by Spencer Lee, LCSWA The first time I heard about manifesting I considered it “woo woo”- or “an unconventional belief regarded as having little scientific basis, especially those relating to spirituality, mysticism, or alternative medicine” as the Oxford dictionary likes to put it. The true definition of manifesting- to manifest, is to “display or show by one’s actions or appearance;...[ read more ]
by Spencer Lee, LCSWA I feel as if all around me are advertisements for things that say “all natural”, “natural spring water”, “organic produce”, etc. The marketing departments must be on to something, and yet, how many of us really connect with nature itself? How often do we go outside and engage with the world we live in? Researchers have...[ read more ]
by Jessica Swanson, MFT Rejection is a universal experience that everyone encounters at some point in their life. It can be a devastating blow to one's confidence and self-esteem, leaving us feeling inadequate and helpless. However, it is important to recognize that rejection is a normal part of life and can be an opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery. In...[ read more ]
by Alice Nafekh, MSW Intern When someone starts up a conversation with us, how do we know how to respond? What helps us determine what tone of voice or body language to use when confronting someone about an issue or responding to their comment? How we choose to communicate in certain situations is often influenced by the interactions we have...[ read more ]
by Spencer Lee, LCSWA Sleep is vital to our health and well-being and most of us don’t get enough of it. The amount of sleep necessary for optimal health varies by age. Babies need about 16 hours, teenagers should strive for 9, while adults need between 7-9 hours every night. The National Sleep Foundation found that 39% of Americans get...[ read more ]
by Alice Nafekh, MSW Intern Therapy can be scary, especially if you have no idea what to expect and have never discussed your mental health with a licensed professional. While the idea of talking to a stranger about all your worries, self-criticisms, and past experiences seems overwhelming, therapy can provide a safe space to process your emotions and gain a...[ read more ]
by Spencer Lee, LCSWA Communication is everything. It’s how we express our thoughts, feelings, and wants to others. It’s how others let us know what they need and how they feel toward us. The bottom line is that without communication, nothing changes. If we’re unhappy, we stay unhappy without communication and the same is true for those around us. Below...[ read more ]
by Spencer Lee, LCSWA Exposure to sunshine has been shown to improve our mental and physical health in a variety of ways. Sunlight plays a major role in our melatonin production which regulates our sleep/wake cycles and has also been shown to make us less reactive to the effects of stress. The vitamin D we get from sun exposure contributes...[ read more ]
by Spencer Lee, LCSWA What is Trauma? The American Psychological Association defines trauma as an emotional response to a terrible or disturbing event. I like to see trauma as any negative experience that currently affects the way you think, feel, or interact within the world. This can be anything from a car accident to experiencing a natural disaster, or living...[ read more ]
by Tony Martin, MSW Intern In this two-part series, we explore the subject of adolescent self-harm and how social media may serve as both a risk factor for this behavior and a form of social support. The aim of these posts is to offer research-based information on a topic that can be very emotional. TRIGGER WARNING: Some of this might...[ read more ]