5 Tips for Gift Giving
5 Tips for Gift Giving Previous PostNext Post 5 Tips for Gift Giving Thanks for tuning in to 5 Tips for Gift Giving! In this video, Devaney Knight, Clinical Director at West Lake Houston Counseling, talks about the common anxieties related to gift-giving during the holidays. She offers tips for re-thinking gift-giving and encourages us to expand our thinking beyond traditional capitalism as a way to show love toward others. If you are struggling with feelings related to the holidays and giving to others, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us today! Mental Health Moment: What is Good Therapy? Mental Health Moment Series pertains to therapy and the world of mental health matters. We offer tools and tips for managing mental wellness and offer relevant resources. We created this video because finding a therapist can be difficult, especially for first-timers. Watch the video below for tips on things to consider when looking for a therapist and what that relationship will look like. Note: Mental Health Moment is not a substitute for mental health therapy. If you think you may benefit from therapy we strongly advise you to seek out those services. All Posts Advice Couples Therapy EMDR Therapy Health & Wellness Holidays Individual Therapy LGBTQ LGBTQ+ Therapy Links Mental Health Moment Services Teen Therapy Teens Therapist Uncategorized Have You Suddenly Lost Your Confidence? Try These Tips to Regain Your Swagger! 6 Self-Care Ideas Amidst Stressful Times When Will I Start Feeling Better? Grieving for the First Time
How to spot love bombing
Previous PostNext Post RELATIONSHIPS How to Spot Love Bombing Signs to watch out for and why it’s unhealthy Love bombing explained: Love bombing is a manipulation for control and power in a romantic relationship. Signs you may be getting love bombed. The relationship feels like it is moving extremely fast. Is your relationship in its’ early stages yet it is moving at lightning speed? If it is moving so fast that you might be feeling overwhelmed, you could be getting love bombed. Love bombers behave like rescuers. Do they take your side in all of your conflicts? If they may be taking on how you think or how you feel, you may be getting love bombed. The person calls you their partner after knowing you briefly. Does the person call you their partner or their boyfriend or girlfriend after knowing you for a brief amount of time? Are they talking about their future wedding and kids with you? If so, you may be getting love bombed. They over-identify with you. Does the person you are with seem to LOVE everything you love and dislikes everything you dislike? They may even begin to behave in a US versus THEM kind of way. If so, you may be getting love bombed. There’s a lack of consideration for your personal boundaries. Does the person have an excessive need for your attention? If so, you may be getting love bombed. There are grand gestures of affection or extravagant gifts. Does the person you are with buy extravagant gifts. If so, you may be getting love bombed. “Special” gift-giving after knowing you briefly. Does the person you are with early on in the relationship give you a gift that appears to have some kind of sentimental value? Does the gift imply that they know you very intimately when the opposite is true? If so, you may be getting love bombed. Why love bombing is unhealthy Love bombing reinforces low self-esteem and low self-worth. You owe it to yourself to recognize these behaviors when you should encounter them. They keep you reminded of your personal weaknesses. Is there a personal weakness, a problem, or a past action that they keep reminding you of or throwing in your face? A change in how you view yourself + increased dependence on them. If the love bomber can get you to see yourself as less capable, not having as much value or work, and then create your dependence on them, it can become easy to not see yourself clearly and believe that you need them to be in a relationship. All Posts Advice Couples Therapy EMDR Therapy Health & Wellness Holidays Individual Therapy LGBTQ LGBTQ+ Therapy Links Mental Health Moment Services Teen Therapy Teens Therapist Uncategorized Dante Knew He Had to do Something Have You Suddenly Lost Your Confidence? Try These Tips to Regain Your Swagger! 5 Tips for Gift Giving
Finding an Affirming Therapist
