by Courtenay Monfore | Jun 27, 2022 | Blog, Therapy
One of life’s most difficult experiences is losing a loved one. It would be somewhat easier if grief followed a linear path, with stages that neatly fit into boxes. But big feelings can emerge all throughout the grieving process. While emotions can be consuming, they...
by Courtenay Monfore | Jun 20, 2022 | Uncategorized
Even as adults, we crave our mom and dad’s love and approval. A toxic parent will exploit that. When you grow up with a toxic parent, it can take years — even decades — to recognize how dysfunctional the relationship really is. That could be because their bad...
by Courtenay Monfore | Jun 13, 2022 | Anxiety
Over the years as the mom of two teenagers, I’ve road-tested a few other pieces of parental wisdom that seem to carry more weight and evoke less “you are so old and do not get how hard my life is” than the standard “it will be okay.” In quite particular order, they...
by Courtenay Monfore | Jun 6, 2022 | Relationships
All friendships are prone to disagreements or problems at times, but sometimes these can cause irreparable harm. Dealing with the end of a long term friendship can be particularly tough as this person likely knows you well and is very integrated into your life. You...
by Courtenay Monfore | May 30, 2022 | Anxiety, Relationships, Therapy
Emotional support is one of the big benefits of having relationships. When you face life challenges or stress, your loved ones can offer empathy and comfort by listening to your troubles and validating your feelings. Emotional dependence, however, passes the point of...
by Courtenay Monfore | May 23, 2022 | Anxiety, Blog, Relationships
Anxiety can be hard on relationships. But healthy communication and understanding can help avoid any issues. Here’s how to navigate it together. Relationships thrive on concessions and acclimation. On the one hand, you’re human — stubborn and proud, enjoying things a...
by Courtenay Monfore | May 16, 2022 | Anxiety, Blog, Therapy
If you live with social anxiety that impairs your day-to-day functioning, it is important to seek help from your doctor or mental health professional. Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is commonly treated with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a form of therapy that was...
by Courtenay Monfore | May 9, 2022 | Blog, Therapy
How do ADHD symptoms commonly present in women? Women with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often live undiagnosed. This diagnosis gap happens partly because it’s a condition that was traditionally thought to affect mostly men, but also because...
by Courtenay Monfore | May 2, 2022 | Anxiety, Therapy
Being busy is often seen as a badge of honor and a marker of self-worth, with a lack of leisure time viewed as a direct indication of status. However, over-scheduling yourself can negatively affect your emotional and physical health, as well as your ability to...
by Courtenay Monfore | Apr 25, 2022 | Blog, Therapy
Self forgiveness begins and ends internally. Self-forgiveness. It’s not a term we hear often. It is commonly eclipsed by literature, articles, and speakers touching on the topic of how to forgive others. In Alcoholics Anonymous, we are taught to forgive those...