Leaning in to Gratitude During Seasons of Stress
Alana Akong Alana Akong

Leaning in to Gratitude During Seasons of Stress

Cultivating a gratitude practice offers our protective parts a chance to feel calm and more at ease. Our minds exist to keep us safe, to ensure we eat, sleep, and avoid real threats, such as a speeding train and perceived threats like the unknown. Learning to recognize and acknowledge the things we are grateful for reminds us that we are safe in the present moment, and it allows us to feel more grounded in the positive aspects of our lives.

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How to Listen When Your Body Says ‘Slow Down" for the Overstimulated Mom
Jacqueline Fidelman Jacqueline Fidelman

How to Listen When Your Body Says ‘Slow Down" for the Overstimulated Mom

Many of my clients come to me searching for solutions to make the anxiety stop, hoping for some magic fix that will take it away completely. But what if, instead of trying to make it stop, we acknowledged it as our body’s alarm system? What if we used this hyperarousal as a signal to actually listen to our bodies—to recognize when it’s time to slow down, take a breath, and give ourselves permission to pause?

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Clinical Minute: A Journey of Self-Reflection and Release
Alana Akong Alana Akong

Clinical Minute: A Journey of Self-Reflection and Release

Every autumn, trees shed their leaves to preserve their nutrients and survive the winter. Letting go of their leaves offers hope for a fresh start in the Spring. This change in season invites us to reflect on letting go and refocusing on personal growth.

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Inviting Anger In: Is Anger Really the Enemy?
Madison Montalbano Madison Montalbano

Inviting Anger In: Is Anger Really the Enemy?

Often behind anger are unmet needs and part of our work is taking time to be curious about what  we do need and finding safe ways to do so. It can feel overwhelming to explore how anger shows  up in your life on your own.

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Asking For Help: A Complicated Coping Skill? 
Madison Montalbano Madison Montalbano

Asking For Help: A Complicated Coping Skill? 

Some may view asking for help as a sign of weakness or shortcoming when in  reality being able to ask for help is a sign of strength. It is a sign of knowing ourselves,  our needs, and our limitations.  

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Creating Connection During Times of Transition
Alana Akong Alana Akong

Creating Connection During Times of Transition

Changes in our routine can often trigger feelings of anxiety, making it more difficult to plan, organize, and complete even simple tasks for ourselves and our families. When we are mindful, we are able to recognize our patterns and explore new ways of approaching new and familiar situations. 

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Check In: Are We Living According to Our Own Standards?
Madison Montalbano Madison Montalbano

Check In: Are We Living According to Our Own Standards?

We’re constantly being given messages about who we should be, how we should live, and what’s right and wrong both overtly and covertly from the time we are small children. These messages come from society at large, pop culture, our families, friends and communities. Part of the hard work around growing up and individuating is sifting through these messages to locate our own standards and values.

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3 Myths About Self-Compassion
Alana Akong Alana Akong

3 Myths About Self-Compassion

For many, self-compassion can feel like unfamiliar territory, making it difficult to put to use. In practice, self-compassion is not about right or wrong but about observing your inner voice and feelings. Here we discuss common myths that get in the way of practicing self-compassion.

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The Case for Self-Compassion
Alana Akong Alana Akong

The Case for Self-Compassion

It’s often difficult to feel like we are doing our best, especially when we still have much to do. So, how do we aim to feel better in a world that tells us we are not enough? That question leads us to make a case for self-compassion.

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Three Reminders From Your Therapist in the New Year
Alana Akong Alana Akong

Three Reminders From Your Therapist in the New Year

Happy New Year! Talking to a licensed therapist is a helpful way to reset, reflect, and process lessons from the previous year and your new years resolutions. Here are three reminders, no matter where you are in your therapeutic journey.

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Clinical Minute: 5 Conversations to Have Before Baby
Alana Akong Alana Akong

Clinical Minute: 5 Conversations to Have Before Baby

Alana is trained in perinatal mental health and works with couples and individuals as they navigate transitions through pregnancy and parenthood. Check out her article discussing 5 conversations to have before welcoming a new baby to your family.

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