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Spring Renewal: 6 Ways to Prepare Yourself for Summer

By Melissa Divaris Thompson, LMFT

No matter which part of the country you’re from, there’s a good chance that winter is old news to you. Thankfully, the change of seasons is well on the way and you, like most people, are likely ready for a spring renewal. Of course, it can be tough to transition smoothly from season to season. After all, the way you navigate life can differ vastly from one season to the…

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The Long, Dark Road of Depression – Will It Last Forever?

By Melissa Divaris Thompson, LMFT

Have you been struggling with depression but can’t get anywhere? Are you worried that your depression will last forever with no hope in sight? For sufferers, the road of depression can certainly seem long and dark, without end. However, it is also important to know that there is hope at the end of the tunnel. First, take into consideration a few facts about depression. Same Depression, Different Experiences According to…

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After Birth: The Challenges of Navigating Motherhood

By Melissa Divaris Thompson, LMFT

Navigating motherhood is sort of like flying an airplane through a thick and foggy barrage of clouds. Most people really don’t know which direction is up or down, right or left. After giving birth to a precious little baby may seem like an obvious time to be beaming as a parent. And, you probably are beaming. The truth, though, remains that it has proven to be one of the most…

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Mindfulness: 10 Reasons Why It’s Great for Mind and Body

By Melissa Divaris Thompson, LMFT

If there was a simple way to improve your mind and body, would you do it? The good news is that there is a simple way! — It’s called mindfulness. Although it has taken the internet by storm, the practice of mindfulness has been around for centuries. What it all boils down to is living deliberately by being acutely aware of yourself and your environment. It seems too simple to…

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Self-Discovery: Why Unleashing Your Potential Is So Empowering

By Melissa Divaris Thompson, LMFT

If you’re like most people, then you want to know your purpose in life. You want to know why you’re here.Self-discovery is a very important step toward unlocking who you are and who you’re meant to be.Uncovering your own depths will encourage you. It will awaken a new sense of excitement inside you. But self-discovery often gets lost in the busyness of life. You might look at yourself every day in…

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Pregnancy & Passion: 6 Ways to Keep Your Intimate Relationship Alive and Enjoyable

By Melissa Divaris Thompson, LMFT

Planning a pregnancy with your partner can be both fun and exciting. It’s no surprise that most couples look forward to the intimate relationship involved in pregnancy planning, too. When conception takes longer than expected, though, that initial spark can quickly fizzle out. This lack of luster opens the door for obligated sex. Let’s be honest, having sex can seem like a chore when you do it simply because the…

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Winter is Coming – 6 Ways Mindfulness Practices Can Light Your Spirit

By Melissa Divaris Thompson, LMFT

The approach of winter months may cause you to dread more than just colder weather. If you’re like others who face seasonal depression, the cool breezes provide a nasty reminder that a long battle may await you. However, you can lessen the struggle with a good strategy. Although winter is coming, there are several ways mindfulness practices can help to lift your spirits. By tweaking your current lifestyle in preparation…

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Stressed Out? – How to Bring Balance and Peace Back Into Your Life

By Melissa Divaris Thompson, LMFT

As you navigate through life, do you feel balance and peace?Or, instead, do you feel more like a leaf looks on a very windy day? – Disheveled and stressed.If your balance and peace have danced away from you like that wind-blown leaf, it’s time for a change. Of course, nobody can rearrange your schedule or remove all of the stress from your life. But there are some tips that can…

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Photo by Gaetano Cessati on Unsplash

You Have Value! – How to Discover What’s Truly Amazing About Yourself

By Melissa Divaris Thompson, LMFT

Think back to the last time you’ve read an article, watched a video or show, or saw a picture of a person you thought was completely amazing. Was it because of their accomplishments in life? Their creativity? Their beautiful voice or their gorgeous body? Or maybe their intellectual prowess? Did you think, “Wow… they’re incredible!”? But what about yourself? Did the afterthought sound something like, “I could never be that…

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Being Mindful in a Harried World – 5 Tips to Stay Focused on the Right Things

