Developing our language for trauma, safety, abuse, integration, and other emotion / relational concepts can help us develop and understand our own experience – here I talk briefly about the way these realities of safety, connection, trauma, can be understood on a “spectrum.” A few examples to supplement what I share in this video: Some … Read more
Chances are, that ex or the in-laws you’re dealing with aren’t diagnosable with narcissistic personality disorder. This is in reference to the many, many posts, articles, social media articles diagnosing and assessing whether someone has NPD traits, or otherwise. Similarly, many self-diagnose themselves with some severe clusters of symptoms (bipolar, OCD, etc) when they may … Read more
The clinicians at Progress Counseling work with a wide variety of clients — in reference to the point of this post, “acceptance” is interchangeable with the feeling of connection, being wanted, belonging. For the clients who have decided to share their healing journey with us, the flavor or form of the healing can mean resolving … Read more
In this video, I talk about the “gap,” “safety” as an internal experience of the “real,” labeling, and how we can more effectively notice and verbalize in ourselves our experience, needs, and internal sensations as it relates to safety. The Irish, instead of saying “I’m sad” will say “I have a sadness.” Similarly, we can … Read more
Somatic awareness refers to the practice of cultivating a deeper understanding and connection with your body, sensations, and physical experiences. As a therapist, I believe that developing somatic awareness can be a powerful tool for self-exploration, healing, and personal growth. Throughout this post, we will delve into the significance of somatic awareness, its benefits, and … Read more
The difference between a person who suffers from some kind of anxiety disorder (or who may present with some of the symptoms of GAD) a “typical” / “Neurotypical” person’s thinking can be significant and often involves the intensity, frequency, and content of their thoughts. Everyone experiences anxiety to some degree at various points in their … Read more
Dysfunctional families can exhibit various patterns of behavior and communication that hinder healthy functioning and emotional well-being. While each family is unique in its dynamics, there are several common ways in which a family can become dysfunctional. When clients approach Progress Counseling for family therapy, one of our therapists will help assess goals, history, “what … Read more
Maintaining healthy boundaries with family members is crucial for one’s mental and emotional well-being. As much as we love our families, it is important to recognize that we are all individuals with our own lives, goals, and dreams. Setting boundaries helps us to protect our personal space and maintain healthy relationships with our loved ones. … Read more
Portland is considered one of the most post-Christian cities in the United States, which is one of the reasons it has been such a draw for younger people seeking to escape religious environments they’ve perceived as oppressive and toxic. But this exodus has been a national trend, as well – even before the pandemic devastated … Read more