Is what I am feeling normal?

As a therapist, I constantly get the question from clients "Is what I am feeling normal?" In a world where we are told "Big girls/boys don't cry" and "Just get over it," it is hard to acknowledge and honor our feelings. Have you ever not shared how you feel with someone because you were afraid how they would react, or that they would think your feelings are "stupid"? This happens frequently and causes individuals to question their own emotions.

In therapy, one of the first goals is to understand, honor and validate your thoughts and emotions. No one else has walked in your shoes, so your feelings are normal for your experience. If you do not like how you are feeling, the next part of the process in therapy is to explore ways to think about and cope with your experience in a different way to help you lead a healthier and happier life.

So the next time you ask yourself "Is what I am feeling normal?," remember that the answer is YES and that you have the power to create change in your life! If you feel like you are ready to start your path to change, please contact Open Doors Counseling, Coaching and Consulting at 602-499-9952.

How to Heal

Healing from the past is a challenging goal. If you have experienced a traumatic event, it can feel very present in daily life event though it occurred in the past. It may be impacting your self esteem, sleep patterns, depression levels, anxiety levels, and relationships with others. Recovering from trauma is a process, and counseling can be a huge benefit to move through this process with support and guidance. The first step is finding a professional that you trust and are comfortable with. The process may be painful at times as you are sharing about it, but ultimately will lead you to identify what triggers the trauma experiences, developing coping skills and grounding techniques to manage the emotions that may come up, and healing by addressing the fears the trauma has caused and developing positive thought patterns that support healing. Validation, empowerment, communication, hope and connectedness are goals of counseling that will lead you on the path to healing and living a full and happy life.

If you are ready to start your path to healing, call Open Doors Counseling, Coaching and Consulting at 602-499-9952.

Opening Doors to a Better Life E-book

Open Doors Counseling, Coaching and Consulting is pleased to announce the availability of a free E-book on our website! Opening Doors to a Better Life: 10 Simple Tips and Worksheets to Help you Start Your Journey is now available free for a limited time at http://www.opendoorscounselingaz.com/Open_Doors_AZ_Events.html. 

Have a Healthier Relationship this Valentine's Day

This Valentine’s Day, in addition to buying gifts of chocolate and cards for your loved one, also give them the gift of healthy communication. Resentment often builds up in relationships by not truly sharing with the other person how you feel, holding things in, and can eventually lead to conflict. 

Try the following tips to improve your communication for a healthier relationship:

-Use I statements. Focus on how you feel and what you need, instead of blaming the other person

-Focus on the present issue instead of bringing up issues from the past.

-Pick a time that works for both of you to discuss issues. Try to avoid discussions right before leaving for work or late at night.

-Set a time limit for the discussion. Rarely do things get resolved after hours and hours of arguing.

-Focus on problem solving and what each person is willing to contribute.

Healthier communication equals a happier relationship! 

Happy Valentine’s Day from Open Doors Counseling, Coaching and Consulting!

New Year, New You!

Every New Year people start out with good intentions to make positive change in their lives. Losing weight, ending a bad relationship, quit smoking, finding a mate, looking for a new job...all are really achievable goals but often times the well-intentioned New Year's Resolution becomes a flop by the end of January.

Why not make this year different? Instead of a New Year's Resolution, call it a "goal for change" or something that feels more comfortable to you. By renaming the goal, it may make it feel more achievable than a resolution you set and quit every year. Make this the year of the "New You!" Let Open Doors Counseling, Coaching and Consulting help you achieve your goals for the New Year. Happy 2013!

New Year, New You Promotion: Buy one life coaching session, get the second 50% off! Mention this promo at time of scheduling to get started on the best you for 2013!

Managing Holiday Triggers

Recovery from substance abuse or mental illness is an ongoing process. The holidays can present unique obstacles in the road to recovery which may trigger thoughts or emotions that are difficult to manage. Identifying triggers and preparing for them can help make these obstacles seem less powerful and can make maintaining a recovery program during the holidays more manageable. Triggers can be people, places, things, situations, smells or sounds that bring up negative thoughts or emotions. Identifying your own personal triggers will help to prepare you in how to overcome them. Ways to manage triggers include reducing stress, interacting with positive and supportive people, and going to a safe and healthy environment. Identify alternative activities to those activities during the holidays that may present triggers for you. Having a plan before a trigger occurs is a great way to maintain your success in recovery. Have a safe and happy holiday season!

Creating Balance

What is balance?

Balance is a word that is often used, but how does it apply to wellness? Having a balanced life decreases stress, improves self esteem, and increases functioning. But how is balance achieved? 

First, look at all the following areas in your life and determine if they currently feel balanced:

Physical

Emotional

Spiritual

Financial

Self Esteem

Relationships

Work/School

Intellectual

Stress Management

Time Management

Next, write down what you are currently doing to achieve balance in these areas, and what you would like to do. Add the items you feel would help you achieve more balance to your daily routine. Try it for a week and evaluate how it is working for you. How did you feel? What worked? What didn’t? How did you feel? Make any needed adjustments and try it for another week. Once you determine the activities that help you achieve the most balance, continue them and celebrate the balanced lifestyle and wellness you are experiencing!