With more than half of adults developing a mental illness at least once in their lifetime, it is always important to remember that just as much as relationships can affect our mental health, our mental health can also put a strain on our relationships and make communication and intimacy difficult. Let’s unpack some of the […]
Panic attacks are intense waves of fear that come unexpectedly and are debilitating in the moment. The most common symptoms are a racing heart, being unable to catch your breath, shaking, sweating, and sometimes even feeling like you’re dying or “going crazy”. Though many panic attacks happen without a clear trigger, it is helpful to […]
Whether you have been recently diagnosed with a chronic illness, have been diagnosed for some time, or have a loved one with a chronic illness, you know firsthand that chronic illnesses go far beyond their physical implications- they can completely complicate one’s mental health and how they view themselves. It can be devastating to have […]
Happy Friday Everyone! We are so excited to share some fascinating research projects that hold a lot of insight on how we can better our lives and our mental health! “Children who play adventurously have better mental health” Researchers from the University of Exeter have found that children who regularly partake in “adventurous play” have […]
As the first weeks of summer approach, many students are anxiously waiting for a summer full of sleepovers and summer camp, especially after a busy and hectic school year. Just as many students look toward their summer with a little apprehension, as they fear a loss of routine and a loss of activities they enjoyed- […]
A New LensAs we slowly move towards regaining the normalcy our lives once had before the COVID-19 pandemic, I am sure we have all felt a sense of relief and anticipation for what is to come. At the height of the pandemic, which called on us to socially distance, wear face coverings, and change the […]
“Hi everyone!How are you?When our sessions begin, we usually start with a “mood check.” Although there are clinical scales and inventories that can be used to assess someone’s mood, I prefer to simply ask, “How are you?” I might follow up with something like “Tell me about your mood today.” This morning, while I was getting […]
Things have been so up in the air and we are adjusting to so many sudden, unexpected changes in our lives lately. A lot of the focus has been on the impact the required quarantine has placed on our daily routines, schedules, and livelihoods, along with the recommendations to remain at home with our family […]
Dear Clients,We are writing to inform you of steps we have taken to address the unique challenges related to the coronavirus pandemic (also termed COVID-19).While the coronavirus is a physical health illness, it has significant mental health implications. The uncertainty posed by this public health emergency can cause stress and anxiety among many of us.Huntsville […]
Every time I hear those three words in sequence, I feel an increased awareness and preparation for what may be up next. With that being stated, I pose the question, are you ready to move? Are you ready for the next phase of your life; to accomplish your goals? Ready? This is the opportunity of […]
As you consider the options available for improving your mental and emotional well-being, you’ve likely come across support groups and group therapy sessions. Sure, they both involve a small group of people, but what’s they difference? Which one would be a better option for your situation? Support Groups Typically a support group is made […]
Maybe you’ve seen it in your children or those around you – higher levels of stress, feeling disconnected, depression, disorders such as ADHD. Recent studies show you are seeing what researchers are discovering: one in six kids is dealing with a mental health condition. One particular study indicates 20 percent of Alabama’s children have some […]
BEGINS THURSDAY JUNE 6, 2019 Depression often feels like a heavy burden or like being covered in a dark cloud. Millions of people experience some form of depression every year. It causes more lost days of work than physical illness or accidents combined. This group will focus on ways to lessen the impact of depression […]
I am functional. I take care of my responsibilities. I get up every day, go to work, get dressed, and I perform. This is life, right? I just don’t socialize or find the need to do anything outside of what I have to do because my daily responsibilities are draining me. I’m here and I’m […]
Taking that first step to begin therapy is significant and it can make you feel anxious or nervous. Many people simply don’t have a clear understanding of what to expect which can lead to apprehension and hesitation. This anxiety over the first visit is quite normal. In order to help relieve some of that anxiousness, […]
Everyone has a favorite time of year, that season you look forward to with great anticipation. However, for many people seasonal changes can be difficult, especially the transition to fall and winter. Five percent of Americans experience seasonal affective disorder, better known as SAD. As the days become shorter and we begin to spend more […]
Have you experienced a deep seated hurt or wrong? Are you holding on to a grudge? If you are, then you may be experiencing feelings of depression and anxiety. Grudges can significantly impact your physical and mental well-being, even to the point of affecting personal relationships. People rarely want to be around someone who […]