Previous PostNext Post ADVICE Finding an Affirming Therapist Finding a therapist may seem daunting, so here are some helpful tips when conducting research. Finding an affirming therapist. Affirming, competent mental health therapists are available to support and help you heal. Here are some helpful tips to consider when finding an affirming therapist. The LGBTQIA+ community encounters stressors that negatively affect their physical and mental well-being. Some of these stressors include rejection, discrimination, violence, unaffirming spaces and/or providers, and health care disparities. These experiences can be traumatic, and lead to feelings of anxiety, fear, helplessness, discouragement, or mistrust. Internal and/or external stressors coupled with trauma can feel overwhelming and as if there is no way out. Affirming, competent mental health therapists are available to support and help you heal. Mental health therapists have varying levels of expertise and utilize a range of treatment modalities. They can help you in areas such as identity exploration, coming out, gender transition, trauma recovery, stress management, and skill building. Looking for a therapist may seem daunting, so here are some helpful tips to consider when conducting your search. Gather Resources. Reach out to your primary care doctor or other trusted providers for a list of referrals. If you have health insurance, log into to your account to search for mental health therapists or call the insurance company directly to request this information. Ask family members or friends for resources too. They may be familiar with clinics or organizations that have connections with affirming therapists. Request a phone consultation. Therapists typically offer brief phone consultations to prospective clients who may want more information about their clinical background, expertise, and special populations they serve. Consultations offer you an opportunity to know the therapist more and determine whether they are a match for your needs and concerns. It is also a great way to get a glimpse of their personality and therapy style. Ask Questions. During your phone consultation or intake appointment with a therapist, you are welcome to ask the following questions, “How are you going to keep me safe?”, “In what ways are you an affirming provider?”, and “What is your experience working with individuals with similar concerns as mine?” It is important to work with a therapist who you connect and feel safe and comfortable with as this will maximize your therapy experience. Finding an affirming therapist. Choose the Right Fit. Once you have completed your search, take the time to compare the therapists whom you spoke with. Trust your intuition. If you later learn you are not connecting well with a therapist, let them know. They can adjust their therapeutic approach to fit your needs and concerns. If that does not work, then it is okay to terminate services. They will gladly assist and connect you with another provider who might be a better fit for you. Affirming therapists are out there to help you begin the healing process. It might take a while to find a match, just remember to be patient and trust yourself and the process. You will be on your therapy journey before you know it! All Posts Advice Couples Therapy EMDR Therapy Health & Wellness Holidays Individual Therapy LGBTQ LGBTQ+ Therapy Links Mental Health Moment Services Teen Therapy Teens Therapist Uncategorized Dante Knew He Had to do Something Have You Suddenly Lost Your Confidence? Try These Tips to Regain Your Swagger! 5 Tips for Gift Giving
6 Self-Care Ideas Amidst Stressful Times
Previous PostNext Post SELF CARE 6 Self-Care Ideas Amidst Stressful Times 6 Self-Care Ideas Amidst Stressful Times Within Your Control I wanted to provide you with 6 self-care ideas amidst stressful times. You may be feeling many emotions right now in response to the overturn of Roe v. Wade and other recent events, such as the mass shooting in Uvalde, TX. It is normal to feel shocked, angry, powerless, unsafe, or all the above. You may have also wondered “What’s going to happen next?”, or “Am I safe here?” Whatever your experience is, it is valid, and you are not alone. Take a moment to pause and reflect on what is within your control. Also, think about the ways in which you can care for your mind and body during this challenging time. The purpose of practicing self-care is to maintain your balance, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Here are 6 self-care ideas that are within your control Schedule a session with your mental health counselor. Use that hour with them to express your frustrations and worries. Practice deep breathing for a minute or two. This technique reduces stress and tension in the body. You can find plenty of guided videos on YouTube. Step outside for fresh air. Notice all the sights, sounds, and sensations at that moment. Take it all in. Set boundaries with yourself. For example, limit your time spent on social media or reading the news. Tap into your religious or spiritual practices or reach out to your faith-based community. Give yourself compassion, whether it is saying an affirmation or acknowledging your successes of the day, no matter how big or small. The future might seem unsettling right now, so I invite you to shift your focus to your present moment. Hold on to that. All Posts Advice Couples Therapy EMDR Therapy Health & Wellness Holidays Individual Therapy LGBTQ LGBTQ+ Therapy Links Mental Health Moment Services Teen Therapy Teens Therapist Uncategorized Dante Knew He Had to do Something Have You Suddenly Lost Your Confidence? Try These Tips to Regain Your Swagger! 5 Tips for Gift Giving
