How Do I Know If Therapy is Working?

Ever wonder how you should be measuring progress in therapy?  How will you know if therapy is working?  What are the signs?  After all, you don't want to be in therapy forever, so you need to know when it is working, when it's worked, and when it might be time to look at another therapist or treatment option.  This post explores some things you will notice as a client if therapy is successful.

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3 Easy Exercises for Overcoming Parenting Overwhelm

It's really easy to get overwhelmed as a parent.  Your kids are driving you crazy, you have no time to take care of yourself, how is the house going to get clean?  In this post, I share 3 easy exercise to reduce overwhelm and help you feel more confident and in control as a parent.  You're doing a great job, and these tips will help you recognize that.

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5 Things to Expect in Your Relationship After Having a Baby

Ever wonder what happens in your relationship after you bring the baby home?  Isn't it blissful?  In many ways, it's the most wonderful time.  In other ways, there are some challenges to deal with.  But in the end, there are wonderful opportunities to grow as partners and parents.  Read my post to learn more.

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Parents, Keep Calm & Stay Present

In this post, I offer some techniques and tips for how to remain calm and keep from losing your temper during stressful parenting situations, such as when your toddler is having a tantrum in the grocery store.  These are the moments in which we feel helpless, defeated, and like failures as parents.  The truth is, all parents have moments of struggle.  Use those moments as opportunities to connect with others, and follow the steps to show yourself compassion.  This is one topic that will be covered at my upcoming parenting skills workshop.  You'll want to check that out too!

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Why It's So Hard to Accept Support During Infertility

After getting my first article published on PsychCentral "Infertility Sucks: 4 Ways to Accept Support from the People Who Love You," I was so excited to share more about the subject.  It's not an easy topic to talk about, and when you're going through it you may find that you push others away.  It's hard to be vulnerable.  I'll explain some common reasons why it's so damn hard to accept help, and once you're ready, you can learn how to accept it. 

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Forget about Spicing Up Your Relationship - Focus on Your Friendship

You've probably heard the buzz words "spicing up your marriage."  This implies that having a predictable or routine relationship is a negative thing that you need to change by adding spontaneity or new activities.  However, research shows that couples are happiest when there is a solid and meaningful friendship.  Friendship is built slowly over time through mundane, regular, every day interactions.  I'd posit that you can forget about spicing things up, and instead focus on building that rock solid foundation. 

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Infertility during Valentine's Day: Making it Less about Sex and More about Connection

Valentine's Day may be focused on sex, but if you're going through infertility sex is the last thing you want to do on your holiday.  In my post, I offer some practical ideas for how to take the pressure off of making V-Day about sex at the end of the evening, and more about the true intention, which is reconnecting with your partner and increasing your intimacy. 

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4 Reasons the Thought of Going to Therapy is Scary, and 8 Reasons To Do It Anyway-Part 2

In part 1, I discussed common fears people have about going to therapy.  In part 2, I'll talk about the 8 reasons to process and overcome those fears, and go to therapy anyway.  It can make such an impact on your life.  Do the benefits outweigh the risks for you?

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4 Reasons the Thought of Going to Therapy is Scary, and 8 Reasons Do It Anyway-Part 1

I hear people tell me all about their fears of going to therapy and reasons why they haven't scheduled that first appointment.  It's normal to be apprehensive about therapy, after all, it's a new experience and you'll be talking to a complete stranger about your secrets.  In part one, I'll be discussing 4 common fears about going to therapy, and briefly introduce the 8 reasons you should do it anyway. 

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Why Am I Having Trouble Conceiving when I Already Have a Child? Questions for Your Infertility Counselor

If you were able to get pregnant with ease and you're having difficulty getting pregnant with your next child, you could be experiencing secondary infertility.  Trying to conceive is a stressful process on it's own, let alone experiencing complication when trying to get pregnant.  In this post I answer several questions you may have about why you're having difficulties, how to manage the process, how to be a parent to the child you already have, how to engage your support system, and what to do next. 

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Does It Matter Who My Therapist Is? Tips for Picking the Right Therapist For You

Have you started the process of looking for a therapist?  You may think it doesn't matter who the person is, or that it's ok to just pick the first person that has appointments during times you're available.  I will explain why it's important to find the right therapist for you, and offer tips about how to do that in this post.  Hope you find it helpful. 

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Why Elf on the Shelf is Good for Your Relationship

You've implemented Elf on the Shelf as part of your kid's holiday traditions, but did you realize it could be helping your relationship too?  Rituals are important in any relationship and will help you increase your positive interactions.  Find out why this is important here and how to do this all year long. 

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What To Do When Everything Your Partner Says Annoys You

Your partner isn't necessarily doing anything wrong, yet everything he/she is doing is annoying you.  You realize that you are about to explode at the next corny joke that comes out of his/her mouth.  What can you do to keep your cool and prevent an argument?  I provide some easy steps here. 

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