Help Your College Student Manage Back-to-School Anxiety

As the new academic year approaches, many college students find themselves grappling with back-to-school anxiety. This is a common experience, and it’s important to recognize that you’re not alone. Whether you’re a freshman stepping onto campus for the first time or a senior facing the pressures of your final year, managing anxiety is crucial for […]
The Healing Strokes: Intuitive Painting and Self-Care

In the hustle of our daily lives, self-care often takes a backseat. But what if there was a way to nurture our minds through the simple act of painting? Enter intuitive painting, a form of art that emphasizes the act of creation over the final product. How is this artistic journey a balm for the […]
Is Tapping Effective in Reducing Halloween Candy Cravings?

With Halloween just around the corner and Halloween candy has already been on the store shelves, our deconditioned, confectionary willpower muscles may be in need of some support. Some people just feel the dreaded holiday season coming, knowing the stress and guilt that is coming with all the food related activities. Some feel helpless against […]
Tina Gray-Siebers Earns PhD!

I am very pleased and proud to announce Tina Gray-Siebers recently attained a PhD in neuropsychology from the Graduate University of America: the New School of Positive Psychology. Congratulations, Tina! Her doctorate studies included evolutionary psychology, birth order, differences of the male and female brain, neuroplasticity, and neuroscience of positive psychology. According to Tina, “My […]
Anxiety vs Worry

Anxiety and worry- we use these words interchangeably but they are not the same thing. The dictionary defines anxiety as “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome” and worry as “a state of anxiety and uncertainty over actual or potential problems.” Similar, but not […]
18 Communication Errors You May Be Making

Common communication errors: Truth- You insist you are right and the other person is wrong. Blame- You imply the problem is all the other person’s fault. Defensiveness- You argue and refuse to admit any flaw or shortcoming. Martyrdom- You claim you are the victim of the other person’s tyranny. Putdown- You use harsh or hurtful […]
Is Perfectionism a Flaw? Part 2

Did you answer the questions from my previous post? If so, how was that for you? What did you learn? Whether you answered them or not, perfectionists often have some common distorted thoughts such as these: Should statements. You criticize yourself and others using ‘should’ and ‘shouldn’t’ especially in regard to your own standards. Selective […]
Is Perfectionism a Flaw? Part 1

Perfectionism doesn’t seem like it would be such a bad trait, but it is in fact, very stressful- for you and your loved ones! Perfectionistic standards are rigid and unrealistic as well as focused on the final product or outcome. But perfectionism tends to be based on fear. No one is suggesting that you have […]
From Student To Intern

T Until you start an internship, you have no true grasp of what it takes to maintain a balance between sympathy and professional objectivity, or how important it is to listen to every single word uttered by the client, ask the right questions, and derive the appropriate treatment plan. However, very quickly into the internship […]
A New Face

I am happy to share that we have a new counseling intern at Yurk Counseling Services. Ariana started her internship last week and I can already see she is in the right profession! Introducing Ariana Anderson The decision to seek counseling services is one that takes great strength, courage, and dedication. Although to many […]
Stop Obsessive Thinking

Everyone at one time or another finds themselves obsessing about a situation that bothers them. Not only do we live a negative experience but we beat ourselves up about it afterwards. This is called rumination- the repetition of the same thought over and over- and it can keep us in a mental rut. Rumination is […]
Stay Mentally Healthy

While we have had to change most of our normal activities, one thing should not change–taking care of your mental health. Actually, this is the time to prioritize it. Even if you are not panicking right now about the coronavirus pandemic, we are all especially vulnerable to stress, anxiety, excessive worry, depression, and feelings of […]