Awaken Counseling

Promoting good sleep habits can contribute to better overall sleep quality for both adults and children. Getting enough sleep can have a positive impact on reducing anxiety and depression.

1. Turn down the thermostat: Lowering the room temperature to around 60-68 degrees Fahrenheit is generally recommended for better sleep. Cooler temperatures are thought to promote more restful sleep.

2. Block out ALL lights: Darkness is important for the body to produce melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep. Using blackout curtains, sleep masks, and minimizing any sources of light in the bedroom can contribute to improved sleep quality.

3. Eliminate caffeine and reduce sugar in the diet: Both caffeine and excessive sugar intake can interfere with sleep. Caffeine is a stimulant that can disrupt the natural sleep-wake cycle, and sugar may lead to fluctuations in blood sugar levels, impacting the quality of sleep.

4. Consistent bedtime routine for children: Establishing a regular bedtime routine for children helps signal to their bodies that it's time to wind down and prepare for sleep. Activities like taking a bath, putting on pajamas, and reading a book can be calming and contribute to a smoother bedtime transition.

How can anxiety counseling help me?

Ever heard of the Four Horsemen of relationships?



According to Dr. John Gottman, a leading researcher in relationship dynamics, these communication patterns can spell trouble in any relationship: Criticism, Defensiveness, Contempt, and Stonewalling. Dr. Gottman's research at The Gottman Institute helps couples understand and navigate these challenges with the goal of building healthier communication and a better relationship.



The Gottman Method is research-based therapy used by many couples therapists. Our couples therapists have been trained in the Gottman Method and offer proven strategies for relationship success.💕
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When you have a gossiping friend, you will notice that the gossiping behavior "triangles" you into their conflict with someone else. Basically, your friend has a conflict with someone else and instead of going straight to the person they are frustrated, upset, or disagree with, they are talking about it to you.

What your friend is doing is reducing anxiety about one relationship by focusing on a third party (you), who he/she pulls into the situation to lower the emotional intensity he/she feels about the other person.

So how do you stop this? You have to get out of the middle! You do this by telling your gossiping friend that you are staying out of it. So if your friend says: "I am so disgusted with Aimee. Can you believe she did that last night?"

Your response would be, "That's between you and Aimee."

Happy Fourth of July!! We hope everyone enjoys a safe and wonderful holiday with their loved ones. Our office will resume normal business hours on July 5th. ❤️🤍💙

𝗘𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 🧐

Have you ever let your feelings convince you that they're the ultimate truth? That's emotional reasoning at play! Just because we feel something strongly doesn't mean it's an accurate reflection of reality. You can challenge those thoughts to come up with more balanced thoughts. 💪

Let’s face it: teens often have it rough. They’re learning to juggle responsibilities like school, extracurricular activities, and part-time jobs. They’re also trying to keep up with their social lives and hobbies while being exposed to social media and an increasingly volatile black-and-white news cycle.

It’s no wonder that anxiety among teenagers is increasing. It’s important to recognize the signs so you can guide them through this difficult time and prepare them to be a well-adjusted adult.

Anxiety in teenagers can manifest in various ways. It can be difficult to spot, since many signs can be simply normal teen behaviors.

Check out our latest blog post to read about symptoms of teen anxiety and how you can help.

Common Symptoms of Teen Anxiety and How to Help | Awaken Counseling Anxiety in teenagers can manifest in various ways. It can be difficult to spot, since many signs can be simply normal teen behaviors. Here are some common

𝗖𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁: 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 🚨

Do you find yourself blowing things out of proportion or shrinking them down until they seem insignificant?

That's the "binocular trick", where we magnify our mistakes and minimize our successes.

