Social Media and Body Image
Does looking at people on social media who seem to have perfect bodies and perfect lives depress you or make you feel inadequate? If so, you are not alone. Studies indicate that the unrealistic beauty ideals promoted by social media (increasingly digitally altered to look great) are a contributing factor to negative body image and disordered eating. Comparison is the thief of joy. – Theodore Roosevelt What is Body Image? Body image is the way you see yourself and feel about yourself, as [...]
What Every Parent Should Know Before Working With a Child Therapist
Starting therapy for your child is not significantly different from venturing into an unfamiliar, uncharted territory, wondering what might come at you. It’s a poignant step in supporting their emotional and mental health, and it’s natural to have questions or concerns about the process and how a child therapist might help. The great thing about working with a child therapist is that it’s a tried and tested collaborative effort between the therapist, your child, and you as a parent. The goal is to [...]
10 Tips for Preventing an Anger Outburst
An anger outburst is an intense and sudden expression of anger. A variety of factors can cause anger outbursts, including frustration, perceived wrongs, and stress. Anger itself is a natural and normal emotion. However, excessive anger can damage you and others. It’s essential to learn how to manage anger in effective and healthy ways. How Anger Damages Relationships Anger affects relationships in negative ways. When anger is not managed carefully and wisely. It can wreak havoc in relationships. Problems can include communication breakdown, [...]
Small Clues to Big Signs of Depression in Children
Have you ever imagined that your child, who always seems happy and cheerful, could be hiding a deep struggle? He or she always wears a smile, tells you everything is “great,” or “fine”, appears to brush off any challenges, and never displays negative emotions so as not to burden others. While this jovial attitude might seem perfect, what if it’s actually masking something much darker, such as depression in children? Signs of depression in children sometimes surprisingly hide behind the most unexpected and [...]
Dealing with Codependency in Friendships
The book of Proverbs, which is one of the wisdom books in the Bible, has this to say about friendship: One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother – Proverbs 18:24, NIV This book, and the rest of the Bible, has a lot more to say about friends and friendship, but there’s a sense in which this verse is a great summary of it all. Some friends will lead to ruin, [...]
Toxic Couples: How to Identify Toxic Behaviors and Avoid an Unhealthy Relationship
It’s a good bet that most families, communities, circles of friends, and neighborhoods have at least one of them. That one couple who makes you groan, “Oh no. I hope nothing will happen this time” when they are coming to an event, be it Thanksgiving dinner, a block party, outdoor movie night, gallery opening, church service, or a wedding. You hold your breath hoping there’s no drama until it’s over.One way to describe a couple like the one alluded to is “toxic.” That word [...]