Articles

4 Quick Tips on How to Survive Quarantine as a Couple

By: Allison Petro, LMHC Poof!  Just like that, you and your partner are now spending 24/7 together during these odd times of COVID-19.  Quarantine can wear on any couple, no matter who you are or how well you typically get along outside of this pandemic.  Cabin fever mixed with both of you working from home while also trying to homeschool

What You Need to Know Before Treating Depression with Exercise

By Brian Kurz, LCSW According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in 10 adults in the United States struggle with depression. Antidepressant medications are a common way to treat the condition, however the use of medication is not the only solution. Benefits of Exercising to Treat Depression Research shows that exercise can also be an effective treatment. In

How to Spot the 5 Signs of Men’s Midlife-Crisis Depression

By Brian Kurz, LCSW When a man is acting strangely and out of character, those who care about them are understandably going to ask, “Why?” A fairly common explanation for odd behavior in men can be a midlife crisis. But what if, in addition to their strange behavior, a man also seems depressed? Is midlife-crisis depression a real thing?  Yes,

Domestic Abuse Relationships In Coronavirus Quarantines

Social isolation may be frustrating for most people who can’t engage in their normal routines, but for some people this could be the most dangerous time in their relationships. There are Domestic Violence resources centers across the country that are anticipating an uptick in intimate partner violence during the COVID-19 times. This can also include psychological abuse such as humiliation,

How To Calm Down Your Anxiety Using Grounding Techniques

What are grounding techniques and how do they help with anxiety?  Grounding techniques are coping strategies that help you focus on the here-and-now and what is in front of you at the present moment. Grounding helps break up the thoughts in your brain that are causing you to feel anxious. All of us find ourselves worried about the future or

What is Treatment Resistant Depression?

If you’ve been treated for depression but your symptoms haven’t improved, you may have treatment resistant depression (TRD.) Taking an antidepressant or going to psychological counseling eases depression symptoms for most people. But with treatment-resistant depression, standard treatments are not enough.  Treatment-resistant depression can leave you feeling hopeless and discouraged. Months or even years can go by without any relief. And

  • Men's depression differing then women

How Men’s Experience of Depression is Different From Women’s

,By: Brian Kurz Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in the United States today. According to the National Institute of Mental Health(NIMH), about six million American men suffer from depression every year. Men and women both experience depression, but their symptoms are usually very different. In addition, men are less likely than women to recognize, talk

When Is Treating Depression Without Medication A Good Idea?

By: Allison Petro, LMHC As a mental health counselor, I regularly see individuals who struggle with depression symptoms.  Those individuals over the years have told me that they prefer to not take medication to treat their depression. Depression can be debilitating for some, but for others, it only gets in the way from time to time.  Like many things, depression

  • Meditating with insight timer.

5 Reasons to Download Insight Timer Today

The benefits of meditation are vast. From anxiety reduction to sleep improvement to pain management, science backs the health benefits of regular meditation practice. There are a number of apps available to assist you in learning more or sharpening your meditation skills. This article highlights my favorite- Insight Timer. [DISCLAIMER: I am in no way affiliated with Insight Timer, nor

  • Women overcoming postpartum struggles including postpartum depression and anxiety.

3 Ways to Start Overcoming Postpartum Depression & Anxiety

"Why do I feel so miserable when motherhood is supposed to be bliss?" You are supposed to be happy. Blissfully happy. You are a mother, right? All you wanted was a healthy beautiful baby and to be a mom for such a long time. But for some reason, you don’t feel blissful. In fact, you feel miserable, filled with guilt.