5 Ways to Help Someone Battling Addiction & Substance Abuse Issues

5 Ways to Help Someone Battling Addiction & Substance Abuse Issues

If you know someone who is struggling with addiction and substance abuse issues, you must understand that it may feel difficult for them to reach out for help. In the United States alone, millions of people struggle with addiction. It is important to reiterate that they are not alone in their struggles and have a strong team ready to support them every step throughout the recovery process.

Unfortunately, addiction not only impacts the specific individual, but it can impact family and friends as well.

Addiction can cause:

  • Financial issues

  • Legal obstacles

  • Changes in the addict’s behavior

  • The sadness of seeing a loved one struggle

Understanding addiction is not an easy undertaking. Treatment options can seem overwhelming or even confusing at times. It is completely understandable that you are worried about your loved ones and want to find effective ways to help them. You must always remember that recovery is not always the perfect solution.

4 Ways to Celebrate Self-Improvement Month

4 Ways to Celebrate Self-Improvement Month

Happy Self-Improvement Month! Self-Improvement Month takes place every September. Generally, everyone wants to improve themselves in some way, shape, or form and this month presents itself as the perfect opportunity to do so. One of the best aspects of self-improvement is that it can be uniquely tailored to fit your needs. In other words, it can take on different forms and have distinct meanings for each person!

From a young age, we are taught to do well in our schoolwork and extracurricular activities. As we get older, these responsibilities shift to a larger scale- from paying bills to raising children. It can often seem like you prioritize your responsibilities over your own mental and physical well-being. It is important to know that, regardless of your age or obligations, self-improvement and personal development should never be paused.

The Difference Between Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression

The Difference Between Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression

From depictions in movies and television shows to social media posts, motherhood is portrayed as a wholly joyful and even effortless experience. While becoming a parent is undeniably a cheerful time in your life, it can also bring new challenging experiences. While many mothers brace themselves for sleepless nights and limitless love, you may not have adequately expected or prepared for the emotional rollercoaster of postpartum depression and anxiety.

Many new moms may experience “baby blues''. Baby blues refers to a period of sadness that mothers feel after giving birth. This typically occurs the first few days after having a baby. You may begin to feel this unhappiness two to three days after your baby’s birth and these feelings can persist for up to two weeks.

Your Guide To Online Therapy

Your Guide To Online Therapy

The COVID-19 pandemic undeniably altered the way that the world operates and the world of counseling is no exception. The world had to adapt in quick, efficient ways and teletherapy quickly came to the rescue. While online therapy existed prior to the global pandemic and we always provided it to our clients, the onset of COVID-19 greatly contributed to the rise in its popularity. Even in a post-pandemic world, many experts suspect that teletherapy is here to stay. So, what exactly is telehealth counseling?

Simply, telehealth therapy is a therapy that is provided by a licensed therapist via a secure online or phone connection. Modern software permits this type of online mental health support, ensuring the safety of personal information in therapy sessions. Online talking therapy can be more convenient for both the therapist and the client. Additionally, a significant amount of research has proven that telehealth counseling is just as effective as traditional, in-person counseling. Broadly, teletherapy is any form of remote therapy where a therapist and their client can communicate.

The 5 Major Causes for Divorce and How to Avoid Them

The 5 Major Causes for Divorce and How to Avoid Them

You may feel as if your relationship has recently become a raw nerve. Every little thing is hitting that nerve and triggering an argument. You and your partner can not seem to get through a day without fighting. It feels absolutely exhausting. It may seem like there is no other option but to take time apart. You find you are walking on eggshells in fear of triggering the next disagreement. You both are growing further apart from one another.

Don’t lose hope yet- there may be a way to heal this raw nerve and decrease the frequency and intensity of arguments. Seeking out couples counseling and better understanding the risks for divorce can help you significantly shift the dynamics that have been occurring in your marriage. Identifying the common communication errors and working on minimizing them will make a positive change in how you relate to one another.

Starting A Conversation About Mental Health with Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka

Starting A Conversation About Mental Health with Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka

The world experienced an alarming and devastating international health crisis known as COVID-19 or Coronavirus. While this pandemic was consistently reported on, there was another catastrophe taking place at the same time- a mental health crisis. It was common for people to experience anxiety due to COVID-19 and its unknown long-term effects. If you need assistance managing post-pandemic anxiety, check out our past blog post, “How To Return To ‘Normal’ With Post Pandemic Anxiety”. Understandably, the pandemic has impacted each one of our lives in unique ways. We have had to respond to stressful and overwhelming situations that have caused troubling emotions. Luckily, we all can cope with stress in a healthy way which can make us more resilient.

Within recent years, there has been a widespread movement to dissolve the negative connotation surrounding mental health. Compassion, education, and personal attitudes towards mental health have successfully confronted the mental health stigma. The mental health stigma has been addressed and challenged by many, including athletes. Recently, Simone Biles, an American gymnast, and Naomi Osaka, a Japanese professional tennis player, have opened the doors for open conservations surrounding mental health. The brave decision on behalf of both of these women is actively altering the ‘norms’ of professional sports and people with celebrity status.

