Why Am I So Angry All the Time?

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Why Am I So Angry All the Time?

 

You should read this article if you have been wondering, “Why am I so angry all the time?” Even though you may think you are the only one going through this, many others are going through the same thing. They constantly feel angry, sometimes for no apparent reason. 

Instead of blaming you for feeling angry, it would make more sense to stop and have an honest conversation with your anger. As we know that this is something that feels unusual, we’ve decided to write an article dedicated to all people who feel angry all the time and don’t know what to do about it. Continue reading as we’ll explain what anger is, why it appears, what its purpose is, and what to do when you’re overwhelmed with this uncomfortable emotion. 

What Is Anger? 

When something goes wrong or someone wrongs you, you will probably experience anger. This is a very intense emotion, followed usually by stress and frustration. It’s important to say that all human beings experience anger and that it’s a completely natural emotion. Just like sadness, happiness, and fear, anger has its reasons for appearing on the surface. You might feel it in a challenging or stressful situation, whether it’s related to work, family, relationships, or something else. Anger often appears in moments of injustice or when we feel like we’ve been deprived of something. 

Anger only becomes an issue when it manifests excessively and starts interfering with day-to-day functioning and interpersonal relationships. The level of anger can vary, ranging from mild irritation to fury. It may occasionally be exaggerated or unreasonable. It might be challenging to control your emotions in certain situations, and you might act differently than you usually would. Anger could mean you lose control over your words and behavior, which might result in hurting someone else. 

Sings of Anger

Our bodies undergo certain physiological and biochemical changes when we are angry. The following are some examples of these changes your body may experience: 

  • Energy boost
  • Elevated blood pressure 
  • Increase in hormones (noradrenaline and adrenaline) 
  • Increase in body temperature  
  • Heightened tension in the muscles 

It’s important to note that everyone experiences anger differently, and we all display it in various ways. When you’re upset, you may exhibit the following:

  • Raising your voice
  • Clenching your fists
  • Fowning 
  • Tightness in your jaw area
  • Trembling 
  • Rapid heartbeats 
  • Sweating 

What Makes Me Angry?

There is nothing wrong with experiencing all the emotions. However, suppose you’re noticing that the anger is starting to impact your life. In that case, it’s time to do something about it, whether it’s destroying your romantic relationship or making your friends distant from you. That said, even if nobody around you is aware that you’re angry all the time, if you’re feeling like this most of the time, you shouldn’t ignore it.

As much as it’s true that anger is a strong emotion that often overwhelms you so much that you’re struggling to stay rational, it’s essential to start recognizing your triggers. What triggers your anger? These triggers can include things like your boss criticizing you, hearing your partner yelling at you, misplacing your phone or keys, etc. 

Once you start recognizing these triggers, it might help to create a plan for each of these triggers. For instance, if you keep losing your things, you might want to create a space for these things and try your best to leave them there. Keep in mind that thinking of these tricks will not make the anger go away. The idea of identifying triggers is to be able to analyze these situations and see what’s underneath them. People tend to be angry because they’re not satisfied with their life choices, are afraid to lose control over the most critical aspects of their lives, or are feeling sad.

Although sadness and anger are two individual emotions, often they are two sides of the same coin. Feeling angry provides us with a sense of control. It makes us feel like we’re stronger than when we’re crying. That is why many people who have lost someone important in their lives experience more anger than sadness. 

What To Do With My Anger?

We all experience anger occasionally, and most people can find healthy methods to vent it. Exercise is an excellent way of releasing anger and stress. However, if you find yourself wondering, why am I so angry all the time? and notice that anger is present in your everyday life, seeking therapy could be beneficial. Therapy is the most popular treatment for excessive anger for a reason.

If you struggle to pinpoint the feelings and situations that cause your rage, talking to a mental health expert could be extremely helpful. Besides teaching you efficient methods to deal with anger, they can also help you uncover the underlying problem. Sometimes, anger appears years after we’ve experienced a traumatic event, making it difficult to connect the emotion to the specific situation.

It is crucial to learn coping mechanisms for anger, whether alone or with the help of an expert. When anger rules our lives, it can lead to issues at work and harm relationships with loved ones.

Meditation significantly improves one’s ability to regulate emotions. Simple techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, are great places to start. When faced with a situation that makes you angry, think before you react. Try taking a few deep breaths or counting to help yourself relax and feel more at ease.

Finding Another Way

The most important thing is to not suppress your anger. The best method to deal with your anger is to express it when you feel it’s healthy. Suppressing the emotion will likely result in an unexpected, explosive explosion. So, instead of yelling at people in your life, why not journal how you feel? This can help you express your emotions without hurting yourself or others. 

If you feel hopeless, seek a therapist in your area or online. With the help of therapy, you will notice how the intensity of your anger is reduced over time, and you’ll probably learn a thing or two about the real cause of this strong emotion. A competent therapist will help you find a balance between all the emotions and support you while you explore what works best for you. 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do.

Plastic Surgery Addiction: How to Stop On Time?

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Plastic Surgery Addiction: When to Stop?

 

A fixation with altering the way you look through surgery is a behavioral disorder known as plastic surgery addiction. People who are addicted to plastic surgery invest a great deal of time and money in a variety of procedures, some of which may be risky. An addiction can cause lasting bodily damage, financial burden, and declining mental health.

Although the majority of people who opt for plastic surgeries are women. There is an increase in interest among men as well. Here, we’re not talking about one or two corrective plastic surgeries people decided to do to feel better about their appearance. Being addicted to plastic surgery comes with a set of risks that can have a significant impact on your life. 

 

What Is Plastic Surgery Addiction?

A person may develop an addiction to plastic surgery if they have had several cosmetic operations done and are never happy or content with the way they look. You might spend a lot of time, money, and resources on operations if you have an addiction to plastic surgery. Additionally, since you are never satisfied with the outcome, it can make you return for more.

The signs of plastic surgery addiction are similar to those of behavioral addictions. However, they cannot be diagnosed. Despite the risks, those who are addicted to plastic surgery keep getting cosmetic operations, and they ignore advice from their family and friends. In other words, your family might encourage you to stop plastic surgeries. Yet their opinion doesn’t make you change your mind.

That is why plastic surgery addiction is often connected with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).

A person with body dysmorphic disorder, also known as body dysmorphia, spends a lot of time thinking about their looks. Although body dysmorphia can affect people of any age, young adults are the most likely to experience it. 

Over time, a person with this mindset often becomes obsessed with plastic surgery. Which has an impact on many aspects of their lives. They are often focused on finding the money, scheduling, recuperating, and exploring new things that can make them look better. These procedures precede other responsibilities, relationships, and necessities in their lives, which makes it even dangerous. 

 

Signs of Plastic Surgery Addiction

Family members, friends, and romantic partners could be able to identify a plastic surgery addict. In other cases, the symptoms could be more subtle and harmful. More obvious signs of obsessive cosmetic surgery include persistent physical alterations or an excessive amount of time spent recuperating from the procedure. Looking for doctors, treatments, customer testimonials, and photos of before and after are the most common signs of plastic surgery addiction. Especially if the person is doing that right after recovering from surgery. 

The following are some typical signs of a plastic surgery addiction:

  • Interest in numerous procedures 
  • Choosing a physician without being interested in their training or qualifications
  • Experiencing irrational expectations regarding post-operative sensations
  • Believing in the potential rewards of an operation, such as social acceptance, love, happiness, and financial prosperity
  • Ignoring responsibilities at work, school, or home
  • Having financial issues as a result of the surgeries
  • Having relationship problems because of your prioritization of your body
  • Searching for alternative medical professionals in case one is unwilling to do the process
  • Feeling that some of your physical parts require fixing

Treatment Options for Plastic Surgery Addiction 

Those who are addicted to plastic surgery might have a difficult time accepting that they have an addiction. This is mostly because they are very much focused on improving their image of themselves, although this image is often unrealistic. 

