What You Need To Know About Intrusive Thoughts
Katie McLaughlin, LPCC Katie McLaughlin, LPCC

What You Need To Know About Intrusive Thoughts

Intrusive thoughts are basically unwanted thoughts, images or memories that come out of nowhere and cause us some type of distress. Sometimes they spike anxiety, sometimes they lead to feeling shame or guilt. Intrusive thoughts often lead to this distress because their nature kind goes against our core self. Meaning that they likely make us question ourselves and why we had the thought.

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Where Does Anxiety Come From?
Katie McLaughlin, LPCC Katie McLaughlin, LPCC

Where Does Anxiety Come From?

Understanding why we feel anxious and where our anxiety comes from can play a large role in helping us to feel more in control. This understanding can also decrease the shame we may feel from feeling anxious in the first place.

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Don’t Forget Yourself This Valentine’s Day
Katie McLaughlin, LPCC Katie McLaughlin, LPCC

Don’t Forget Yourself This Valentine’s Day

Oftentimes it can be much easier to practice kindness towards others, rather than towards yourself. If you have been curious about practicing kindness and compassion towards yourself, enjoy this brief practice to get a taste of what a self-compassion practice can be like.

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How Core Beliefs Are Formed And What You Can Do About It
Katie McLaughlin, LPCC Katie McLaughlin, LPCC

How Core Beliefs Are Formed And What You Can Do About It

Your thoughts actually come from these things called Core Beliefs, and understanding how Core Beliefs are formed through our experiences is another key component to both knowing yourself better and to feeling more in control.

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5 Easy Ways to Practice Mindfulness
Katie McLaughlin, LPCC Katie McLaughlin, LPCC

5 Easy Ways to Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness

Another popular term floating around these days that advertises incredible life change. But what is mindfulness and how can it really change your life? Let’s start with the basics.

Mindfulness is a state of being present and aware in the moment. With all of the chaos that life tends to bring, this idea of being still enough to even notice what’s around you may seem out of reach.

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Coping - How to Keep it Simple</a>
Katie McLaughlin, LPC Katie McLaughlin, LPC

Coping - How to Keep it Simple

I had a conversation recently in which I had used the term “coping” numerous times – A common occurrence in a counseling related discussion. This time, however, I provided an explanation of what “coping” actually means - Finding ways to feel better while learning to overcome problems. I immediately saw relief wash over the individual I was speaking with, as “coping” moved from a vague concept to learn and into a simple understanding of how to feel better.

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