The world of work is constantly evolving, and with it comes the reality of career changes. Whether it's a planned shift, an unexpected layoff, or the pursuit of a long-held dream, career transitions can be emotionally charged.

Here at LifeSpring Counseling, we understand the challenges that come with changing careers, and we want to assure you that therapy can be a valuable source of support.

As a therapist in private group practice, I’ve spent several years developing my professional identity. I look back on the first year of my work fondly and with a lot of empathy, because I learned a lot of valuable insight about myself, others, and the world of therapy. If you’re a new therapist, perhaps these ideas could be valuable to you as you begin your job search and hopefully help you get a great start to your career!

As a clinician with several years of experience in private group practice, I’ve gotten to know a lot about the signs of a workplace environment that supports therapists. When thinking about what to look for in a healthy workplace, some things that come to mind might include PTO, directors & supervisors who are accessible, or regularly receiving positive feedback. I’ve found these things to be true at LifeSpring, AND I’ve noticed in my time several other ways that I’ve felt personally supported and encouraged as an employee of this group. So I’ve decided to explore those a bit here! 

Life throws curveballs. Sometimes, it feels like these curveballs come one after another, leaving us feeling lost, overwhelmed, and unsure how to move forward. Whether you're facing a job loss, a health scare, a relationship breakup, or any other major life challenge, you're not alone.

While these challenges can be incredibly difficult, they also present opportunities for growth and self-discovery. Therapy can be a powerful tool in helping you not just survive these challenges, but to truly thrive in the aftermath.

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.

If you spend time on the mental health side of the internet or talk with people who do, you may be familiar with the term neurodivergent. However, if you are not and want to know more about it, you have come to the right place!

Neurodivergent refers to brains that work or develop differently from the average development or thinking pattern of the neurotypical brain and occurs due to a variety of reasons, such as mental or medical disorders.

As therapists, we regularly hear clients (and friends) talk about how difficult it is to make friends as an adult. Not only that, but many of our clients tell us just how hard it is to make friends while engaging in activities that are healthy.  If you live in Baltimore County, and you’re tired of the bar scene, know that there are plenty of options out there. We asked some of our therapists to share some of their favorite Baltimore County resources where you can meet new people, and this is their list. 

Depression and anxiety often go hand in hand. They’re like two good friends who like to hang out!  Depression and anxiety show up so frequently, that our therapists are regularly providing support and coping strategies to people who are looking to manage their symptoms.  We’ve asked 4 of our therapists to share some of their favorite strategies for managing depression and anxiety.  See what they had to say.

As therapists, we are regularly talking with people about boundary setting. While boundaries are often necessary, the idea of setting them can create a lot of anxiety for people. To support you in your boundary setting, we’ve asked several of our Baltimore County therapists to share some of their favorite tips for setting healthy boundaries.

Have you ever participated in therapy before? You might not realize this, but there are a number of things that therapists want you to know. We asked four of our mental health therapists in Maryland to share the key things they’d like their clients to know.

Feeling overwhelmed by the constant busyness of life? You're not alone! In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in our thoughts and anxieties, losing touch with the present moment. But there's a simple practice that can help you cultivate peace and focus: mindfulness.

Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. It's about becoming aware of your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations without getting swept away by them. Here at LifeSpring Counseling, we see firsthand how mindfulness can benefit our clients.

Deep breathing is an incredible coping strategy that kids (and adults) can use anywhere at any time to regulate their emotions; they don’t need anything other than their own bodies to use this skill. However, it can be tricky for children to master the technique of proper diaphragmatic breathing (aka deep breathing). You can use this fun craft to teach your child how to use deep breathing as an effective coping strategy.

Have you ever felt like you're carrying burdens that don't quite belong to you? You might be experiencing the effects of generational trauma. It's the emotional or psychological stress that can be passed down through families, sometimes for generations. It can be a heavy weight to bear, but the good news is, you don't have to carry it alone. Here at LifeSpring Counseling, we understand the complexities of generational trauma. We want to assure you that it's absolutely normal to feel its effects, and there are healthy ways to manage them.

Therapy. The word itself can conjure up images from movies – lying on a couch, spilling your deepest secrets to a stranger. But the reality of therapy is far less dramatic and much more beneficial.

Here at LifeSpring Counseling, we want to debunk some common myths about therapy and show you what it truly is:

Myth #1: Therapy is only for people with severe mental illness.

Fact: Therapy can benefit anyone struggling with emotional or behavioral challenges. Feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, or relationship issues? Therapy can equip you with tools to manage those difficulties.

Growing up, it was very difficult for me to speak to my parents about mental health. Everytime, they saw me sad, upset or depressed. They would default to “Oh you will be fine.  Let's go out for dinner. It will make you feel better.” But in reality I wasn't really “ok.” As a therapist, it has been my job to help them understand the importance of mental health. Here, I will talk about 3 tips on how you can speak with your South Asian parents about mental health. 

How many times have you had a similar thought: “I want to  ____, but I am ____.”

Depending on how you would fill in the blanks, the thought sounds like a very short story. Maybe your short story started with a desire or a hope, but the second blank ended the story before the story began. The reason for this is the key word: “but.” 

A dialectic is when two oppositional concepts can be true and simultaneously exist in the same space. When we use “but” in a thought, we automatically allow one oppositional concept to dominate. 

The idea of using mindfulness anywhere and anytime may sound somewhat strange. Using mindfulness while in line at the grocery store or in the middle of a presentation may seem pretty far-fetched, but with three letters, it is less far-fetched than you might think!

ACE stands for acknowledging your emotion(s), connecting with your body, and engaging with your surroundings. It is at the root of every mindfulness exercise, and you already have all the tools you need to use it effectively. 

Working in fields such as healthcare, social work, or emergency response often exposes professionals to the raw realities of trauma. While their focus is on providing support and care to those directly affected, the toll of bearing witness to suffering can manifest in the caregivers themselves. Here are ten practical tips for professionals navigating the complexities of secondhand trauma. 

Navigating the aftermath of sexual assault can be a daunting journey, laden with complex emotions and challenges. Yet, within the therapeutic setting, there exists a powerful toolkit designed to guide survivors toward healing and empowerment. Through a combination of compassionate support and evidence-based techniques, therapists play a pivotal role in helping survivors cope with the aftermath of trauma. 

Sexual assault is a harrowing experience that leaves deep emotional scars on its survivors. Among the myriad of emotions they grapple with, shame stands out as one of the most pervasive and debilitating. Shame, with its roots in societal perceptions and self-blame, adds layers of complexity to the already daunting process of recovery for survivors.