Assertive communication and reflective listening is the key to good communication in any relationship. Simply say what you want to say and how it makes you feel in an adult manner without escalating your voice and wait for that person to respond. Fully listening to someone and understanding what they said before formulating your thoughts on what you are going to say is good reflective listening. To learn more about communication skill please call Affordable Counseling Center at 813-260-8892 to schedule an appointment to see one of our experienced therapists. #communication #counseling #therapist #therapy

Ever wonder why you and your partner find it hard to stop arguing, or being mad at each other? Do you wish there was something you could change? In relationships, we tend to fall into negative habits that are harmful to us and our partners. It is important to recognize what those habits are and that you can develop better ones. There are 7 habits that ruin relationships: Criticizing Blaming Complaining Nagging Threatening Punishing Bribing/Rewarding to control These habits keep you and your partner in constant disagreement with each other, and exert control over others. This behavior often comes from a background of feeling a lack of control of what is going on around them during childhood. Express more compassion with your partner to nurture a successful relationship. Improve your relationship with these 7 habits instead: Supporting Encouraging Listening Accepting Trusting Respecting Negotiating differences These habits are not controlling and gives your partner a sense of freedom. A relationship built on the foundation of these healthy habits results in a long-lasting, stable, and harmonious union. What are some more nourishing habits you can begin to develop to improve your relationship? Learn more from a counselor by visiting our website today: http://www.affordablecounselingbrandon.com #caringhabits #habits #counseling #relationships #deadlyhabits #improvingrelationships

Are you feeling unhappy in your current marriage/relationship? Are you constantly arguing with your partner? Well, the solution might be easier than you think. Why not try being friends? There had to be a time when you were friends; and somehow that friendship is now lost. The closer you became as a couple, the more you began to focus on making the relationship work, and you lost sight of what really matters. Think about it for a moment. Do you treat your friends the same way you treat your partner? Sure you are more physically intimate with your partner, but that is no reason you can’t be friends too. How can you become friends again? Here are 7 qualities that are present in a healthy friendship: Loyalty Sensitivity Humor Honesty Listening Support Generosity When is the last time you noticed any of these qualities in your relationship? Visit our website today: http://www.starpointcounselingbrandon.com, or http://www.starpointcounselingtampa.com Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/starpointcounselingcenter or follow us on Twitter: @starpointcenter #arguing #counseling #HONESTY #UNHAPPY #humor #SENSITIVITY #LOYALTY #FRIENDSHIP #marriage #FRIENDS #relationship #GENEROSITY #SUPPORT #SPOUSE #Mentalhealth #LISTENING

There are a number of factors that can worsen your depression. Practicing mindfulness helps you to pay attention to and take responsibility for the things that you do or don’t do to exacerbate your depression. By knowing what some of these factors are, you will be able to monitor them and work towards minimizing their effects on your well-being. Here are 3 of those factors: Stress.  High levels of stress tend to increase a hormone produced by the body known as Cortisol. Cortisol maintains the body in a “fight or flight” state which can become taxing on the mind and body. Additionally, cortisol promotes the increase of fat cells in the body, particularly around the stomach. Ways to reduce your stress level include: deep breathing, meditation, recreational activities, or simply reducing your stress load at work by saying “no.” Sleep.  Too much or too little sleep can aggravate depression. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is the key to enhancing the quality and quantity of your sleep. Developing a good sleeping habit will ensure that you wake up well rested, your brain will function adequately, and you will feel energized throughout the day. Try going to sleep and waking up around the same time every day. Food.  Certain foods you eat are associated with depression. Foods high in sugars or simple carbohydrates can spike your glucose level, slow down your metabolism, and aggravate your mood. Also, alcohol and too much caffeine can boost blood sugar levels, and make you more irritable. Reduce your intake of these foods and choose healthier options instead. Foods that have complex carbohydrates instead of simple carbohydrates allow your metabolism to speed up and work harder, giving you more energy and leaves you in a better mood. Incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables that are high in nutrients, and reduce your intake of processed foods that you can find in cans, bags, or boxes. What other factors could be contributing to your depression? Read the full article: http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2012/10/02/6-things-that-can-worsen-depression/#at_pco=smlwn-1.0&at_si=53604f6c206debdf&at_ab=per-4&at_pos=0&at_tot=1 Learn more from a counselor by visiting our website today: http://www.affordablecounselingbrandon.com #metabolism #mood #worsendepression #sleep #food #Mentalhealth #Stress #psychcentral

