Articles

Fighting the Holiday Blues

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Is it really? For many, the holiday season is a somber time where we remember loved ones lost or the scarcity and pain in our lives. Here are some ways to combat the holiday blues Reach out! As human beings we need to be with people. Making new memories is a great

Beat the Holiday Stress for Blended Families & Time Sharing

The holidays can be a stressful time for blended families. Whether your family has gone through a recent divorce/separation, or not, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with stress and anxiety about the holidays and making it all work. Here are 5 ways to beat the holiday stress for blended families and time sharing. Plan Be open and honest in discussing

This is Us: How To Help Your Child When Facing Cultural Differences

By: Colleen Andre I recently got sucked into a new fall show called This is Us. I am loving it so far as the tear-jerking moments tug at my heartstrings. But, the show is not just about creating sappy moments and making viewers cry. The show really hones in on topics real people struggle with, anywhere from body-image to abandonment

Tips for Managing Anxiety | Orlando Anxiety Counseling

Anxiety can be such a scary feeling especially when it starts to overwhelm and take over your daily life. The loss of control is paralyzing which can perpetuate or increase the anxious feelings. The problem with anxiety is that when you feel out of control and helpless it makes you panic even more, perpetuating the cycle. Today I will be

  • anxiety, stress, depression, affairs, betrayal, cutting, abuse, self-esteem, blended family, divorce

Overcoming Challenges in Blended Families

In blended families there are numerous challenges in becoming a family in harmony. The first relationship that must have a firm foundation is between the biological and step parents. In blended families there tends to be issues of anger, resentment and bitterness in the beginning. As step parents face these challenges strife can come in the marriage which in turn

Real Talk On Sexual Assault Versus Trump’s “Locker Room Talk”

By: Colleen Andre, LMHC In 2016 as Election Day was nearing the head-line news became about Trump’s leaked conversation with Billy Bush in 2005. A large group of people consider Trump’s words to be deemed as sexual assault while others consider it just “locker room talk”. CNN's article titled “Trump’s ‘locker room talk’ stirs real talk about sexual violence”  highlighted

  • anxiety, stress, depression, affairs, betrayal, cutting, abuse, self-esteem, blended family, divorce

Battling Indecision | 5 Steps to Help You Make Big Decisions

By: Colleen Andre, LMHC Everyone has experienced a point in their life where they find themselves extremely indecisive and stuck. A decision as small as “What should I eat today?” to something as big as “Should I change jobs?” Sometimes, the big decisions in life can paralyze and weigh you down. You do not want to make the wrong decision,

3 Ways Men Grieve Differently Than Women | Orlando Mens Counseling

3 Ways Men Grieve Differently Than Women | Orlando Mens Counseling It’s no surprise that men grieve differently than women. However, it’s important to note that not all men grieve in the same manner. This article, talks a little bit about the male and female models of grief. Here, I would like to quickly present to you some of the

  • Parentification happening after parents go through a divorce.

Preventing Parentification | Children After A Separation or Divorce

If you read my earlier article Parenting my parent, “I thought I was the child?” | Understanding Parentification, you are familiar with the dangers of parentification. Parentification is when a role reversal occurs when a child is forced into the role of a parent for themselves or their parent. Many consequences occur when a child is forced into an unnatural

  • Parentification happening to a young child as she is parenting her younger sibling.

Parenting My Parent | Understanding Parentification

Everyone plays different roles at various points in their life. As a child or teen, the role is to play, focus on school, have minor responsibilities, and to make mistakes. But, everyone is not given the right to be a kid. Some are robbed of a childhood through parentification. What is parentification? Parentification is the process of a role reversal