Therapy Thursday

In this episode we dive into why validation is so important to us, how we so often get it wrong, and offer tips on how to do it better. Learning how to better validate people's emotions (including your own) can be a key step in improving overall mental health!

Gaslighting has become a very popular phrase to be thrown around during arguments, but most of the time I hear it being used, it is being used incorrectly. Gaslighting is not just lying or remembering events differently. In this episode we discuss exactly what gaslighting is, what it is not, and how you can tell the difference. 

If you've ever heard someone say "Well that's just how I am because I'm from New York" or "I'm a Scorpio so I can't help it" or anything like that, to justify misbehavior or mistreating other people, we need to put a stop to that. No more excuses. 

Despite experiencing mental health concerns at the same rate as women, men are significantly less likely to seek help or treatment for it. In this episode, we talk about how big a problem that actually is, and one shift of thinking that might help.

Sleep is one of the closest links between our physical health and mental/emotional health. In addition to good sleep health habits, knowing your chronotype can also help you improve your sleep health, and thus improve your mental health.

September is National Suicide Awareness & Prevention month, so on today's episode we talk about suicide's warning signs, risk indicators, protective factors, and more, including what you can do specifically if you fear someone in your life is contemplating suicide. For immediate assistance, dial 988 to be connected with the suicide hotline and mental health emergency services in your area. 

Many people wonder what is the difference between setting a boundary versus trying to control someone. The short answer is this: boundaries are focused on your life, control is focused on other peoples' lives. Listen to find out more. 

As important as feelings are, they are not everything. This week we talk specifically about what feelings are not, and what are their limitations.

In the world of therapy, we do a lot of work about our thoughts - which is a good thing! But in our efforts we sometimes take the talk about thoughts a little too far. So today let's talk about the things that thoughts are not: thoughts are not facts, thoughts are not our identity, and thoughts are not completely in our control. 

Some very exciting news this week: I have officially launched my private practice and am accepting new clients! Head to tjcounselicg.com to find out more!

Now the sad news: I am not accepting insurance. In this episode I talk about why that is, and how insurance companies are making access to mental health care so difficult.