5 Ways to Support your LGBTQIA+ Teen

5 Ways to Support your LGBTQIA+ Teen

A member of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) community, particularly a teenager, is vulnerable to feeling unsafe and unwelcome in many environments. For your teenager to grow healthily, parental support is needed. In other words, the home and family unit should be a safe space for your LGBTQIA+ teen to be themselves and feel encouraged. Regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, all teenagers want to feel loved and accepted by their parents. Given the numerous societal challenges that an LGBTQIA+ teen must go through, parental support becomes even more important.

How Does Child Play Therapy Work?

How Does Child Play Therapy Work?

As an adult, when you are not feeling as if you are performing at an optimal level or you stop trying hard to be the best version of yourself, it is possible to express the situations and/or emotions that are negatively impacting you. Although it may not always be easy, adults have the ability to recognize and communicate any emotional or mental health problems they may be going through. On the other hand, children do not have that capacity. While some children may simply be too young to be able to reveal their feelings, there are several reasons why emotional disclosure may not be occurring. Some children may struggle to verbally express themselves, some may be introverted, and some may feel too vulnerable sharing their troubles. While adults express themselves by talking, children speak the language of play. Therefore, play therapy can be extremely helpful in assisting in the exploration of your child’s worries since it is an activity that feels comfortable to them.

Child play therapy is a type of therapy tailored for children. This form of child counseling uses play to investigate children’s emotional and mental health problems. Children survey their feelings through play and share them with their therapist. Play therapy counseling is an effective approach to kid therapy that enhances children’s standard communication and learning processes. Child play therapy gives kids the opportunity to explore their emotions while creating solutions to their problems. Many children are frightened by the typical hospital or clinical environment or unwilling to express their emotions in this type of setting, so play therapy is the perfect resolution!

3 Ways to Help Your Child Express and Manage their Emotions

3 Ways to Help Your Child Express and Manage their Emotions

While parenting is one of the most rewarding gifts in the world, it can be undoubtedly difficult at times, particularly if you are dealing with a child who may act out. Meltdowns happen, especially with toddlers, but, for some children, emotional outbursts and impulsive reactions may persist. Crying is a normal response to overwhelming feelings, such as stress, irritability, and fright, regardless of age; however, some children may cry more often, get excessively passionate, and reach a level of annoyance quicker than other kids.

Emotional control is the capacity to govern emotions to:

  • Reach goals

  • Finish duties or chores

  • Manage behavior

Everything You Need To Know About Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Everything You Need To Know About Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy, often referred to as CBT, is a therapy technique that can help you transform your behavior by altering your thought patterns. In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), you can learn how to identify and change harmful or alarming thought patterns that have a negative effect on your behavior and emotions. The automatic negative thoughts that you experience have a damaging impact on your mood. By engaging in behavioral counseling and becoming aware of negative thinking, you can respond to difficult situations more effectively and precisely.

Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), your thoughts are:

  • Identified

  • Challenged

  • Replaced with more positive, practical thoughts

Do You Understand Your Self-Esteem?

Do You Understand Your Self-Esteem?

Simply, self-esteem refers to the complex mental states in which one views oneself. Self-esteem is the foundation for the construction of self-meaning, self-identity, self-image, and self-concepts. It is appreciation and likeness for yourself regardless of external factors.

There are numerous factors that can influence your self-esteem, including:

· Self-assurance

· Feeling of safety

· Identity

· Sense of belonging

· Feeling of capability

The evaluation of self that self-esteem permits is important to your mental and social welfare. Your self-esteem impacts your goals, personal dreams, emotional health, decision-making process, and social interactions with peers. Additionally, self-esteem impacts your motivation levels. Typically, if you have a high level of self-esteem, you have a healthy, optimistic view towards yourself which allows you to see your capabilities and can potentially encourage you to take on new obstacles. A high level of self-esteem can lead to advanced health and social behavior.

5 Ways Exercise Benefits Your Mental Health

5 Ways Exercise Benefits Your Mental Health

Typically, when you think of exercise, the physical benefits of movement immediately come to mind. It is known that regular exercise can help you:

  • Control your weight

  • Reduce your risk of diabetes

  • Lower your blood pressure

  • Increase your energy

In addition to these amazing advantages, did you know that exercise has psychological benefits as well?

Regular exercise has been proven to keep your memory sharp and ease symptoms of depression and anxiety. Lifestyle modifications are often used to improve quality of life and overall health, and exercise is no exception to these adjustments. Lifestyle changes that highlight moderate-intensity activity are the most beneficial. Additionally, the positive effects of movement on mental health encompass self-efficacy, social interaction, and distraction. Exercise has the ability to enhance your self-efficacy, also known as the belief in your capabilities. Movement can act as a form of social interaction in various ways. For instance, you may have a ‘workout buddy’ or you may engage in group classes. Lastly, exercise can act as a distraction from life stressors, giving you much needed time to mentally rejuvenate.

