Let's be real - going home for the holidays can be a mixed bag. Sure, there's the comfort of familiar faces and maybe some phenomenal home cooking. But for many of us, it also means stepping into a minefield of family dynamics, differing values, and this year, the added spice of rising political tensions. Fun times, right? … Hear us loudly when we say: Your feelings are valid, whatever they may be.

At the heart of our social media habits is the powerful neurotransmitter called dopamine. Often misunderstood as simply a "pleasure chemical," dopamine actually plays a crucial role in motivation, learning, and reward-seeking behavior. This connection between dopamine and social media use is a key factor in understanding dopamine addiction in the digital age.

Deadlines, exams, meetings, and endless to-do lists. Not to mention maintaining a living space and keeping pets, plants, and/or additional humans alive! Does any of this chaos sound familiar? Whether you're navigating the corporate ladder or tackling your studies, locating moments of peace can feel like a challenge. But what if calm wasn't something you had to find, but something you could create? Let's explore how mindfulness, even when brief, can be a tool in your toolbox to use for staying centered…no matter what life throws your way.

You’re listening to a podcast your friend recommended that seemingly claims to have the answers to life’s greatest questions. Listening in for the first time, they begin speaking about 'practicing gratitude' and you immediately think: “Great, another buzzword.” The next “self-care,” if you will. You're not alone. The notion of practicing gratitude is all over the media right now: books, podcasts, articles, smartphone apps, and now on the Resilience Therapy blog! It's easy to dismiss the idea of practicing gratitude as pop psychology fluff, but there's more to it than meets the eye. Let’s get into it.

Imagine a world where your greatest enemy is also your life source…. What sets eating disorders apart from other addictions is the inescapable nature of food in our daily lives. It's a constant companion, a necessity for survival, and for those struggling, a relentless adversary.

Whether it's cozied up on your living room couch, enjoying the serenity of your backyard, or any other familiar, calming environment you choose, virtual therapy allows you to engage in counseling from the spaces that make you feel most at peace. With virtual therapy, you have the flexibility to schedule appointments at times that seamlessly fit your life's natural rhythms, whether that's first thing in the morning, later in the evening after the kids are asleep, or whenever works best.

“Anxiety is a fickle b*tch that sneaks up when you least expect it…it feels like a bad case of the “what if’s” that you can’t escape!” - Alexis Sturnick, LCSW - Founder and Lead Psychotherapist of Resilience Therapy