grief therapist near me

How to Break the Cycle of Obsessive Thoughts

How to Break the Cycle of Obsessive Thoughts

Have you ever experienced the same thoughts over and over again? Do you dwell on these thoughts, and the negative feelings that come along with it? The repetitive, often negative aspect of thought rumination can contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression, as well as worsen existing conditions.


Rumination is when you feel stuck in a cycle of negative thoughts. Rumination is an obsessive form of thinking that includes excessive, repetitive thoughts or themes that conflict with other mental activity, according to the American Psychological Association (APA). Although thought rumination typically occurs for individuals with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), anyone can struggle with obsessive thinking. 


Rumination can transform worry into a habit or a way of life. Obsessive thinking can be a hard cycle to break, but it is possible! Continue reading this blog to learn how to break the cycle of obsessive thoughts.

5 Emotional Effects of a Hurricane

5 Emotional Effects of a Hurricane

Hurricanes are often known for their physical destruction. When you think of a hurricane, it is likely that some powerful images come to your mind- torrential rains, powerful winds, and surging water. However, what is not talked about as much is the emotional impact of a hurricane which can be just as overwhelming as the physical effects. 


The devastation brought by recent storms, such as Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene, extend beyond just the physical wreckage left behind. When going through a natural disaster, it is likely that you are experiencing a whirlwind of emotions, from anxiety and fear to grief and helplessness. 


In the immediate aftermath of a hurricane, you are likely dealing with a lot of things, from the chaos and uncertainty surrounding evacuations to property damage. This sort of disruption in your life can leave you feeling vulnerable and emotionally exhausted. 


Going through a natural disaster once may leave you wondering when the next one will strike. This heightened fear can lead to more stress, insomnia, and even Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. The experience of living through and surviving a hurricane can challenge your sense of safety, creating emotional scars that require mental health healing.

How Does Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Affect You Mentally?

How Does Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Affect You Mentally?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, simply referred to as PCOS, is a hormonal disorder that impacts women who are of reproductive age. While the cause of PCOS is not well known, we do know that it causes enlarged ovaries with small cysts on the outer edges. Health experts believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors are at play with this disorder. 

The effects of PCOS are still being studied, but we know that those with the disorder can experience a wide range of mental health concerns, from anxiety and depression to eating disorders and low self-esteem. Continue reading this blog to figure out how PCOS may be impacting you mentally and emotionally, and what you can do to cope.

Grieving A Life That Never Was

Grieving A Life That Never Was

When we think of grief, we normally associate it with the loss of a loved one, like a family member or close friend. However, grief can come in many forms, such as losing something that you never had. Perhaps your life did not turn out the way you imagine it would. Maybe your career did not turn out the way you imagined. Or maybe your dream partner did not turn out how you thought they would. When your dream disappears, you may experience a loss.

Grieving a life that could have been may feel strange. Does it mean that you are feeling sorry for yourself? Are you dishonoring the life you have now by doing so? While there are many complexities of grieving the loss of a life you wanted, it deserves emotional processing too. After all, it is still a considerable loss.

Is It Normal to Grieve the Death of a Celebrity?

Is It Normal to Grieve the Death of a Celebrity?

At some point in time, the chance is that the death of a celebrity has saddened you. Maybe you mourned Princess Diana in the 1990s or, perhaps more recently, you are grieving the loss of actor Matthew Perry. While on the grief journey, you may be asking yourself, “Is it normal to grieve the life of a person I never met?”. This sadness goes beyond this person’s ability to touch people’s hearts through acting, singing, or so on. The grief is very real and personal in many ways.

Mourning the death of a celebrity you looked up to is just as important as grieving the loss of a beloved family member or friend. Grief is grief. There is no special definition or one-size-fits-all approach to it. If you think that ignoring your feelings of grief will help the process, it does not. In fact, it can prolong your grief journey. Just because you may not have ever actually met the celebrity who passed, it does not mean that your sense of loss is invalid or that they have not touched your heart in one way or another.  

Although people may try to minimize your grief, please know that it is real and deserves the adequate amount of mental health support, whether this manifests as practicing a little more self-care or meeting with a grief therapist near you. It is important to acknowledge your loss and find ways to showcase and support your grief journey.