When a person admits they are addicted to plastic surgery, the best thing to do is to find a therapist to help them understand better why this addiction developed in the first place. There is so much more behind the need to look and feel better. A therapist can help people with this addiction to accept themselves as they are and stop chasing the unattainable. 

 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Surgery addiction disorder patients who receive cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can identify how their ideas, feelings, and behaviors interact to influence their behavior. CBT entails recognizing and combating skewed mental processes that might be a factor in compulsive behaviors related to plastic surgeries. One can be more prepared to meet the temptation of having another operation when these harmful thought patterns are swapped out for more optimistic and practical ones, which will eventually improve one’s quality of life.

 

12-Step Programs

A mental health expert could also advise enrolling in a 12-step program to create a network of support for rehabilitation. For those battling addiction of any sort, 12-step support groups offer a secure setting where people may talk about their challenges and encourage one another to gain and keep control over bad behaviors.

 

Medications

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not authorized any particular drugs to treat addiction to plastic surgery. Nonetheless, antidepressants may be able to lessen the symptoms of worry and compulsive behaviors in some situations where mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and body dysmorphic disorder, are present. 

 

Plastic Surgery and Mental Health 

Plastic surgery has a variety of effects on mental health, many of which are unintended. Although the main goal of plastic surgery is to help patients restore their self-esteem. Several studies have shown that this isn’t always the case. If you or someone close to you has done several procedures and is still thinking about doing more. It would be wise to seek a mental health expert. 

Talking to someone about your insecurities or the motivations for pursuing plastic surgeries can help you find peace and accept yourself just the way you are. A therapist could also help you understand what caused these insecurities in the first place and how to ensure they no longer control your life. For instance, if one of your parents was really critical of your looks, you might feel like you’re never going to reach that perfection, which would lead to them accepting you. A therapist would help you understand that you no longer need their acceptance. Loving yourself is the path to happiness, not plastic surgery. 

 

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do. 

How to Break Up With a Friend

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How to Break Up With a Friend

 

All breakups are complex, yet knowing how to break up with a friend might be the toughest. There are endless reasons why you would want to break up with your friend, from losing shared interests to feeling betrayed by something they did. Because you share a history and likely have complicated feelings, breaking up with a friend is difficult. 

If you’re confident that ending the friendship is correct, continue reading to learn valuable guidelines and tips to avoid a messy situation. 

 

Reasons to Break Up with Your Friend

Knowing why you no longer want to be friends with a certain person can help you make decisions about how to break up with them. This can help you move on more quickly after breaking up with a friend.

As we already said, there are several reasons why you would want to break up with your friend, such as: 

  • Changes: You no longer attend the same school, work together, or engage with each other the way you used to. 
  • Mental health: Your friend is dishonest or unkind, putting more effort into tearing you down than putting you back together. Or you don’t get as much pleasure out of the friendship as you once did.
  • Conflict: One or more situations in which you have different opinions or values strongly impact your friendship. 
  • Toxicity: Your friend’s behavior, word, or energy is becoming harmful, and you don’t feel positive around them.

 

Of course, these are the main reasons why people often break their friendship. Each relationship between two people is unique. If you’re certain you want to break up with your friend, knowing the reason will help you and them move on and learn from this experience. 

 

Before You End It…

If you’re not sure whether to end the connection, spend some time talking to your friend about your issues. Sometimes, having an open discussion with your friend about a challenging circumstance or event can restore trust. 

If you continue to feel uneasy about the relationship despite your best efforts to speak with your friend, it could be time to end it. If they don’t share the same perspective, remind yourself of the reasons for considering this breakup. Most importantly, don’t forget to give yourself time to feel confident about this decision and communicate it clearly to your friend.

 

Best Way to Break Up With a Friend

Breaking up with a friend can be very difficult. Even though you may not want to, you know you should let them go. Even though you know the other person would be hurt, you must consider thinking about yourself first.  

A friend breakup can significantly impact you, especially if you’ve been friends for a long time and given them much of your time, affection, and effort. Is there any way to terminate things amicably? Of course! However, the way you decide to break up with your friend will set the tone of the breakup, so be careful how you talk. 

 

Reflecting on Values

Start by considering your values and how the friendship no longer meets your needs to start the conversation. For instance, you might need to focus on extra income, and you have to tell your friend there is less free time for them. You cannot work less because you need money and feel disappointed that your friend doesn’t get that. They probably need a friend who can be there for them more often than you can, so it makes sense to part ways. 

Another common example is when you’ve just started a romantic relationship and want to dedicate your free time to that special person. If your friend doesn’t understand that and is causing additional pressure on you, it’s not the right friendship for you—or them. You have different values and needs regarding friendships, so ending it is a pretty reasonable decision. 

 

Talk from Your Perspective

Breakups are a consequence of not being able to find common ground. That is why it’s important to talk from your perspective instead of offering dialogue and being curious about how they feel about it. To do so, use “I” statements. 

For instance, you can say, “In the past few months, I feel like our conversations are not as captivating as they used to be. I love talking about new ideas and inspiring things, so focusing only on the negative side of everything is not my thing.” This way, you are setting clear expectations and not accusing your friend of not giving you what you want, which happens in breakup conversations. 

 

Set Your Boundaries

When the conversation ends, let the other person know you would prefer a defined boundary or space or terminate all communication altogether. So, besides letting your friend know the reason for the breakup, make sure you communicate the boundary you want to set. 

This one might be difficult. Asking them to stop texting or calling you might sound harsh, yet it’s natural. After expressing your reasons for ending the friendship, it’s only natural that things will change. Although you might feel uncomfortable addressing these things, it’s important to protect yourself and stay true to your decision. 

 

Post-Friendship Breakup: Taking Care of Yourself 

Even if you were the one to break up with someone, the pain after a breakup is quite common. You will also likely mourn the loss of friendship, even if it was the proper decision to end it. It can be much more complicated if you still have shared connections or are in a larger friend group. However, remember that ending a relationship is perfectly fine when your needs aren’t met and your emotions are wounded or ignored.

When the time is right, inform your other friends of your decision to cut ties with your shared friend and establish any ground rules for discussions. You do not need to share the specifics with your other friends, even though they may be interested in knowing. 

Remember that you are not the only person going through a friendship breakup. Take this opportunity to focus on your healing and properly care for yourself.

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do. 

 

Virginity Is a Social Construct: It’s Time to Break Free

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Virginity Is a Social Construct: It’s Time to Break Free

 

Lately, there has been a lot of talk about whether or not virginity is a social construct. For centuries, the idea of being a virgin until marriage has been sold to young girls and women all around the world as something crucial for their love life, happiness, and personal value. Why was—and still is—virginity only an expectation for women? After all, if straight men were not expected to be virgins until marriage, who were all of them having sex with? Who gave men so much power to destroy a woman’s reputation just because they had sex together? A man was just a man, and a woman wasn’t a virgin anymore. 

It’s not so much who gave men so much power; the real question is why. Why were women who had sexual relations before marriage unwanted or shamed by their families? Why does the inequality between men and women still exist when talking about virginity? If it’s so important, why are there groups of people praying and promoting only female virginity and not virginity in general? 

In this article, we want to research how true it is that virginity is a social construct. 

 

Virginity Is a … Social Construct? 

Before responding to this question, let’s define social construct. It is an idea that society creates to make sense of everything around us. Social constructs are not bad. On the contrary, they help us understand the world we live in. For instance, we all agree that a certain piece of paper represents money. We accept its different values and use it to buy certain things. That is a social construct. 

However, not all social constructs help us function on an everyday basis. Some are used to manipulate marginalized groups, and up until recently, women were marginalized all across the world. Although that is not the case anymore, there is still a lot of inequality between men and women when it comes to certain matters. One such example is virginity. 

