For people living with bipolar disorder, they cycle through intense elevated periods called mania and severe low periods called depression. These extremely high-highs and low-lows become a pattern in their lives. Maybe you’ve questioned if your drastic mood shifts are actually a more serious condition like bipolar disorder. What is the Definition of Bipolar Disorder? [...]
Anybody who has ever experienced anxiety, which I imagine includes us all, I’m certain would say that they hate it. Anxiety is no picnic in the park—far from it. Anxiety is extremely uncomfortable. Not only does it rob us of joy and energy, but it produces sensations of fear. It has the potential to [...]
Play therapy for children might sound too simple at first. Don’t children play anyway? What is therapeutic about it? Play isn't just playing, though. It’s a vital part of a child’s world, and as such it provides a powerful treatment modality in therapy for children. As they play in their everyday lives, children learn [...]
When you think about a spouse being unfaithful, physical adultery probably comes to mind. Sometimes we forget how common – and devastating – emotional infidelity is. How do we even define an emotional affair? Where is the line crossed? And when there has been an inappropriate emotional relationship with another person, what does the [...]
For many struggling couples, marriage counseling is often considered the last recourse. Despite suggestions by loved ones to see a specialist, spouses hesitate to schedule an appointment due to the stigma surrounding counseling as well as doubts as to whether it can really help. Many couples believe it is shameful to have to go [...]
Grief. It’s a word we hear used in a variety of different contexts. For instance, “I try to mail my bills early to avoid unnecessary grief.” “You broke your big toe? Good grief!” “My chemistry class caused me so much grief this semester!” We all get it when we hear the word used in [...]
He’s popped the question. You said, “Yes!” Now, you’ve entered the season of engagement that includes choosing a venue, cake-tasting appointments, dress fittings and bridal showers. Couples take months to plan a wedding that only lasts a day, yet often neglect to focus on their marriage which will last a lifetime. It’s easy to [...]
When most people hear the term trauma, the usual idea is an accident survivor with injuries and a scary recollection of the ordeal. If not that, then it may be that of a soldier dealing with battlefield stress. Though such incidents do cause trauma, there is more to trauma than just that. What is [...]
As you exchange sacred vows, walk blissfully down the aisle, and celebrate your new chapter as husband and wife, thoughts of infidelity are far from your mind. You begin building a life with your spouse until one day you are blindsided by a confession expressing a deep-rooted struggle with sexual addiction. When your spouse [...]
Anxiety is a normal part of being human. As we do not know the future, we are often anxious about upcoming events. In normal doses, anxiety keeps us on our toes as we prepare ourselves for things to come such as meeting new playmates, tests at school, job interviews, a romantic date, or life [...]
