Blog

As more and more Americans search for mental health help for themselves or their loved ones, they are often confronted by the idea of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which is a common type of talk therapy. Many therapists are recommending it to patients as a way of treating a wide range of issues. Structurally talking through these issues can help people identify and cope with the changes in their life and hopefully address those emotional challenges so they can move on.

There's not a relationship in existence that isn't plagued with its share of adversities. Just like Mars and Venus are two different planets; men and women speak two different languages. But it's not impossible to learn what the other is saying, or how to speak in a manner they'll understand. Just as it is with learning any new language, all it takes is the right tools. With 10 years of specialized experience in family and couples counseling, Jodi Mitchell has the tools you need to turn your relationship into the one you, not only long for; but deserve.

We have all been there. One second you are going about your day and then BAM, you are paralyzed by a crippling panic attack that is waging war inside your chest. You can't breathe. You can't think. You can't fight it. What is the "it" you may ask? It is anxiety. It is the weight of an elephant sitting on your chest. It is the dark rain cloud hovering over your head on a beautiful, sunny day. Anxiety is the unwelcome friend that is constantly bringing up your past problems or future worries and plays them repeatedly in your head; or, as my favorite author calls it, "The Feedback Loop From Hell".

When suffering from anxiety, it is important to know that there are tools and resources available to help you cope with this health concern. There are many techniques available for you to use at home while trying to improve your anxiety. For those times in your life when at-home techniques are simply not enough, counseling can be an important tool.

Making the decision to go to therapy can be tough to make, and it is not a decision that is taken lightly by those who go down that path. Those who choose to seek help from a professional are making the first steps to bettering their mental and emotional well-being. Talking to a professional will give someone experiencing depression the opportunity to talk to someone who knows the symptoms and someone who will help them navigate the next steps.

When deciding whether to start couples counseling, it may be difficult to convince your partner. If you and your partner are having communication issues, seeking outside help can be the best decision. If your partner believes your relationship is good and no help is needed it will be hard to convince them otherwise, but not impossible.

Bridget Jones's Diary stars Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones and Colin Firth and Hugh Grant as her two possible love interests. Who will Bridget finally end up with? The sweet, serious, slightly geeky guy who steals her heart or the absurdly sexy, cheating boss that she's having an affair with? Believe it or not, this is a problem many of us face in daily life--having to choose between the nice guy and the "bad boy" who nonetheless has a lot of appeal. But we all need to find someone supportive who is willing to give as well as take in a relationship.

Between gift exchanges, workplace holiday parties, and seeing extended family, it's easy to see why the holidays can be a stressful time of year. For people who have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, that stress level can rise through the roof, so it's particularly important to give your mind the gift of self-care during the holiday season.

​We look forward to the holiday season with innocent excitement, as small children, however, as adults, the holidays tend to bring with them increased levels of stress and anxiety. Much of this anxiety revolves around spending increased amounts of time with extend family. Whether it's your in-laws or your own parents, no one knows quite how to push your buttons like family. This can be especially draining on someone with a history of anxiety or depression. Applying some of the basic tenets of family therapy theory can help to lessen the stress of a variety of holiday situations.

​Receiving a diagnosis for PTSD can be scary, it can even cause even more anxiety and depression. Where do you go for there? Many people don't want to take medication, and it may not always be needed. The important thing is to start talking to someone about it.