Anxiety And OCD Can Manifest In Different Ways

Maybe you notice that you:

-Feel restless and edgy, making it difficult to relax;
-Become agitated whenever something doesn’t go exactly to plan;
-Avoid situations or places, such as attending social gatherings, driving in congested areas, or visiting crowded locations;
-Can’t fall asleep or stay asleep at night;
-Tend to overanalyze situations by either dwelling on the past, or dreading the future;
-Experience physical symptoms, such as tense muscles, sweating, and racing heartbeat that sometimes culminate into panic attacks;
-Ruminate over troubling thoughts that make you anxious and then feel compelled to perform certain actions to reduce the anxiety.
-Constantly monitor and seek reassurance about your health from others or through repeated medical consultations.

Anxiety and OCD can negatively impact all aspects of your life, including your work performance, social life, relationships, and self-esteem. Although avoiding the situations that stress you out may help temporarily, using avoidance as your go-to coping mechanism can make anxiety worse while also causing you to miss out on the things you enjoy.

Fortunately, therapy offers effective treatments for anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). With evidence-based interventions like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), you can find helpful solutions for anxiety that provide relief. Our therapists treat all different types of anxiety, including Generalized Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Social Anxiety, Phobias, Panic Attacks, and Health Anxiety.

Anxiety is often caused by (or triggers) negative, cyclical thinking. When you’re feeling anxious, you might not know how to stop these thought loops. One way of coping with anxiety is to replace negative thoughts with more balanced, rational ones. By taking a step back and challenging your thinking, you’re better able to control your emotions. Here are several common thought traps that fuel anxiety and how to combat them.

1. Catastrophizing
Catastrophizing is a thought trap where you assume the worst-case scenario in any given situation. When you catastrophize, you turn minor issues into big deals. You may also have intrusive thoughts about disastrous things happening to you and your loved ones, even when they’re in all likelihood completely safe. For example, if your wife is a few minutes late coming home from work, you might assume she’s been in a terrible car accident, which sends you into an anxious spiral.

The key is to rationalize the situation and reason with your thoughts. Work on showing yourself that these scenarios are highly improbable. Try challenging these catastrophizing thoughts by asking yourself:

What evidence do I have that this worst-case scenario will happen?
Have I been in similar situations before, and how did they turn out?
What are some more likely outcomes?

2. Black-and-white thinking
Also called all-or-nothing thinking, this thought trap involves viewing situations in extremes, with no middle ground. Everything is either good or bad, a failure or a success. For example, after a constructive meeting at work, you might hear a boss’s criticism and feel like you’re terrible at your job and can’t do anything right.

Instead, try looking at the shades of gray in every situation. Rarely is anything ever completely polarized. Ask yourself:

Can I think of times when I performed well, even though I made mistakes?
Is there a middle ground here?
How can I have a more balanced perspective?

View our latest blog post to read the other common thought traps that fuel anxiety.

Identifying and Overcoming Common Thoughts That Fuel Anxiety | Awaken Counseling Anxiety is often caused by (or triggers) negative, cyclical thinking. When you’re feeling anxious, you might not know how to stop these thought loops. One way

Are you worried about failing? Is being worried about failing keeping you from moving forward? We all worry about "failing," so it is important to develop a strategy for dealing with this. Here are 5 tips for to help you turn "failure" into opportunity:

•Reframe your thinking: “Behaviors fail, not people”
•Reframe the word "failure" as learning
•Reinforce your effort to help yourself persist in the face of failure
•Focus on what you can control
•Assess the situation: were there some behaviors that did pay off even if you did not obtain your goal?

🌟 Ready to change your relationship with food & body image? 🌟

We understand the complexity of disordered eating and the fear that surrounds seeking therapy. But guess what? Therapy isn't about taking away control; it's about finding a healthier, more fulfilling way to navigate life.

Our approach is about meeting you where you are. We help understand the function and meaning behind your disordered eating, working together to uncover effective coping strategies and achieve lasting change.

With evidence-based modalities like CBT, DBT, and ACT, we guide you toward letting go of perfectionism. Whether it's recognizing and changing unhealthy patterns, building emotional resilience with mindfulness, or aligning your behaviors with your values, we're here to help.

