Total Life Counseling Blog

Total Life Counseling Blog2024-04-09T22:36:06+00:00

Seasonal Depression and Mindfulness | Orlando Counselor

As we begin each year, it's important to be aware of seasonal depression. Seasonal Affective Disorder, commonly known as SAD, affects many of us during the fall and winter seasons. This is not just the winter blues or holiday stress, but a form of real depression that can leave us feeling hopeless and low on energy. To distinguish holiday [...]

Relationship Issues | Tips on How To Fix It | Orlando Counselor

Relationship Issues | How To Fix It| It's true that every couple experiences relationship issues at some point. No relationship is perfect, and disagreements and conflicts are a natural part of any partnership. What's important is how those issues are handled and resolved. Effective communication, empathy, and a willingness to compromise are all key factors in maintaining a healthy [...]

Orlando PTSD Counselor on Jake Flint’s Death | Trauma and Grief

Orlando PTSD Counselor discussed the sudden loss of country singer Jake Flint, died in his sleep just hours after getting married. He was only 37 years of age and had a sudden death while sleeping. According to his loved ones, he was a friend to all and had an amazing sense of humor. His wife, Brenda Flint, was heartsick [...]

5 stages of grief

Michael Brown writes on Understanding and Responding to Grief through The Gottman Institute. A major topic discussed was how during the COVID-19 Pandemic, many people had to grieve their loved ones without ever getting the chance to say goodbye. Additionally, Brown emphasized the thousands of individuals who sadly and unacceptably lost their lives, in isolation. Such grief leaves many [...]

Grief, Self-Care|

Let’s Talk…Mental Health and Addiction

The recent passing of singer and reality TV star, Aaron Carter, highlights the dire need for mental health and addiction to be at the forefront of the conversation for all of us. No one gets to pick their parents. Your parents didn’t pick their parents and so on. As counselors, we aren’t here to blame anyone. Shame and family [...]

Anxiety, Blog, Grief, Self Harm, Self-Care|

Holiday Depression & Anxiety: Coping Strategies for a Happier Season

As the winter holiday season is coming up, we have to maintain awareness of our mental health. For many of us, the holiday season is filled with joy, fun, and time to gather with family and friends. Although, for some of us, this season is not short of sadness, self-reflection, loneliness, and extreme anxiety. So the question remains, what [...]

What Aaron Carter’s Tragic Death Can Teach Us About Mental Health

If you remember the song “I want candy” or the New Kids on the Block, you remember the pop singer and child star, Aaron Carter. We were sad to find out that he passed this weekend after suffering from addiction and mental health issues. Aaron revealed to fans that he was diagnosed with “multiple personality disorder, schizophrenia, acute anxiety, [...]

Orlando Trauma Counselor Expert | Rape and Sexual Assault

Orlando Sexual Abuse Counselor on how Sexual Assault untreated can effect a victim of abuse. Shame, despair, and powerless are a few of the emotions that victims of rape and sexual assault may experience. These same emotions often interfere with their ability to decide to prosecute their perpetrator. There are also many thoughts such as, “We were drinking. He [...]

How Do I Cope with My Child’s Diagnosis?

Over 3 million babies are born every year in the US. And with the birth of a child, there is not only new life, but new adventures, new possibilities, and new opportunities. As exciting as it may be to have a precious new baby to see grow, develop, and become who they are destined to be. Sometimes we must [...]

Perfectionism: What is it and how can we effectively combat it?

Perfectionism is a personality trait characterized by the need to demonstrate perfection in how we represent ourselves. Perfectionists may not feel satisfied no matter how hard they’ve worked on something because they feel they haven’t met their unrealistically high standards.  Where does perfectionism come from? Perfectionism arises when we set unrealistic expectations for ourselves and believe that we should [...]

Getting Homework Done in Less Time and Fewer Fights

Students with learning disabilities such as ADHD often have trouble with homework and maintaining focus on assignments that require full attention. Some common problems are seen in children with ADHD such as easy distractibility, disorganization, procrastination, inattention, fidgeting, and daydreaming. Every child is different, meaning not every kid with ADHD will act in the same manner. However, there are [...]

Who Cares What They Think: 4 Strategies to Break Free of the Opinions and Expectations of Others

Energy.   It’s currently a popular belief that you get back what you send out into the world.   The implication is that we have a way of interacting with others that ultimately affects the types of challenges, opportunities, relationships, and experiences we encounter in life.  Law of attraction so to speak. But what happens when you feel like you are [...]