When someone says the word ‘virgin,’ do you imagine a man or a woman? Most likely, you’ve imagined a woman. Don’t worry, it’s not your fault. For hundreds of years, society has been teaching us that a woman should be ‘untouched’ until she meets the right man who decides to marry her. There is no equivalent for men. Yes, they were expected to provide for this perfect woman and the family they built together, yet a man who wasn’t from a wealthy family wasn’t considered as a ‘damaged good.’ 

Putting aside social and religious beliefs, what does one lose by having a sexual experience? How can having an experience decrease your value? One of the definitions of experience is that it is an ‘event which leaves an impression on you.’ 

Instead of expecting someone to be a virgin, it would make more sense to talk about the experience itself. What do you need for it to be a quality experience? What should you learn from such an experience? Why do we seek that type of experience in the first place?

These questions initiate personal growth; asking whether or not someone is a virgin initiates discrimination, comparison, and judgment. 

 

Virginity Limits Other Experiences 

The concept of virginity pushes women away from sex, and it distances them from other experiences, such as masturbation, conversations, and thoughts about sex. Understanding what you like and don’t like is crucial for successful sex. Even if you wait until you’re married, if you aren’t allowing yourself to be curious about sex, chances are you will not be able to enjoy it because you don’t know what you prefer. 

Not masturbating, thinking, or talking about sex have one strong belief in common, which is ‘Sex is dirty.’ You can’t expect this belief to magically disappear once you are married. That is why many people who wait until marriage to have sex say that they are not impressed by it. Others will feel it is a marital responsibility, so they will not experience any pleasure or orgasm. 

In a way, virginity continues to impact your sexual experiences even when you lose it to the person you’ve waited for your entire life. After all, it’s not about being proficient at having sex; it’s about feeling proficient when having it. People with penises and vaginas have the right to enjoy their sexual experiences and be curious about sex and sexuality in general. 

 

Before and After 

Your first sex definitely separates before and after. Every important experience does that. Your first kiss, your first relationship, your first friend, your first day at school, and so on. Interestingly enough, other things don’t have a word for the period before a certain experience. What do you call a person before they gain their first friend? There’s no word for it. 

There is so much negative context around the word ‘virginity’ that, at this point, it is way more damaging than informational. Just think about it: what can you do with the information of someone being a virgin? It has zero value to others. If you haven’t had sexual experience, that information says nothing relevant about you in the public sphere. Also, if you had sex, it says the same—nothing. 

For inexperienced people who want to take things slow, share it with a loved one. You can share it with your close friend if you feel that your past sexual experience wasn’t so great and you want to be more relaxed when having sex again. The only value of such information is if it benefits you. 

 

Time for a New Social Construct

In the same way that the social construct of virginity has been created, we can create a new one that is not harmful to people, especially young women. Why not advance virginity as society does every day to match its beliefs and habits?

Every sexual experience is valid. Shaming someone doesn’t bring positive outcomes for anyone. If you want others to respect your intimacy, respect theirs. Lastly, don’t compare yourself to others. Comparison always leads to dividing the world into ‘good’ and ‘bad, ‘black’ and ‘white.’ Instead, be open-minded, curious, compassionate, and lead by example. 

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do. 

Sex Therapist Answers What Causes Peyronies Disease

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Sex Therapist Answers What Causes Peyronies Disease

 

What causes peyronies disease? This condition is often overlooked, yet it significantly impacts men’s health. We are focusing on the male body and men’s health again as we explore this important topic.

Peyronie’s disease is characterized by the development of fibrous scar tissue inside the penis, which can lead to curved, painful erections. This condition can arise due to injury or trauma to the penis, often occurring during sexual activity or physical activities. It can also develop without any obvious cause, leading to confusion and concern for those affected.

Do you notice changes in your male anatomy? Are you experiencing discomfort or noticing unusual curvature during erections? These could be signs of Peyronie’s disease, and it’s essential to address them. Many men may feel embarrassed to discuss their symptoms, but it’s crucial to seek help from a qualified professional. Early intervention can lead to better outcomes and a return to sexual health.

Understanding the causes and symptoms of Peyronie’s disease is vital for maintaining overall male health. If you or someone you know is experiencing these issues, don’t hesitate to reach out for support and guidance. Remember, you’re not alone, and there are effective treatment options available.

@lifecoachingandtherapy

What Causes Peyronies Disease? We are looking at the male body and mens health again. Do you notice changes in your male anatomy? Peyronies disease may be the reason why. #malebody #menshealth #maleanatomy #peyroniesdisease #peyronies

♬ original sound – Life Coaching and Therapy

 

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do. 

Therapy for Depression: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

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Therapy for Depression: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

 

Therapy for depression aims to help those who have been diagnosed or believe they have depression. When it comes to the recommended type of therapy, your specific type of depression will be the determining factor. 

Depression is a prevalent mental health illness that alters your thoughts, sleep patterns, eating habits, and behavior. The important thing to remember is that depression can be treated, usually with medication, talk therapy, or both. It is critical to get medical attention as soon as you notice symptoms. That’s why we’ll also mention the causes and symptoms of depression in this article. 

 

What Is Depression?

A depressive state differs from normal mood swings or exchanges of feelings we experience in our daily lives. It can impact all areas of our lives, including social and romantic relationships. Depression may originate from or contribute to issues at work and in the classroom. Although anyone can experience depression, it is more likely to affect those who have experienced abuse, significant losses, or other stressful situations. 

During a depressive episode, a person will feel a depressed mood (feeling sad, angry, and empty), and they often report a lack of interest in their favorite hobbies and activities.

 

Depression Symptoms

Different depression symptoms exist, yet these are the most common: 

  • Lack of focus
  • Excessive guilt 
  • Low self-worth
  • Having a pessimistic outlook on the future
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Disturbed sleep
  • Changes in eating or weight
  • Extreme exhaustion 
  • Lack of energy

 

Causes of Depression

Depression results from a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. It is more common in people who have experienced adverse life experiences, such as unemployment, bereavement, or traumatic events. Depression can exacerbate a person’s living circumstances as well as the depression itself, resulting in increased stress and dysfunction.

Physical health is intimately tied to and impacts depression. Numerous characteristics that have been linked to depression, including unhealthy alcohol consumption or physical inactivity, recognized risk factors for conditions like diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and respiratory disorders. As a result of the challenges involved in managing their illness, individuals with certain conditions may also experience depression.

When it comes to the most common causes of depression, this is the overview:

  • Stressful or traumatic events
  • Personality
  • Family history
  • Menopause
  • Loneliness
  • Substance or alcohol abuse
  • Illness
  • Pregnancy or giving birth
  • Other mental health problems

 

Therapy Types for Depression

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to depression therapy; instead, the best kind of treatment depends on a number of criteria. Your treatment choice may depend on your preferences and symptom severity. To help you choose the depression therapy that might be best for you, think about some of the following popular forms:

 

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy 

Cognitive behavioral therapy employs both behavioral and cognitive therapy because both are effective in treating anxiety and depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) aims to address the negative cognitive patterns and behaviors that underlie depression.

In your journal, your therapist may ask you to record the week’s events and any negative or self-defeating responses. During CBT, you may address patterns of thought, such as automatic negative reactions or habitual negative responses to events. Two prominent cognitive distortions that are associated with certain reaction patterns are overgeneralization and all-or-nothing thinking. 

 

Cognitive Therapy

The notion that our ideas impact our emotions lies at the core of cognitive therapy. For instance, we are more likely to feel content if we choose to see the positive aspects of every encounter rather than concentrating solely on the bad.

Depression can be aggravated and contributed to by negative thinking. It’s difficult to feel joyful when your mind is always racing with negative ideas. Through cognitive therapy, patients can learn to recognize frequent negative thought patterns or cognitive distortions and replace them with more upbeat ones to elevate their mood.

 

Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral treatment is concentrated on altering habits that impact emotions, whereas cognitive therapy focuses on the unfavorable beliefs that lead to melancholy. And behavioral activation is critical in treating depression. This includes assisting patients with activities that will improve their sense of well-being.