Exercise Your Mind The benefits of exercise to improve your mood and mental health are greater than most people realize. The physical outcomes of exercise are well known. In addition, the mental health outcomes of exercise are proven to increase your mood and help with anxiety and depression. Here are some of the ways exercise […]
It’s not a laughing matter but, it IS a powerful antidote. That’s right, laughter can improve your health. Laughter triggers healthy physical and emotional changes in your body. That good feeling you get when you laugh will remain with you even after the laughter wains, helping you to keep a positive and optimistic […]
The dictionary defines loneliness as: sadness because one has no friends or company. So in today’s society, you would think with the multitude of social media options, such as Facebook and Twitter, loneliness would be almost non-existent. But, according to CIGNA’s recent nationwide survey, the reality is quite the opposite. People are suffering more […]
Whether you work in or out of the home, finding time for yourself is essential. Throughout a busy workday, it is difficult to focus on relieving stress when there are looming deadlines or pressing responsibilities. However, finding ways to give yourself a well needed boost helps to refocus your attention on the job at hand […]
This above all: To thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man. ~ Shakespeare “To thine own self be true.” That is about the soundest advice you could get. But, what does it really mean? How do you know who […]
Dear Hurting Heart, I know you want to leave. I know this life is difficult and you feel things will be so much better if only you were… I know how it takes every bit of strength you have just to paint on a smile and pretend you’re OK and to hide how much it […]
There are so many things in life that have an impact on our perspective. Our experiences change us and although we may not always be ready for change, change still occurs. You know the feeling too well, you feel tired of everything, overwhelmed and helpless. You may be going through such trying times in your […]
Personal boundaries are the physical, emotional, and mental limits we establish to protect ourselves. They allow us to separate who we are, and what we think and feel from the thoughts and feelings of others. Setting healthy boundaries is essential if we want to be both physically and emotionally healthy. Creating healthy boundaries is empowering. […]
July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. It is important that we understand that mental health care in the United States continues to be an important health crisis that affects a large portion of the population. Mental health conditions go beyond these emotional reactions to specific situations. They are medical conditions that cause changes […]
What is DBT Therapy? Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a specific type of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy. It was developed in the late 1980s and is used as a type of talking treatment. It has been adapted to help people who experience emotions very intensely. Furthermore, it’s a therapy designed to help people suffering from mood disorders. […]
At some point in our lives, each and every one of us comes face to face with difficult situations or unpleasant circumstances that can feel stressful or overwhelming. Part of life is experiencing ups and downs. We want people who understand us and can be depended upon during tough times. We need people who will […]
Have you ever wanted something so bad in your life? Did you have a strong desire to do something or to obtain a goal or dream that it was all you could ever think of? There are times in our life where we do obtain what we have a strong desire for, but there are […]
We all have experienced a traumatic or stressful situations in our lives that has impacted us in different ways. Traumatic experiences have an effect on us and our daily routines. After experiencing a traumatic situation, you may feel detached from everyday life, you may suffer nightmares or flashbacks. Over the course of a few weeks, […]
Over the weekend, I was listening to a song and in that song the singer states the last time she faced her fears, that she could recall, was when she was 12. This statement stuck with me because I thought, WOW? how many of us have a fear that we never even face or attempt […]
In Huntsville, AL, June 11th through June 17th , 2017 is the week of Rocket City Pride. This event was established five (5) years ago and has continued to flourish. Rocket City Pride is a community festival that celebrates the lives of LGBTQ people. Rocket City Pride 2017 benefits the Free2Be Safe Anti-Violence Project. This […]
On Thursday June 8th at 1:00 PM, we were delighted to celebrate our formal Ribbon Cutting Ceremony! Here are our welcoming remarks from that wonderful afternoon: “Good afternoon! I am Lynn Motley, the designated spokesperson today for Huntsville Psychotherapy & Counseling Services. I want to thank the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County, all the […]
“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power…” ~ The Tao the Ching How many of us can say, we know who we are, what we want, and why we want those specific things? At some points in the week, I find that I may […]
Have you ever considered what faith is? Or what process we go through to believe in something or someone? Are you aware of ‘faith’ or belief in your everyday life? An ancient history book states that faith is: “ Being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see.” So […]
