Enmeshment Trauma: What is it?
Enmeshment trauma, or sometimes called emotional incest, refers to a family system that lacks boundaries. In an enmeshed family, the parents or caregiver inappropriately relies on the child to meet their emotional needs. The child, in turn, is not allowed to be emotionally independent. Therefore, becomes more attuned to their parents’ needs than their own. […]
Enhancing Mental Health through Improved Sleep Hygiene
Sleep is not merely a period of rest; it’s a vital process that rejuvenates the mind and body, crucial for maintaining optimal mental health. Yet, in our fast-paced world, many individuals struggle to attain quality sleep, leading to a myriad of mental health challenges. This is where the concept of “sleep hygiene” becomes paramount. Sleep […]
Discovering Purpose through Service: A Journey to Mental Wellness
In the fast-paced and often tumultuous landscape of modern life, many individuals find themselves grappling with questions of purpose and meaning. In the pursuit of mental well-being, one avenue that holds profound potential is the discovery of purpose through service. Engaging in acts of service not only benefits others but can also be a transformative […]
Appreciating Anxiety
Anxiety has a bad reputation. We often define anxiety as debilitating and uncomfortable, and see it as leading to avoidance of people, places, and things. Or maybe anxiety is what keeps you up at night, consequently impacting your ability to function the next day. However, the truth is, we all need some anxiety in order […]
Appreciating Anxiety
Anxiety has a bad reputation. We often define anxiety as debilitating and uncomfortable, and see it as leading to avoidance of people, places, and things. Or maybe anxiety is what keeps you up at night, consequently impacting your ability to function the next day. However, the truth is, we all need some anxiety in order […]
Understanding the Emotional Ties of Trauma Bonds
What are Trauma Bonds? Trauma bonds are unhealthy emotional attachments that form between an individual and their abuser. These bonds develop as a survival mechanism, a psychological response to threatening or traumatic situations. They often result from prolonged exposure to abuse, trauma, or coercive control. Trauma bonds are characterized by a powerful emotional connection, in […]
Bringing Awareness to Avoidance
What is avoidance? It involves consciously sidestepping challenging or unwanted situations to protect our mental and emotional well-being. While many people are familiar with the idea of avoiding, sometimes it can be difficult to identify what type of avoidant behavior you’re engaging in. Cognitive avoidance, situational avoidance, substitution avoidance, protective avoidance, and somatic avoidance and […]
Managing Mood Changes During Winter
As the days grow shorter and the temperature drops, many find themselves grappling with more intense feelings of sadness or depression. Many are familiar with the concept of Seasonal Affective Disorder, an experience that tends to affect a significant portion of the general population during the colder, darker winter months. Let’s explore some of the […]
The Gift of Feedback: How Embracing Constructive Criticism Enhances Mental Health
In the journey of personal growth and self-improvement, one invaluable gift that life offers is feedback. While the mere mention of feedback might trigger anxiety or defensiveness in some individuals, embracing it with an open heart and mind can lead to profound positive effects on mental health and overall well-being. In this blog, we will […]
Sleep Matters
Many of us struggle with sleep at some point in our lives, whether that is too little, trouble falling or staying asleep, or generally not feeling well rested upon waking. There is plenty of research that demonstrates how essential sleep is for physical and mental well-being. And for those diagnosed with mood disorders, difficulties with […]
