Into each life, a little rain must fall is a way of saying every one of us will experience sadness in our lifetime. It is entirely normal and natural. But some people feel something deeper and darker than sadness, and they may feel this way despite there being no triggering event, such as the loss of a loved one. So how...[ read more ]

Did you know that most days, the average person has between 25,000 and 50,000 thoughts? That's an impressive amount of thoughts.But what happens when the majority of these thoughts are negative? Imagine the impact on your psyche and life if you had thousands of negative thoughts daily.This amount of negative thinking is a hallmark of depression. Pessimistic thinking is depression speaking for you. It...[ read more ]

You’ve probably heard of mindfulness meditation, but what exactly is Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)? This form of therapy uses mindfulness practices like breathing exercises and meditation to help clients break free of negative thought patterns.What Can MBCT Treat?MBCT was first developed to prevent individuals struggling with repeating episodes of depression and anxiety from relapsing. Studies have found MBCT to be very effective...[ read more ]

If you live in a colder climate, it can be challenging to deal with a lack of sunlight and being stuck inside due to frigid temperatures during winter. It is for these reasons many people experience what is called “the winter blues.”But seasonal depression goes much deeper than this. Also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder – or SAD – seasonal...[ read more ]

Many of us experienced social isolation during the recent pandemic. And none of us will deny that those days and weeks were very hard. But thankfully, the pandemic is over, and life for most of us has returned to normal.But for some people, social isolation doesn’t go away; it is a part of their “normal” existence.Common Causes of Social IsolationThere...[ read more ]

During this time of year, radio and TV ads would have us believe we should all feel merry and bright. But, sadly, that’s not always the case. According to the National Institute of Health, many people experience depression during the holiday season.Some of the most common reasons people experience depression during this time of year are:Financial hardship – ‘Tis the season to be jolly...[ read more ]

When you boil life down to its very essence, you’ll find what’s left is a series of human emotions. All of the experiences in our life come with emotion, whether it’s joy, sadness, anger, or anxiety. That’s why so many people choose to do everything they can to avoid situations that bring pain and only focus on those experiences that...[ read more ]

October is National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month, a time when clinicians and their communities come together to spread awareness and combat mental illness. By working together, we can all promote the importance of mental health screenings while reducing the stigma associated with mental health illnesses. Common Symptoms of DepressionThe following are some of the most common symptoms of depression....[ read more ]

We live in a society that rewards those with courage and bravery. We are taught from a young age that it’s good to face our fears, for doing so is often the catalyst for effective and lasting change. And yet, how many of us allow ourselves to be vulnerable? Think of the amount of courage it takes to allow yourself...[ read more ]

One only needs to read a few lines from poets such as Frost, Wordsworth, and Thoreau to recognize the love for and connection to nature human beings have always had. Nature stirs our souls and imagination and brings beauty to our everyday lives. But it turns out, nature also brings a slew of benefits to our mental and physical health....[ read more ]