THE BLOG

Parents, does your child melt down when screen time ends or seem “hooked” on devices? You are not alone. Screens are designed to be highly engaging, and many kids struggle with stopping quickly, especially when they are tired, hungry, or already dysregulated. What’s happening in your child’s brain? When kids use fast paced, high reward media, the brain’s reward system gets a big boost. That includes dopamine pathways tied to motivation and “wanting more.” When the device turn

Mental health support shouldn't stop at the workplace doors. That’s why Think Happy Live Healthy is excited to roll out our newest initiative: bringing therapy, psychiatric care, and wellness services directly to local businesses. Our goal is to make mental health more accessible during the workday— and we need your help to spread the word. Whether you’re a business owner looking to boost team morale, or an employee wishing your workplace offered more support, we’re here to h

First, we want to start off by saying that we are here for you. There is so much uncertainty right now. Countless unanswered questions that just keep popping up. We know many people are angry, confused, and hurting. Trying to navigate all of these changes can feel absolutely overwhelming. Do you feel like your life is this scattered jigsaw puzzle right now? You are not alone. With our government currently experiencing significant changes, it is understandable that individual

All of these podcasts have been recommended by therapists at Think Happy Live Healthy and cover a variety of topics.

In the spirit of the holiday season, our therapists submitted their top picks for books focusing on relationships and healthy boundaries, pa

Assessing the level of support a client needs is essential. When we receive a referral at our practice, our first step is to determine if...

Words of encouragement or affirmation can bring about a new sense of hope and purpose as well as have a positive impact on mood.

Original Question: “My dog is dying. She has arthritis in her hips and walking is difficult and painful. I am hoping she will be better in the spring and summer. My husband says she will not survive another cold winter. We want her to die peacefully at home and be buried in the backyard so we have to bury her before winter when the ground is frozen. I am home alone all day during the week with only my two dogs to keep me company. I have loved my sweet dog for almost 11 years.

Prioritizing your child’s needs is a natural part of being a parent. When you see your child struggling, reaching out for support – for them – is the first choice for many parents and caregivers. While seeking therapy for your children is a wonderful and practical step to take, scheduling therapy for yourself may be just as important and impactful. A recent study, looking at parental and caregiver mental health, supported previous research showing that parents who promote

Photo by Paige Cody on Unsplash We are now fully immersed in fall and there are so many ways to celebrate the season. If you have ever...

Mindfulness can be a beneficial practice to help in many areas of life. In this blog post, I will be narrowing the topic down to...

Photo by Brian Chan on Unsplash As you look at this picture, you may be thinking to yourself, “These look amazing! Where can I get one, or let’s be honest, all of these! Or there may be another dessert that you have been thinking about and are looking forward to baking or picking up at the store. You may also look at this picture and instead of having excitement or anticipation, critical thoughts may creep in, such as “I shouldn’t eat this” or “I don’t deserve it.” For a minu

Photo by Marcos Paulo Prado on Unsplash Summertime! When the weather is warmer, the sun stays out longer, pools are open, and everyone is having the time of their life. At least, that’s what television and movies seem to want you to believe. Not everyone is happy and excited during the summer. Summer depression is real and affects 4-6% of Americans yearly. What causes seasonal affective disorder? Just like the “winter blues”, where too little sunlight can affect a person’s mo

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash Psychotherapy or “talk” therapy can benefit people struggling with emotional difficulties, life challenges, and mental health concerns. Therapy can improve symptoms of many mental health concerns that people are coping with. Medications are definitely helpful to reduce some symptoms but talk therapy can address issues that medication cannot. Even if you discontinue therapy, the tools you may have learned will last with you for years to come an

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash There are so many more good coping skills that are not listed here, so go to google and search “best coping skills” and see what you find. These are just a short list to get your started to helping manage your emotions more effectively. You will need to find what works best for you. Most importantly, a therapist will be able to help you develop healthy and effective coping strategies. Are you feeling depressed or anxious and have little to n

Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash People who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary or genderqueer have very similar symptoms of anxiety, depression, and suicidality as heterosexual or cisgender (non-transgender) individuals. Sexual and gender minorities experience additional identity-based stressors that can contribute to the development of anxiety and depression due to not fitting in the “norm” of society. Many LGBTQIA+ individuals experience discr

Aside from some "typical" ways to get more energy such as exercise, coffee, etc, what some people may be surprised to think about is that fatigue, especially when its part of a cycle can be a symptom of depression or anxiety. My clients that are depressed or anxious almost always complain about fatigue as well. What does this mean? Just because you're tired doesn't mean you are depressed or anxious, but it's something to be curious about. A quote comes to mind that is helpful