• Dealing with Generational Family Conflict

    There are many sources of generational family conflict; disagreements, misunderstandings, and tensions that can arise between family members of different generations. These conflicts can be influenced by a variety of factors, including differences in values, beliefs, lifestyles, and communication styles. Have you ever found yourself engaged in a conversation something like this: “Back in my day . . .” “Things aren’t the same for you as they are for me.” “You just don’t want to work.” “Well, you don’t [...]

  • Understanding Narcissism

    The term “narcissist” is used in popular culture to define anyone who is vain, arrogant, or brimming with confidence. This makes for an unpleasant person to deal with, and perhaps the sort of person you would rather avoid. However, the psychological understanding of narcissism goes a little deeper, and those who are in a relationship with a narcissist, or work for one, may benefit from understanding a little more about this trait. When we don’t have the option of [...]

  • What Healing from Infidelity Can Look Like

    Dealing with infidelity, separation, or divorce in a marriage is one of the most disruptive, emotionally tumultuous chapters in anyone’s life. It can take years to sort through your emotions and find some kind of closure, enough to move on and start again. Before you see some sort of resolution, however, there will be a period where you cycle through all different kinds of thoughts and feelings. Infidelity doesn’t only damage a marriage, but it causes all manner of harm [...]

  • Shedding Light on PTSD

    People with PTSD are often told to “get over it” as if it is something that they can control. When we are uneducated on the real struggles others face, we contribute to their suffering, even when we might be well-intentioned. We must educate ourselves, not just so that we can positively impact those around us when they struggle with their mental health, but so that we can know that we are not overreacting when we go through something ourselves. [...]

  • Anger Problems: How They Affect Relationships and How to Overcome Them

    Would you consider yourself a person with anger problems? Most of us probably have a mental image of what we think an angry person looks like, and it probably isn’t us. There are some well-known ways to express anger that are often understood to be what anger is all about. Incidents of road rage that go viral, instances of domestic abuse, or fights breaking out between sports fans often come to mind when the word “anger” is mentioned. Anger [...]

  • Music and Mental Health: Beethoven’s Music and How Our Brains React

    Why Music is Good for Us I have to admit my bias: I am a marching band mom. Yes, one of those. I am also the mother of a teen with ADHD and Anxiety. I used to play the flute in middle school. I have admitted all of my biases, let me explain why I love music and why it’s wonderful for our brains. The Pacific Symphony’s website states “Studies have shown that engaging with music can lead to increased [...]

  • Chronic Loneliness: Is It a Thing?

    Chronic loneliness is loneliness that persists for a long period of time and does not go away. You feel detached from others, as though you don’t belong, and are unable to find anyone you can connect with on a deep level. Although it is not a diagnosable mental health condition, left unaddressed, it can affect you both physically and emotionally. Reasons People Become Lonely Loneliness is a subjective emotional experience. The way you perceive and experience your social interactions and [...]

  • Social Media and Teens: The Upside and the Downside

    According to a 2023 report by the Surgeon General Advisory, teens who spend over three hours a day on social media “double the risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes, including symptoms of depression and anxiety.” Not all teens, however, are affected the same way. Studies have linked social media to both healthy and unhealthy effects on mental health. How much time a teen spends on social media is not the only determining factor, but also how they use [...]

  • Relationship Advice for Men: How to Take a Breakup Well

    Relationships don’t always work out the way you would like. Instead of finding the person you’ll spend the rest of your life with, you can end up feeling dejected and heartbroken because expectation and reality collide with horrible results. Heartbreak is common for both men and women, but how we handle those challenges and disappointments will vary from person to person. A breakup can happen for several reasons at any stage of a relationship. Maybe you just weren’t compatible, [...]