As the holiday season approaches, the idea of shopping locally and supporting small businesses takes center stage. From finding unique gifts to dining at neighborhood restaurants, buying local helps keep your community thriving. But have you ever considered the importance of "shopping local" when it comes to your healthcare choices?

If you clicked on this article, there’s a chance that means you’re in a relationship, and that you’re starting to think about the long term view of where you’d like things to go. Perhaps you’re discussing engagement with your partner. As a licensed mental health therapist who’s seen firsthand what can happen when couples jump the gun, I believe marriage is certainly not something to be taken lightly, or on a whim. Hopefully, these questions will give you and your partner a good start at taking a look at some of the bigger picture questions before approaching the conversation of engagement. 

I remember growing up and being excited for holidays. My mom was always so careful to make sure my brother and I had everything we wanted, all carefully wrapped in perfect bows under the tree. Holidays growing up were a special time where we could come together as a family and share in the love, joy, hope  and peace the season brings. I look back fondly over the childhood memories of Thanksgiving and Christmas, but recently, I’ve noticed a crack in the rose colored glasses I’ve fought hard to protect. 

Perhaps you’re discussing engagement with your partner. If so, congratulations! Moving forward in relationships is an exciting endeavor - and one I’m a personal fan of. However, as a licensed mental health therapist who’s seen firsthand what can happen when couples jump the gun, I believe marriage is certainly not something to be taken lightly, or on a whim. Hopefully, these questions will give you and your partner a good start at taking a look at some of the bigger picture questions before approaching the conversation of engagement. 

It’s that time of year when political campaigns seem to infiltrate and inundate social media and everyday life with reminders to vote. Regardless of which candidate you vote for, election years can stir up feelings of despair, hopelessness, uncertainty and fear for our future. This existential dread not only impacts our mental health and well being, but it can also impact our relationships.

As teachers you make a promise to show up everyday for your students, regardless of the storm brewing underneath the surface. Every year more gets added to your plate without relieving some of the pressure or responsibilities to make room for the new policies and procedures. But what happens when the weight becomes too much? What happens when the plate falls and shatters into a million pieces? 

What are the 5 Main Ways to Manage Stress?

What are 5 Coping Strategies for Stress?

How Will You Manage Stress?

How to Destress Quickly?

We're all living in a world that seems to be constantly spinning out of control. 

With all the political drama, economic worries, and social issues, it's no wonder we're feeling a bit stressed. 

But don't worry, you're not alone in this.

In this blog post, we're going to talk about some ways to manage stress, even when it feels like the world is falling apart around you. 

Let's dive in.

What Does It Mean to Feel Helpless?

What Should I Do If I Feel Helpless?

What Does "I'm Feeling Helpless" Mean?

How to Heal from Helplessness?

Ever felt like you're just a tiny speck in a giant, chaotic world? 

Sometimes, it can seem like there's nothing we can do to change the things happening around us. This feeling of helplessness can be really tough and can leave us feeling down.

In this blog post, we're going to talk about what it means to feel helpless, why it happens, and what you can do about it. 

We'll also explore how therapy can be a helpful tool in navigating these tough emotions.

What are the 5 skills in communication skills?

What are 7 good communication Skills?

How do you describe good communication skills?

How can I improve my communication skills?

Effective communication is the cornerstone of human interaction, helping us build stronger relationships, resolve conflicts, and achieve our goals.

In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of communication skills and how therapy can be a powerful tool for developing and improving them. 

We'll delve into specific communication skills that are essential for success and provide practical tips for enhancing your communication abilities.

Why not just wing it?

Why not just talk about marriage with your fiance one day over a cup of coffee and call it a day?

We already know everything we need to know about each other.

We’ve been living together for a while, so we’re basically married and there’s nothing new to learn.