 

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy is sometimes less concentrated and requires a longer duration of care than certain other depression treatment modalities. This method helps you connect past events and determine how they affected your depression. It can also improve emotional skills and self-awareness.

 

Interpersonal Therapy 

Depression can also result from interpersonal conflict and a lack of social support. One kind of therapy that addresses these problems by focusing on interpersonal interactions and past and present social roles is called interpersonal therapy. The therapist usually selects one or two areas of concern to concentrate on throughout treatment.

This kind of treatment is typically quick and entails assessing your social ties with significant others. Your relationships with your spouse, friends, family, and coworkers might all fall under this category.

 

The Value of Therapy for Depression

The initial line of treatment for depression is psychological. With moderate to severe depression, you might be advised to take certain antidepressant drugs.

Cognitive behavioral therapies can impart new ways of thinking, adjusting, or interacting with people. They could consist of both supervised therapists and professional talk therapy. Talk therapy can take place online or in person, depending on what suits you best. To schedule a session, you can either use an app, visit a website, send an email, or simply call the number of the therapist’s office.

Regardless of the kind of therapy you choose, psychotherapy ought to be a secure and encouraging environment. You should always feel comfortable talking to a therapist about your depression-related feelings and struggles.

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do. 

Therapy for Men: A Guide to Finding the Answers

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Therapy for Men: A Guide to Finding the Answers

 

We’re so glad to hear that men’s mental health is no longer taboo, and that goes for therapy for men as well. It’s about time that all people get the support they need to live more fulfilled lives. However, it’s a fact that men are still less likely than women to seek therapy. 

As society is becoming more open-minded about this topic, we’d taken a moment to look into the options of therapy for men, reasons why they usually seek help, and what to expect from your first session with a therapist. 

 

Reasons to Seek Therapy for Men

Men and those who identify as men face mental health issues just like everyone else. This could involve problems and illnesses like bipolar disorder, PTSD, anxiety, sadness, anger issues, eating disorders, problems with body image, and more. It might also just be as simple as having someone to talk to in order to get past uncomfortable emotions and ideas and enhance your general perspective on life. 

In addition to being able to support you through these mental health issues, therapists who specialize in treating men will be trained to approach counseling with an awareness of the outside influences on men’s lives.

Because of societal perceptions of masculinity, men have encountered a variety of particular obstacles while seeking therapeutic services. Although there are other factors influencing men’s mental health besides gender, men may face particular challenges due to limited notions of what it means to be a man, such as achievement, control, and power. These may negatively affect behavior, feelings of self-worth, emotions, and interpersonal relationships.

 

Benefits of Therapy

It’s not necessary to put on a front or appear to be someone you’re not when in therapy. You may be who you truly are there, express your emotions, and voice your worries without worrying about being judged. Since the therapeutic connection is based on acceptance and trust, you are free to freely explore your feelings and ideas. Besides being yourself, there are other benefits men should be aware of. 

 

Get to Know Yourself Better

Men are generally expected by society to be emotionally repressed, although therapy promotes appropriate emotional expression. Feelings connected to stress, worry, sadness, rage, or anything else can all be explored. You can better understand yourself and your responses by giving expression to your feelings.

 

Improve Your Communication Skills

Enhancing communication skills through therapy can help you in both personal and professional interactions. You’ll get improved communication skills for expressing your ideas and emotions, attentive listening skills, and constructive problem-solving techniques. Better relationships are the result of having stronger communication abilities.

 

Learn Different Coping Strategies

There are many obstacles in life, and therapy gives you useful coping mechanisms. Therapy offers strategies to handle and get past challenges, whether they are personal, relationship, or work-related stressors. Enhancing your coping skills can help you become more mentally resilient.

 

Become Healthier

Therapists focusing on men’s mental health are aware of the particular difficulties that guys encounter. They understand that men may be affected differently by problems such as controlling their aggression, substance misuse, and relationship troubles. Therapy offers a customized strategy to deal with these issues.

 

Effective Therapy Approaches for Men

Treatment is not a one-size-fits-all process. Everybody who seeks counseling will bring a unique context with them. Those belonging to the same demographic will possess distinctive qualities of their own. A skilled therapist will be able to establish a setting that accepts you for who you are. It is quite common for people to be uncertain about what to expect when they enter therapy. 

An intern, LMFTA, or licensed therapist can help you process emotions in a way that is comfortable for you. Therapy can be an open forum for discussion, or it can be highly action-oriented, with goals and steps to achieve them. 

Men are demonstrated to respond better to defined plans, action-oriented therapy, and the ability to track their progress toward goals, as opposed to talk therapy’s tendency toward more feelings-focused and abstract discussions. For many, it is inspiring to see how therapy works from the beginning, to know that skills can be acquired and that there will be greater control. 

Experts in mental health have also discovered that modifying terminology during therapy, such as outlining the procedure in detail and adopting a coaching stance, are useful strategies. Make sure you feel like you have a strong therapeutic fit before choosing a therapist. It’s entirely up to you if you find it easier to talk to another man or value the viewpoint of a therapist from a different group. This could involve locating someone who identifies as your gender identity or sexual orientation. 

 

When’s It Time to Seek Therapy? 

When it comes to depression, anxiety, and similar mental health issues, men frequently exhibit different symptoms than women. Men who experience these symptoms, their loved ones, and even some medical professionals and therapists may overlook these indicators. These symptoms are equally real, and it’s critical to recognize them in order to make an informed decision about when to see a therapist.

Indications that you should consider therapy include:

  • Feeling more easily agitated than usual
  • Sudden weight loss or gain
  • Aggressive outbursts of aggression
  • Feeling down or overwhelmed 
  • Drinking, gambling, or using drugs
  • Losing interest in your favorite activities
  • Frequent headaches
  • Difficulty to focus 
  • Feeling tired even after a good night’s sleep 

 

Remind yourself that these symptoms are nothing to be ashamed of and that you are not alone. Although it’s common to think that discussing your issues with others won’t help, this is untrue.

One of the best things you can do to start feeling better is to go to a therapist. Meaning that they can support you in overcoming your emotions and finding solutions that suit your needs. 

Regardless of your goal, whether you want to become more assertive in your workplace or improve how you are in your relationship, therapy can guide you toward it. Learning the tools you need to live the life you want is what any good therapist can give you. 

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do. 

Why Does It Curve To The Left?

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Why Does It Curve To The Left?

 

This week, we’re taking a closer look at the male body and male anatomy. Addressing some common questions that many men may hesitate to ask. One such question is: Why does it curve to the left?

Much of men’s health involves understanding what is considered normal. And this extends to the shape and structure of the penis. It’s not uncommon for men to notice a slight curve, either to the left, right, or even upwards or downwards. In fact, slight curvature is often completely normal and can be a natural variation in anatomy. The cause may lie in the way tissue develops or how scar tissue forms over time.

Understanding your body is key to overall health and wellbeing, and no question should be off-limits when it comes to seeking answers.

@lifecoachingandtherapy

Why Does It Curve To The Left? We are looking at the male body and male anatomy this week. Much of mens health can involve questions about what is normal. #malebody #maleanatomy #menshealth

♬ original sound – Life Coaching and Therapy

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do. 

Complex Trauma: Definition, Examples, and Treatment

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Complex Trauma: Definition, Examples, and Treatment

 

The deep effects of complex trauma are seen in the neurological system. That is why understanding how complex trauma grows is essential, as it allows us to treat it more effectively. 

Many of us have experienced some type of unpleasant experience that comes with being human, whether it be a breakup or the loss of a loved one. Although these experiences are now in your past, that doesn’t mean their consequences are not part of your present. 

This is why it’s important to learn more about complex trauma and how it impacts the quality of our lives. Learn how to heal from your trauma and inspire other people to take the healing path as well. 