By Melissa Divaris Thompson, LMFT

Stress abounds in this world. And far too often, we let ourselves be swept along with it. Consider for just a moment: Do you have the habit of multitasking—at work, at school, at home? Do you really think that makes you more productive? Does social media add to your daily stress and encourage distraction? How often has that kept you from being mindful to offline conversations? Have you ever had…

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The Social Appeal of a New Year

When it comes to our behaviors, as much as we’d like to think we’re adaptable, we are creatures of habit. But every year, as December comes upon us, amidst the holiday shopping and family planning, we reflect on our journey so far and reflect on ways to improve our lives. Amidst the seasonal shifts in weather, daylight saving time, and holidays, we jump into more change. Whether it’s in our…

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Reclaiming Yourself During a Pandemic

From socially distancing and working from home to living in a post-pandemic world with masks, constant testing, and a new world order. I think I can speak for the majority when I say that am not the only one feeling a sense of not being in control.  With the state of our affairs feeling so uncertain and unbalanced during a nationwide pandemic, how do we regain our sense of self…

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Why creating a routine can be helpful during coronavirus

The coronavirus outbreak is a global issue that is causing a lot of concerns for humans everywhere in the world. It is disrupting our lives, our economy, our finances, our social and family circles, as well as our physical and mental health. Our daily habits have changed, our life looks different, and everything happened so quickly, which is anxiety provoking. You might be working from home at this point, or…

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How vulnerability can help you enhance your relationship.

Being vulnerable in a romantic relationship. Throughout my experience working in France and now in the United States, I have observed partners going from regularly fighting and talking about breaking up to being close to one another and having a strong and secure attachment bond. So, what has helped them go from a stage of defensiveness and verbal attacks to a more peaceful lifestyle? I have noticed that couples that…

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New Year, New You! – 3 Ways to Find Your Authentic Voice in 2019

To find your authentic voice, be an explorer. How so? Have you ever been to a new city and felt an undeniable vibe? Like the atmosphere was alive, breathing a certain feeling into your lungs. Some cities that come to mind are New Orleans, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Nashville, San Francisco, etc. Unmentioned, of course, the hundreds of quaint little towns scattered across the map. What do they all have…

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How Overthinking a New Relationship Can Undermine Your Connection

The start of a fresh romance has its own unique learning curve. If you’re like most people, you may be tempted to analyze every little move. Yet, overthinking a new relationship can actually damage the authentic connection between you. Despite the intense and immediate connection that romance novels depict, usually that initial connection is fairly sensitive. In other words, it requires a bit of nurturing. Think of your new emotional…

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5 Easy Ways to Build Your Self-Confidence—Starting Now

Many things in life can impact your self-confidence. Think back to events in your childhood. Perhaps your parents divorced, you relocated to a new neighborhood or school, or you struggled with a physical illness or disability. In adulthood, you may have experienced a difficult relationship, dealt with a toxic work environment, or trudged through financial losses. Life has a way of twisting and turning in unexpected ways. Often, these experiences…

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Why Self-Care Is More Than a Day at the Spa

Despite the term “self-care” taking on a rather fluffy meaning nowadays, it’s far more empowering than most people believe. And self-care is more than a day at the spa. Yes, daily self-care goes far beyond sweating out stress in a sauna or taking a mud bath. Somewhere along the lines, self-care has gotten a luxurious connotation assigned to it. As if taking care of yourself was optional. It’s vital to…

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Attention, Stressed-Out People Pleasers—Read This and Relax!

As a people pleaser, you may deal with anxiety and stress by the truckloads. All the volunteering is likely burning you out. You probably don’t feel incredibly valued either. Perhaps you already know that people pleasing is rooted in low self-confidence. Essentially, as a people pleaser, you draw your self-worth from others. For this reason, the habit of people pleasing ends up hurting you big time. And stopping this habit…

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Are You Suffering from High-Functioning Anxiety? – 5 Tell-Tale Signs

Many people identify with the long list of common anxiety symptoms. From the racing thoughts to that notorious feeling of being on-edge, modern society has normalized these symptoms. But perhaps you’re not exactly the poster child for anxiety because you appear to have your life together. You’re organized, pay attention to detail, and can focus on several projects at once. Plus, you seem to have eight sets of arms with…

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