Tag Archives: mindfulness

Real-life “NPCs”: why people sometimes move on autopilot — and what you can do about it

You’ve probably joked about people who seem like video-game characters: they show up, follow a script, react the same way every time, and vanish. Calling someone an “NPC” (non-player character) is funny — but there’s a real, simple explanation behind that feeling: most of us run a lot of our lives on autopilot. That’s notContinue reading “Real-life “NPCs”: why people sometimes move on autopilot — and what you can do about it”

Parenting Our Childhood Instead of Our Children

The other day in session, I heard a phrase that stopped me in my tracks:“Parents are parenting their childhood instead of their children.” It wasn’t from a book or podcast — it came directly from a client.And what made it even more interesting is that, like many of my clients, this person is also aContinue reading “Parenting Our Childhood Instead of Our Children”

CBT for Chronic Pain: A New Service at Navarro Counseling

I’m excited to share that I have officially completed training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP) and received my certification. As someone who has personally lived with chronic pain, I know how deeply it affects not just your body, but also your emotions, thoughts, and daily life. That’s why I am so gratefulContinue reading “CBT for Chronic Pain: A New Service at Navarro Counseling”

Beat the Weekend Heat: Mental Health Tips for South Florida This Friday & Beyond

As South Florida braces for another scorching weekend (July 25–27), with daytime highs climbing into the mid‑90s and heat indices topping 105°F, it’s more important than ever to recognize how extreme heat affects our minds—not just our bodies—and leverage our Sunshine State perks to stay cool, connected, and calm. 1. Heat & Anxiety High temperatures triggerContinue reading “Beat the Weekend Heat: Mental Health Tips for South Florida This Friday & Beyond”

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”

Hurricane Season Trauma: Coping Strategies for South Florida Residents and First Responders

Summer 2025 is expected to have a high number of Atlantic hurricanes, raising concerns in South Florida. Anxiety spikes among residents due to stressful storm preparations, with many experiencing PTSD-like symptoms post-event. Support resources are emphasized for both residents and first responders to cope with the psychological impacts of disasters effectively.

💛 Loving the Unlovable: How Compassion Can Transform Your Mental Health

The post discusses the transformative power of compassion over resentment when dealing with those who have caused us harm. It highlights the mental health benefits of practicing compassion, which include reduced anxiety and improved clarity. The author emphasizes that compassion does not excuse harmful behavior but frees us from emotional burdens while advocating for healthy boundaries.

🧠 10 Stoic Quotes That Changed My Mental Health (And Might Help Yours Too)

✨ “We suffer more in imagination than in reality.” — Seneca

This one Stoic quote changed the way I manage anxiety—both in my own life and in my work as a therapist. So often, our stress comes not from the moment we’re in, but from the story we’re telling ourselves about what might happen.

I put together a list of 10 powerful Stoic quotes that have helped me and my clients build resilience, emotional control, and peace of mind.

🧠 Read the full list here: [your website/blog link]
#MentalHealth #Stoicism #TherapistThoughts #EmotionalWellness #CognitiveBehavioralTherapy

The Emotional Cloud: Why We “Hear” Our Feelings More Than Our Thoughts

Every once in a while, something hits me during a session with a client, prompting me to explore a concept I call the “emotional cloud.” It’s an idea many of us can relate to: being so overwhelmed by an emotion that its intensity makes it nearly impossible to recognize or consider any logical choices inContinue reading “The Emotional Cloud: Why We “Hear” Our Feelings More Than Our Thoughts”

Self-Sabotage: The Blinding Allure of Short-Term Gratification

Recently, in my therapy sessions, a couple of clients shared a striking insight: “When I am self-sabotaging, I only see the good in what I’m doing at the moment. I don’t see the chaos that it creates in the long run.” This self-sabotaging behavior, while common, can be incredibly destructive. In this blog post, we’llContinue reading “Self-Sabotage: The Blinding Allure of Short-Term Gratification”

“What Causes Executive Dysfunction, and Can You Overcome It?”

Have you ever found yourself wondering why simple tasks feel insurmountable, or why your motivation seems to slip through your fingers? The phenomenon of executive dysfunction poses these questions. In this article, we will delve into the factors that can trigger executive dysfunction, exploring the cognitive, biological, and emotional causes that underlie this complex challenge.Continue reading ““What Causes Executive Dysfunction, and Can You Overcome It?””

Coping with an Aging Parent: Navigating Cognitive Decline with Compassion

Introduction Caring for an aging parent can be a challenging and emotional journey, particularly when cognitive decline is involved. As our loved ones age, they may experience changes in memory, cognition, and behavior, which can place additional stress on family relationships. In this article, we will explore strategies and insights to help you navigate theContinue reading “Coping with an Aging Parent: Navigating Cognitive Decline with Compassion”

Jean Piaget and the Art of Child-Parent Communication

Introduction Effective communication between parents and children is a cornerstone of healthy child development. One of the pioneers in the field of child psychology, Dr. Jean Piaget, has provided valuable insights into how children think, learn, and communicate. This paper explores the life and work of Dr. Piaget, and offers practical tips for parents toContinue reading “Jean Piaget and the Art of Child-Parent Communication”

The Evolution of Meditation in Psychotherapy: Benefits and Effective Techniques for Managing Anxiety and Negative Thoughts

