Therapy and Counseling Services Blog | Lancaster, PA

Rediscovering Yourself After Baby

Published on: August 15, 2018

Having a child changes everything. As a new mom, you expect to come home after delivery to more laundry, sleepless nights, and a whole lot of adjusting as you figure out your child’s personality and what works for your family. But, what many don’t expect is a loss of self. In the midst of all the chaos and change and this little bundle of joy that requires so much of yourself, many moms lose sight of who they once were. They struggle with not fitting into their own skin—both physically and emotionally. They don’t recognize themselves in this new role…. Continue Reading This Article

Summer is a Time for Sun, Swimming and Self-Care

Published on: August 1, 2018

The sun is out, the weather is warm, and the kids are off of school. Summer is in full swing. It is the perfect time to take the opportunity to care for yourself and make great strides in improving your mental health. Being cooped up in your home for the last few months, escaping the elements, has probably left you feeling not so great. Chances are you haven’t really felt like getting out or doing much. You have been immersed in the stress of school, work, and life. Summer is a great time to put those stressors on hold and… Continue Reading This Article

Overcoming the Quarter Life Crisis

Published on: July 16, 2018

You graduate from college expecting to find your way quickly. You imagine yourself in your dream job, a stable relationship, and living in a home all your own. You thought you were going to have everything you wanted. But, the reality is you walked across that stage at graduation and moved in with your parents and settled for your old barista job—just to “hold you over.” Or maybe you got a job in your major but you aren’t quite sure if this is where you belong. You long to be successful and fear making mistakes. The stuff you did as… Continue Reading This Article

How to Stay Sane While Planning a Wedding

Published on: July 3, 2018

You got the ring and the fiancé, now it is time to plan the wedding. Chances are this is the day you have dreamed about since you were little. You have high expectations. You want it to be perfect. The only problem is perfection is a hard thing attain. The stress of planning the big day has the tendency to lead to tension and strain between a couple and their families — it seems a little counterproductive if you ask me. You are planning this day for one reason — to commit yourself to the person you love and want… Continue Reading This Article

When “Self Medicating” Means Something More

Published on: June 18, 2018

You had a “bad” day, week, month, or year. Maybe you are feeling anxious, sad, or have this longing desire to feel better, do better, or be better. You take those feelings and decide to try to “cure” them by using alcohol or drugs. Or maybe it is going shopping or gambling. At first this works. You do feel better and you think you can control your use. But, substances can quickly take over your life. Often times they turn into addictions in an attempt to treat another mental condition. This is called dual-diagnosis. Dual-diagnosis is when a person who… Continue Reading This Article

The Balancing Act of Being a Dad

Published on: June 7, 2018

We like to talk about moms a lot, and while there is good reason for that—what about dad? Sometimes it seems like we just expect dad to figure it all out, but he has a lot on his plate too. Society puts pressure on the dad to be the breadwinner, the financial support for the family. But, we also expect dad to be the little league coach, the repairman, teacher, and cheerleader. It can be a difficult balance. As in any balancing act, the truth is sometimes career will take center stage and other times it will be all about… Continue Reading This Article

The Graduation Blues

Published on: May 14, 2018

So, you have graduated—Congrats! You have spent your life, so far, working up to this moment. It is an exciting time full of possibilities…and stress. Much of the way your life used to function is going to change, and while that is not a bad thing it is definitely a hard transition. It is ok to feel the graduation blues. I remember that moment of walking across the stage full of excitement, smiling from ear-to-ear, and then walking into my bedroom, looking around, and it hit me—a crushing sense of loss. Yes, this is what I had been working towards… Continue Reading This Article

The Spring Time Blues

Published on: April 23, 2018

The sun is finally starting to show its face, flowers are beginning to pop out of the ground, temperatures are warming and you are feeling—depressed. It may seem odd, but it is actually more common than you would think to suffer from feelings of depression as spring is beginning to bloom. But, why would nice weather bring about such feelings? 1.) First of all, change. Spring is a time for change. Any change can bring feelings of dread and anxiousness to the surface. Maybe you are dreading pulling out your warmer clothes. Maybe you have started to get comfortable in… Continue Reading This Article

How Can I Help My Teen Feel Less Stressed?

Published on: April 10, 2018

There is no doubt teens are feeling stressed. The pressure is on to excel on every level: academics, extracurriculars, socially. Throw in social media, which literally gives them no break from social demands. Teens don’t have time to rest, let alone be kids. Kids—that is what they still are for a few more years, yet they are so quickly thrown into adulthood these days. While a little stress can be a good thing, motivating students to put in the extra effort, the amount some are feeling is at an unhealthy level. The pressures teens are facing are harmful to their… Continue Reading This Article

The Weight of the Mental Load: How to feel less stressed out

Published on: March 29, 2018

We all feel it. Overwhelmed at all the things on your mental to-do list. All the things that without you would likely not get done. You know what I am talking about—the mental load that is bringing women down. Whether you work full-time, part-time, or stay at home with your children, the amount of things on a woman’s plate each day can be just plain too much. Let me set the stage for you: Your alarm goes off at 5:30 a.m., you pull yourself out of bed to go walk the dog, feed the cats, get breakfast on the table… Continue Reading This Article