Psst! Would you like to hear a secret? What is something couples can do that can improve their communication and sex lives? I’ll give you a hint: its not having a baby. Its…date night! Hello! Are you with me? Going on a date can seem so simple, and sometimes seems like such a task. But you can actually improve your relationship by just going out on dates. Date nights improve communication between partners because you learn more about what he or she likes and does not like. You learn more about common interests and other interests you either forgot or did not know about your partner. Most importantly, you spend quality time with each other, which allows you to bond and emotionally connect with one another. That emotional connection draws you closer to your mate, and you begin to express more affection–including kissing, touching, holding–which leads to…you guessed it, increased sexual satisfaction. Here are some tips for dating your partner: Set aside specific times for date night and stick to it. For example, once per week, or once every other week on a Saturday night (or a night that fits in with your schedule). Make it a surprise! One partner surprising the other with a new activity for date night increases excitement. One partner can set up the date for week one, and the other partner can alternate the next week, and so on. Do something different. Step outside of your comfort zone and pick activities that are outside of the typical dinner and a movie. For example, go to a game room where you can be a kid again, or take a cooking class together. Play pretend. Pretend you and your partner are dating for the first time again and be open to learning more about each other. Observe each other, ask questions, and remind each other of the things you like. What other things can you do to start dating your partner again? Learn more from a counselor by visiting our website today: http://www.affordablecounselingbrandon.com Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AffordableCounselingCenter or follow us on Twitter: @acounselingctr #communication #datenight #rekindling #dating #thesecret #counseling #partner #bonding #love #connection #howto #improvingrelationships #affection #sexualsatisfaction

What is it about the words “I’m sorry” that makes it so hard to say? Is is about the guilt behind the wrongdoing, or is it the ego behind always being right? Whatever it is, people find it hard to apologize. Authentic and effective apology is the very core of healing, clarifying, and restoring relationships. Like forgiveness, an apology can cut the cycle of anger, revenge, and hatred. The person giving the apology can tend to feel extremely vulnerable, fearing how the apology will be received. The giver’s apology could be rejected, causing him or her to feel unforgivable, and therefore less likely to say sorry in the future. However, if the giver works internally on becoming proud of his or her own efforts in apologizing, then he or she can move from feeling unforgivable to being unforgiven. Being unforgiven is out of his or her control and does not diminish a person’s self-worth. There are a number of things to consider when giving an apology. An effective apology shows that: the giver recognizes that his or her actions were wrong or harmful the giver takes full responsibility and is not defensive the giver feels remorse for the wrongdoing the giver wants to make amends and the giver reassures that he or she will behave differently in the future When giving an apology, the giver should not: use ifs or buts; for example, “I apologize if I offended you,” or “I’m sorry but you shouldn’t take it personally.” assume how the receiver feels be unclear; avoid this by starting your apology with “I” wait too long to apologize apologize via text message, email, Facebook, or Twitter; do it in person An apology can move mountains. A half-hearted one can make things worse. A sincere and well-crafted apology can restore relationships. To read the entire article: http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/saying-youre-sorry-part-i-apologies-that-heal-0401144 Visit our website for more information about counseling: http://www.affordablecounselingbrandon.com Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AffordableCounselingCenter or follow us on Twitter: @acounselingctr #dosanddonts #counseling #forgiveness #apology #goodtherapy #sincere #rejection #sorry #selfesteem #Mentalhealth

Many of us experience it. Its the feeling you get when you want to ask someone out but the words just don’t want to leave your mouth. Or, maybe it involves the feeling of being taken advantage of when you don’t know how to say no. Be mindful of the underlying feelings you may be harboring. A fear of rejection could mean that you are actually feeling unlovable, or unworthy. If you find yourself struggling with these feelings, there are three things you can do today that will boost your courage and increase your sense of self-worth. Start a gratitude journal A gratitude journal is a collection of the things you are grateful for. It provides a healthy reminder that life isn’t all that bad. The key is to write down three things your are grateful for, at the end of each day. Each day you will write down three different things from the previous day. These can be qualities about yourself, about other people, or things happening around you. Positive Affirmations Positive affirmations are words of encouragement and support that motivate you to move forward. For example, “I am lovable,” “I am beautiful and smart,” or “Today will be a great day.” Write down great things about yourself and post them separately in places you will notice them throughout the day. You will begin to feel more positive about yourself, and more worthy in no time. Seek counseling Talking to someone about your fears can help you to rebuild your courage. In fact, just the simple act of going to see a counselor proves your bravery and boosts your self-esteem. How do you overcome your fear of rejection? Call us today and book an appointment: (813) 260-8892 Visit our website for more information about counseling: http://www.affordablecounselingbrandon.com Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AffordableCounselingCenter or follow us on Twitter: @acounselingctr #counseling #courage #selfworth #unworthy #love #gratitude #rejection #unlovable #selfesteem #positiveaffirmations #fear #Mentalhealth #grateful

