We often experience emotions as an iceberg. In the conscious mind, above the water, we consider our feelings — whether it’s anger, sadness, or joy. However, under the water lies the subconscious and unconscious minds. This is where we store painful memories and patterns of behavior that we have grown accustomed to experiencing. Due to […]
Category Archives: Recovery
07
Apr
Apr
A key component of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is characterizing your maladaptive thoughts. Maladaptive thoughts are ways of thinking that do not serve a logical purpose but stem from depression or anxiety. Here are some examples of maladaptive thinking patterns: All-or-Nothing Thinking: Also called black and white thinking, this is the belief that a situation is 100% one […]
Trauma underpins most major mental illnesses and substance use disorders. When life deals someone with a challenging card, they only have so many ways to cope. There are genetic and environmental factors that guide the decisions we make in the wake of trauma. Some turn to alcohol or drugs, some experience psychosis; others enter significant […]
04
Apr
Apr
You can learn about a person and help them come to realizations about themselves by asking them a series of questions. Named for the Greek philosopher Socrates, this method of conversing helps people get to the heart of the matter. Questions, in this theory, have a particular direction and follow a logical path. Therapists use […]
26
Mar
Mar
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a tool that a lot of clinicians use to learn more about their clients and the client’s desire for change. Some of the basic tenants include getting to know the client better through reflective listening, determining what underlies the client’s ambivalence about change, and assessing where the client is at in […]
17
Mar
Mar
While in recovery, it is natural to experience cravings. You may have a desire to use again at random moments. This is part of the recovery process. Substance use disorder is a physiologic illness where your body feels compelled to give in to cravings. So understand that it’s the illness talking. These cravings can come […]
15
Mar
Mar
Typically during this time of year, we gear up for the famous National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) basketball tournament: March Madness. The tournament this year will take place entirely in Indiana from the dates of March 18 through April 3-5. Players, coaches, and staff will all be routinely tested for coronavirus. There will be no […]
12
Mar
Mar
Telling your story can make all the difference. After having experienced trauma, however, it can be difficult to vocalize, organize, and summarize what you went through. It takes time to craft your narrative. It is helpful to remember that you get to decide how to tell your story. You ultimately determine how to interpret the […]
05
Mar
Mar
Do you feel well connected to your community? Do you feel isolated sometimes? Both of these questions play into the overarching idea of a social network. A social network is the fabric of support surrounding you during a crisis. Who you interact with matters. Overlapping Network This is the type of network built upon crisscrossing […]
03
Jan
Jan
With 2021 underway, it may be a good time to reevaluate your progress on your personal goals for growth. In December, we wrote a reminder to readers to Focus on the Positive in the New Year. Perhaps you made a New Years resolution and need some tips on holding yourself accountable. To successfully form new, […]