 

What Is Complex Trauma? 

Complex trauma refers to the wide-ranging, long-term impacts of children being exposed to several traumatic incidents, many of which are of an invasive, interpersonal type. These are serious, widespread events, like extreme abuse or profound neglect. They typically start early in childhood and can interfere with a child’s growth in a variety of areas, including the creation of a sense of identity. 

These experiences generally involve a caregiver, which makes it difficult for the child to develop a stable relationship. This main supply of security and stability is essential for many elements of a child’s healthy physical and mental development.

A specific traumatic experience can lead to the development of trauma over the following years. It happens when the body and brain are overloaded to the point where they find it challenging to transition from a state of “fight, flight, or freeze” to one of relaxation. A single incidence can be referred to as trauma, while a sequence of stressful events occurring over several months or years is referred to as complex trauma.

 

Symptoms of Complex Trauma

When talking about the common symptoms and signs of complex trauma, be aware that they are very similar to those of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you or someone you love is uncertain whether or not they have experienced a complex trauma, these are the symptoms you should be looking for: 

  • Flashbacks of the painful incident or series of incidents
  • Lapses in memory
  • Difficulty regulating emotions
  • Aversion and disengagement from the people, things, and surroundings that are connected to the trauma
  • Excessive awareness of potential threats (hypervigilance)
  • Regular unpleasant feelings and thoughts
  • Extreme difficulty establishing and keeping deep connections.
  • Persistent feelings of guilt, failure, and shame

 

Causes of Complex Trauma

The brain’s limbic system is activated when you experience traumatic events. To prepare the body for fight, flight, or freeze, this “fire alarm” shuts down all unnecessary functions, including rest, digestion, and sleep, and fills it with stress chemicals like cortisol. Our parasympathetic nervous system provides inner calm once the threat has passed.

At this time, your cognitive function returns to normal. This allows you to resume your day with just minor side effects—you might feel a little jittery or a little on edge for a while. Yet, this balance doesn’t strictly come back fully for those who deal with complicated trauma.

The limbic system remains active most of the time. It’s a coping strategy used to try to keep oneself safe when facing constant hardship. It’s the feeling of always being on edge or in survival mode. It eventually becomes the body’s and brain’s “new normal.”

When it comes to events and situations that lead to complex trauma, these are some examples:

  • Sexual or physical abuse in childhood
  • Prolonged domestic violence
  • Chronic neglect or abandonment
  • Medical abuse or medical trauma
  • Human trafficking
  • Torture
  • Genocide
  • Slavery

 

How to Heal from Complex Trauma

Everybody’s pain and traumas are distinct from one another, so treatment options might differ from one person to another. The good news is that trauma treatment approaches are developing along with our understanding of complex trauma. Providing a corrective emotional experience for healing is the aim of each treatment method.

These are a few efficient, complicated trauma therapies, and a mental health expert will know which approach could work best for you. 

 

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)

You examine how your ideas, feelings, and behaviors relate to one another in this type of therapy. You might be able to modify your behavior if you realize how they are related.

 

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

In order to help you reprocess traumatic events and create new beliefs about them, this treatment uses gentle tapping (or tones).

 

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

This method teaches you how to reconcile the disparate facets of your personality into a single, cohesive “self,” allowing you to process traumatic experiences in a way that will no longer be harmful.

 

Somatic (body-based) Therapy

Your body does not always need to be ready for trauma, according to somatic or body-centered therapies. This is because trauma originates in the limbic system of the brain rather than the frontal cortex, which is the section of the brain that communicates during therapy.

 

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Those with complex trauma and borderline personality disorder (BPD), which share many symptoms, may find this method helpful. This therapeutic technique teaches radical self-acceptance, mindfulness, and discomfort tolerance.

 

How to Cope with Complex Trauma

The most important thing to do is find a good therapist who can guide you toward healing. However, there are certain things you can implement on your own to make sure you do everything you can to feel better, such as: 

  • Establishing goals for yourself
  • Recognizing and looking for situations, people, and circumstances that are comforting
  • Participating in a support group for trauma survivors
  • Being gentle and compassionate towards yourself (this is a tough one!)
  • Journaling
  • Finding a support group 

 

Wrap Up

You might feel as though complex trauma has taken over your life. Maybe you wonder if this will ever seem like less of a big issue and feel isolated in your experience. There are two things to remember: it will get better if you work on noticing your emotions, and you do not have to be alone in it. 

Spend some time learning about complex trauma because it is one of the best things you can do. There might be a support group or book club for recovery nearby that is worth a shot. Without a doubt, find a therapist who knows the right methods to help you and makes you feel heard and safe. Make sure you’re aware that getting therapy for complex trauma is crucial and that it will eventually help you recover.

 

Discuss your options for therapy with your provider. 

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do. 

Why Am I So Lonely? Find Your Answer Here

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Why Am I So Lonely? Find Your Answer Here

 

If you’ve asked yourself at least once, ‘Why am I so lonely,” you probably didn’t come up with any reasonable answer. Songs and poems have been written about loneliness for centuries, and yet we’re struggling to understand its real meaning. We’re also still looking for causes of loneliness and how to recover from them. 

We have decided to explore a topic we all like to talk about but nobody likes to experience. Learn about loneliness, why it happens, and how to feel better.

 

The Definition of Loneliness

Even though it’s in our nature to connect, a lot of us will experience loneliness frequently. When social connections do not match expectations, a person feels lonely. In other words, you will probably feel lonely if you want to have more social interactions than you actually do.

A person may experience severe feelings of social isolation, regardless of their living situation. There are several ways to define loneliness. The UCLA Loneliness Scale, a widely used tool for measuring loneliness, questions participants about a variety of emotions or connection deficiencies, such as how frequently they do or feel the following:

  • You feel like you are alone.
  • You feel excluded.
  • Reach out to your friends or family to fulfill your needs.
  • Feel connected to people in your environment.

Profound loneliness is a huge social concern because of the possible health effects for people who feel they have few or no supportive social relationships. However, it also highlights the need for more human contact and interaction.

Some people experience severe and persistent loneliness even though they are in a long-term marriage or are surrounded by people throughout the day. Studies indicate that loneliness presents significant risks to both overall well-being and long-term physical health. That is why there is an increasing need to understand loneliness to be able to help yourself and those around you. 

 

Signs and Symptoms of Loneliness

Many people experience brief episodes of loneliness at some point in their lives. Usually fleeting in nature, these kinds of emotions are not regarded as chronic. However, there may be more serious indications and symptoms to be aware of, as well as actions you may take to assist in dealing with chronic loneliness when feelings of isolation and loneliness get worse and last for an extended period of time.

Depending on your circumstances and identity, there are many signs and symptoms of chronic loneliness. If some or all of the following describe you regularly, you may have chronic loneliness and should consider talking to your doctor or therapist. 

 

Inability to Establish Deeper Connections

You feel unable to establish closer, more personal connections with people. It’s possible that you have relatives and friends in your life, yet your interactions with them are relatively superficial. Your interactions don’t feel satisfyingly connected, and it appears like there will always be a void in your relationship.

 

Lack of Friends

You do not need to be a social butterfly to avoid loneliness. However, friendships are extremely beneficial to our mental and emotional health. If you only have acquaintances or casual friends, you may feel lonely. 

 

Feeling Alone in a Crowded Room 

Regardless of your surroundings, do you often feel lonely? Even with dozens of people at a party, you may feel alone, alienated, and disconnected. On a busy street, bus, or train, it does not matter because you are in your own bubble.

 

Low Self-Worth

Feelings of negative self-worth and self-doubt can often lead to isolation from other people and choosing to be alone. Do you ever feel like you’re not good enough? Long-term emotions like these could also be a sign of persistent loneliness.