🌟 We're excited to be recognized as Local Heroes by Cobb Collaborative! 🌟

We believe in supporting our community and the importance of supporting one another through life's challenges. We're proud to partner with Cobb Collaborative and be included on their Local Heroes page alongside other incredible organizations.

Thank you, Cobb Collaborative, for highlighting our team! Together, we're making a difference by bringing awareness to mental health.

Check out the Local Heroes page here to see how we're working alongside other professionals to provide exceptional care for our community.

https://www.cobbcollaborative.org/reflecting-on-mental-health-month-strengthening-the-community-and-nurturing-minds.

Struggling with worry? Not all worry is bad! Learn to worry more effectively by distinguishing between productive and unproductive worries.

Productive Worry: Helps you solve problems and leads to practical actions.

Unproductive Worry: Full of "what ifs" that don’t lead to solutions.

✨ Tips for Effective Worry Management:

1. Identify worries that lead to solutions.
2. Turn productive worry into actionable problem-solving.
3. Set aside specific "worry time" to manage unproductive worry.
4. Remember, effective worry can be a powerful tool for problem-solving and personal growth. 💪

Anxiety Therapists | Counseling Practice | Marietta & Roswell Discover skilled anxiety therapists in Marietta and Roswell. Our counseling services offer effective support to enhance your well-being. Schedule a session now.

Navigating conversations with your teenager can be challenging, especially if they suddenly seem to desire more independence and privacy. However, good communication is essential for a strong, healthy relationship. Check out this graphic for tips to help bridge the gap!

For more support and guidance, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].

Anxiety in children can be a complex issue to navigate, especially because young ones may not have the vocabulary to express their emotions fully.

Play therapy is a specialized therapeutic approach designed to help children express what is troubling them when they do not have the verbal language to express their thoughts and feelings. In play therapy, children are provided with a safe and comfortable space where they can play with toys, draw, paint, and engage in storytelling. This form of therapy is based on the understanding that play is a natural way for children to communicate, process their experiences, and work through their emotions.

During play therapy sessions, therapists observe how children use play to express themselves and may gain insights into their thoughts and feelings. For instance, a child who is experiencing anger might build up block towers only to knock them down. This action can be a metaphor for their internal emotional state and can provide a starting point for addressing these feelings.

The goal of play therapy is to help children learn to express themselves in more constructive ways, discover new coping mechanisms, and foster better social integration.

For parents considering play therapy for their child, it's important to seek out a qualified therapist trained in this specific approach. With the right support, play therapy can be a transformative experience, helping children overcome anxiety and build a foundation for healthy emotional development.

Read more in our latest blog post! https://awakencounseling.com/how-play-therapy-can-help-with-anxiety-in-children/

Molly is our Graduate Intern Therapist. She is currently earning her Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She works with a variety of ages, from adolescence to adults. Her desire is to walk beside clients as they manage the hardships of life.

Molly offers low-cost therapy, focusing on anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, parenting, women's issues, faith and spirituality.

*Contact us for your free consultation or first session today!*

Coping with uncomfortable emotions can be challenging, but there are effective strategies for managing them.

Here are three tips to help you:

*Sit with It: Allow yourself to fully experience the emotion without trying to change it. Remind yourself that emotions are temporary and will pass. By sitting with the feeling, you acknowledge its presence and give yourself time to process it, which can lead to greater emotional resilience.

*Distract Yourself: Engage in activities that can shift your focus away from the discomfort. Watch your favorite show, take a bath, go for a walk, sit out in the sun, or drink something warm. These activities can provide a temporary reprieve and help you regain a sense of calm.

*Talk to Someone: Reach out to a friend, family member, or someone you trust. Sharing your feelings with others can provide relief and make you feel less isolated. Whether through a phone call, text, or in-person conversation, connecting with others can offer support and perspective during difficult times.

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Do you have a High School Graduate?...That means college is right around the corner!
Tips for adjusting to the transition to college:

*Establish roots: Craft a plan to engage with campus activities and organizations early on to foster connections and meaningful relationships.

*Get familiar: Explore the campus layout and make use of available resources. Pre-visiting the campus several times can aid in adjusting smoothly to college life.

*Stay consistent: Maintain habits or activities that have been beneficial to you, such as running or yoga. Find equivalents or new outlets for these activities on campus to maintain a sense of continuity and well-being.

🌟 Ever heard of Hypnotherapy? 🌟

Hypnotherapy is a powerful therapeutic tool that can help individuals heal from trauma. Unlike the performative and sensationalized versions you might see in movies, real hypnotherapy is a professional and evidence-based practice. By guiding you into a relaxed, focused state, hypnotherapy allows access to deep-seated emotions and memories, facilitating the processing and release of traumatic experiences.

This technique is particularly effective for trauma because it works with the subconscious mind, where many traumatic memories are stored. Through hypnotherapy, you can reframe negative thoughts and feelings, reduce anxiety and stress, and gain a sense of control over your emotional responses.

Our trauma therapist, Tuesdey Brown, LPC, NCC, NBCCH, is a National Board Certifed Clinical Hypnotherapist who specializes in using hypnotherapy to help clients overcome trauma. Have questions about how hypnotherapy can help you? Contact us at [email protected]. ✨

Anxiety Is A Worldwide Mental Health Issue

Anxiety is the most widespread mental health challenge we face on the planet. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that “anxiety disorders are the world’s most common mental disorders, affecting 301 million people in 2019.” [1]

No matter what stage of life we are in, we face stressors that often exacerbate anxiety. As young adults, we struggle to establish careers and gain independence. When we get older, we may have difficulty keeping up with the demands of daily life and establishing a healthy work-life balance. With so many financial, professional, and familial obligations hanging over us, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and emotionally exhausted by the end of the day.

Living in a fast-paced society that values money and success over relaxation, connection, and self-care is a big reason why anxiety is so prevalent. Being raised to believe that our self-worth equates to our achievements often instills perfectionistic tendencies from an early age. In particular, women often feel pressure to excel within their careers while simultaneously fulfilling their roles as partners and parents flawlessly.

We Don’t Know How To Deal With Anxiety

Most of us were never taught how to manage anxiety. Instead of learning ways to sit with our anxious feelings, we try to run away from them, which only makes anxiety more difficult to deal with. Because we are wired for anxiety as a means of human survival, the goal should never be to eliminate it completely. However, learning healthier ways to decrease its debilitating symptoms can help us manage anxiety more effectively.

If an anxiety disorder or OCD negatively impacts your life, counseling can provide you with the skills to reduce intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors to restore a healthier balance.

Sources:
[1] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/anxiety-disorders

🌟 Spotlight on Ashley Henry, LAPC! 🌟

Meet Ashley Henry, a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor with over 10 years of experience. Ashley helps children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families navigate life’s challenges.

Specialties:
✨ Anxiety & Depression
✨ Trauma & PTSD
✨ Self-Esteem
✨ Relationships & Couples Therapy
✨ Child & Adolescent Therapy

Ashley combines her global experiences with an empathetic, non-judgmental approach, creating a safe space for growth and healing.

Feel free to contact us for more information: [email protected].

This past Saturday, we had an incredible time at our Emotional Regulation Workshop with Megan Heller-Foley, LCSW! 🌿 The group was full, and everyone walked away with valuable tools for inner peace and resilience. ✨

Participants centered themselves with guided meditation, learned coping skills for diverse situations, and crafted personalized emotional regulation boxes filled with coping skills cards and sensory items. It was amazing to see everyone engage and gain tools to help with challenging situations.

Megan hopes to run similar groups in the future, so stay tuned! If you’re interested in joining us next time, please reach out to us at [email protected].