The age old question that still seems to baffle everyone. Well, which came first? When it comes to eating and mental health, do mental health issues influence what people eat, or does what you eat affect your mental health? Rif El-Mallakh, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, states that although there is a correlation it remains unclear how diet relates to mental health. A theory is that certain foods, or their absence, may contribute to poor mental health. For example, studies in people and in rats have linked zinc deficiency to depression. As shown in animal and human studies, poor diet can even impair memory and attention within a week. Gut bacteria might actually be a middleman in this theory, and studies have shown that changing diet can change human gut bacteria. However, changing one’s diet and gut bacteria does not cure mental illness. We are not at a point to be able to use diet as therapy, because we just don’t know enough yet. A full package of care, including medical and mental health care, is encouraged as it is an evidenced based method to battling mental illness. Think your diet may be influencing your mental health? Don’t hesitate! Visit our website now to find out how we can help: http://www.affordablecounselingbrandon.com To read more visit: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/can-what-you-eat-affect-your-mental-health-new-research-links-diet-and-the-mind/2014/03/24/c6b40876-abc0-11e3-af5f-4c56b834c4bf_story.html #washingtonpost #diet #counseling #eating #Mentalhealth

Did you know that there are a few simple methods you can use in order to reduce the negative symptoms of stress? Here are four easy methods to try today: Positive self-talk Instead of using negative self-talk (“I’m a failure,” or “I’m not good enough”) which decreases motivation and self-esteem, utilize positive self-talk (“I’m going to do well,” “I am great.”) which will increase your self-esteem and the drive to achieve your goals. Emergency Stress Stoppers Emergency stress stoppers are tools that help you deal with stress on the spot. For example, take three to five deep breaths before reacting, walk away, or count to ten before saying something you might regret. Finding Pleasure Make time to feel good when stress gets you down. Do at least one thing daily that you enjoy doing, and do it for at least 15 minutes. Activities like reading, sewing, or playing sports are surefire ways to get you in a good mood and battle stress. Daily Relaxation Watching TV can make you feel relaxed, but for this method we mean doing something that eases the tension stress can cause in your mind and body. Good examples of relaxation are yoga, tai chi (a series of slow, graceful movements) and meditation. In addition, a good skill to practice at the beginning or end of your day is deep breathing. You can achieve this by sitting comfortably in a chair, and taking slow, deep inhales and exhales for about five to ten minutes per day. When in doubt, seek counseling. Counseling can help you to identify your stressors and learn effective ways to manage them so that you can focus on the positive things in your life, and keep pushing forward to your goals. What are some methods you use to handle stress daily? Comment below, or leave a message on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/AffordableCounselingCenter  #stressmanagement Don’t stress, visit our website today to schedule an appointment and take care of your health: http://www.affordablecounselingbrandon.com http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/StressManagement/FourWaystoDealWithStress/Four-Ways-to-Deal-with-Stress_UCM_307996_Article.jsp #relaxationtechniques #heartorg #counseling #meditation #mentalhealthcounseling #Mentalhealth #stressmanagement

Shame is a universal emotion. We all experience it at some time or another. Sometimes shame causes people to react in anger or aggression. Other times people become embarrassed and try to hide their shame. These ways of dealing with shame are not healthy. In fact, hidden shame can be damaging and can cause serious struggles for an individual as well as for groups; struggles that are behind many of the behaviors currently occurring in our society. Shame can affect a person’s self-worth. Being told ‘shame on you,’ for example, can destroy an individual’s sense of value. “Emotions are like breathing and cause trouble when obstructed,” says Thomas Scheff, professor emeritus of sociology at University of California, Santa Barbara. Scheff examined the ubiquity of hidden shame in an article published in the journal of Cultural Sociology. He suggests it may be one of the keys to understanding contemporary society. According to Scheff a society that fosters individualism (like ours) provides a ripe breeding ground for the emotion of shame because people are encouraged to “go it alone, no matter the cost to relationships,” he said. In exploring the connection between shame and aggression, Scheff cites research conducted by sociologist Neil Websdale, author of Familicidal Hearts: The Emotional Styles of 211 Killers. “Familicide, the act of one spouse killing the other as well as their children and often himself or herself, stems from unacknowledged shame,” Scheff said. What is even more interesting about the study, is the finding that there is a minority group of non-angry people. These people lose their job and feel humiliated, then pretend as though they are continuing to go to work every day, but they are actually planning the killing. They are known as the ‘civic respectable.’ On the contrary, shame is actually a very useful emotion and is in fact the basis of morality. Shame provides a weight for morality. Ever heard the phrase “listen to your conscience?” When you make a decision based on your conscience it is usually backed up by shame. Instead of allowing yourself to succumb to shame, give yourself permission to laugh. Laugh at yourself often. Laugh at the universe. Laugh at your circumstance. As long as you are not laughing at others you cannot go wrong. Laughter is good for your health. It relaxes the body, boosts your immune system, triggers the release of endorphins, and protects the heart. To learn more about the study, click this link: http://psychcentral.com/news/2014/03/17/resolve-hidden-shame-with-humor/67210.html For more information on Mental Health Counseling, visit our website: http://www.starpointcounselingbrandon.com, or http://www.starpointcounselingtampa.com #counseling #aggression #laugh #humor #emotion #selfworth #anger #shame #value #Mentalhealth #psychcentral

