A Therapy & Mental Wellness Blog

Written by: Amanda Levison , M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT Words have a profound impact on our lives. "Work Hard." "Keep Going, You'll Make It." Or "You're a failure." "You're not good enough." How we communicate our words can either build individuals up and empower them or tear them down and instill self-doubt. Among various forms of communication, words of affirmation hold a unique power to transform our mindset and enhance our overall well-being. Think of when you walked into a do

Written by: Amanda Levison , M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT Anxiety is a prevalent issue affecting millions of individuals worldwide, stemming from various triggers such as stress, mental exhaustion , traumatic events, or an underlying mental health condition. Significant life changes, including the loss of a loved one, can also contribute to heightened anxiety, as grief often brings feelings of uncertainty and emotional distress. During these challenging times, grief counseling  can

Written by: Amanda Levison , M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT Imagine you’ve been invited to join the annual family “Picnic in the Park” with a few other outdoor activities to follow, and yet you’ve been experiencing intermittent episodes of lower back pain for the past year. You made it to the picnic last year with no pain present. However, with how your pain has been persisting this time around, you don’t think you’ll make it for the event. Now you’re faced with the choice, “Should I

Written by: Amanda Levison , M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT Barbie dolls have been around since 1959, but it's not until the new Barbie movie has been released that there has been a huge craze. The recent Barbie movie has sparked a ton of conversation over the last few months, even before the film opened in theatres for viewing. Many people have positive and negative experiences with someone who loved the doll or the iconic Barbie doll. Were they just toys, or did the designer have a

Written by: Amanda Levison , M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT Boundaries are where you end and others begin. It's essentially the fence you build around your physical, emotional, mental, financial, and spiritual space. And that fence allows you to play gatekeeper, to decide who can come in, who can't, and under what circumstances. Setting boundaries can be complicated and sometimes intimidating depending on who you are setting them up for, like your boss, kids, spouse/partner, coworkers

Written by: Amanda Levison , M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT Have you ever gotten to a point where you didn't want to do anything, go anywhere, or even be around anyone? Even the things you love to do seem like the worst ideas ever. You know you have so much to do. However, you don't even have a lot of energy to muster up. This can happen to anyone when they consistently put too much on their list of things to do and give themselves little to no time to wind down, shut off their brain,

Written by: Amanda Levison , M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT As children, typically from infancy to age 9, we are incredibly vulnerable to the world around us. During these formative years, we learn about emotions, safety, who we are, and how we form connections. Our early experiences shape our sense of self, relationships, attachment to others, and world perceptions. Our childhood experiences, both positive and negative, arguably shape the adults we become. However, not all of these e

I have experienced many deaths in my life from all different dynamics of relationships, starting at a very young age. You can’t always...

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, commonly known as ADHD, is a neurological disorder affecting children and adults. In recent years, it has become a household name as many people recognize the signs and symptoms of living with ADHD or living with someone who has ADHD symptoms. ADHD can make it harder to focus, listen well, wait, or take your time. The hallmark symptoms of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Clutter can worsen these symptoms by increa

Written by: Amanda Levison , M.S., LMHC, LPC, CCBT Spring is just around the corner! After many months of early sunsets, cold days, and frigid weather, it is time for Spring. Spring is known for bringing new life to the world; flowers, trees, and crops, so it's natural that we take opportunities to bring new life or cultivate our lives where they are. If you are aware of any religious facets, you know that Spring is heavily associated with ideas of rebirth, renewal, resurrect