Unraveling the Misconceptions: Understanding Neurodivergence in ADHD and Autism

April 2nd is World Autism Day, and since we work with many adults with diverse diagnoses, we wanted to shed some light on neurodivergent conditions like Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and how they’re commonly misunderstood. You probably know plenty of neurodivergent people and don’t even realize it, or maybe you’ll see some of your own traits in this blog! The term neurodivergent is an umbrella term that describes people who have different neurological abilities from those who are considered “typical” (though we don’t love that terminology since everyone’s brains are wildly different from one another!), which includes both ADHD and ASD. These conditions, though widely recognized, are often surrounded by misconceptions that can lead to stigma and alienation. 

Setting Healthy Boundaries: What Self-Help Books Gloss Over and How To Stay on Track

The art of setting boundaries is one that many struggle with, but is a necessary and fundamental life skill that leads to healthy assertiveness, self-confidence, agency, and a positive self-image. Before we can set boundaries, we must identify the behaviors we deem acceptable and those we do not, and make decisions from there that prioritize our well-being without harming others. Essentially, boundaries connect the space where our individuality ends and the realm of others begins. Mastering this skill empowers us to navigate interpersonal dynamics with clarity and ensures a healthy balance between our own personal needs and social interactions that involve others. The good news is that setting boundaries is a skill, and like any skill, it can be learned, practiced, and honed. Even better, the techniques for boundary setting are quite straightforward once you know where to begin.

Let's get right to the point—research is finding 1 in every 3 adults in America is experiencing depression. The statistics are alarming but understandable in light of what has transpired in the world in the past two years. A lack of energy, increased anxiety, sadness, and overwhelm are feelings most of us have experienced since the start of the pandemic. They are also signs of depression. If you aren't feeling like yourself anymore or haven't in a long time, this article is for you.

Can stress actually physically change our brains? What really happens to our brains when we're stressed?

We tend to move throughout our day and lives without giving much thought to our brain and brain health. We know it's there, we assume it's working and doing the job it needs to, and we don't think much about it until there is a problem that forces us to. But understanding how our brain works under stress can help us better understand how to manage it and keep it healthy now and in the future.

The past two years have been filled with events and world circumstances that have pushed anxiety levels to the max. On top of that, we're all still facing the common obstacles and life situations that can cause anxiety, such as relationships, careers, and finances. If you're starting to feel like it's all too much and there seems to be no end in sight, we're here for you.

We believe it's fundamentally necessary to acknowledge and address mental health stigma to help people overcome the obstacles to getting help when they're struggling. An often overlooked part of mental health stigma is acknowledging the different obstacles that people face in communities of color. Therapy and medical care should be accessible to everyone and something that all people can feel comfortable and confident using to feel and live their best.

Signs Your Parent Made A Toxic Environment For You Growing Up and How to Heal

We don’t have to relive the habits of our childhood on loop forever. We can rewrite those stories and reparent ourselves in adulthood to create healthier habits and boundaries with others.

How to Stop Catastrophizing

We often think that if we can “plan for the worst and hope for the best” then we will be both prepared for disappointment and pleasantly surprised by success. Unfortunately, what we fail to realize is how powerful our minds are, and that when we plan for the worst, we unconsciously create conditions for the worst to come true.

Stress, anxiety, and depression can become amplified during the holidays. Even when all of our demands are things we actually want to do, the sheer number of obligations during the months of November and December can overwhelm even the best planner.The trick to managing the season is not to think you can conquer the stressful events in your life, but rather to create conditions in which those events don't drown you. You can decrease the impact the demands of the holidays have on you while increasing your enjoyment of the season.

What Unexpected Gifts did Quarantine Give Parents and Caregivers?

Even though it wasn’t by design and during a tremendously difficult period, slowing down, spending more time with family, and doing projects benefitted families unexpectedly during quarantine.

Managing Your Children's Reactions to Unexpected Disappointments

Covid-19 has given all parents and caregivers a crash course in challenging conversations. Some of us feel that they weathered the storm better than others, but all parents and caregivers can agree that it never hurts to have more tools in the toolbox to deal with their children’s emotions.

"I'll Sleep When I'm Dead!" - Why Not Getting Enough Sleep Might Actually Accelerate that End Result

Lack of quality sleep leads to a general slowing of alertness and inconsistent performance, especially in terms of attention, diligence, and focus. Sleep-deprived people are also more likely to get sick and to take longer to recover, leading to more days of missed work and a negative impact on work performance.

Stress Can Physically Change Our Brains, But We Can Treat and Prevent It

When we experience stressful events, the amygdala (area of the brain focusing on emotional processing) sends an emergency signal to the hypothalamus (the brain command center) that says it’s time to pick the “fight or flight” response. The good news is that we don’t have to totally overhaul our lives in order to make positive changes. Small daily habits can improve brain health and keep us sharp.

Our bodies are designed to do so much more than look cute in jeans!

That said, it’s totally normal to have feelings of self consciousness, embarrassment, shame, and guilt regarding their weight gain and changes to their outer appearance. Clients are stating they feel uncomfortable in their clothes, uncomfortable with their body shape and size, and fear for what others might say about their weight gain.

WTF is a "bikini body" anyway?

Read on for 4 ways to let go of the pressure of having a bikini body and celebrate your own body this summer. Lean into your personality and what excites you to feel fun and confident in your bikini. We’ve spent too long away from our friends to let insecurities ruin our beach day now that we can finally have them again!