “I’m not ready to date but everyone is pushing me to do so.” It’s important to grieve the loss of a relationship, and it’s okay to feel hurt, angry, lonely, insecure, or sad.
Understanding Anxious and Overwhelmed Teens
Who knows why teens do what they do? Not even they can answer that question. Notwithstanding, as the adults who interact with them—parents, teachers, therapists—we must try. Let us begin by examining the troubling trifecta robbing today’s teens of their happiness.
How to Make Friends as an Adult
Making friends early in life was so easy: You met someone on the playground or sat beside them in class, shared a laugh, and BOOM, you were friends. If you’re like many others, you may find it’s not as easy when you get older, and work, spouses, kids, and “adulting” take up so much of your time.
Art Therapy: Beneficial in Eating Disorder Treatment
Eating disorders are one of the most complex and most dangerous disorders due to their medical complications and the challenging thought processes which can increase the rate of suicide.