9 Strategies for Virtual Learning During The Pandemic
9 Strategies for Virtual Learning During The Pandemic Previous PostNext Post 9 Strategies for Digital Learning During The Pandemic Navigating the times during COVID has brought with it many unique challenges. One of the major challenges that both parents and children have found themselves facing is virtual learning. In March of 2020, many kids found themselves happy to be getting a “break” from attending school. However, virtual learning at the end of the 2019-2020 school year looked much different than virtual schooling for the 2020-2021 school year. 9 Strategies for Digital Learning During The Pandemic Virtual learning is not only the job of the teacher and child but requires much more parental time and attention than when kids are attending school in person. As Matheis (2021), points out, kids are having to navigate several online tools to locate their assignments, complete them, and turn them in. The challenges of navigating the online tools can be difficult for children which creates a need for them to call on their parents for assistance. 9 Strategies for Digital Learning During The Pandemic In addition, young children more than likely are not proficient typists, which leaves the parents needing to help their children to type responses to assignments. However, if the parents are not available due to their schedules then the kids will either end up with incomplete assignments, poor grades, missing work, or a combination of the latter (Matheis, 2021). 9 Strategies for Digital Learning During The Pandemic Many kids struggle with both impulse control and staying focused. Attending class via video screen allows more opportunity to not truly be focused and to get distracted looking at social media, texting friends, surfing the web, or watching streaming apps, which is leading to many kids doing poorly in school and having low grades. Virtual schooling has also led to an increase in anxiety, depression, and low motivation (Matheis, 2021). Kids are not having the same opportunity to fill their need for love and belonging by interacting and making connections with their friends at school throughout the day. 9 Strategies for Digital Learning During The Pandemic Parents are left wondering what they can do to combat some of the issues that they and their children are facing due to virtual learning? Some of the ways that parents can help both themselves and their children be more successful with virtual learning is to: 1) Maintain communication with your child’s teacher to stay informed about how your child is doing or ways that you can help; 2) If your child has an individualized education program or needs accommodations, communicate your child’s needs clearly to the teacher and see what adjustments can be made to help them be successful; 3) Create a quiet comfortable workspace for your child that is set up with all of the supplies they need to do their school work; 4) Create a morning just as they would have if they were attending school in person; 5) Make sure your child takes breaks during the day to get up and move around; 6) Create a schedule for your child to follow and put it somewhere they can easily reference it; 7) Help your kids stay focused by keeping distractions out of sight; 8) Set timers for your kids so that they can stay on task or know when it is time for class changes; 9) Allow your kids to set up outdoor playdates or enroll them to participate in an activity (Matheis, 2021). Matheis, L., PhD. (2021, January 18). Strategies to Get Through Virtual Learning During COVID. Retrieved January 24, 2021, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/special-matters/202101/strategies-get-through-virtual-learning-during-covid All Posts Advice Couples Therapy EMDR Therapy Health & Wellness Holidays Individual Therapy LGBTQ LGBTQ+ Therapy Links Mental Health Moment Services Teen Therapy Teens Therapist Uncategorized Dante Knew He Had to do Something Have You Suddenly Lost Your Confidence? Try These Tips to Regain Your Swagger! 5 Tips for Gift Giving
When Will I Start Feeling Better? Grieving for the First Time
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4 Subtle Signs of Trauma: When You’re Dealing with More Than You Think
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How to Support LGBTQ Teens Coming Out
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Do I need therapy?
