The Power of PLEASE Skill

Today, we’re diving into one of the super cool skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – the PLEASE skill. This skill is a hidden gem for managing your mental health and maintaining emotional balance.  What is the PLEASE Skill? First things first, what is the PLEASE Skill? It’s an acronym that stands for: Physical illness: […]

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 […]

Nurturing Self-Leadership: Embracing Internal Family Systems (IFS) for Mental Well-being

There are many different types of therapeutic approaches to aid in someone’s wellness journey. It is essential to explore therapeutic approaches that empower you and feel like a good fit.  Internal Family Systems (IFS) is one approach that recognizes the complexity of our inner world. By understanding and embracing our internal family, we can cultivate […]

Mindful Mulling: Embracing Winter for Mental Wellbeing

The seasons are changing and with colder temperatures comes a change in accessible coping mechanisms for many individuals. Going for a walk, exercising outdoors, or even sitting in the park are just a few of the examples of activities that become impractical or at the very least, uncomfortable to engage in during the colder months. […]

The Power of Letting Go: A Guide to Radical Acceptance

What is Radical Acceptance? Radical acceptance is a key concept and skill within Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based therapy developed by Marsha Linehan to help those diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Over time, DBT has been found to be effective in treating other mental conditions such as depression, anxiety […]

Helping young adults establish independent self-management

As teenagers transition into adulthood, an essential skill they need to develop is independent self-management. The ability to effectively manage various aspects of life, such as finances, time, and responsibilities, lays the foundation for a successful and fulfilling future. In this post, we will explore practical strategies and tips to help young adults establish and […]