Every Veterans Day (November 11), we pause to honor the people who wore the uniform. The public often hears about the invisible wounds of war—PTSD, depression, moral injury, traumatic brain injury, suicide risk. Naming those realities matters. But there’s another side of the story that deserves equal attention: for many, military service also cultivates protectiveContinue reading “Veterans Day: Honoring Service—and the Strength It Builds”
Tag Archives: #MentalHealthAwareness
My pain is my teacher
My pain is my teacher, But I don’t know why it has to be, it just does. My pain gives me lessons that I don’t want. Sometimes I feel it does it just because, but when I look deep, I know it’s not true. It’s just hard to tell because it feels like a taunt.Continue reading “My pain is my teacher”
What is Generalized Anxiety disorder?
Navigating Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Insights and Strategies As a licensed therapist and advocate for mental health awareness, I’m thrilled to launch a series aimed at enhancing understanding and providing support for various mental health conditions. Through this series, we aim to empower our readers with knowledge about disorders like Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and shareContinue reading “What is Generalized Anxiety disorder?”
Sad or Depressed?
The Difference Between Being Sad and Being Depressed Sadness and depression are terms often used interchangeably in everyday language, yet they represent significantly different experiences on the spectrum of human emotions and mental health. Understanding these differences is crucial, not just for academic purposes, but for recognizing when it’s time to seek help for oneselfContinue reading “Sad or Depressed?”
The world does not have to change because you feel a certain way…learn to check yourself
Navigating the Complex World of Feelings: A Therapist’s Perspective It’s been a week since my last post, a lapse I attribute to the busyness of life and its inevitable distractions. As a licensed therapist, I too experience moments of deviation from my goals – a reminder that behavior change often follows a ‘two steps forward,Continue reading “The world does not have to change because you feel a certain way…learn to check yourself”
Ice baths and Mental Health
Rediscovering the Transformative Power of Ice Baths: A Journey in Physical and Mental Wellness As a psychotherapist with a deep interest in the interplay between physical practices and mental health, I’ve rediscovered a powerful tool in my wellness arsenal: ice baths. This isn’t just a tale of physical rejuvenation; it’s a story about mental andContinue reading “Ice baths and Mental Health”
Becoming Self Aware
The Journey to Self-Awareness: Navigating Through Levels and Life’s Challenges Self-awareness is a journey, not a destination. In my experience as a psychotherapist, I’ve observed that self-awareness often emerges in levels, influenced by life experiences, including trauma. This article delves into what self-awareness is, its connection to our experiences, and how it shapes our interactionsContinue reading “Becoming Self Aware”
Boundary Battles: The Tough Truth About Protecting Your Mental Space!
Setting Boundaries: Navigating the Challenges and Standing Your Ground In my psychotherapy practice and personal life, I’ve observed the complexities of setting boundaries, especially when they’re established later in relationships. Recently, I had to assert my boundaries with someone close, a decision that was long overdue. This experience highlighted several key aspects of boundary-setting, whichContinue reading “Boundary Battles: The Tough Truth About Protecting Your Mental Space!”
The Stages of Grief
Navigating the Complex Journey of Grief: More Than Just Loss Through Death From a Licensed Psychotherapist Grief is a profound, universal emotion that extends beyond the loss of a loved one. It can stem from various life changes, including the end of relationships, career shifts, or even the loss of personal ideals. This article exploresContinue reading “The Stages of Grief”
Do you think better when its loud?
“The Sound of Productivity: How Loud Background Noise Can Enhance Concentration and Sleep” brought to you by a licensed Psychotherapist In a world that often associates quiet with focus, it might surprise you that for many, including myself, loud background noise is the secret ingredient to concentration. As a psychotherapist, I’ve discovered this intriguing phenomenon:Continue reading “Do you think better when its loud?”
How do we protect ourselves from our own ego and pride?
Ego and Pride: A Delicate Balance of Self Ego and pride are intricate elements of our psychological makeup, often perceived differently across cultures and societies. Growing up in South Florida, I witnessed firsthand how these traits are not only celebrated but are also deeply ingrained in societal values. Defining Ego and Pride Ego, in theContinue reading “How do we protect ourselves from our own ego and pride?”
Boundaries vs Ultimatums
Navigating Boundaries and Ultimatums: Key Differences and Impacts in Relationships Introduction The distinction between boundaries and ultimatums can often become blurred in relationships, impacting mental health and trust dynamics. Drawing from my own experience, where setting a boundary was misinterpreted as giving an ultimatum, it’s clear that understanding these concepts is crucial for healthy interpersonalContinue reading “Boundaries vs Ultimatums”
The Overwhelming Sound of pain
Published in Oct 2022 and republished with edits Dec 2023 A personal account from Raymond Navarro LMHC MS “I have learned now that while those who speak about one’s miseries usually hurt, those who keep silence hurt more” (C.S. Lewis). When you think of pain, do you think of it as physical or mental? GrowingContinue reading “The Overwhelming Sound of pain”
Fear vs Anxiety
Navigating the Terrain of Fear and Anxiety: Understanding and Coping In the complex landscape of human emotions, fear and anxiety often intertwine, yet they are distinct experiences. Understanding the difference between these two emotions is crucial for developing effective coping strategies. This article delves into the nuances of fear and anxiety, their triggers, and howContinue reading “Fear vs Anxiety”
Goal setting and how it helps your mental health
Setting Goals for Mental Health: Navigating the Path to Well-being As the New Year approaches, many of us are contemplating setting goals. It’s a time-honored tradition, but beyond the excitement, goal setting plays a crucial role in mental health. This article explores how effectively setting and managing goals can decrease anxiety, mitigate negative emotions, andContinue reading “Goal setting and how it helps your mental health”
The STOP Trick for Instant Emotional Control
Mastering Emotional Regulation: The DBT STOP Skill As a psychotherapist, I often find myself delving into various therapeutic strategies to aid clients in managing emotions effectively. One such powerful tool from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is the STOP skill, an acronym that stands for Stop, Take a step back, Observe, and Proceed mindfully. This skillContinue reading “The STOP Trick for Instant Emotional Control”
Why am I always SAD during the holidays?
Navigating Through the Gloom: Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is more than just the winter blues. It’s a subtype of depression that typically occurs in the winter months. This article sheds light on SAD, outlining its diagnostic criteria, potential causes, and effective coping strategies, emphasizing the role of exercise and structured routines.Continue reading “Why am I always SAD during the holidays?”
Unlock the Secret: Why We Sabotage Ourselves and How to Stop!
Navigating the Labyrinth of Self-Sabotage: A Psychotherapist’s Perspective As a psychotherapist, I’ve often pondered the complexities of human behavior, particularly the tendency to self-sabotage. In my personal and professional journey, I’ve noticed a pattern: every few years, many of us, myself included, make choices that complicate our lives significantly. This phenomenon isn’t just about poorContinue reading “Unlock the Secret: Why We Sabotage Ourselves and How to Stop!”
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