 

Low Social Battery

Feeling fatigue and burnout when attempting social interaction is quite common if you’re not an extroverted person. Attempting to interact and be social with people can wear you out if you suffer from chronic loneliness. Persistent fatigue can result in several problems, such as disturbed sleep, compromised immunity, inadequate nutrition, and more.

 

How to Deal with Loneliness

Acknowledging your feelings and the effects loneliness is having on your life is the first step toward conquering it. Speak with a therapist or counselor first. They can offer extra strategies to battle loneliness, alternative therapies, assistance in developing effective coping mechanisms, and help you address the potential contributing factors.

 

Seek Support 

Talk to your loved ones. Tell them you’re having loneliness problems. Tell them how they might be able to lessen your loneliness if you’ve lost a loved one, a career, or a relationship or are dealing with other problems that have caused you to feel alone.

 

Don’t Spend Too Much Time Online

If you’re attempting to fight loneliness, the internet world offers safe, practical, and helpful ways to interact with people. For some people, engaging in social interactions and communication through online dating services, chat and message platforms, and multiplayer video games can be gratifying. Also, there are many apps made to help you overcome problems like social isolation and loneliness.

Think about whether it’s beneficial for you to use social media. Some people may feel even more alone and isolated as a result of their interactions with the community online. People on social media, for instance, can present themselves as having hundreds of close friends by their side and leading exciting, carefree lives. 

Most often, this is not true. Social media can make some people feel inadequate, excluded, and lonely. If the internet feels more like isolation than a connection, you may want to log off.

 

Take Care of Yourself

In addition to making an effort to socialize, remember that physical activity, a balanced diet, enough sleep, sunlight, and even meditation can all help combat feelings of loneliness. Exercise has been demonstrated to release endorphins in the brain.

A balanced diet can also impact your brain’s health. Regular use of sugar, preservatives, and highly processed foods can be detrimental to your mental and physical well-being. 

Emotional wellness and sleep quality are strongly correlated. Feelings of loneliness and isolation can be exacerbated by sleep deprivation or bad sleeping patterns, and vice versa. That is why it’s essential to improve your sleeping patterns. Before going to bed, avoid consuming too much caffeine, switch off electronic gadgets to unwind, and make sure your bedroom is dark.

If you want to meet with a professional, see one of ours. 

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do. 

EMDR Online Therapy Guide for Your First Time

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EMDR Online Therapy Guide for Your First Time 

 

If you’re interested in trying EMDR online, you will first need to learn what it is in order to have an idea of what outcomes you can expect from this type of therapy. One of the most effective evidence-based treatments for trauma, phobias, depression, and anxiety is eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, or EMDR. Even though you’ve probably heard of EMDR in relation to mental health treatment options, you might not know if this kind of therapy is appropriate for your circumstances, particularly when it’s provided virtually.

In response to the increased demand for COVID-safe mental health services during the pandemic, a number of mental healthcare professionals began providing telehealth and online therapies, including EMDR.

The pandemic has made online therapy more accessible, and more patients are receiving the care they require to recover. To find out more about online EMDR therapy, continue reading this article, which will explain all the key information about this form of therapy. 

 

What Is EMDR? 

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. In it, a patient undergoes bilateral stimulation (BLS) with eye movements, auditory stimuli, or tactile stimulation to process memories. EMDR replicates the body’s innate capacity for self-healing and processing life experiences, especially during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

An EMDR therapist asks a client to use BLS to make quick eye movements while they are awake and conscious. The brain processes emotions and events more quickly as a result of these quick eye movements. Other tools and approaches available to EMDR therapists include sounds, a light bar, physical stimulation, and left-to-right alternating or moving web software.

In order to help the brain reprocess memories and promote the desensitization and adaptation of traumatic experiences, EMDR employs dual stimulation. When clients recollect traumatic or triggering situations, clinicians guide them through a sequence of bilateral physical motions or other forms of stimulation until the memories no longer generate emotional distress.

Clients feel relief from unpleasant symptoms linked to traumatic experiences when the brain reprocesses painful memories in a safe, healthy setting.

 

When Is EMDR Therapy Used? 

EMDR concentrates on changing the feelings, ideas, or actions that follow a traumatic or upsetting event. This enables the natural healing process in your brain to continue. Although the terms “mind” and “brain” are frequently used interchangeably, they have different meanings. One of your body’s organs is your brain. The ideas, recollections, convictions, and life events that shape who you are are all stored in your mind.

The structure of our brains determines the way our minds function. This structure consists of networks of brain cells that communicate with one another in numerous regions. This is particularly true for the parts involving your senses and memories. Networking facilitates faster and simpler collaboration between those domains. Your senses (sights, sounds, scents, tastes, and feels) can evoke powerful memories.

 

Adaptive Information Processing

The Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model is a hypothesis about the way our brain stores memories. AIP is the foundation of EMDR. Francine Shapiro, PhD, who also developed EMDR, came up with the theory that your brain retains traumatic and commonplace memories in different ways.

Your brain seamlessly stores memories throughout routine events. Additionally, it networks them so that they relate to other recollections you have. Such networking isn’t done correctly during jarring or stressful occurrences. 

Trauma memories are frequently stored in a form in the brain that prevents normal healing. A trauma resembles an injury to your brain that hasn’t been given time to heal. Your brain didn’t get the information that the threat was over since it wasn’t given the chance to repair itself.

More recent experiences can be connected to past traumatic events and repeatedly reinforce bad experiences. That breaks the connections that bind your sensations to your memories. It also causes harm to your mental state. Additionally, your mind is more sensitive to everything you see, hear, smell, or feel during a trauma-related incident than your body is to pain from an injury.

This applies not only to memories that you can recall but also to ones that you have suppressed. Your mind tries to conceal painful or disturbing memories to prevent accessing them, just like you learn not to touch a hot stove since it will burn your hand. However, because the suppression isn’t flawless, negative symptoms, emotions, and behaviors related to the “injury” may still occur.

 

EMDR Therapy Benefits

EMDR encourages people to share their experiences with a therapist step-by-step. It is difficult for people to express their mental, emotional, and bodily reactions eventually. When these things are discussed, there are chances for genuine healing. The knowledge that they are survivors and possess the ability to aid others in similar experiences through connection and conversation can empower individuals.

EMDR enhances cognition by fostering links between the psychological mind and the physical body. During therapy sessions, people who have experienced traumatic situations can stand back, consider the occurrence or episodes from a different perspective, and reconstruct what happened. 

Even more profound than the traumatic events themselves can be the development of a new perspective or lens through which to view past experiences. With this alternative perspective, people can take charge of the modifications to their lives that the trauma has brought about. Recognizing the impact of trauma on day-to-day functioning can help lessen PTSD symptoms. 

 

Differences Between In-Person and Online EMDR Therapy

Virtual EMDR and in-person EMDR sessions are very similar. For an in-person session, the client and therapist meet in the therapist’s office. Online EMDR therapists can assist patients from any location with an internet connection. However, both the client and therapist must have a secluded place without interruptions to conduct therapy, whether it’s online or in person.

A client-therapist relationship based on trust and rapport is necessary for both in-person and online EMDR treatments. Bilateral stimulation is necessary for both in-person treatment and online EMDR sessions. Light bars, noises, or tactile stimuli can be used to activate BLS. Things like the butterfly hug work really well virtually. 

Finally, both treatment methods usually follow an established EMDR treatment process with defined phases and steps.

If you think that you might benefit from EMDR therapy but are unable to attend therapy sessions in person, doing it online is a great alternative. You might feel even more comfortable doing it from your home, which is very important for your first session. 

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do. 

ADD Help for Adults: Fast Solutions for Better Focus

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ADD Help for Adults: Fast Solutions for Better Focus

 

Here are the top ADHD Hack for ADD Help for Adults!

Struggling with focus, attention, and productivity as an adult with ADHD?

You’re not alone, and there are practical solutions to help you thrive.

ADHD can make daily tasks challenging, but finding the right strategies can lead to significant improvements. In both your personal and professional life.