If you would like to learn about the mental health benefits of exercise, keep reading!

The Top Reasons Why You Should Practice Mindfulness

The Top Reasons Why You Should Practice Mindfulness

Do you need to clear your mind? Do you find it difficult to focus on one thing? If so, you might benefit from learning about mindfulness.

Mindfulness is our ability as humans to be fully aware and present of our current situations. When we are aware of where we are and what we are doing, it helps us not overreact or be overwhelmed by external circumstances. Regardless of your location or state of mind, mindfulness can help you center yourself and bring you back to a state of calmness. Everyone has access to mindfulness; you just need to know how to cultivate it.

How Meditation Can Lead To Stress Reduction

How Meditation Can Lead To Stress Reduction

As the COVID-19 pandemic is slowly coming to a halt and safety precautions are being lifted, people are returning to their pre-pandemic lives. The embrace of packed schedules can unfortunately create stress. A lot of people are feeling stressed during these times, particularly with work or school-related stress.

Some stressful life events may include:

  • Job loss

  • Starting a new job

  • Moving

  • Death of a loved one

  • Major illness or injury

  • Divorce

  • Marriage

  • Retirement

  • Transitioning to adulthood

  • Pregnancy

Broadly, stress can be described as a change that creates physical, emotional, or psychological tension. To help ease your worries, you can turn to meditation. Meditation is the active practice of training your concentration and awareness to achieve a clear and serene mental and emotional state.

How to be Alone without Being Lonely

How to be Alone without Being Lonely

As COVID-19 is coming to an end, everyone is adopting new changes yet again. While some people may be back in the office, others may be continuing to work remotely. People who were continuously surrounded by family or their ‘quarantine team’ for the past year and a half, may now be alone, getting back into the swing of a full-time schedule. Loneliness happens when you feel like your social and emotional needs are not being fulfilled. On the other hand, being alone can be a refreshing experience where you find much-needed serenity and solitude.

Reflecting on Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Reflecting on Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic

As the COVID-19 pandemic is slowly coming to a halt, people are finally resuming their pre-pandemic activities and busy schedules. While this requires an adjustment from the adopted “new” normal, many businesses are starting to boom again, and families and friends are being reunited. As society comes together to collectively battle the virus with mass vaccinations, an opportunity presents itself to reflect on how your mental health was impacted during quarantine and mandated social distancing. It is essential to understand personal reactions to the pandemic to conform to previous routines and re-enter society successfully.

Anchor Therapy Is Expanding Counseling Services in Hoboken, NJ!

Anchor Therapy Is Expanding Counseling Services in Hoboken, NJ!

At Anchor Therapy, we are currently accepting new clients and are now providing telehealth (video & phone) sessions for residents of New Jersey and New York as well as in-person sessions at our new office in downtown Hoboken, NJ! Anchor Therapy is a counseling center in Hoboken, NJ with psychotherapists specialized in helping children, teens, adults, and couples with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, substance abuse, addiction, identity, and life transitions.

The Best Ways To Cope With Life Transitions

The Best Ways To Cope With Life Transitions

Everyone experiences life transitions as they shift into a new chapter or role in their life. Some common examples are attending a new school, getting a new job, becoming a parent, getting married, losing someone, moving homes, opening a business, surviving a pandemic, and retiring. Since these life transitions are common and a lot of people experience them you may feel that you should be able to deal with it on your own since everyone else seems to. Just because others have experienced similar life transitions, it does not mean that it will be easy for you and you should not feel like you have to do it alone. In this blog I will discuss some common life transitions and how to cope with them. These coping tools can also apply to any life transition you are going through.

How To Return To "Normal" With Post Pandemic Anxiety

How To Return To "Normal" With Post Pandemic Anxiety

As we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel with the COVID-19 pandemic some people are starting to experience anxiety about having to return to their “normal” life. Since the pandemic lasted over a year, a lot of people have adjusted to a new normal that they’re now comfortable with. Because we have been told to stay home more and physically socially distance from others, it has led to people spending more and more time with the family they live with and people in their quarantine bubble. A lot of people had the luxury of working from home or anywhere that they can get access to WiFi. This led many people to move to a new location since they could truly work from anywhere. Now that millions of Americans are getting vaccinated, businesses and people in general are starting to discuss how they will operate after the COVID-19 is no longer a high risk. The thought about returning to normal has caused many people to feel anxious about making this transition.

How To Understand and Develop Boundaries in Relationships

How To Understand and Develop Boundaries in Relationships

The word “boundaries” gets thrown around often. What even are boundaries? Simply put, boundaries are guidelines or limits that send others a clear message. Boundaries are important for establishing a healthy relationship. Some of your current relationships may be lacking some boundaries at this time. It is not impossible to establish new boundaries, however it will take work, determination, and respect. Creating boundaries with family and friends can be very difficult. You have had a certain relationship with these individuals for months or years, and making changes in relationships is not a simple task.