Do I need therapy? Previous PostNext Post Mental Health Moment: Do I Need Therapy? We live in a time where people are asking, “Do I need therapy?” Watch this video and ask yourself the questions provided to discover if you might need therapy. Here at West Lake Houston Counseling, we are therapists specializing in various issues. We invite you to reach out to us today if you feel that you or your child may benefit from personal therapy. Common areas we treat as therapists include anxiety, depression, life changes that are hard to adjust to, family troubles, relationship complications, or work issues. Mental Health Moment Series pertains to therapy and the world of mental health matters. We offer tools and tips for managing mental wellness and offer relevant resources. Note: Mental Health Moment is not a substitute for mental health therapy. If you think you may benefit from therapy we strongly advise you to seek out those services. Feeling like you could use a little bit of therapy in your life? There are always barriers to treatment in the African American community. Barriers such as the mental health stigma in black households. Lack of adequate insurance coverage. Lack of culturally-suitable providers, provider bias & inequality of care. As a result, we are less likely to seek out mental health therapy. The stigma in black households that mental health therapy is unnecessary when research proves otherwise, for instance, it has made us feel that seeking help makes us weak. First, we must lift the stigma in the black community that talking about mental health is taboo. Second, we must use our platforms to educate people on the importance of therapeutic care. Likewise, being able to find culturally competent can be difficult for black women and men to find that feels like they meet their needs and understands their struggles. If you are looking for a culturally competent black female therapist near you, here at West Lake Houston Counseling we create a space to meet your needs. Once you get past these barriers, you may question if you in fact do need therapy. It’s no secret that we could all use a little therapy sometimes. Here are some easy tips to find just the right fit: Go slow. Don’t be rash or impulsive, choose someone who feels like a good fit—someone you’re comfortable with. https://youtu.be/b_s_5SJPLZY All Posts Advice Couples Therapy EMDR Therapy Health & Wellness Holidays Individual Therapy LGBTQ LGBTQ+ Therapy Links Mental Health Moment Services Teen Therapy Teens Therapist Uncategorized Have You Suddenly Lost Your Confidence? Try These Tips to Regain Your Swagger! 6 Self-Care Ideas Amidst Stressful Times When Will I Start Feeling Better? Grieving for the First Time
4 Ways to Spot Toxic Behavior
Previous PostNext Post RELATIONSHIPS How to Spot Toxic Behavior Toxic behavior signs to watch out for and ask yourself the following questions. What is toxic behavior? Toxic people are everywhere and you’re bound to come across them. What you need to ask yourself is, “What is toxic behavior?”. Toxic relationships can develop with someone as close as family or friends, and many people are unaware they are in one. You may be unaware that the way someone treats you is harming your health and happiness. They may even be preventing you from achieving personal progress and living the life you deserve. Gain self-esteem and a new awareness that you deserve better people in your life that actually care about you as a person to become smarter. The health benefits of avoiding toxic relationships could transform your life. What does toxic behavior look like? It’s one thing to know that someone is being toxic. They’re belittling you, lying to your face about something major, or slandering your good name behind your back. It’s another when the toxicity comes from someone you’ve trusted for years. Someone who, at first glance, seems okay. But there are certain tell-tale signs you can look out for to determine if that person is poisonous. How do you spot toxic behavior? Here are 4 ways to spot toxic behavior from a mile away. 4 Signs of Toxic Behavior Can they be happy for other people? A person who cannot be happy for anybody else is usually very unhappy with themselves. They will visit that on you as well. Do they enjoy putting others down? Do they get a rise out of gossiping, criticizing, or putting other people down? How do they treat people they do not have to win over? What is your observation of how this person treats other people? Are they only kind to people that provide them some benefit, above them on the food chain, people who can do them a favor? If a person treats other people as if they are beneath them or unkind because they are just a …or only a … How they treat people can be illuminating. Do all of their stories feature them as the hero and everybody else as the villain? Pay close attention to the stories they tell. Identifying toxic behavior is important Toxic behavior makes your life and the lives of those around you more difficult. It can scatter your focus, drive you crazy and sap your energy. Because toxic people don’t want to make anything better, they are hard to deal with. If you find yourself in a work or romantic relationship with someone you may think is toxic and need guidance; reach out and make an appointment. All Posts Advice Couples Therapy EMDR Therapy Health & Wellness Holidays Individual Therapy LGBTQ LGBTQ+ Therapy Links Mental Health Moment Services Teen Therapy Teens Therapist Uncategorized Dante Knew He Had to do Something Have You Suddenly Lost Your Confidence? Try These Tips to Regain Your Swagger! 5 Tips for Gift Giving