Whether it’s staying organized, managing time effectively, or minimizing distractions, implementing small changes can lead to big results.

Understanding your unique challenges and strengths is key to overcoming the hurdles of ADHD.

Sometimes, it’s about finding tools and techniques that align with your natural tendencies, making it easier to stay on track.

For instance, visual reminders, structured routines, and external accountability can be game-changers in maintaining focus and achieving goals.

For additional mental health benefits, community support, and daily motivation, check out ADHDCheck on ADHDTok.

It’s a growing, supportive community offering tips, encouragement, and real-life experiences tailored to adults managing ADHD challenges.

Engage with others, share your journey, and discover new strategies that work for you.

@lifecoachingandtherapy

ADD Help for Adults Here are the top ADHD Hack for ADD Help for Adults! Get your ADHDCheck on ADHDTok for mental health benefits. #ADHD #dopamine #Mentalhealth #Adhdcheck #adhdtok #Add #focus

♬ original sound – Life Coaching and Therapy

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do. 

Election Anxiety: How to Deal with It? 

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Election Anxiety: How to Deal with It? 

 

Have you heard of or are you experiencing election anxiety? Politically active people may find it overwhelming to follow the 2024 presidential election candidates and ballot measures. Polarization, hate speech, and an “us vs. them” mentality have increased dramatically in the public domain. It is sure to get worse as the campaigns ramp up until the election. So, how can you maintain your enthusiasm and commitment?

Here are some tools to help you manage election and politics-related anxiety and stress. 

 

Overview 

Americans’ mental health is suffering as a result of the presidential election. According to psychologists, it’s common for people to experience elevated negative emotions at this time. During election season, people feel anger, stress, sadness, and fear for the future. Those emotions are all valid, and it’s entirely expected and normal to feel them.

It is interesting to note that stress levels tend to increase across the country in the lead-up to an election, regardless of the outcome. Daily discussions and news about the potential impact make it hard not to feel worried about the election. When it spirals out of control, it can even cause symptoms known as election anxiety.

It is ok to get therapy for your mental health if your emotions are overwhelming and long-lasting. Knowing how to manage those symptoms is crucial.

 

Ways to Deal with Election Anxiety

Like other anxiety, election anxiety can make us withdrawn, reactive, or irritable, thus affecting our physical and emotional health.

When we perceive something is wrong, it sets off our autonomic nervous system, which causes a surge of the “stress hormones” cortisol and adrenaline. Overdosing on adrenaline can raise the risk of stroke and heart attack. Furthermore, a high cortisol level can impair our health in a number of ways, such as raising blood sugar, lowering immunity, and narrowing blood vessels.

 

Talk to a Therapist

Therapy may help if stress is severe or persistent and symptoms like depression, anxiety, hopelessness, and physical tensions or indicators of stress and anxiety appear. A treatment plan for election anxiety can help you handle these challenges.

Through routine sessions, a therapist can help you develop stress-management strategies that fit your lifestyle. With a customized strategy, it may give you more peace of mind during election season. 

A therapist can empower you by giving you the skills you need to break through negative thought patterns and cultivate a more optimistic perspective. They can help you investigate mindfulness techniques like deep breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation. 

 

Meditation

By altering the way we interact with our thoughts, meditation can reduce stress and anxiety. This does not imply that we should discount our ideas; rather, in the instance of election stress, our sentiments and feelings regarding a momentous and transformative occasion are very legitimate. We ought to be interested in these ideas and the feelings they arouse in us. Additionally, we may mitigate the effects on our physical and mental wellbeing by properly regulating them.

These human emotions are something we kind of need in our lives. It only gets problematic when they start to bother us so much that they become an inconvenience. Therefore, the focus should be more on how we might alter our connection with concerns than on how to eliminate them.

 

Less News

Smartphones and apps bring us a 24-hour news cycle, with Harris and Trump’s fight fueling the fire.

The constant barrage of opinion pieces, poll results, and push alerts can tire even news junkies. Most news events do not even change that much in one day. 

An overwhelming amount of information, combined with the impossibility of addressing it all, can be dangerous. Having too much knowledge won’t always provide you with the means to solve the problems you care about. Understanding this and choosing when, where, and how to receive news updates puts control over our worry, which is a terrific place to start. Turn off notifications, banners, and sound alerts. 

 

Limit your Anxiety

Avoid reading any news at least one hour before you go to bed to ensure you can fall asleep quickly.

Try to leave politics in places where it must be – for example, advocacy. However, maybe not the best time at your little cousin’s birthday party to get in a debate while playing yard games.

Heated arguments in front of people who are not consenting to be in that conversation are not helpful to anyone. 

However, when you want to talk about politics to someone, who has similar or opposing views, set a time to speak about politics, and have a timer go often after an amount of time that you choose. 

 

The Bottom Line

A little election-related tension is perfectly normal and likely a sign that you care, which is something expected. We don’t want to suppress our feelings since they can serve as useful cues that lead us to take action. However, when emotions become too strong, it can be difficult to do anything and your wellbeing may suffer.

Consider these tips and prioritize self-care when dealing with election anxiety or other feelings of helplessness. It can be your busy lifestyle, hectic work schedule, or anything else. Your mental health should come before all of that, and you’re the only one who needs to make that priority.

 

quick ways to reduce anxiety and stress

 

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do. 

Learn About The Signs of High Functioning Anxiety

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Learn About The Signs of High Functioning Anxiety

 

If someone has called you a perfectionist on more than one occasion, it could be that you have one of the signs of high functioning anxiety. Being amongst the best students in the class, cum laude at college, an excellent employee, devoted spouse, and present parent comes with its consequences. From a young age, we are taught to strive for greatness and to do better every time. However, this comes with a price for our mental health and sometimes can be one of the signs of high functioning anxiety symptoms. 

Being successful in a few areas in your life is not the same as being a perfectionist. When trying to be perfect in every environment and situation, there is often an emotional roller coaster of anxiety, fear, and self-consciousness behind that perfect facade. 

What is High Functioning Anxiety?

Although it comes with mental health consequences, you will not find the signs for high functioning anxiety in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – 5th Edition (DSM-5), yet it needs to be treated like generalized anxiety disorder. People with high functioning anxiety should seek help in the form of a therapist or other mental health professional. 

A person with high functioning anxiety will typically be a high achiever, also referred to as the “perfectionist”, however, their striving to be great in all these areas can produce anxiety, fear, depression, loss of self-esteem, etc. Usually, a person with an anxiety disorder will struggle to complete their tasks and achieve their goals, and they might also exhibit fear or worrisome thoughts, which can be followed by a range of physical reactions such as:

  • racing heartbeat
  • headache
  • restlessness and/or agitation
  • panic attacks
  • disrupted concentration
  • muscle tension
  • higher blood pressure
  • gastrointestinal symptoms

A person with signs of high functioning anxiety will probably experience some of these symptoms, yet they will be able to complete their tasks and achieve goals they have set up for themselves. In fact, there are many people with high functioning anxiety that use anxiousness and feat as their drivers of success. For instance, having that fear of failure, they will motivate themselves to work extremely hard to avoid it as much as possible. 

That’s why you might have heard of many successful people who have struggled with this type of anxiety. As motivated professionals, they are often successful and strive for more each time they achieve a goal. However, a success that is based on anxiety is not sustainable and often affects other areas of life, like mental health and relationships. 

High Functioning Anxiety Signs

A person with high functioning anxiety might experience some of the above-mentioned signs, however, they will more probably demonstrate some of these characteristics:

  • Be extremely organized,
  • Strong need to control situations,
  • Be a perfectionist,
  • Biting nails,
  • Restless legs,
  • An intense inner critic with high standards,
  • Uncontrolled anger or irritation when things don’t go as planned,
  • Lack of trust towards others to complete tasks.

