Four Quick Tips for a Smooth Back-to-School Transition

Starting any school year can be stressful, but with a positive frame of mind, the transition back to school can be smooth and successful.  The good news is that with awareness, preparation and communication, you can reduce your stress!  Here are some tips to help you have a smooth transition back to school....

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10 Ways to Know if Therapy is Right for You

You may have been thinking about going to therapy or enlisting the help of a licensed professional for someone you love and care about.  So how do you know what is typical "moodiness" or difficulties in functioning and what is thinking and behavior might require more attention?  Here are some quick tips for determining if therapy is the right choice for you or someone you love...

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Self-Harm: What is it and How to Help

Discovering that someone you love is self-harming, is extremely upsetting and can feel like a crisis.  Here's what you can do to help...

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Brittany Ruane, LCSW
Being Effective: Doing What Works

If you've ever struggled with consistently keeping yourself on track toward your goals, then these simple steps toward mastering effectiveness could help.....

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Tessa Vining, LCSW, LCADC
Simple Tips for Managing Anxiety

Anxiety is a common and natural feeling that many people experience. Studying for a big test, applying for a new job, or moving to a new city are all examples of anxiety provoking situations. What can we do to help ourselves when faced with a situation that creates uncertainty? Here are some tips for dealing with anxious thoughts....

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Brittany Ruane, LCSW
Four Easy Steps to Being Effective in Anything You Do

Have you ever had a deadline looming and you find yourself thinking about it but not working towards it?   Have you ever been spiteful in order to get back at someone (subtly) and ultimately, the behavior came back to bite you?  Do you mindlessly skip or knowingly avoid activities that you know are healthy for you such as consistent exercise or taking your vitamins?  Read on to learn four easy steps to changing negative habits and becoming more effective....

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Loving Your Body this Summer!

Here are some quick tips to help you start loving your body more right now....

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Danna Markson, LCSW
Being a Realistic Parent

Parenting is one of the hardest jobs!  Read this to find out more about how you can become more realistic in your parenting and thrive and grow with your children....

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Social Media and Loneliness

In today’s society, we have the world at our fingertips, literally. At any moment we can go on social media and see what our favorite celebrities are doing, what our co-workers are eating and where our friends are traveling. It can be exciting and fun to take a peek into others’ lives. It can also create a sense of confusion and loneliness, particularly if we aren't living the 'exciting' lives we are seeing on social media.  Read more about social media "depression" here....

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Simply Being in Nature Can Boost your Mood!

It seems pretty simple, but I always feel better – happier, more energetic and with a more positive outlook – when I get outside for a walk or bike ride or to just sit in the sun for a few minutes.  I joke that I am getting my “vitamin D fix” from the sun exposure but, actually, this isn’t a joke.  Research shows that even a little sun exposure increases the amount of serotonin (the happy chemical!) in our brains. Keep reading to learn about a few simple things you can do today to boost your mood.  And they are all free and right out your front door...

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Baby Blues vs. Postpartum Depression: What's the Difference?

Between 70-80% of new mothers experience something called the “baby blues”. It is thought to happen due to the hormone changes that occur during pregnancy and again after the baby is born.  In the beginning, baby blues can look like postpartum depression.  Here are some symptoms of Postpartum Depression which can help you distinguish it from baby blues...

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Brittany Ruane, LCSW
10 COMPELLING Reasons to Stop Dieting!

Do you have a history of "yo-yo" dieting?  Are you tired of being a slave to thoughts about food, to your negative body image or to your embarrassment, discomfort or shame? If you have a history of dieting and are fed up with the results - READ ON!...

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Danna Markson, LCSW
Cell Phones - Friend or Foe in Your Family?

Did you ever feel as though your child’s cell phone has become his or her best friend?  Where ever your child goes, so does the phone?  You are not alone!!

Parents can set limits on the phone – a device that has become essential for everyday life.  Not only is it our right, but our responsibility.  Here are some suggestions on how to create a healthy attitude and appropriate behavior with cell phones in your family...

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Amazing Tips for Sleep

Sleep hygiene is a routine of different practices that are necessary to have normal, quality nighttime sleep and full daytime alertness.  Good sleep hygiene increases the quality and consistency of your restfulness.

Here are some tips for creating a great sleep hygiene routine...

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Anxiety in children: 3 Easy Tips That Can Help

Does your child tend to worry, over-think and/or show anxiety?  Here are some helpful tips to guide your child and help them address their anxiety...

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When to Share a Secret

 

Have you ever promised someone that you would keep a secret only to regret it later?  Perhaps your curiosity made you promise and you didn’t consider the potential consequences or the emotion bind you might end up in.  Keeping secrets can strengthen relationships but it can also cause the secret keeper a range of emotions from guilt, to worry, to shame.  Here are a few rules of thumb when deciding whether to keep a secret...

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Dos and Don'ts for Quality Family Time

These days, having interactive family time may feel impossible due to the demands of busy schedules, however studies show that even a little bit of quality time can having a meaningful impact.  It’s best for family time to be “light” and fun, and not a time for the more serious discussions. 

Here are a few suggestions for quality family time:....

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5 Simple Habits that Can Improve Your Energy

There doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day to get everything we would like to done!  We might even be adding to the problem by giving in to habits that actually deplete our energy and move us farther from our goals.  Check out these 5 quick tools you can use to improve your energy now... 

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Sexual Orientation and Gender - What Do You Really Know?

Pansexuality, gender fluidity, non-binary gender identity…….Welcome to 2016! Non-conformity to gender and sexual orientation is a hallmark of this generation coming to age in which sexuality can be seen as fluid; always changing. This article offers a quick and important education.....

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Mindfulness - Buzzword or Reality?
Danna Markson, LCSW