Anything sound familiar? While there can certainly be some truth behind those statements, I would assume that - if you’re engaged to be married - there’s a high likelihood that it’s because you value your relationship with your partner and you want it to last a lifetime. If this is true for you, I MUST recommend an assessment (specifically the Prepare/Enrich assessment) as a part of your journey to marriage. 

If you’re reading this, I hope it’s fair to assume you and your other half are engaged (or about to be)! If you haven’t found out by now, the world of engagement can be… a lot. Maybe you’re getting 20 questions from family members, hearing unsolicited opinions, and probably already feeling behind on the planning process. I’ve seen firsthand the impact wedding planning can have on a relationship. It’s very easy for couples to lose sight of the marriage that awaits them on the other side of the wedding. That’s where premarital counseling comes in. 

Like many Evangelical teens growing up in the 90s, I was told my body was a temple and that we were all born inherently evil. I was told to cover up and dress in modest clothing to protect the minds of boys and men and that marriage was solely meant for one man and one woman. We were the gatekeepers for boys and men in the church. If they started having impure thoughts about us, it was our fault. Throughout my research, I continue to see similar stories and lived experiences to my own. I see myself in all of the stories shared by women across the US and the world who were victims of purity culture. 

Emma Cieslik describes purity culture as “...a systemic set of ideologies enforced by religious communities through educational programming and events that place the brunt of sexual responsibility on young men and women” (2022). Both men and women are taught to suppress sexual urges starting at young ages. Purity culture is not gender specific. Both lead to warped beliefs that continue to impact how both men and women view relationships, marriage and sex.

The unwavering dedication of first responders – police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) – is the backbone of our communities. You bravely face danger head-on, providing critical aid in times of crisis.

However, constant exposure to traumatic events can take a significant toll on your mental well-being. This blog delves into strategies for managing stress and trauma as a first responder.

Here at LifeSpring Counseling, we believe therapy can play a powerful role in helping first responders find balance and peace in their lives.

Many young adults fall into the trap of hanging out at the bars with their friends when they’d actually really like to be engaging in healthy activities like yoga, hiking, kayaking, and book clubs. Other adults tell us that their children are too busy for them or that they’re struggle to rediscover who they are now that their children are out of the home. If you’re in Baltimore City, know that we’ve created a small list of activities and organizations we love where you can engage in healthy activities and build a group of new friends too! 

Have you been dreading the idea of starting therapy? Perhaps you’ve been dragging your feet, even though you know that it’s a good idea. Or perhaps you don’t really want to do therapy, but everyone around you is encouraging you to go.  If that’s the case, here are some things that our Maryland therapists want you to know!

Have you ever seen the memes on social media talking about how you signed up for therapy because of the people who won’t sign up for therapy in your life? This is a real thing!! We’ve been asked on more than one occasion, what people can do when someone they love needs therapy but won’t seek it. To answer this question, we’ve compiled tips from 5 LifeSpring therapists. 

Many mental health agencies and group practices offer their provisionally licensed counselors and social workers free supervision as part of their benefits package.  When something is offered for free, however, we can sometimes take it for granted.  In this article, we’ll talk with you about the ways that you can truly appreciate and maximize your experience in supervision. We’ll be talking about this from the perspective of a supervisor and supervisee. 

First responders – police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) – are the cornerstones of our communities. You bravely step into the face of danger to help others, making a real difference every single day.

However, constant exposure to traumatic events can leave lasting emotional scars. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common challenge faced by first responders, significantly impacting your well-being and ability to function. This blog aims to equip you with knowledge about PTSD in first responders.

Here at LifeSpring Counseling, we believe therapy can play a powerful role in helping first responders find balance and peace in their lives.

What are the key mental health challenges teachers face during the school year?

Teachers are like jugglers in a mental circus, keeping countless balls in the air – curriculum expectations, student behavior, individualized needs, parent communication, and the ever-present pressure to perform. While the rewards of teaching are immense, the emotional toll can be significant.

Here at LifeSpring Counseling, we believe therapy can play a powerful role in helping teachers find balance and peace in their lives.