Ambre Associates, LLC

Childhood trauma doesn’t just “go away.” Its effects can stay with a person through adulthood, impacting their mental and physical well-being, including:

• Inability to regulate emotions
• Low self-esteem
• Cognitive functioning issues
• Difficulty forming and maintaining close relationships
• Chronic health conditions
• Impaired immune function
• Sleep disturbances
… and more.

As a community, we need to recognize the lasting implications of childhood trauma, do away with “victim-shaming,” and provide support to individuals who experienced trauma in their formative years.

If you experienced trauma as a child—or someone you love is currently navigating childhood trauma—please know trauma doesn’t have to be a lifetime sentence.

Addressing trauma with the support of a therapist who specializes in trauma and PTSD can mitigate its long-term risks.
Asking for help is a sign of strength.

Check out our latest blog post to learn more.

Childhood Trauma: Lifelong Implications (but Not a Lifetime Sentence) — Ambre Associates Childhood trauma can have profound, long-term effects on a person’s mental and physical well-being, increasing the risk of mental health issues and chronic disease in adulthood. It’s time to recognize the lasting implications of childhood trauma, do away with “victim-shaming,” and provide su...

Back to school is just around the corner. Some kids are really excited for this time of year, while others really struggle to make the transition back to routine, stress, and crowded spaces.

If your child falls into the latter, scroll through to see some of the tips we recommend for supporting them during this potentially tender time period.

Couples often find themselves entrenched in recurring patterns, arguing about the same topics or becoming triggered by each others' behaviors.

One way to shift the dynamic is to ask yourself, “Do I want to be defensive with my partner, or do I want to be connected?”

When you come from a desire for connection, the pattern starts to shift.

If you’re having trouble identifying how to move from defensiveness to connection, consider talking to a couples therapist.

We're excited to welcome Luisa Ellenbogen, our newest intern, to Ambre Associates! 🌟

Luisa views psychotherapy as a cooperative relationship between the therapist and client, which supports and facilitates the client’s mental health and overall well-being.

She works with young adults and adults who are:

◦ experiencing low mood;
◦ grappling with identity issues or low self-esteem;
◦ navigating life transitions or challenging personal relationships; or
◦ facing other personal challenges.

“Establishing an effective therapeutic relationship centered on unconditional positive regard is foundational to my approach to therapy, which focuses on the unique and individualized needs of every client,” she says.

Luisa is enrolled in Northwestern University’s Master’s in Counseling Program and is a member of the Chi Sigma Iota Honor Society.

In addition to working with clients at the Family Institute’s Clinic, she has conducted research on Ambiguous Loss and how it can serve as a model to support LGBTQ+ families.

Luisa is currently accepting new clients. To learn more about her or schedule an appointment, visit our website or call us today.

It doesn’t matter how old you get — the wounds from dealing with a parent who just couldn’t emotionally show up for you can run deep. And yes, you can still be dealing with those wounds as an adult.

So how do you manage a relationship with an emotionally immature parent? Here are four tips:

◦ Have clear, stated emotional, physical, and mental boundaries with your parent. Then hold them.

◦ Share information about yourself with your parent in strategic and intentional ways. You don’t have to lie, but they also don’t have to know everything about you if that information will later be used to cause harm.

◦Adjust your expectations in that relationship to be in line with what your parent will likely do/not do.

◦Work hard on your own emotional regulation skills. Being able to stay calm in their storm will make a huge difference.

July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month — but we prefer to say it’s BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month. And, it should be said: BIPOC are the global MAJORITY.

Due to systemic oppression, racism, and intentional marginalization, folks in America deal with mental health issues at a greater rate than their white counterparts with unequal access to care.

It’s critical that BIPOC folks can access therapy services that are deeply affirming and understanding of their lived experience. If you’re a BIPOC person looking for affirming therapy services, we recommend checking out resources like Black Female Therapists, Latinx Therapy, and SAMHIN.

We here at Ambre Associates also aim to provide BIPOC supportive therapy. Feel free to vet our therapists to see if they are a good fit for you.

