After School Connection: Let’s Find A Better Option Than “How Was Your Day”
You’re with your kids at the end of the day and you want to connect with them, hear about their day, and be a resource for anything they’re struggling with. For most people, the question that slips out almost automatically is “how was your day?”. What comes next is...
Do We Have To Be Fighting to Be in Couples Therapy?
When you think of couples therapy, most people conjure images of two people on a couch, angry and distant, trying to find a way to reconnect and “save” their marriage. Sometimes that’s exactly what it looks like, but there are so many other situations where couples...
Be a Better Mental Health Ally: 7 Stigmatizing Phrases and What To Say Instead
Chances are, you’ve either said or heard each of these phrases. While not typically used with ill-intent, imagine for a moment being someone who experiences the mental health challenges described, and how you might interpret these statements. Small, intentional...
What to Expect in Your First Counseling Session
So you made the decision to start therapy. You sorted through lists of available therapists, found Star Meadow, and made an appointment. Congratulations! This is the hardest step, and we’re so proud of you for taking it. For most people who have never been to therapy...
3 Unconventional Ways to Stop a Panic Attack
Panic attacks feel different for everyone, but typically include sensations like a pounding heart, sweating, a feeling of terror, constricted or rapid breathing, and feeling as though the room is closing in on you or spinning. Regardless of how they present, a...
Deep Breathing: Why Do It?
If you have ever felt frustrated by being told to just "take a deep breath" when you are feeling angry or anxious, you aren't alone. It's difficult to heed this advice when, in the moment, the mind and body are distracted or dysregulated. The adage of "just breathe"...
How to Disobey “Worthless” Thoughts
If you believe you are “worthless,” it can bring on crushing feelings of depression and shame. But worthlessness doesn't only impact how you feel. It also profoundly impacts what you do next. When you believe you are “worthless,” you might: Not ask for help Silence...
The 12 Best Mental Health Apps
Modern technology can be an amazing supplement to professional counseling. Check out these 12 Apps that come recommended for recovery from depression, eating disorders, PTSD, insomnia, and anxiety. DEPRESSION RECOVERY APPS 1. TalkLife (online support tool)...
7 Skills to Try When You Feel “Overwhelmed”
Have you ever felt completely overcome by an intense emotions? Have feelings at times felt challenging to manage and overcome? The experience of being “overwhelmed” is uncomfortable and impactful in your life at work, home, or school. Defining "Overwhelm" Emotional...
Exposure and Response Prevention for Effective OCD Treatment
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that involves purposefully exposing yourself to feared stimuli or situations in order to learn a new way of responding to them. If you struggle with OCD, this explanation of...