Author: Lifestance Health

By Nicholette Leanza, LPCC-S When we feel overwhelmed, we may inadvertently disconnect ourselves from our body which can lead us to be absent in some aspects of our own lives. Experiencing trauma can be the trigger to disconnecting from our bodies and it can be a defense mechanism we use to protect us from perceived harmful situations or feelings. Being present in the moment…

By Carl Nassar, Ph.D., LPC, CIIPTS Self-compassion is among the greatest gifts you can give yourself. Being harsh with yourself is, well, hard on yourself: It hinders growth and causes self-esteem issues. When you’re constantly belittling your progress or comparing yourself to the other people around you, there is little to no satisfaction or joy. You’ll struggle to move forward because the mistakes of your…

How are you? It’s a question you may hear nearly every day, but how often do you give an honest and accurate answer? Chances are that you usually answer with something like “Fine!” or “Good!” Some people may occasionally admit they are “not great” or “a little under the weather.” But people rarely give an accurate answer to this routine question. It’s likely not…

By Nicholette Leanza, LPCC-S We cannot selectively numb emotions, when we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive emotions. – Brené Brown Emotions help color our lives. Ones that we may consider positive, like happiness and excitement, can feel great. But the ones that we deem uncomfortable, like sadness and anxiety, can be the ones we desperately want to avoid. Some examples…

It’s impossible to deny the toll that the pandemic has taken on children and teens. While COVID-19 itself has not been as dangerous for their physical health, mental health issues have risen sharply in response to the pandemic. Heartbreakingly, at least 40,000 minors in the United States are grieving a parent who died from COVID-19. Many more have lost grandparents, teachers, and other important…

While popular media would have people believe that Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) exclusively affects adults, children can develop the condition. In fact, as many as one in 100 kids live with OCD. Parents who know about this disorder’s symptoms, causes, and treatment options can look out for signs of OCD in children and help their kids if the problem ever arises. [post_cta title="Worried about your…