Educational Blogs from Our Mental Health Therapists

Learn about common challenges, including depression, anxiety, relationships,
trauma, and more, written by Maryland therapists!

Business Owners, Resources, Online Counseling Melissa Wesner Business Owners, Resources, Online Counseling Melissa Wesner

Why Shopping Local Matters, Even When Choosing Your Mental Health Provider

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?

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Managing Stress in a Storm of News

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.

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Feeling Helpless: Finding Hope in Therapy

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.

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Communication Skills - How Therapy Can Help

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.

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Why You Should Take a Relationship Assessment Before Getting Married

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. 

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4 Reasons to Invest in Premarital Counseling

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. 

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Depression, Anxiety, Motivation, Online Counseling Melissa Wesner Depression, Anxiety, Motivation, Online Counseling Melissa Wesner

Things Our Maryland Therapists Want You to Know If You’ve Been Avoiding Starting Therapy

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!

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Resources, Online Counseling Melissa Wesner Resources, Online Counseling Melissa Wesner

Not My Therapist’s Keeper: A Guide for Therapists to Enjoy Therapy as the Client

If you think about it, your doctor probably has a doctor and that doctor probably also has a doctor. Your teacher had a teacher who was taught by another teacher. Your mailman has a mailman who has a mailman and your dentist has a dentist…who has a dentist!

So, why is it harder for therapists to see or talk about their own therapists?

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Online Counseling, Resources Melissa Wesner Online Counseling, Resources Melissa Wesner

Meet Your Match at LifeSpring PART 2: Find a Therapist Who’s a Good Fit for You!

You’ve heard of speed dating, but have you ever considered how nice it would be if you could speed interview a bunch of therapists at the same time, so you could quickly decide who’s the best fit for you? You can always schedule consultation calls with various therapists to ask them some questions and see which person feels like the best fit.

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Online Counseling, Resources Melissa Wesner Online Counseling, Resources Melissa Wesner

Meet Your Match at LifeSpring: A Chance to Find a Therapist Who’s a Good Fit for You!

You’ve heard of speed dating, but have you ever considered how nice it would be if you could speed interview a bunch of therapists at the same time, so you could quickly decide who’s the best fit for you? You can always schedule consultation calls with various therapists to ask them some questions and see which person feels like the best fit.

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Brainspotting, Online Counseling, Resources Melissa Wesner Brainspotting, Online Counseling, Resources Melissa Wesner

What Is Brainspotting? Answers to this Very Popular Question and More in this Video!

Our Greater Baltimore counseling practice loves Brainspotting, and there’s one big question that we hear all the time!  “What is Brainspotting?”  Most people have never heard of it, but they’ve seen it on our website!  If you’re curious to learn more, I encourage you to check out this informative podcast interview with LifeSpring Founder, Melissa Wesner, LCPC. Melissa is a Certified Brainspotter and Brainspotting Consultant who loves sharing about Brainspotting. 

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Online Counseling Melissa Wesner Online Counseling Melissa Wesner

Common Misperceptions about Online Counseling Services Thanks to Commercials From Big Tech Companies Who Have Entered the Mental Health Space

When mental health became the next hot new topic, big tech companies suddenly took an interest. They entered into the mental health space, opened up their own mental health platforms, and gave the public plenty of misleading advertisements. This is what happens when mental health services are advertised by people who have received no formal training in providing therapy. These commercials have misinformed the public, leaving actual therapists to set the record straight. So, here are 3 misperceptions about online counseling created and reinforced by the commercials you’ve been seeing and our attempt to correct them! 

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Brainspotting, Online Counseling, Resources Melissa Wesner Brainspotting, Online Counseling, Resources Melissa Wesner

Frequently Asked Questions About Brainspotting Intensives

In the therapy world, there are Intensives for EMDR, couples work, and other counseling modalities. Intensives involve completing hours of therapy in just a few days. Intensives are great for people who are not interested in (or able to) participate in weekly therapy. In these cases, people are looking to do extensive amounts of work in a short period of time.  Other people seek Intensives in response to a recent life event that they want to work through as quickly as possible. Learn more about Brainspotting Intensives and what you can expect.

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Resources, Online Counseling Melissa Wesner Resources, Online Counseling Melissa Wesner

How to Reduce the Stigma Around Mental Health and Normalize Seeking Therapy

Mental health is an essential aspect of our overall well-being, but for many people, seeking therapy is still stigmatized. Seeking therapy should be seen as a normal and proactive step towards taking control of one's mental health, just as going to a doctor for a physical ailment is seen as a necessary part of healthcare. In this blog, we will discuss ways to normalize seeking therapy and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.

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Online Counseling, Resources Melissa Wesner Online Counseling, Resources Melissa Wesner

Sunshine and Self-Care: Why Summer is the Perfect Time to Invest in Your Mental Health

As the sun shines bright and warm breezes fill the air, summer is often associated with carefree days, beach vacations, and outdoor adventures. It's a season that exudes joy and relaxation, which is one of the reasons why starting therapy might not be the first thing that comes to your mind for the summer. In this blog, we'll explore why summer is a great time to seek therapy and how it can enhance your overall well-being during this vibrant season.

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Brainspotting, Online Counseling, Resources Melissa Wesner Brainspotting, Online Counseling, Resources Melissa Wesner

How to Attend a Brainspotting Intensive When You Live Out of State

Brainspotting is a powerful therapeutic approach that has been gaining popularity in recent years due to its ability to help clients overcome trauma, depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Brainspotting Intensives are becoming increasingly popular for people who want to do a lot of deep work in a short period of time. There are a limited number of practices that offer this service, so it may be difficult to find. 

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How Brainspotting Can Unlock Your Creative Potential as a Business Owner

As a business owner, you're constantly juggling multiple responsibilities, managing your team, and trying to grow your business. It can be a challenging and stressful experience, and it's important to find ways to stay focused and centered amidst the chaos. That's where Brainspotting comes in. Brainspotting is a powerful therapeutic approach that helps you access and process emotions and thoughts that may be blocking your success and growth.

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Common Experiences During and After Brainspotting

Brainspotting is a form of therapy that is gaining popularity among mental health professionals. It is an innovative approach that uses eye positions to help people process and heal from emotional and psychological traumas. If you are considering this type of therapy, you may be wondering what to expect after your Brainspotting sessions. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the possible outcomes during or after Brainspotting therapy.

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