Try practicing positive thinking patterns vs. negative thinking patterns. Some people automatically go to negative thought patterns and think the worst, instead of thinking the positively thinking the best.  When people think the worst automatically then the worst case scenario usually plays out because they unwittingly push for that without ever knowing they are doing it. People who think the best case scenario usually have good things happen to them because their thought process helps play it out positively. The next time someone says something to you stop and take note if you are thinking worst case or best case scenario. This will give you insight to your thought process. If you need help with negative thought patterns please call Affordable Counseling Center in Brandon or Tampa Florida at 813-260-8892.

In a relationship, we sometimes get “comfortable.”  Is that good or bad?  Well, it can be both depending on how it is affecting you and your partner.   When you speak to one another, listen to what is being said. Don’t just hear them, truly listen to what they are saying.  When you begin to get comfortable and get used to each other you may stop speaking to each other like friends.  Aren’t friends pleasant with one another? Playful? Are you nicer to your friends than you are to your spouse?  Speak to your partner in a pleasant manner.  While the conversation topics may change, speak to them nicely and respectfully. But he/she doesn’t listen to me, you say.  Well, is what you are both doing now working?  But, it was working in the beginning right?  Be pleasant. If you or your partner find this difficult, we can teach you to fight fair.  Life is too short to not be happy. Call or text us to schedule an appointment. (813) 244-1251 http://www.affordablecounselingbrandon.com/ #counseling #Thursday #therapy #grief #loss #friends #date #love #life #stress #overwhelmed #anxiety #couples #Tampa #Brandon #county #Hillsborough #Florida #FL #city #marriage #family #fun #friends #comfortable #comfort #nice #pleasant #goodtime #events #activities #children #teens #tweens #play

Set the example, your children are watching you.  Even if you think they are not listening or paying attention, they are.  Do not be so naive to think that they do not know what is going on.  Your children want you to be happy.  Are you faking it to make it or hiding behind the truth?  Guess what, your child knows.  They may not know exact details or even what is wrong, but they do know that something is wrong.  Have your children started to act out “out of the blue.”  If you have noticed this happening it may be because they feel your stress. They see their mother or father stressed and it stresses them.  The main difference in adult stress and a child’s stress is that they do not know how to express themselves.  They do not know how to explain that they are sad or frustrated and do not know why, they are being honest when they say they do not know. Have you been misinterpreting your feelings and thoughts to try to hold a relationship together for the children?  The environment that they are in may be just as overwhelming and stressful to them as it is to you.  Would it be okay with you for your children to be in a relationship like yours when they grow up?  If the answer is no, then this is your opportunity to make it better not only for you, but for them. Choose to be emotionally healthy this year. (813) 244-1251 #healthy #familycounseling #2017 #Tampa #Florida #childtherapy #childcounseling #grief #loss #coping #stress #overwhelmed #anxiety #relief #newyear #January #goals #resolution #relationship #familytherapy #couplestherapy  #hurting #pain

Do you find yourself so involved in helping your partner, parents, siblings, or children that you now confuse their “need” and “love” for you? Being needed is not the same as being loved.  Are you able to tell the difference between the two? We must learn to tell when we are not getting our needs met.  It is wonderful to help others when they are in need, but we also must ensure that we are taking care of ourselves so that each aspect of our being is fulfilled.  How will we give if we are empty?  Let’s learn to balance each aspect of our being and learn to feel the love. affordablecounselingbrandon.com #Tampa #Counseling #family #therapy #stress #holidayseason #familygoals #couplescounseling #familycounseling #stressedout #give #fulfilled #Brandon #Hillsboroughcounty

“We need to learn and use techniques and practices that promote healing, learning, and growth.  Adolescence requires the same degree of shepherding required during the terrible twos.  Unfortunately, in many homes, just when they need the shepherding of their parents the most, they are turned off and tuned out from their parents’ lack of expressed approval.  We need to approach our children with an inquiring mind, if we want to be taken into their confidence.  We can’t be so focused on what they are doing wrong that we miss all the good they have going on” (C.S. Belle, 2014). Do you remember what it was like to be that age? All of the ins and outs of being that age?  Would you go back and live it again?  You couldn’t pay most of us to re-live those moments.  So… for just a moment, think back to what it was like when you were your son/daughter’s age.  What was it like? What did you struggle with?  Now, look at your son/daughter with your new lenses and try to be to them who you needed when you were their age. Don’t know how or where to start? Take that first step and give us a call.  We can help. (813) 244-1251 http://www.starpointcounselingtampa.com/default.html http://www.affordablecounselingbrandon.com/ Quoted directly from: Therapy in Action with Insights and Strategies for Anyone Living or Working with Trouble Kids, by C.S. Belle. Get your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Therapy-Action-C-S-Belle/dp/1621833283/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481206962&sr=8-1&keywords=therapy+in+action #familytherapy #familycounseling #teencounseling #teentherapy #familygoals #childcounseling #childtherapy #adolescentcounseling #adolescenttherapy #marriagecounseling #parentinggoals #parentingwin

