Feeling unmotivated? Check your "VITALS"
We all struggle with motivation. It seems to evaporate so easily. Learn to use the VITALS acronym to assess and improve your motivation.
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Heather M. McKenzie, Therapist
(919) 744-8335
Online Counseling and Clinical Supervision
I hope that you find the content here helpful! This blog is meant to provide ideas, tips, and insights and is not meant to replace a relationship with a therapist or to serve as medical advice for your specific needs.
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- Nov 16, 2022
- 6 min
11 Holiday Permissions to Give Yourself
The closer the holidays draw, the higher the stress and worry. As you navigate holiday dynamics, give yourself these 11 permissions.
- Oct 21, 2022
- 8 min
What to expect & do after a sudden trauma
We each respond differently to traumatic situations. Learn what you might feel, the way you might act, ways you can cope effectively.
- Aug 8, 2022
- 8 min
Beyond bubble baths - 16 ways to do self-care
Self-care is anything we do to help ourselves stay physically, emotionally and mentally well. Learn 16 ways to do ongoing self-care.
- Jun 30, 2022
- 9 min
Harness the power of journaling for mental health: strategies and prompts to get you started
Journaling is an effective and empowering tool for managing your mental and emotional health. Learn strategies and prompts to get started.
- May 28, 2022
- 9 min
What you need to know about making difficult changes
It's hard to change! Learn the 6 stages of change to help you implement specific strategies for making your difficult changes successful.
- Apr 20, 2022
- 7 min
Your 3 crucial needs and how to manage emotions by filling them
All humans are driven to seek 3 basic needs: safety, connection, and comfort. Learn how understanding & filling needs helps manage emotions.
- Mar 22, 2022
- 7 min
Pandemic, inflation and war, oh my! How to cope when uncertainty is the new normal
How to cope when uncertainty is the new normal? We can focus on 3 areas of control: our bodies, our attention, and our actions.
- Feb 24, 2022
- 8 min
Why it’s hard asking for help and how to get better at it
We need interconnection with others but it can feel so uncomfortable accepting care and help. Let's look at why it's hard and how to do it.
- Jan 24, 2022
- 5 min
Take another look at your new goals
If you're losing motivation on your goals or just want to ensure your success, review your list and ask yourself these 7 crucial questions.
- Nov 18, 2021
- 6 min
12 ways to manage family holiday visits
Family gatherings are nearly always complicated. Consider these 12 strategies to help minimize the distress for yourself.
- Oct 23, 2021
- 7 min
Like yourself more: the power of self-validation
Validation is a human craving. We all want to matter. Since external validation isn't guaranteed, learning to self-validate is essential.
- Sep 24, 2021
- 8 min
How do I know what I’m feeling?
Emotions are crucial to our success, so it's important that we are able to identify exactly what we're feeling. Learn your body clues here!
- Aug 27, 2021
- 7 min
How to get started with mindfulness
Mindfulness is an effort to have intentional awareness of what is going on inside of you at the present moment. But how do we do this?
- Jul 29, 2021
- 7 min
How does my attachment style impact my relationships?
Our attachment styles will show up with every human interaction. Learn how your tendency towards Secure or Insecure attachment impacts you.
- Jul 29, 2021
- 7 min
What is my attachment style?
Attachment Style refers to the way we perceive and connect with others. It’s at the root of all our interactions with people.
- Jun 22, 2021
- 4 min
Quick strategy for managing intense emotions - the STOP skill
Emotions dictate where our attention goes. The more intense an emotion gets, the more it narrows our focus. Use the STOP skill for control.
- May 21, 2021
- 9 min
What does Borderline Personality Disorder look like?
The BPD criteria are explained in terms to help you better assess if this is something that applies to you or someone you care about.
- Apr 20, 2021
- 7 min
6 Ways to Improve Self-esteem Without Therapy
You are the only person you'll for sure be with until you die, so the health of this relationship and your self-esteem is crucial.
- Mar 23, 2021
- 7 min
Why do we have emotions?
Emotions are crucial to our survival. But if we don't have great strategies for managing them, they can get us into a world of pain.
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