What is Distress tolerance? Many people try to cope by getting into behaviors that provide relief, but the behaviors can be unhelpful or harmful. Examples of ineffective coping behaviors are drug and alcohol use, gambling, spending money, overeating, and self-injury. We can learn distress tolerance skills to replace the ineffective coping behaviors in order to … Continue reading Distress Tolerance Coping Skills (DBT)
Tag: Pittsburgh Christian Counselor
Exercise, Sleep, and Anxiety: Rewire your brain
Lifestyle habits can have a strong influence on your amygdala. If you engage in regular aerobic exercise, especially exercise that uses large muscle groups, the positive effects on both your amygdala and your cortex can help improve your mood. Regular aerobic exercise can also improve your brain's neuroplasticity, making both your amygdala and your cortex … Continue reading Exercise, Sleep, and Anxiety: Rewire your brain
Will You Finish Stronger Today?
"Finish Stronger" Finishing stronger is one of my unspoken daily goals. It's not written on a to-do list, but it is in the back of my mind. At the end of the day, I feel satisfied with my accomplishments. "Finish Stronger" is a part of a growth mindset. I aim to finish my day or … Continue reading Will You Finish Stronger Today?
How to follow through when you’re not automatically good at something
I wasn't always good at weight lifting, I enjoyed it, and knew that it played an important role in my health, but it can be difficult to stick with something until you are good at it. Over the years, I stuck with it, and then I wouldn't, and then I'd get back into it... I … Continue reading How to follow through when you’re not automatically good at something
Get Through Life’s Difficult Transitions
Transition means change, and change is constant. When life asks us to transition, it is asking us to reexamine our current situation, and then to grow. We must continue to develop and grow. Transitions are challenging to us, but are also beneficial. Adjusting to change can be highly stressful and sometimes we experience symptoms of … Continue reading Get Through Life’s Difficult Transitions
4 FAQ about Shannon’s Counseling Services
How participatory are you during sessions? I participate in every session. There are times where the client does most of the talking and they find it very helpful. There are also times when I talk more because I'm teaching or sharing valuable information. How long should I commit to being in therapy, at least in … Continue reading 4 FAQ about Shannon’s Counseling Services
Why I Became a Christian Counselor (and not an engineer)
I became a professional Christian counselor because God has created me with the characteristics and talents that it takes to be a great counselor. I recognized these characteristics when I was a teenager, as friends would often come to me for support or advice. My friends felt that I was a good listener and a … Continue reading Why I Became a Christian Counselor (and not an engineer)
What Happens if I Don’t Know What to Talk about in Therapy?
Don't be afraid to ask your therapist questions. "What happens if I don't know what to talk about in therapy?" is a common question that people are afraid to ask their therapist. Your therapist would be happy to answer this question, and others, so ask away. Let me provide an answer to this one... A … Continue reading What Happens if I Don’t Know What to Talk about in Therapy?
What I Mean When I Ask, “Have You Considered Seeing a Counselor?”
https://youtube.com/shorts/DvVOXdtFF-E?feature=share Thank you for supporting my YouTube channel. When I ask, "Have you considered seeing a counselor?" I'm not saying, "You're so messed up only a professional can help you." What I'm saying is: "Have you considered that you're worthy of an unbiased, safe and productive opportunity to process your experiences?" Has anyone ever awkwardly … Continue reading What I Mean When I Ask, “Have You Considered Seeing a Counselor?”
Worried About Whether You Will Be Able To Handle Potential Problems?
When you are feeling worried about how things are going to go for you, there's one way that you can change that... Ask yourself: ▪︎ Who do I want to be? ▪︎ What quality of presence do I want to bring to any challenges I face? Note the shift that occurs when you go from … Continue reading Worried About Whether You Will Be Able To Handle Potential Problems?