It is important to remember that as our population ages, mental health and emotional well-being remain important considerations. While many older adults enjoy good mental health, many others are at risk of developing mental disorders, neurological disorders or substance use problems. In addition, older adults can develop diabetes, hearing loss, and osteoarthritis. Approximately 15% of […]
In today’s fast paced world, the ability to achieve work – life balance is becoming more and more difficult. We are increasingly putting additional pressure on ourselves to achieve greater results. But when did it become acceptable for our 9am to 5pm working day to become 8am to 7pm? Many of us have allowed this […]
Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week is celebrated the first week of May. The campaign is a yearly event geared to raising awareness and highlighting the critical need for mental health care reform in our country, specifically for children. It is obvious that we need to increase efforts to prevent and identify early mental health challenges […]
At some point in our lives, we all have or will endure a situation or event that has a major impact on our lives. When something traumatic happens, it can affect you mentally, emotionally, and even physically. It can turn into life-long problems such as anxiety, depression, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). With the […]
Last week I attended a symposium on Diversity and Inclusion. The event was sponsored by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, the City of Huntsville, Alabama A & M University, Leadership Huntsville/Madison County, the University of Alabama in Huntsville Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs and the U.S. Army Material Command. Those sponsors alone make a […]
“Not everything that counts can be counted. And not everything that can be counted, counts.” – Albert Einstein National Volunteer Week is a yearly week of recognition for the many, many people in the U.S. and Canada who give generously of their time and resources to a huge variety of causes. The 2017 National Volunteer […]
Over the weekend, I decided to relax and simply watch a movie on television. I noticed the movie, ‘Big’ was on and I knew this would be a movie I could watch anytime. As I was watching this movie, I realized how important appreciation is and how it can have a major impact on our […]
Spirituality is a broad concept with many perspectives. In general, it includes a sense of connection to something bigger than ourselves, and it typically involves a search for meaning in life. Nurturing and developing your spirituality may be just as important as eating a healthy diet, exercising, and building strong relationships. Taking the time to […]
Alcoholism, like most chronic illnesses, affects every member of the family, not just the individual suffering from the primary disease. If we were to use a sample family of father, mother and four children, here is what we might see: The father is the alcoholic. He is dependent on alcohol. Some of the behaviors he […]
We all talk about how important it is to be motivated in life to do anything, like: follow your dreams, complete daily responsibilities or duties, and some times to simply feel positive. In everyday usage, the word motivation is frequently used to describe why a person does something. The question is how do you motivate […]
Many of us have heard the phase, “ You only have one life to live.” But it makes me wonder, why and how am I to live this life that I am given if there are so many things going on; so many changes? I have work, my family, my education, my social life and […]
As I strolled Instragram the other day, I came across a post stating the “Last Words of Steve Jobs”. We are all familiar with Steve Jobs due to his amazing work with Apple. So I was curious to see what he said and why it was relevant for a post online. And after reading his […]
A few weeks ago I came across this quote: “Love is a serious mental disease” by Plato Phaedrus, one of the world’s most influential ancient Greek philosophers and it made me think as to why the correlation between love and mental disease was made. So, I researched it, only to find: Love is “an intangible […]
A client recently asked me: “What is involved in mindfulness and how do you implement?” “Mindfulness is a state of consciousness…a quality of being,” I said helpfully. My client stared at me blankly. Okay, let me try again. “My favorite definition of mindfulness comes from Jon Kabat-Zinn, the founder of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. He says […]
Why do I ‘do’ psychotherapy? Sometimes it is a good idea to stop, take a breath and reflect on your life choices and what you have learned and are learning from those choices. During one such moment I found myself musing over the above question. Psychotherapy and counseling are, quite simply, service to others and […]
January is the Self-Help month!! Many of us make resolutions and statements regarding improving ourselves in different ways. There are times where we experience different situations and we look outwardly for assistance or help; however, there are several things we can do to ensure effective self-help. Most of us wish we could improve certain things […]
Everything changes in our life. Some of us have daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly changes; but we all have experienced change at some point of our lives. Many of us view change as either good or bad; however, our perception is what leads to our views of good or bad change. The key is to […]