Self harm is the act of self mutilation. If you are a parent or family member discovering your loved one is engaging in self harm, it can feel like a crisis. Self harm is a coping skill that individuals engage in to help deal with stressors that may be taking place in life. It is often a symptom of other health problems, like depression, low self esteem, grief or other deep emotional distress. So what do you do if you discover your loved one is self harming? Here is some information about self harm and what you can do to help…
Working on homework can be stressful, overwhelming, or just annoying for both students and their parents. It’s the time of day that everyone wishes they could skip over to avoid the drama. Now, imagine if you could feel calm, confident, and even enjoy doing homework! Well, it is possible. By adding some mindfulness to your homework routine, you and your child may dread homework a little less. We encourage you to share these helpful homework tips with your child or teen. He or she should follow these steps before doing homework, to approach tasks with ease:
The practice of mindfulness has surged in popularity over the last few years—and for very good reasons. Unfortunately, some people are still uninformed or confused about exactly why it is beneficial to incorporate mindfulness techniques into their lives. Are you wondering what all the buzz is about? Read on for some reasons why leading a more mindful life can have far-reaching positive effects…
Now that school is in full swing, does your teenager find it hard to keep his or her motivation up and stress levels low? It can be difficult when teens are managing tougher homework this year, extracurriculars starting up again, and trying to adjust back to a school time routine. Parents: do you wish you could give your son or daughter that boost that he or she needs to get on the right track? We’ve compiled a list of things for teens to think about when it comes to success in school. Share these tips with your teen to help him or her have a successful school year…
Everyone deals with stress. In small amounts, stress is actually beneficial. It motivates us to accomplish tasks and challenge ourselves. For kids, teenagers, and young adults, a main source of stress is school. Homework, tests, and navigating class schedules and friendships can be challenging. However, the pressure should not be overwhelming. If you find that your child is struggling with school-related stress, consider these tips…
Do you ever get into bed after a long day, 20-30 minutes pass by, and you are still wide awake? Maybe you’re replaying conversations from the day, thinking about your to do list for tomorrow, perhaps even worrying about the rest of your week and what needs to get done. You get up and turn on the TV. Or start scrolling through your Facebook newsfeed on your phone, hoping your eyes will get tired. Still feeling like you can't slow your thoughts down, no matter what you do? Here are some strategies to help you wind down at night…
Are you looking to add more positivity to your life? Or have you been trying to feel more balanced? If so, the DBT skill of “Build Positive Experiences” can be just what you need. By building positive experiences, you can better balance difficult emotions and feel more fulfilled. It’s also a great way to enjoy more events and experiences in life. You can work on this skill in the moment, in the short-term, and in the long-term. Here are some ways that you can use this skill on a daily basis…
Did you know that there are multiple types of therapy? If you’ve been to therapy before, or if you’ve heard about it from a friend or loved one, you probably are very familiar with individual therapy. If you’re considering therapy, that’s not your only option. Some other kinds of therapy include group therapy (multiple clients working with one or two therapists) and family therapy (multiple family members working with a therapist). You may be wondering, “Why should I consider family therapy?” or “Will this really help me or my teenager?” The therapists at Mindsoother are here to explain the benefits of family therapy…
People who are currently in therapy, and even people who have heard about therapy before, know about the experience of therapy from the client’s point of view. In an initial appointment, you’re asked a variety of questions so that the therapist can get to know you. In the following sessions, you work with the therapist to establish goals, learn strategies, and make progress towards achieving them. But have you ever wondered what it’s like being a therapist? Or what your therapist thinks of his or her job? This week in our “Ask the Therapist” series, the therapists are opening up about what they think of their careers…
Starting therapy for the first time can be nerve-racking for anyone. It’s a new experience that may push you outside of your comfort zone. At the same time, it’s a proven way to help you learn more about yourself and grow. First, be proud of yourself for having the courage to make yourself an appointment. Next, read about how people feel about therapy, and what typically occurs during a first appointment from the therapists at Mindsoother. We’re here to reassure you that you can take the first step towards self-improvement…