We often feel like we have to mask our true wants, needs, and intentions in order to be deemed “acceptable” to others. What would change for you if you lived more authentically? If you were radically accepting of yourself as you are, what would be different?

June is Men’s Mental Health Month. Even though men report that they are less impacted by mental health issues, they are more likely die by su***de or suffer from depression in comparison to women.

Men are expected to “be strong”, which can come at a steep cost. This is a good reminder that men’s mental health matters. If you’re a man or know a man who may need support, let this serve as a reminder that support is just a phone call/email away. Contact us today.

Happy ! If you identify as LGBTQIA+, perhaps you’ve had problematic therapy experiences in the past. Or, you may (for good reason) have trouble trusting a therapist.

It is possible to vet a therapist to make sure they will be competent to treat you. Scroll through for questions you can ask to make sure your therapist is ready and able to treat you as an LGBTQIA+ person.

Ready for therapy? Insurance can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Ambre Associates is now in network with BCBS PPO and Aetna.

We have three therapists on staff who are accepting new clients. They see a range of people, including children, adults, individuals and couples. Visit our website to learn more about each of our therapists and see if one is a good fit for you.
Consultations are free.

We frequently meet with people who struggle with negative self-talk. The logic usually goes that the meaner you are to yourself, the more likely you are to motivate yourself into becoming a better person, right?

Our therapist Chris Skeaff (LCSW, PhD) breaks down why this logic rarely works, and why even when we know negative self-talk is harmful, we seem to can’t help falling into the trap of being our own worst critic.

https://www.ambreassociates.com/blog/modifying-or-mortifying-self-criticism-shame-and-the-possibility-of-change

Self-Criticism, Shame and the Possibility of Change — Ambre Associates We use self-criticism more to censor and shame than to explore and develop ourselves. How might we imagine a life less intimidated?

May is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) Awareness Month. People with BPD are often stigmatized and made to feel like there is something inherently wrong with them. It is important to know that despite its name, BPD is a TRAUMA RESPONSE – not a personal failing or personality flaw.

People with BPD can experience a variety—and combination of—symptoms that can include: anger, fear of abandonment, mood swings, low self-esteem, trouble sustaining close relationships, impulsivity and thoughts of self-harm.

If you have BPD or suspect you have BPD, you deserve care, respect, and support. Reach out today if you are ready for therapeutic help.

This quote from our very own therapist Chris Skeaff is a good reminder that sometimes the greatest fear we have is of fear itself. At the heart of anxiety is often a distress at feeling any “negative” feelings at all. When we are able to grow our confidence in our ability to tolerate hard feelings, we often find that anxiety subsides.

Getting the mental health support you need starts with asking for help. Sometimes, that first step is the hardest part! If you’re seeking mental health support but find it difficult to ask for what you need, here are four scripts you can use to start the process.

It’s , but we know that it doesn’t matter how aware you are of your own mental health needs if you can’t find affordable care. Here are four ways to access affordable :

1. Search for clinics or practices near you that have counseling interns. An intern is often just as effective as a fully licensed clinician, but accepts lower fees per session. Ambre Associates has interns on staff; contact us if you’re interested in therapy with one of our interns.

2. Reach out to local nonprofit or community organizations like NAMI to see if they have affordable programs or referrals.

3. Search for clinics with sliding scale services. If you find a therapist you’re interested in but aren’t sure if they offer sliding scale sessions, ask!

4. Group therapy or support groups are often affordable alternatives to individual therapy that are just as beneficial, and sometimes more so!

The role of mom is amazing, hard, wild, and everything in between. Whether you’re a bio mom, a chosen mom, a foster mom, an adoptive mom, or playing the role of mom to someone who needs it, the work you do matters. We hope you’re getting the love and support you deserve today. Happy Mother’s Day!

When we’re feeling low about our mental health, everything can feel overwhelming – including asking for help. But as Mr. Rogers reminds us, the first step to decreasing that overwhelm is by talking about it.

Food addiction can take many forms: eating to numb emotions, eating past the point of fullness, eating a steady diet of calorie-dense foods – to name a few.
Food addiction often feels shameful to those who suffer from it; but it’s not anyone’s “fault.” Many people struggle with their relationship to diet, nutrition and a variety of accompanying body image issues.

