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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]