First therapy session: What to expect.

You did it. You scheduled your first therapy appointment. Now what? For many new clients, therapy may be daunting because it is an entirely new experience. Perhaps the only exposure you've had with therapy is from a tv screen. Although you've seen clips of other people, actors, in therapy, but what really happens in real life therapy?

In our practice, we believe it is important to make therapy a respectful and comfortable process. When you walk into our waiting room, you are greeted by soft lighting, background music, and a beverage station. We want our clients to make themselves comfortable. While not every therapy office may have a similar set up, there are general themes that you may experience in a therapy room near you. We've made a list of things you could expect in your first therapy session.

Develop good listening skills

Do you have what it takes to be a good listener? It isn't as easy as you think and it doesn't always come naturally. However, with a little concentration and intention, you can improve your listening skills in as little as five steps.

5 Tips to good listening skills

Cultivating Gratitude: Take the 1 month challenge

It's not uncommon to list the things you are grateful for around Thanksgiving time...but that's still a few months away. Why wait until then?

Recently we've been thinking about adding on to our home. We went so far as to hire an architect, a structural engineer, and interview local contractors. We got down to the wire and sat across from a mortgage broker before it hit us...why the rush? We haven't even been in our home a year and we're making plans to add space?! What happened to being completely in love and over-joyed about our new place?

Gratitude Journal iTunes app

I use that example to illustrate the human desire that stirs within all of us at some point in time to not be satisfied, to want more, and to overlook the current day-to-day joys. That part of us begins to compare ourselves to what others have or the misguided belief that, "...if I just had...I would be so much more happy..." There's no judgment here, it is what it is and as humans, we all experience it one time or another. Furthermore, this post is not to minimize the real struggles that each one of us may face on a daily basis. However, I write this to highlight part of our human nature that causes dissatisfaction. Additionally, it's a part of our lives that paired with deliberate focus, we can combat just by changing our perspective.

Little things make a big difference

Growing up my mom placed an emphasis on Fridays. In my school lunch I'd find a Little Debbie snack with a handwritten note on it, "Happy Fun Friday! I love you! -Mom." Talk about brightening up my day! Even now my mom will ask, "What are you doing for Fun Friday?"

As an adult, I realize the importance of making at least one day or moment extra special. The weeks are filled with so much responsibility and decision-making that it is essential to bring a little joy into the day...otherwise we may all burnout.

Peanut Butter Cupcake by Cupcake Delirium

Last night I was working late at the office. Before I left, spontaneity hit me and I quickly developed a little scavenger hunt to greet my office assistant when she arrived this morning (thankfully earlier in the day I got a pack of cupcakes from a nearby cupcake truck so I made one of them the "treasure"). It took me just a few minutes to think of some clever clues and where to hide them...I was definitely having a good time. When my assistant arrived today she was completely surprised! It was a great change to the typical workday and it lifted her spirits.

A New Year, A New You

I know many people who were eagerly awaiting 2012. Were you one of them?

Growing up I remember driving in the back seat of the car with my parents. I was gazing out the side window and saw images in a neighbor's yard of a Grim Reaper character on one end and a new born baby with a sash wrapped around its body with the year on it on the other side of the yard. It wasn't until recently that I connected this (which I hesitate to admit), the grim reaper was actually Father Time. I didn't really understand what those two figures meant back then. However, now I share in the feelings those images represent today.

The kids are gone, now what?

In the last post, I wrote about the transition of sending your children away to college. Today's post is a follow up with a focus on the parents who are left behind. Many people joke about the relief of having the house all to themselves once children are gone and while that may be the case, the house can be awfully quiet and lonely at the same time. No longer is the hustle and bustle flowing in and out of your house, rather, it's time to establish a new pace.

This time can be especially difficult on parents, this is what we call the Empty Nest Syndrome. The Empty Nest Syndrome is characterized by feelings of loneliness and depression when your children leave home. Transitions and changes are difficult and it's a time to redefine your role. Your identity as super mom or super dad can move more to the side and energy towards other relationships can be the focus of your attention.

Sending kids away to college

Growing up my mom would always celebrate this time of year. There was a Staples back-to-school commercial that would show a dad gliding on a shopping cart through the aisles with his head flung back and a wide grin on his face while his children begrudgingly walked behind him with their own soured expression. He was thrilled for his kids to return to school, while the children clearly were not. Meanwhile, the song, "It's the most wonderful time of the year," would play in the background. My mom would laugh and laugh each time that commercial came on! However, when it was time for me to go away to college, that laughter turned into tears...for my mom and for me.