ADHD, Adults, Anger, Blog, Depression, Grief, Self Esteem|

Sleep Deprivation in Children | Orlando Counselor

With summer coming to an end, many kids have experienced a change in their sleeping habits. Children get less sleep in the summer due to long nights of staying up late without the responsibility of having school the next morning. Electronic use before bed could affect how much sleep you get because the more time you spend scrolling, you [...]

Orlando Anxiety Counselor says Fidget Rings May Help Anxiety

According to Orlando anxiety counseling experts we all experience anxiety, but it can be especially hard for many people. There are several aspects of life that may induce anxiety. Recently, fidget rings have surfaced and seem to be helping alleviate symptoms of anxiety.  Fidget rings are subtle, discreet, and virtually noiseless. These rings have a spinning or movable part [...]

Adults, Anxiety, Blog, Children, Family, Orlando, Teens|

The Link Between Perfectionism and College Athlete Suicide

Depression Counselor on Perfectionist College Athlete Suicide Not everyone can handle pressure, especially the pressure that college athletes face. This pressure has caused several college athletes and perfectionists to have mental health challenges and ultimately take their own life. Having such high expectations to live up to at such a young age harms one’s self-worth, how they view themselves, [...]

Couch Potato Nation

Physically (In)Active Adolescents Physical activity helps our bodies (and our minds) to stay in shape. Unfortunately, it seems as though children in the United States are staying less and less physically active. Although screen time and electronic devices most likely contribute to this lack of physical activity, school environments can encourage more physical activity during school hours when these [...]

Fourth of July Blues

For many of us, the Fourth of July is a celebratory event filled with family and barbecuing. For others, the holidays can be quite difficult to face. Dealing with Loneliness Loneliness is a very common emotion to experience during the holidays. A lot of us may not have family or friends near. It can be hard to scroll through [...]

Addictions, ADHD, Adults, Alcohol, Blog, Drug, Jim West, Teens|

School Shootings on the Rise

According to a federal report done by the National Center for Education Statistics, there were ninety-three gun-related incidents in the United States that resulted in lives lost on school property in 2021 alone. Lives as young as twelve years old have been taken violently while at school, a location where children should feel safe and secure. The harsh reality [...]

Hate Father’s Day?

Hate Father’s Day? Here’s How to Turn the Day Around If you’re reading this article, you are probably one of the many dads hoping to get through the day. Like any holiday, I guarantee many past emotions are brought to the surface.  These may be joyful emotions from memories so fond that you want to recreate them for your [...]

Simple Acts To Help Dad’s Make Their Daughters Feel Special

"In a world that is increasingly technological, we use our electronic devices for everything, from work-related matters to personal communication. Think about it, dads. When was the last time we expressed our sentiments in a truly thoughtful way to our daughters, rather than exclaiming a quick “Love you!” to them before we rush out the door? A splendid way [...]

Gut-Brain Connection

What is the gut-brain connection? Your brain communicates with your gut daily, and vice versa, in order to maintain digestion and health. Research suggests that the organisms in the gastrointestinal tract can influence mental health greatly. In fact, the gut is also known as ‘the second brain’, since it seems to have such a large role in someone’s overall [...]

Orlando Counselor | Tips to Help Your Wife Feel Appreciated on Mother’s Day

Due to modern medicine and medical procedures, it is difficult to think that every mother was at risk when she gave birth.  Most experiencing pregnancy go as planned or with slight complications.  But according to the World Health Organization at least one woman dies from complications related to pregnancy or childbirth every minute.  To raise awareness for this model, [...]

5 Practical Ways to Show Mom Appreciation on Mother’s Day.

5 Practical Ways to Show Mom Appreciation on Mother’s Day. This weekend will be Mother’s Day and many moms are expecting to get the usual special treatment:  breakfast in bed, cards, flowers or chocolate.  However, if you would ask most moms they would say ask for something quite different.  Moms are the Captain of the Ship of the Home.  [...]

Updates|

Orlando Counselor: Positive Conflict Resolution for Families

Orlando family counselor offers as simple conflict resolution program to resolve conflict quickly and get back to privileges.  “Sorry! Sorry! Sorry,” is what students/siblings receive over and over again, and then the perpetrator receives a time out, grounding, loses privileges or in the school, detention, work detail, time out or suspension. The perpetrator then becomes resentful toward the person [...]

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