When looking at this list, it’s pretty evident that none of these characteristics are bad. On the contrary, they will often be celebrated and used to explain the success of high-achieving people. What’s important to know here, however, is that these signs also have a darker side. For instance, even if they worked hard to get that promotion at work, if someone else gets it, they might feel dysregulated and reach for extraordinary measures to be in control again. 

The darker side of these characteristics is the emotional rollercoaster underneath. People with high functioning anxiety will look perfectly happy and satisfied on the outside, but on the inside, they might overthink too much or have a strong need for constant affirmation. This might result in situations that are dangerous for both mental and physical health. Regardless of its shiny side, high functioning anxiety is still a form of anxiety, and not addressing it with someone who might be of help to you can only make things worse. 

Safety Seeking Behaviors

When dealing with high functioning anxiety, a person might expose certain safety-seeking behaviors which can be counterproductive and dangerous. Some of such behaviors might include: 

  • Avoidance
  • Escape
  • Compulsions
  • Addictions
  • Procrastination

If a person is behaving in any of these ways excessively, these behaviors will interfere with their functioning, so they might end up having issues at work or in their relationships. Because they are wired for constant striving, people with high-functioning anxiety find it difficult to relax and rest, which can lead to a range of physical consequences.

For instance, taking a vacation with their family might be stressful instead of relaxing. Or, they will plan the entire vacation and fill it with numerous activities because it’s almost impossible for them to unplug. 

A person with high functioning anxiety needs to control almost every moment of their life, and often the lives of people around them, and, unfortunately, it doesn’t lead to mental health and wellness. To be mentally well, a person needs to know and practice ways to decrease stress in their life, prioritize their healthy habits, and enjoy their time when relaxing and doing nothing. 

Tips For Combating High Functioning Anxiety

If you or anyone you know have high functioning anxiety, a person should assess their stress levels with screening tools. Also, if you notice a frequency in symptoms or strong signs of anxiety, you should start seeing a therapist who will help you manage your symptoms and find your way to live a happy, fulfilled life. Typically, cognitive behavioral therapy will be recommended as it’s focused on changing behaviors. This makes it a good tool to manage successfully the downside of this type of anxiety. 

With cognitive behavioral therapy, clients will learn coping strategies, lower counterproductive safety-seeking behaviors, while also developing new perspectives to feel good about themselves and reduce unnecessary suffering they often experience. 

One of the best ways to feel better is by practicing mindfulness, a technique centered solely on the breath. Mindfulness focuses on the present moment and reduces the noise that increases anxiety.

In general, any activity where a person takes a step back and starts practicing what makes them feel at peace will be beneficial. They can start reading more, drinking their morning coffee in silence on their balcony, go for long walks alone, listen to classical music, play an instrument, etc. After all, the more peaceful moments a person learns to enjoy and cherish, the less their mind and body will feel stressed. 

 

quick ways to reduce anxiety and stress

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). And an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do. 

Natural Way to Relieve Anxiety Fast

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Natural Way to Relieve Anxiety Fast

 

If you’re looking for a natural way to relieve anxiety fast, this article will provide you with numerous options. We strongly recommend trying a few options from our list to see which one works for you best.

Different stress reactions can be linked to anxiety. Stress alerts you to danger, encourages you to stay organized and prepared, and helps you evaluate risks better.

However, stress can lead to anxiety disorders and other mental health issues if not treated on time. That is why you might want to explore different natural solutions and find the one that could help you relieve anxiety fast.

 

What Is Anxiety?

Your body reacts to stress by producing anxiety. Although many confuse anxiety with stress, anxiety is a state of worry or fear brought on by a variety of elements that may include brain chemistry, environment, or genetics.

Stress is more closely linked to the fight-or-flight response, which involves staying to fight or fleeing the area or situation in order to avoid harm. People with anxiety may attempt to avoid circumstances that exacerbate or trigger their stress symptoms. Which means that anxiety can have an impact on your personal connections, academic performance, and professional performance.

Typical signs of anxiousness might be:

  1. Elevated heart rate
  2. Fast respiration
  3. Agitation
  4. Difficulty focusing

That said, two people will probably experience anxiety in different ways, and their symptoms will probably be different as well. Whereas one person might feel nervous in their abdominal area, another could feel cravings, panic attacks, itching, sweating, and so on. 

 

Natural Ways to Relieve Anxiety

In most cases, using natural remedies to relieve anxiety does not cause any damage. Of course, suppose your mental health expert believes you need medications or a specific type of therapy. In that case, it’s best to consult them before you start using any of the natural remedies mentioned below. 

 

  • Meditation

One effective method that may be used both proactively and reactively is meditation. It is extremely beneficial to establish a regular meditation practice, regardless of whether you are seeking to manage anxiety in the present or are attempting to cultivate resilience in order to transform your relationship with anxiety. 

To further understand how meditation reduces anxiety, picture yourself at a busy party. Imagine the following scene: people are yelling over the loud music. It’s all a little too much. When you meditate, it’s like leaving the party and entering a peaceful balcony.

To be clear, though, meditation is not a cure for anxiety. It can help you control the ups and downs of your anxious thoughts, yet it cannot erase them completely. It’s also critical to keep in mind that asking for help is recommended at any time. So, if anxiety becomes a major source of stress in your life, please see a doctor.

 

  • Exercise

Regular exercisers have lower rates of anxiety disorders, and it also happens to naturally raise certain brain proteins that feed our understanding of safety. With exercise, a variety of anxiety-related conditions can be successfully treated, including post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. Exercise appears to help with anxiety, regardless of the causes or triggers of the anxiety. 

According to numerous studies, people with anxiety disorders need at least 150 minutes of walking per week to improve their overall mental health. What makes exercise great is that it is accessible to everyone and everywhere, and you can do it for free or pay for it, depending on your needs and preferences. 

 

  • Journaling

Although stress and anxiety might feel overwhelming, keeping a diary is a useful tool for achieving a sense of peace. You may express your feelings, think, and analyze what you’re going through in privacy when you keep a diary. Also, the simple act of putting your anxieties in writing helps ease their overwhelming feelings.

We all have days when we feel like our emotions are going to explode. When that occurs, writing in your notebook provides a safe haven for you to let those emotions out. 

Regaining control is another advantage of journaling. It might seem impossible to regain control when you’re engaged in an anxiety spiral. You may map out your worries, and you’ll frequently begin to identify triggers or trends. Acknowledging these might be the first step toward a more peaceful and fulfilling future.

 

  • Aromatherapy

The use of essential oils for medicinal purposes is known as aromatherapy. For millennia, people have employed aromatherapy. Scent molecules in essential oils are breathed and they go from the olfactory nerves all the way to our brains, where they have a very strong effect on the brain’s emotional center, the amygdala.

The scent of essential oils may instantly improve your mood and sense of well-being. They could even assist some people with the symptoms of certain diseases. 

When it comes to essential oils that help with anxiety, consider trying out these ones:

  1. Bergamot orange
  2. Chamomile
  3. Clary sage
  4. Lavender
  5. Lemon
  6. Neroli
  7. Rose
  8. Ylang-ylang

 

  • Herbal Supplements

Many herbal supplements make the same anxiety-reduction claims as herbal teas. However, it’s best if you work with a physician who is educated about herbal supplements and their potential effects.

For centuries, traditional medicine has used herbs such as passionflower, St. John’s wort, kava, valerian root, lysine, and magnesium to induce calmness and improve emotional states. 

Once you find the one that works well for you, make sure you consult with someone who is an expert.

 

In Final Words

When your anxiety doesn’t go away, you should consider other treatment options. With efficient therapy, you will be able to understand what is causing your anxiety. Besides that, your therapist will teach you useful tactics you can use in everyday life when you notice you’re experiencing anxiety again. 

If you want to start your journey to manage anxiety quickly from home, get calm here! 

 

Quick Ways to Reduce Anxiety and Stress

quick ways to reduce anxiety and stress

 

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do.