Low self-esteem, early use of alcohol and drugs, and living in a home with frequent family conflict are some of the risk factors that increase the likelihood of teen pregnancy. Additionally, adolescent girls with a major mental health disorder are three times more likely to get pregnant than those without a mental illness. According to a study published in the journal Pediatrics, pregnancy rates among girls with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or major depression were not only three times higher, but they also have been declining at a far slower pace than those for adolescent females without a mental health diagnosis. “Although we do know some of the risk factors behind why girls with mental health illness may be at increased risk of becoming pregnant, pregnancy-prevention programs in most developed countries have not traditionally considered mental health issues,” said lead author of the study Dr. Simone Vigod, a psychiatrist at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto. “Girls with major mental health problems are more likely to have social problems and drug and alcohol problems — problems with impulsivity, feeling badly about themselves,” she said. For example, a teen suffering from depression may find it difficult to protect herself from pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections with a boyfriend because of low self-esteem. The problem here is the teen girl is experiencing negative feelings about herself to the point that she is unable to assertively advocate the use of condoms or abstinence. Interventions such as targeted school-based sex-education programs, and greater integration of reproductive care into adolescent mental health care programs are highly recommended. Seeking mental health counseling for your teen, and utilizing these programs will help to reduce teenage pregnancy. You can read the entire article here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/teens-with-mental-health-issues-have-higher-risk-of-pregnancy-study-1.2530354 For more information on Mental Health Counseling, visit our website: http://www.starpointcounselingbrandon.com, or http://www.starpointcounselingtampa.com #sexeducation #cbcnews #majormentalhealthissues #therapy #reproduction #schizophrenia #bipolardisorder #teen #mentalhealthcounseling #pregnancy #majordepression

Some say that having a screaming match with their partner is effective, because it shows that there is passion in the relationship. But can having big fights with your partner end in big resolutions? Disagreements are normal and can even strengthen relationships, if resolved in a healthy manner. In close relationships, feeling frustrated, misunderstood, or having differences in opinion is natural. Therefore, it is expected that there may be an emotional combustion. By fighting big (i.e. arguing), this allows for stressors to be released, and in turn, leads to a solution. Boundaries can be established as a result of these differences, and partners can establish their own fighting style to effectively approach these conflicts. According to a recent study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, couples in satisfying relationships who have negative communication, are more likely to have bigger conflicts, but this is usually followed by bigger resolutions by both partners. An internet questionnaire was given to couples in a satisfying relationship, and to couples in an unhappy relationship. The self-reported data from the questionnaire relayed how the couples felt during the conflict and how they currently feel about it. This was used as a measure of the progress the participants made toward progress. Results revealed that the presence of negative communication in satisfying relationships was associated with bigger conflicts, but that these conflicts were generally followed by big resolutions. However, the presence of negative communication in unhappy relationships was associated with big conflicts, as well as trouble finding a resolution, regardless of the type of communication they used. These findings highlight how a couple can have a big fight, feel upset, reach an argument, and then feel happy with one another again. A much stronger predictor of progress toward conflict resolution is a person’s level of relationship satisfaction. Conclusively, keeping a feeling of satisfaction alive in a relationship is more important than the type of communication used to resolve conflicts. You can read the entire article from Medical Daily here: http://www.medicaldaily.com/relationship-issues-why-happy-couples-who-have-big-fights-also-have-big-resolutions-269239 For more information on mental health counseling and related topics, check out our website at http://www.affordablecounselingbrandon.com or visit our sister company at http://www.starpointcounselingtampa.com #arguing #fights #communication #medicaldaily #couples #couplescounseling #marriagecounseling #relationship #fighting #conflictresolution