December 2021
The Ever-Present Calculator: A Message on Eating Disorders
By: Kayli Spears, MFT-Intern A 2020 research article on body shape ideals in the United States yielded that women “reported conflicting pressures to be thin while also having the desire to have curvier and fuller bodies” (Hunter et al., 2020, pp. 240). There has been yet another shift in the perception of the “perfect body” in the United States over the last couple of years. Similar to the changing of the seasons and the trends that come and go, society’s ideal body fluctuates as well. How can anyone win with what is “in” or “popular” when standards are constantly shifting?
October 2021
The Reality of Chronic Illness: An Invitation to Leave the Mask at Home
By: Kayli Spears, MFT-Intern “You look normal.” “Why don’t you ever want to do anything?” “You are so flakey.” “Why are you always tired?” “Can’t you just take some medicine?” If you are an individual with autoimmune conditions or chronic pain, you will likely find the first few statements all too familiar. God has designed our minds and bodies to have open and intricate lines of communication with one another. When an individual experiences chronic stress, fear, anxiety, or depression, those emotions have the potential to manifest into physical ailments in the body. When autoimmune conditions are present, the mind
September 2021
Caring For the Caretaker: Pouring from an Empty Cup
By: Kayli Spears, LMFT Associate When was the last time you checked in on yourself? Being in the position of taking care of a loved one with an illness, dementia, and other memory-loss diseases, in particular, is a unique space accompanied by responsibility, loss, frustration, setbacks, and victories. The caretaker tends to their loved one hand and foot, but who is there to tend to them? An individual's caretaker position allows them to walk alongside a loved one, receiving the privilege of peering through the darkest corners of their journey along with the cracks of light and progress that make its
September 2020
More Than Healthcare Self-Care
By: Marshall Smith, MFT-Intern "I love my job," "my patients need me," "I should have done a better job," "if I do not take care of my patients who will?" These thoughts are not uncommon in occupations that entail caring for other people, and with the status of the world today, you may be having these thoughts. These thoughts may drive you to work harder, pick up extra shifts, shove down any emotions, and lead you to take a suck-it-up mentality in order to do what needs to be done. As a therapist, I would be lying if I were
Your Story Matters: COVID-19 and Mental Health
By Twanna McKee, MFT-Intern Do you feel overwhelmed or anxious during the COVID-19 pandemic? If so, you are not alone. These feelings are only human and keeping them to yourself only adds unwanted stress and fear. We are living in the progressively uncertain time of a global pandemic; one that, during the approaching months, will undoubtedly see our families and individuals experience higher levels of stress, along with an uptick in depression and anxiety alone. More than ever during this time, we must not forget how this health pandemic presents new barriers such as families being confined in their homes.
July 2020
Concerned About Your Kids and Media Use?
By Marshall Smith, MFT-Intern Many of us have done this. We are sitting in a waiting room, riding the bus, relaxing outside, waiting for our food, or lying in bed and turn to an immediate source of distraction, social media! I would be lying if I were to say I am not guilty of doing the same thing from time-to-time and getting called out by my wife for not paying attention to her! While I try to do better, even therapists are human, and we make mistakes that necessitate us being called out by our significant others and family members.
April 2020
What Effect is the Quarantine Having on My Relationship with My Partner?
Well like a lot of things in life the answer is that it depends, and I would like to put my thoughts and opinions out for those interested. I’ll start with being quarantined together. I know for some this has been an enhancement for their relationship and for some it has caused significant strife. In the case of the enhancement, it is due to lessened stress at work (furlough) for one person in the couple and therefore more attention being able to be given to the partner still working and that partner’s emotions. In the case of the increase in
March 2020
Finding Self-Worth
‘I screwed up, no one will love me.’ ‘I don’t have enough time in the day to get everything done.’ ‘I don’t deserve to be happy.’ I can remember thinking these thoughts as a child and even now as an adult. I try to tell myself they aren’t true and that my best is good enough, but I don’t always believe it. How can I with all the things I’ve forgotten and mistakes I’ve made my whole life? The feeling of being overwhelmed and taken advantage of are frequent feelings in my life and all I can think is, ‘it’s