Believe it or not there’s a science behind “good vibes” and ways to draw them into your life. The law of attraction states, in simple terms, that the energy you put into the universe will dictate the world around you. So, in theory, if you simply think positive thoughts and send positive vibes out into the universe, your life will be better. Think about it, how many times have you stubbed your toe getting out of bed, or spilled your coffee in the morning and had your whole day go downhill from there? It’s the law of attraction. As you stub your toe or spill your coffee, you’re sending negative energy out into the universe. After that, the universe will respond to your negative energy with more negativity. When you have a brighter outlook on life and your future, it only makes sense that a bright future will follow.  So, be confident in what you want to ask the universe to give you; make sure you want it with your whole heart and soul. Then, visualize what you want as if it’s already yours, and imagine sending a mental picture of it out into the universe. Be confident, keep a positive state of mind and imagine that you already have it. The stronger your faith, the quicker your reward will come to you. In addition, don’t forget to be grateful; thank the universe for all of the wonderful things you’ve received in your life this far. This will increase your positive state of mind and send more good vibes out into the universe. #StarPointCounseling #affordablecounseling #depression #counseling #brandon #couplescounseling #marriagecounseling #therapy #counselor #relationshipcounseling #tampa #anxiety #starpointcounselingcenter #familytherapy #Mentalhealth #Stress #therapist

Communication skills are a great skill in any relationship. Assertive Communication is the best way to communicate versus aggressive, passive aggressive or passive  communication Fully listen to your spouse before formulating your thoughts, you can even repeat back to them “so I think I am hearing you say……….. is this correct”. Then formulate your thoughts and then speak. A lot of times we will start formulating our thoughts before the other person is done talking and then we do not full understand what they are saying. . When talking to your spouse speak in a non emotional calm voice and tell your spouse how you feel. Do not tell them what they are doing wrong, in your mind, blaming them in a loud or aggressive voice. If you feel you will benefit from couples counseling in the Tampa Bay area please visit our web site affordablecounselingbrandon.com  or call us at 813-260-8892. #StarPointCounseling #affordablecounseling #communication #counseling #familycounseling #brandon #couplescounseling #marriagecounseling #relationshipcounseling #marriage #relationship #CouplesCounselingTampa #tampa #starpointcounselingcenter #familytherapy

Often times we think we are in love, but in reality we are so caught up with the idea of love and being love that we confuse the two. These are some signs that you are in love with the idea of love: 1. You believe your life will begin once you have the love of your life. Your life and happiness revolves around finding your significant other. 2. You’re dreaming of your wedding and the life you’ll have with someone, and you’re just looking for someone to fit into that role, not the other way around. You are fixated on what the relationship can do for you, not what you can give to it. 3. You know you don’t really love them, but you’re holding on to the love they give. You’re often times find yourself convincing yourself that you’re in love 4. You have this inclination to want to change your partner or drag things out when you know it’s not going to work out in the long-run. 5. You’re never single for too long. You don’t take the necessarily time to heal after a failed relationship. You just jump from one to the next. 6. You can’t seem to take it slow, even when you try to. All of a sudden you become obsessed with the other person, you’re around them all the time, you are literally addicted to the feeling of being with them. #affordablecounseling #divorce #counseling #brandon #couplescounseling #marriagecounseling #therapy #counselor #relationshipcounseling #relationship #tampa #anxiety #starpointcounselingcenter #familytherapy #Mentalhealth #therapist

Unruly or rowdy children can be very challenging to handle. It is, sometimes, next to impossible to discipline such children. Here are some very important tips on how to handle unruly children. Set Clear Boundaries Set clear boundaries at home and make your child understand that boundaries are supposed to be respected. Fix limits for your unruly child and let him/her know what exactly is expected out of him/her. Earn The Respect Of Your Child Be stern and firm on what you say and try to earn the respect of your child. Lack of respect will make your child question your authority and defeat the whole purpose of setting boundaries in the first place. Carry Out Your Threats Warnings and threats are to be carried out when it comes to disciplining unruly children. If you want to be taken seriously, do what you say and show your children that you mean it. Understand Your Child’s Insecurities At times, unruly behavior stems from the insecurities entrenched in a child’s mind. You need to understand the cause behind your kid’s behavior. If there are hidden insecurities, you need to talk it out with your child and give him/her the much needed comfort. If you are having a hard time with your child and need parenting help call Star Point Counseling Center at 813-244-1251 to set an appointment to see one of our therapists so they can help you and your child get on the right track. #parenting #affordablecounseling #children #counseling #brandon #tampa #starpointcounselingcenter #Mentalhealth #Stress

LEST NOT FORGET! Remember today why we celebrate Memorial Day, Lest not forget those who gave their lives for their country and our freedoms. Remember those who have fought in the war on terrorism and came back with mental health issues like depression, stress and PTSD. Remember our fore fathers who started our great nation and the sacrifices the men and women made leading up to and after the Revolutionary war. Remember the soldiers who invaded Normandy and Utah beach in 1944 and lost their lives not knowing the outcome of the war. LEST NOT FORGET! #depression #PTSD #anxiety #Mentalhealth #Stress

C.S. Belle has published Therapy in Action With Troubled Kids. It is now available in paper back in all of the book stores. This is a must read book for Teachers, Day Care Workers, DCF Employee’s, Therapists, Child Psychologists, Parents and anyone who has or works with children. This book is very insightful and intuitive and comes from Clarissa’s experience as a therapist working in corrections, Juvenile Detention Center’s and child and family therapy. Please visit our web site afordablecounselingbrandon.com #counseling #parenting #troubledkids #troubledteens

We all get stressed out from time to time and we need to relax. Here are a few tips on how to relax. Sit down, close your eyes and slowly take 10 deep breaths. Slowly inhale through your nose feeling your abdomen, then slowly exhale through your mouth. Take a warm bath with dim lights or candles and think about happy things in your life. Go for a walk around your neighborhood, in the park, on the beach or at the mall. Light exercise like walking is very good for relaxing your body and mind. Watch a comedy special or a comedy show.  It lowers cortisol, your body’s stress hormone, and boosts brain chemicals called endorphins, which help your mood. Listen to some soothing music. Research shows that listening to soothing music can lower blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety.