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Over 20 percent of Americans suffer from anxiety disorders, making it the most common mental illness in the U.S.  Most people experience feelings of anxiety time to time like before an important event such as a big exam, business presentation or maybe first date. Anxiety disorders, however, are illnesses that cause people to feel frightened, distressed and uneasy for no apparent reason. Left untreated, these disorders can dramatically reduce productivity and significantly diminish an individual’s quality of life.

Being in a relationship can be incredibly satisfying but it can also be very challenging at times. The expectation of “Happily Ever After” can be interrupted with poor communication, infidelity, infertility, financial issues, job loss, empty nest or simple boredom.  A therapist can often help you better communicate, understand your position in the relationship, find tools to better connect with your partner or simply figure out where the two of you are in your journey.  

Find yourself having the same issues with others time after time?  Hard to maintain friendships?  Possibly repeating family patterns you grew up with and never wanted to adopt? Admitting there is an issue you need to address can be very difficult but it is the first step toward making the necessary changes to living a more rewarding life. The good news is you can make the changes if you are willing but you don’t need to do it alone.

Even though anger can look raw and brutally honest, it usually works as a cover-up mechanism for uncomfortable states of mind, such as fear, sadness, disrespect, trauma or issues with self-esteem. From annoyance to full-blown rage, it may not be the most effective way to express your feelings and can be negatively affecting the way others view you.  If it is interfering with healthy relationships in your life it may be time to consider more effective communication.          

Feeling down from time to time is a normal part of life, but when emotions such as hopelessness and despair take hold and just won’t go away, you may have depression. Some people describe depression as “living in a black hole” or having a feeling of impending doom, others feel lifeless, empty, and apathetic. It can interfere with your ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and enjoy life.

Are you effectively communicating your thoughts and needs? Do your emotions interfere with your message? Are you accurately hearing those who are expressing their feelings to you? Are you maybe listening too fast? Communication is complicated. Two people’s ability to convey their messages to one in an effective manner is essential to maintain a healthy relationship. Why not learn the best way to communicate with those important in your life?

Today parents can often start out with challenges due to their non-traditional partnerships (co-parenting, same-sex, adoption, co-habituating) or lack of a partnership as seen with so many single parents. Now add the Internet, social media and the other nuances that complicate the already difficult task of raising children.  Meeting with a professional can help you navigate the world of parenting today with resources, tools or maybe just help you avoid repeating the mistakes of your parents. 

Research shows that a great deal of our self-worth is often based on our achievements and as a result we are becoming Human Doings instead of Human Beings. We start to overvalue lists of completed tasks compared to invitations with friends. It becomes easy to lose sight of what we truly consider important and understand the motivation for our actions. We begin to question if we are self-sabotaging to undermine our true priorities and values. Let’s make sure you are living the life you want.