couragepsych

body_neutrality

Body Neutrality and How To Achieve It

Body neutrality is a waypoint between body negativity and body positivity. Sometimes, body neutrality is the end goal; however, it can be a nice middle ground when working towards body positivity. The process of practicing body neutrality is two-fold. 1. Practice stopping the negativity to make space for body neutrality. You have to make space […]

anxiety_avoidance

Anxiety and Avoidance: The Self-fulfilling Prophecy

Anxiety and avoidance are best friends when it comes to keeping someone stuck. First, let’s talk about ANXIETY. Anxiety lives in the body and the brain. For example, people who struggle with anxiety may notice physical symptoms such as upset stomach, muscle tension, feeling on edge, headaches, and shallow breathing. Additionally, the mind can be

empathy_miss

What is an empathy miss?

Defining an empathy miss is important question, but first, it’s important that you know the different parts of empathy. If you didn’t get a chance to read the earlier blog on empathy, start here. Now that you have the four main parts down, let’s dig into empathy misses. What is an empathy miss? Empathy misses

improve_your_mood

Improve your mood right now with these 5 things

Are you looking to improve your mood? Have you had a hard day? Maybe you are stressed or feeling down? Here are five things you can do right now that may help you turn your day around. 1. Smile- even if you don’t mean it! Smiling actually tells the brain to release feel good chemicals.*

eating_disorder_table_behaviors

Eating Disorder Table Behaviors

Those little behaviors… Let’s talk about some lesser known eating disorder symptoms that actually have a big impact. Oftentimes eating disorder thoughts, urges and behaviors are heightened when around food. However, it is not always obvious exactly how an eating disorder impacts time at the table. Here’s a list of some table behaviors that are

self-compassion_therapy

Self-Compassion

“Self-compassion is a way of emotionally recharging our batteries. Rather than becoming drained by helping others, self-compassion allows us to fill up our internal reserves, so that we have more to give to those who need us.” – Dr. Kristin Neff Self-Compassion is a topic that comes up with most clients I work with.  In a

normal_eating

What is Normal Eating?

Normal eating can be a difficult concept to grasp if you or a loved one are struggling with an eating disorder or a problematic relationship with food. Diet culture often demands that we not listen to our bodies as a guide of how to take care of ourselves. Instead, diet culture calls on us to

connection_break_repair

Connection, Break and Repair: Where We Get Stuck

Connection, break and repair are part of a natural cycle we go through in every relationship, even with ourselves!  In his research, John Gottman found that this cycle and how we move through it in a relationship can help predict the longevity of the relationship.  To learn more about connection, break and repair, read the

body_image_therapy

Body Image Tips and Tricks

Stay away from the scale – as a matter of fact, get rid of it! If your weight needs to be monitored, leave that up to the doctors. Don’t let how much you weigh affect your self-esteem or sense of who you are. If you struggle with getting dressed in the morning, try doing everything