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  Courage - the ability to do something that frightens one Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the concept of courage. Mainly because I see it in my therapy clients each week. I see it in them when they come in for the first time… vulnerable and raw, nervous to meet a new therapist or enter counseling for the first time, and afraid of what might come up. I see it in them as they come back to counseling week after week. Each week is different. Sometimes they’ve had a great week and don’t feel like they even need a session, but they come anyway because they’ve made a commitment to growth. Sometimes it’s been a terrible week. These weeks, they muster up even more courage. They show up and face their difficulties head on. They fight hard for what they want to see different. They think about things in new ways and gradually make changes. They do the work. I see it in them when they make the decision to end our counseling relationship because they feel like they’ve met ...

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  There are so many misconceptions about what therapy or counseling is all about. Oftentimes, a therapist is portrayed as a silent man, sitting behind a desk, stroking his beard and mumbling, “I see,” or “How does that make you feel?” Either that, or it’s Dr. Phil’s confrontational style of advice-giving, criticizing, and raising his voice to get his point across. Therapy is wildly different from these portrayals. It’s a powerful tool that helps people live better lives. Here are some of the most common myths about therapy...  Myth #1: If I go to therapy, I must be broken. Rather than being broken, it’s about being self-aware. Counseling is a tool to explore struggles, strengths, and personal beliefs so you can realize and act on your true potential. Myth #2: Nothing traumatic has happened in my life, so I don't need therapy. Of course, therapy can address past traumas. But counseling also helps with difficult life transitions, managing stress, anxiety, depression, rel...

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  The first part of the new year is a great time to reset and reflect on the previous year. Many people make resolutions that involve getting physically or mentally healthier, taking control over finances, or making meaningful changes in their career or lifestyle. Maybe it means eating more nutritious foods, getting in a workout routine, or beginning individual therapy or counseling. While we often think about our personal resolutions and goals, we don’t often talk about what we want for our relationships with our partners in the coming year. It can be really meaningful to have a meeting or check-in about shared goals or things you want to see different in the coming year. Taking the time to chat about your relationship wants, needs, and goals can help prevent relational disconnect in the future. Think about it like this… it’s important to use preventative methods, like vitamins and exercise, to take care of your physical health, and it’s equally important to use preventative me...

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