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What is a Codependent Relationship? Look For These Signs
A codependent relationship is defined as dependency on the approval of another person for your self-worth and identity. The behavior pattern of a person in a codependent relationship leads them to ignore their own needs, wants, and desires in a relationship, at times making extreme sacrifices to please their partner. For that reason, a codependent person lacks self-sufficiency and independence.
But wait a minute…
Aren’t we always bombarded with the romantic notion of loving someone so much that we just can’t exist without them? Isn’t this a sign of true, deep love?
True, sacrificing our own needs, in moderation, or perhaps, for brief periods of time, is normal and even good for the development of a close relationship. But those in codependent relationships are usually so utterly out of touch with their own needs that it completely hinders the growth of their relationship.
What about you? Do you think you might be in a codependent relationship?
Trauma Treatment: What is EMDR and Brainspotting?
As anyone who’s experienced any form of trauma knows, it lingers. The fear response, the flashbacks and the nightmares insist on sticking around, casting a shadow over everything.
There’s a line in the sand separating life before and life after the incident.
The good news for those who’ve already experienced it is there’s something you can do about it: EMDR and Brainspotting are two of the leading modalities showing favorable outcomes in treating PTSD.
But what are they, and how do they help?
How to Nurture Healthy Relationships
Regular supportive, open and honest communication is the secret sauce, the magic pill, the wand… it’s everything in a happy and healthy relationships.
If it feels like your connection is slipping—or it slipped a long time ago and you desperately need help—couple’s counseling is your best course of action. It’s truly one of the most valuable resources available to reach that elusive fairytale happily after. And if the relationship is beyond repair, it’s an excellent way to regroup and learn what you need from a significant other.
Premarital Counseling: How to Make Sure You’re Both on the Same Page
Everyone involved in constructing a building has to go by the same plans. If not, it can become a complete disaster. The same is true for a...
What to Do When Substance Abuse is Destroying Your Marriage
Substance abuse can wreak havoc on a marriage. Has it brought yours to the brink of total collapse? Have you given up trying to figure out how to...
Bad Habits That Affect Mental Health
Habits—bad ones especially—are sneaky. They take time to build, and during that process there are things that happen “behind the scenes” that reinforce their power. Bad habits that lead to us feeling better in the moment are especially powerful, and can be really hard to break.
Not all of these things listed are inherently “bad” when done in moderation. A sleepless night or a couple months of being busy are normal parts of life.
The key is to be honest with yourself and aware of where you are—what you’re doing and how you’re spending your time—and make the necessary adjustments, no judgment.
Here are some of the biggest habits that can negatively impact mental health.
Symptoms of Anxiety and OCD (and What You Can Do)
You’re on the way to a job interview when all of a sudden, the burner!
You don’t remember shutting off the burner on your stove.
You feel the prickly wash of panic charge through your body as you frantically cobble together memories, searching desperately for a specific one: you shutting off the burner.
The memory’s nowhere to be found.
Instead, you’re thinking of the pan. You feel your panic escalate. Did you wash and put away the pan or is it still on the burner?!
Your mind catapults into the worst-case scenario. At this point, the pan would have caught fire. You can practically see the flames as they grow, tickling the upper cabinets as thick choking black smoke starts filling the kitchen.
The Importance of Creativity and Novelty in Relationships
As a parent, your child’s wellbeing is hands down your number one priority. You’ve bandaged cuts and attended to bruises with loving care, doing your best to comfort your child—all the while wishing there was more you could do. Learn how to take care of your children’s mental health.
If your child is struggling one of the best things you can do is be proactive in getting your child help from a trained play therapist.
How to Take Care of Your Children’s Mental Health
As a parent, your child’s wellbeing is hands down your number one priority. You’ve bandaged cuts and attended to bruises with loving care, doing your best to comfort your child—all the while wishing there was more you could do. Learn how to take care of your children’s mental health.
If your child is struggling one of the best things you can do is be proactive in getting your child help from a trained play therapist.
Do This Before You Walk Down the Aisle
If only there was something you could do to give your marriage a better chance. You’d do it, right? Especially knowing that nobody gets married with the intention of getting a divorce.
Well thankfully, there is. Everyone who’s about to get married needs to know, premarital counseling significantly decreases divorce rates.
What is Love?
What is love? As a relationship progresses, the initial passion and intensity tends to fade.
However, it doesn’t need to. Couples who move on to experience the other types of love can still enjoy the eros experience—it may just take a little more than it did before to get started.
Are you just blue or are you depressed? 10 Signs of Depression
Am I depressed? Depression is a common illness and is serious: One in 10 adults reports experiencing depression at some time in their life. This is...
Show Yourself Some Love This Valentine’s Day
Want to know one of the biggest misconceptions about Valentine’s Day? Many people seem to think that you have to be in a relationship to celebrate it.
What if you said YES to yourself and a little indulgence this Valentine’s Day?
Five Reasons to Break Your Smart Phone Addiction
It’s the last thing you look at before falling asleep, and the first thing you reach for in the morning. Reason to break your addiction: Real-life will ALWAYS be more meaningful and rewarding. See the 5 reasons to break your smart phone addiction
4 Proven Treatments for Depression
Learn what treatments help depression.
Major depression can make you feel hopeless and helpless. You might think that you will never find the right treatment. However, this belief is not true. There is a lot that you can do to fight back against depression. Depression is treatable. Most people get better with treatment. The problem is that there are so many treatments for depression out there and not all of them are effective or even safe.
Are you wondering what treatments are available for depression that will actually help? I’ve examined tons of studies to determine what works and what doesn’t. Here are four proven depression treatments.
Reach out to start your healing journey today