Learn more about the symptoms of food addiction and treatment options on our blog. https://www.ambreassociates.com/blog/what-is-food-addiction

The Link Between Food Addiction and Body Image — Ambre Associates If you struggle with overeating, emotional eating, or wafting from diet to diet, you may believe that you have food addiction. However, these symptoms can actually result from an eating disorder. Understanding the relationship between self-perceived food addiction, body image, and disordered eating

When it comes to our mental health, perspective is everything. Obstacles can become opportunities. Pain becomes lessons. And most importantly, our personal faults can become wounds that need to be tended to.

Therapy can help you develop and expand your perspective in new ways, so you’re not just looking at yourself – you’re finally able to SEE yourself.

In the last two years, we have experienced an escalation of worldwide conflicts. None of us are immune to the stress and worry that comes from witnessing war – including our children. If you are having a hard time having candid conversations with your kids about current events, scroll through for a few communication tips.

Springtime means the weather is getting warmer, which usually also means improved moods. We love to see it! But this is also a great time to focus on your mental and emotional goals. How are you tending to your personal growth right now?

Therapy can help you broaden your perspective and become more of the person you want to be. Our team is ready to help. Visit ambreassociates.com today to book a consultation with one of our therapists.

It’s . We often hear from many of our friends and clients that they feel traditional therapy just isn’t right for them. A variety of assumptions can feed this belief. Often, it is because neurotypical therapists don’t always understand how to accommodate the needs of someone with autism.

Being a good therapist to an autistic person can look like: accommodating sensory needs, being non-judgmental of stimming behaviors, being non-pathologizing of protective behaviors, giving ample time to process thoughts and feelings, and being very clear about the intentions behind the interventions and skills that the therapist uses in session.

Ambre Associates has therapists on staff who are ready to provide autism-affirming care. Visit our site to reach out to one of our therapists today.

Trauma can look differently to different people. Sometimes trauma is one big event – like an accident or an assault. But other times, trauma is the cumulative impact of many “smaller” painful events. We call this “little t” trauma, but if you’ve been impacted by it, you may feel there is nothing little about it.

Little t trauma can look like countless painful interactions with a parent, or even having to deal with many hurtful racial or gender-based microaggressions. Check out our recent blog post to learn more: https://www.ambreassociates.com/blog/little-t-trauma-the-cumulative-effect-of-everyday-distress

Little t Trauma: The Cumulative Effect of Everyday Distress — Ambre Associates Little t trauma, as opposed to big T trauma, refers to an accumulation of smaller distressing events or circumstances that can profoundly impact an individual’s mental health. Recognizing and fully processing little t trauma can help loosen its hold.

Most people think they go to therapy to change themselves, but would you believe a lot more of the work is about accepting yourself just as you are? When you are able to deeply understand and appreciate yourself as you are, new worlds will open up to you.

and

If you’ve been considering therapy, here’s your sign to make the call. Izzy, our canine associate, has been keeping your spot warm on the couch.

We have openings for individuals, couples, teens, and children who are looking for therapy. Visit ambreassociates.com to reach out and get started.

April is Stress Awareness Month. Not like you need to be any more aware of your stress, but we invite you to become more aware of the many ways your stress may be impacting you.

When unexamined and untreated, stress can have many negative effects on our bodies, minds, and relationships. Even though stress is necessary for growth and change, too much stress that goes unmanaged can be detrimental. Scroll through to find out how stress may affect you, and some tips for what you can do about it.

If you’re feeling constantly overwhelmed, depleted, and slightly guilty about your perceived “shortcomings,” you may be struggling with a lack of strong boundaries. Creating healthy, kind boundaries can be hard. A therapist can work with you to help you define what boundaries are right for you, as well as support you in better understanding what made it hard for you to set those boundaries in the first place.

As we wind down Women’s History Month, we’re thinking about all of the ways that women continue to be disproportionately impacted by mental health issues. There are many societal changes we can make to ensure that women are better supported in their mental health. If you’re one of the millions of women impacted by depression or anxiety, help is available. Know you aren’t alone!