Educational Blogs from Our Mental Health Therapists

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

Brainspotting, Depression, Online Counseling Melissa Wesner Brainspotting, Depression, Online Counseling Melissa Wesner

Finding Relief Through The Power of Brainspotting: Treating Depression

Depression is a common mental health condition that affects millions of people around the world. It can cause feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of energy and motivation, making it difficult to enjoy life and perform daily activities. While there are many different treatments available for depression, including medication and talk therapy, one newer approach is Brainspotting.

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

How To Break Barriers And Start Therapy With Confidence

Starting therapy can be a big step, and it's completely normal to feel nervous about it.  It’s important to know that therapy can be incredibly beneficial, providing you with the tools and support you need to manage your mental well-being and live a fulfilling life. Here are some tips to help you get started, even if you're feeling nervous.

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

When Does Therapy End? How to Recognize When It's Time to “Graduate” Therapy

Therapy is a powerful tool for helping people get support for their mental health, emotional struggles, and personal challenges. It provides a safe and supportive space for individuals to explore their feelings, thoughts, and experiences and work towards personal growth and healing. But with all good things, therapy must come to an end at some point. So, when does therapy end?

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Online Counseling Melissa Wesner Online Counseling Melissa Wesner

The Advantages of Therapy Services with a Local Practice vs. Big Tech Companies

Every November, social media platforms are filled with messages encouraging shoppers to “shop local.” As big tech companies take an interest in the mental health field, there are a number of reasons for people to consider seeking therapy at a local practice vs. the counseling services advertised by big tech companies. Here are some of the most important considerations.

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

Why Going Out-of-Network for Therapy May Be the Better Option

Using insurance to pay for therapy can be valuable for those seeking affordable mental health counseling services. However, there are also several reasons why individuals may choose not to use insurance to pay for therapy services. Understanding these reasons can help individuals make informed decisions about their mental health care and support their overall well-being.

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

The Pros and Cons of Using Your Insurance for Mental Health Services

Mental health is a critical aspect of our overall well-being, and many individuals seek therapy services to improve their emotional and psychological wellness. However, therapy can be expensive, making it difficult for some people to access the care they need. In these situations, using insurance to pay for mental health therapy can be a valuable resource.

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

How Motivational Interviewing Can Help You Make Change

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a counseling technique that helps individuals explore and resolve ambivalence about making changes in their lives. It helps individuals identify their own reasons for change, rather than imposing change on them. The reality is that we all have behaviors that we want to change. And we all have behaviors that we have talked about changing for a long time without actually following through.

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Anxiety, Online Counseling Melissa Wesner Anxiety, Online Counseling Melissa Wesner

Helpful Coping Strategies That Can Reduce Your Symptoms of Anxiety

Anxiety is a common mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can manifest in various forms such as general anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder, specific phobias, among others. Left unmanaged, anxiety can significantly impact an individual's daily life and well-being. In this blog post, we will explore the top strategies for managing anxiety.

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

Top Reasons Why People Don’t Sign Up For Mental Health Therapy & Our Responses to Them

Many of us have never been taught that therapy was an option for preventative care or times of emotional distress. In fact, many of us have received harmful messages that dissuade people from seeking services that have the potential to help them. Here are a few of the most common reasons we hear for why people don’t seek mental health therapy. We’ve thrown in our own thoughts on these reasons for good measure!

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Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy for Children and Adolescents

This post is for the parents on the edge, wondering if their child would benefit from therapy and what therapy for children and adolescents even looks like. I hope that this article will answer any questions that you may have, keeping in mind that every child and family is unique and should you need a more personalized conversation, please call our office for a more tailored conversation. 

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Parenting, Children & Teens, Online Counseling Melissa Wesner Parenting, Children & Teens, Online Counseling Melissa Wesner

How Do I Know if Online Therapy (Telehealth) is Right for My Child?

With the increased access to telehealth services, parents now have more options available to them when looking for a mental health provider to work with their child. Telehealth, however, won’t necessarily be a good fit for everyone.  Within this post I hope to address any questions you may have in determining whether telehealth services will best meet the needs of your child. 

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Online Counseling, COVID-19 Melissa Wesner Online Counseling, COVID-19 Melissa Wesner

Benefits of Online Counseling You Might Not’ve Thought Of

Prior to the pandemic, online counseling services were much harder to find than they are now. When the pandemic hit, there was a lot of reluctance to try telehealth. Now that so much time has passed, mental health therapists and clients alike have discovered the many benefits and conveniences of online counseling services. Interestingly enough, we still see some hesitation to give telehealth a try (especially in people who have never experienced it), so we wanted to share about the many telehealth benefits that our clients have shared with us.

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Online Counseling, International Clients Melissa Wesner Online Counseling, International Clients Melissa Wesner

Why Working with a BIPOC Therapist May Be Right For You

When getting ready to start a journey in therapy, we think about our positions at the beginning. That includes: what type of counselor we are looking for, what kind of therapy style we would want to receive, and what kind of perspective we might gain from our therapist. There are many elements to consider when finding a therapist that best fits you. Here are some reasons why working with a BIPOC therapist may be suitable for you.

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Online Counseling, International Clients Melissa Wesner Online Counseling, International Clients Melissa Wesner

Chinese Culture and The Stigma of Counseling

It’s not uncommon for people in the Chinese community to experience doubt or uncertainty about the idea of receiving counseling services. People may feel uncomfortable seeking help for their mental health issues when they are experiencing something difficult in their lives. While counseling can be helpful for addressing stressors and mental health concerns, there are a number of reasons why people may not be seeking out the counseling services that can help them. In this blog, I’ll be talking about 5 barriers to seeking mental health therapy in the Chinese community, and 5 reasons why people should consider counseling services.

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Online Counseling Melissa Wesner Online Counseling Melissa Wesner

The Lies We Tell Ourselves

We all have lies we tell ourselves, whether it’s about ourselves or other people, big or small. “I’ll remember to put gas in my car before work/morning school drop off.” “This job/ relationship isn’t so bad.” “I’m only going to stay for one drink, and then I’ll go home.” “So-and-so’s drinking/drug use isn’t that bad.” The lies we tell ourselves have a way of being the tip of an iceberg. There is much more happening beneath the surface than we realize. What if underneath the tip of that iceberg is a larger pattern? Often times this is the case with one "iceberg" being accompanied by many others. How, though, do you know if you’re floating in the ocean surrounded by icebergs?

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Online Counseling, Resources, First Responders Melissa Wesner Online Counseling, Resources, First Responders Melissa Wesner

Helping the Helper: Facilitating Mental Wellness for Police Officers

Every day, police officers are responding to critical incidents that can impact their health and mental well-being. Sometimes the impact is immediate and evident; other times, it’s insidious and builds over time. This can lead to officers developing poor coping mechanisms, physical problems such as digestive issues, and experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). What can police departments do to help the helper?

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

Commonly Asked Questions from New Clients

As LifeSpring’s virtual assistant, I’m the first person you’ll speak to and, hopefully, schedule an appointment with when giving our office a call! With that being said, I also encounter a lot of curious clients who have questions regarding the counseling process, what to expect, and what their next steps will be. 

For many, seeking counseling is a huge step, yet a life-changing one. It’s completely normal to be nervous, unsure, or fearful at what this process will be like for you. When talking with me, I aim to be a helping hand as I get you connected and scheduled with a therapist that's right for you. 

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