Thank you to everyone who attended and made this event a success! 💚

Therapy for Disordered Eating Can Help You Change Your Relationship With Food

As therapists who understand the intricacies of eating disorders, we know that you or your teen may be reluctant to consider therapy. The idea of having the way you organize and control your life taken away from you can be a scary prospect.

However, your counselor will meet you where you are. An eating disorder is more than its symptoms. Part of our work together will be to identify its function, meaning, what your disordered eating has provided you, and how it has helped you cope. From there, we can explore more effective ways to get your needs met and think about what recovery looks like for you.

As therapists, we strive to be person-centered, strengths-based, and collaborative. We will discuss what works and doesn’t work for you and decide on the next steps together. Our goal will be to get you to a place where you feel ready to let go of unhealthy habits and behaviors and make changes that will benefit you in the long term.

Get to our therapist, Tuesdey Brown! Tuesdey is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who specializes in Anxiety & Fear Management, Relationship, Academic, and Work Stress, Trauma & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Self-Esteem, and life transitions.

With extensive training and experience, she helps individuals navigate life’s challenges with compassion. Her therapeutic approach combines evidence-based practices with a person-centered focus, creating a safe, supportive, and judgment-free environment for clients to explore healing and develop updated ways of thinking.

Working as a trauma researcher and choosing to specialize in treating trauma throughout Tuesdey's career has allowed her the opportunity to practice the best treatments available for overcoming traumatic experiences. Her training includes practice in Rapid Resolution Therapy, Emotional Pain Intervention, Brain Based Hypnotherapy, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, all of which are meant to provide healing in a timely and progressive manner. Being trained in the latest, innovative approaches, allows sessions with Tuesdey to move forward with more clarity, energy, and focus.

Tuesdey is available for both in-person and virtual appointments. She also offers a free 15-minute phone consultation before scheduling the first appointment.

Does Tuesdey sound like a good fit for you or a loved one? Contact us today to get started!

Remember, your journey toward a brighter, more fulfilling life starts here! 🌟

Don't miss out! We have one spot left for Megan's Emotional Regulation Workshop this Saturday, May 18th.

Learn ways to regulate your emotions and walk away with a kit to help you manage thoughts and feelings in the future.

Reach out to secure your spot at [email protected]. Don't miss out on this journey toward emotional well-being!

🗓️ Date: May 18, 2024
🕑 Time: 2pm - 4pm
📍 Location: 3855 Shallowford Rd., Ste 515, Marietta, GA 30062

Eating disorders are a common mental health issue affecting millions worldwide. They can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background, and are often misunderstood, which leads to misconceptions about their root causes and treatment. Eating disorders stem from a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors.

Many people with eating disorders use food and weight as a way to cope with emotional distress. Bingeing or restricting food often makes people feel a sense of control in their lives.

These underlying psychological issues have several causes, including:
- Childhood trauma
- Childhood issues with eating or gut problems
- Past abuse
- Unrealistic beauty standards
- Critical comments about weight
- Environmental pressures

Psychological issues and environmental pressures are intertwined. Unrealistic beauty standards in society can pressure people to look a certain, unachievable way.

A person who doesn’t see their own body type in media can develop a hatred of the way they look. The idealization of thinness and the popularity of dieting both contribute to body image issues.

Genetics can play a big role in the development of eating disorders. Research has shown that people with a family history of eating disorders are at a higher risk of developing one themselves.

Anorexia nervosa is one disorder that scientists have done gene sequencing to understand better. They found two genes consistent in those with anorexia that affect how a person responds to serotonin.

Treating eating disorders requires a multidisciplinary approach that combines the expertise of doctors, nutritionists, and therapists.

In terms of preventing eating disorders, promoting a wide range of body types, learning to cope with stress, and developing a strong sense of self-esteem can also help.

Eating disorders, if left untreated, can do lasting damage to the body and even be fatal. Talk to a doctor or other medical professional about the best course of treatment.

Read the full article in our latest blog post!
https://awakencounseling.com/causes-of-eating-disorders/