Whether you’re a sixth grader, college student, school administrator, or family member of one of the above, you’re likely busy preparing for the upcoming school year. Sometimes, your anxiety can become more active as that first day comes closer. You may find yourself anticipating what could go wrong, being more reactive with your family than usual, or losing sight of the things that normally give you joy.
Read MoreLife transitions are significant shifts that we experience as we move through life. Some transitions are planned and tend to evoke positive emotions, for example, going to college, marriage, or childbirth. Despite their positive connotation, these transitions can also generate anxiety and stress. Other transitions, such as changes in one’s health status or relationship status, loss of a job, or loss of a loved one, are often unexpected and can be more challenging to navigate.
Read MoreOur world moves so quickly and can pull us in many different directions at once. Work, school, family, kids, friends, hobbies, and so on. It can be difficult to find time to slow down and for many, adequate sleep is one of the first things to suffer.
Read MoreAfter a traumatic or anxiety-inducing experience, some people notice an increase in thoughts such as “it’s all my fault,” “I can’t trust anyone” or “everywhere I go is unsafe.” After trauma, your brain can hyperfocus on the negative as a way to keep you safe from future danger.
It is working so hard to keep you safe that it doesn’t mind if it puts you down in the process.
While you may appreciate your brain’s commitment to safety, repetitive negative thoughts can take a toll on your mental health. In fact, one of the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder is “persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs or expectations about oneself, others, or the world” (that explanation is taken from the DSM-5, the diagnostic manual that counselors use). Trauma survivors might feel like they have negative self-talk on repeat in their brain with no idea how to hit the power button or turn down the volume.
Read MoreChoosing a counselor is a matter of trust. When you enter counseling, you want a clinician you are confident can support you. And research suggests that’s important— the primary predictor of success in counseling is the quality of your relationship with your counselor.
While practicum and internship students may not have the depth of experience that more seasoned clinicians have, they bring other strengths that can make for a strong counseling relationship. When you see an intern, you receive personalized attention, evidence-based interventions, affordable care, individualized feedback, and experience with a passionate clinician.
Read MoreOffering mental health counseling for adolescents and adults near Lancaster, PA
The Counseling Collective LLC
1987 State Street, East Petersburg, PA 17520 and 210 West Grant Street, Lancaster, PA 17603
CALL: (717) 723-8040
View our Privacy Policies and Good Faith Estimate
A diverse team of mental health experts who collaborate with you to overcome the challenges in life