Picture a typical therapy session in your mind. It’s likely that you’re thinking of the client laying on a couch, sharing their deepest concerns and secrets with a therapist who’s taking furious notes. Here’s the thing—therapy is nothing like this. In fact, it’s a major misconception about therapy. If you’ve never tried therapy before, your knowledge about therapy is likely based on what you hear from friends or loved ones, or what you see on TV. Read more inside information from the therapists themselves, as they disprove myths about the therapy couch…
The therapists at Mindsoother sat down for interviews to talk about the benefits of therapy, what their job is like, offer insider advice, and answer questions that you may have about therapy. This is the first of a multi-part series based on the interviews, giving you an inside look at what therapy is like for the client and for the therapist. The therapists started by answering questions about the value of therapy, including individual therapy, family therapy, and group therapy. Read all about therapy from the experts themselves…
Is your teen currently seeing a therapist, or considering therapy? Many people know about individual therapy, but have never heard about group therapy before. Group therapy brings people together who struggle with similar issues, like depression, anxiety, emotion regulation, or eating disorders, for example. It is a space for participants to connect and support one another, while learning beneficial skills from an experienced therapist. Group therapy is an option that teens in particular should consider. It can be exponentially more effective for teens than just individual therapy; here’s why…
When you go on vacation, do you still remain connected to work? If you’re spending just as much time taking calls and answering emails as you are relaxing on the beach, consider taking an “unplugged” vacation. An unplugged vacation is a growing trend in which people avoid cell phone use entirely in order to reap the benefits of being disconnected. Whether you want to take a phone-free vacation or limit your phone usage, here are some tips to make the most of your vacation...
Are you looking for something to cheer you up this summer? It seems simple, but many people feel better—happier, more energetic, and with a more positive outlook—when they spend time outside. Everyone should all take advantage of the warm summer weather and enjoy being outdoors. It’s an easy and affordable way to be active and improve your mental health. There are many reasons why being in nature is great for your health…
Do you ever feel like no matter how much you do during the day, it still isn't enough? When you have kids, (especially small children) you likely find yourself doing everything for them—from feeding, to bathing, to carpooling and more. The days can start to feel like they blend together. You also may notice that finding time for yourself is becoming a rarity. Whether you are a mom to a newborn or a mom of three, it's easy to let stress build up. If you’re looking for some tips to relax and finally have some time to yourself, then here are 5 ways for moms to de-stress…
Have you ever felt an emotion so intensely that you thought you would never feel better, and that you were almost “out of control”? It can be helpful to use the DBT skill of TIPP when we are so emotionally dysregulated that we cannot think clearly and physically cannot access any other skills in that moment. TIPP alters our body chemistry to quickly reduce emotional suffering—from a 10 out of 10 to a 7 or 8. Then we are able to think more clearly and rationally; we can apply other skills to reduce our emotions even further. Here’s how TIPP works…
Although the amount of teenagers smoking cigarettes is at a 40-year low, an increasing amount of teens are picking up a new habit: vaping. Vaping is “using an electronic cigarette to inhale vapor infused with flavor, nicotine, both or neither.” Many teens have gravitated towards this new habit due to the enticing flavors. It may taste good and look cool, but it’s still harmful to a teen’s developing brain. If you find your teen is vaping, here are some tips to start a conversation about it and express your concerns…
Today, you literally have the world at your fingertips. At any moment you can go on social media and see what your favorite celebrities are doing, what your co-workers are eating, and where your friends are traveling. Often it’s exciting and fun to take a peek into the lives of others. It can also create a sense of confusion and loneliness within you, particularly if you aren't living the 'exciting' life that you see on social media. Here are some tips to be more mindful when using social media…
Do you ever go into a situation thinking that things will go badly, and then they actually do? How does that happen? It’s likely because of a concept called a self-fulfilling prophecy. A self-fulfilling prophecy is a prediction bound to become true as a result of behavior caused by its being expressed. Essentially, how you think determines your end result. If you believe that things won’t go well, they likely won’t go well. So how can you stop this vicious cycle of self-fulfilling prophecies? Here are some tips to help you break the habit…
