Celebrating Autism Awareness Month
April is National Autism Awareness Month, with World Autism Awareness Day occurring on April 2nd. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that affects an individual’s behavior and communication. Since autism is a developmental disorder, symptoms typically surface within the first few years of life. However, autism is a “spectrum disorder” because symptoms vary […]
The Impact of Mental Health on Physical Well-being
While physical illnesses are readily acknowledged and addressed, mental health concerns often go overlooked or unaddressed. This is despite the undeniable connection between our mental and physical health. Mental health conditions, which can encompass disorders affecting behavior, mood, and thoughts, often share a common thread: stress. And stress doesn’t simply affect the mind, it can […]
How Our Phones Impact Our Relationships
Our daily lives are increasingly dependent on our phones in today’s digital age. They provide us with information, entertainment, and communication at our fingertips while keeping us connected to the world around us. While phones can be useful and convenient tools, they can also negatively impact our relationships. The Negative Impacts of Phones on Relationships […]
Journeying with Clients Who are Chronically Ill
Claudia Schwenzer, LLMSW: Chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, stroke and heart disease challenge many families daily. According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), six in ten adults in America have a chronic disease, and four in ten have two or more. Chances are each of us is […]
Building Authentic Connections
Having low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression can be a result of loneliness, according to research. Lonely people may have difficulty forming meaningful connections with others and are more likely to develop mental health problems. According to some studies, loneliness can harm mental health just as much as poverty or physical illness. Furthermore, loneliness can lead […]
Keeping the Passion Alive with Your Partner
It takes effort to keep romance and excitement alive in even the best relationships. Otherwise, you may feel more like roommates than romantic partners. When that happens, sex and intimacy die down, the excitement fades, and people often feel that something is missing in their relationship, despite loving them. Having a comfortable relationship with your […]
Signs You Are In a Toxic Relationship
According to research, staying in an unhappy relationship can negatively impact your happiness, life satisfaction, self-esteem, and overall health. Unfortunately, too many people remain in unhealthy and even toxic relationships. It is possible that you are reading this post and feel so worn down that you aren’t even aware of whether your relationship is toxic. […]
Dealing with the Morning Doldrums
How do we help people motivate themselves on a cold dark winter morning? by Christine Lyon, LPC, BHTG co-owner and clinical manager This stage in winter can be particularly challenging for Michiganders. January and February are the most overcast months of the year, with skies historically covered with heavy gloomy clouds 63-66% of the time. […]
3 Effective Ways to Positively Express Emotions
According to researchers at the University of Illinois, how you express your emotions can reduce or increase anxiety. According to their study, people who suppress or avoid expressing their feelings had more social anxiety and anxiety in general than people who focused on the positives in situations. Similar studies found that suppressing emotions increased stress […]
5 Keys to Improving Your Mental Health this Winter
We are deep into winter when the dreary, dark days seem to never end. Many people who experience symptoms of worry or sadness during this time have trouble understanding the root of their negative emotions. You may need to check-in on your mental hygiene practices when you cannot explain your feelings of dysphoria (feelings of […]