Introduction The integration of meditation into psychotherapy represents a significant evolution in the field of mental health treatment. Over the years, meditation has emerged as a valuable therapeutic tool, offering a holistic approach to managing psychological challenges. This paper explores the evolution of meditation in psychotherapy, highlighting its benefits, and provides tips on the mostContinue reading “The Evolution of Meditation in Psychotherapy: Benefits and Effective Techniques for Managing Anxiety and Negative Thoughts”

The Power of Anxiety…

I always say that every good therapist’s first client is themselves. We’re just like everyone else we’ve just learned more coping skills than most and went to school for a long time. However it was in that gauntlet of colleges, universities and grad school in which I learned the tools I needed to combat myContinue reading “The Power of Anxiety…”

Fighting Paralysis

By Ray Navarro MS I know I probably should’ve told some of you about this earlier but sometimes a blessing can appear to be a curse. This is a good thing for me, be happy for me. We learn from suffering, it is the ultimate teacher and I am looking forward to evolving…

We defy Foundation Veterans Day event

Hey guys as an abassador at the We Defy Foundation Im proud to invite you to join us this Veterans Day in celebrating and honoring those that risk their lives everyday for us. Whether you want to sign up you and your friends for a 5k run or your a dojo that is willing toContinue reading “We defy Foundation Veterans Day event”

Boise’s Leading Local News: Weather, Traffic, Sports and more | Boise, Idaho | KTVB.com | ktvb.com

Boise’s Leading Local News: Weather, Traffic, Sports and more | Boise, Idaho | KTVB.com | ktvb.com — Read on http://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ktvb.com/amp/article/news/health/coronavirus/fear-of-coronavirus-long-term-quarantine-negatively-affects-mental-health-university-of-idaho-study-finds/277-6c63cd8a-8dac-4ad7-b18d-2e2b559f7b47 I usually don’t post news articles on this site But it’s important to understand where we are in the battle with mental health and the effect that the coronavirus is having on it. While we’veContinue reading “Boise’s Leading Local News: Weather, Traffic, Sports and more | Boise, Idaho | KTVB.com | ktvb.com”

Everyone needs a passion, this is just a few reasons jiu jitsu is mine…

https://www.jiujitsutimes.com/why-jiu-jitsu-people-never-shut-up-about-jiu-jitsu/?fbclid=IwAR0prAzzzmgbh7QdH2_5U5DeBgeqhDqBTngNkI7AJUGViEAG8ah9D0JM5e8

Researchers Doubt That Certain Mental Disorders Are Disorders At All

What if mental disorders like anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder aren’t mental disorders at all? — Read on http://www.forbes.com/sites/alisonescalante/2020/08/11/researchers-doubt-that-certain-mental-disorders-are-disorders-at-all/amp/ Just wanted to share this interesting perspective on mental disorders. Comments?

6 Trauma Sensitive yoga and mindfulness tools to support youth

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17MXTJbzC087CIwVkrKfgkPXHkoa31h0T/view?usp=sharing Every day that we wake up we are struggling with the trauma of living in a pandemic. Maybe some of us adults can get through it but our kids, most of them, have not developed the skills they need to move forward. The resource I found for yoga and mindfulness tools is a greatContinue reading “6 Trauma Sensitive yoga and mindfulness tools to support youth”

How an anxious person might act vs What they’re thinking and feeling

As someone who deals with anxiety, something I’m commonly aware of is that how I might act towards someone may not provide a clear indication of how … How an anxious person might act vs What they’re thinking and feeling

How to recover from depression….

“Depression loves me”….. You may have said this to yourself many times… You are not alone…. Most of us have depression issues…. And we can’t blame … How to recover from depression…. Really interesting article. But I like the most is that all of the suggestions can be done right now, today, from your home.Continue reading “How to recover from depression….”

Progressive muscle relaxation is a great way to start a #Saturdaymorning

https://youtu.be/7wLIaCe-gaM This video is also available on the resources page https://navarrotherapy.com/resources-database/

World Suicide Prevention Day: A Look at Suicide Attempt Survivors

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. It’s also National Suicide Prevention Week and National Suicide Prevention Month (that’s a lot of awareness!).… World Suicide Prevention Day: A Look at Suicide Attempt Survivors

Blog responses

Virus vs Quarantine? Mental vs physical health?

What Is an Existential Crisis?

By Arlin Cuncic / Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW (From Very Well Mind Website) What Is an Existential Crisis? An existential crisis refers to feelings … What Is an Existential Crisis? Such an amazing read that I had to share. As we get older and wiser we start asking questions that can cause crazy anxiety. Well written

The Overwhelming Sound of Pain

by Ray Navarro 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 physical or mental? When I was growing up there was a constant debate about nurture vs nature. People argued their pointContinue reading “The Overwhelming Sound of Pain”

Jiu jitsu for the mind… but the teacher is the guide. Oss

If you don’t know, now you know. So proud of prof Nei and my dojo. #Jiujitsu is the ultimate therapy and I should know as a therapist. #anxiety #depression follow me on Instagram @navarrotherapy

Can Online Therapy Help with Stress? — * PsyFact – Mental Health Service *

By Arlin Cuncic / Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW (From Very Well Mind Website) Are you interested in learning whether online therapy can help with stress? Whether you are currently receiving in-person therapy and looking to transition or wanting to start therapy for the first time through an online platform, this form of treatment isContinue reading “Can Online Therapy Help with Stress? — * PsyFact – Mental Health Service *”