Posts by Kim Atwood, MA, LPC, CST
TOOLS FOR REDUCING ANXIETY
Whether you are struggling with general anxiety or acute anxiety attacks, try some of these tried and true tools for reducing anxiety: 1 – Take a deep breath and pause. It is a cliché (they are cliché’s for a reason – they are universal truths), but taking a few deep breathes and counting to 10…
Read MorePERFECTIONISM
I recently listened to an interview with Brené Brown on Sounds True podcast, “Insights at the Edge,” during which she discusses perfectionism. Dr. Brown defines perfectionism and reshapes it’s meaning for us all based on her research on vulnerability and shame. In honor of Eating Disorder Awareness Week, which begins today, I thought I would…
Read MoreEATING DISORDER AWARENESS MONTH
February is Eating Disorder Awareness Month. I thought this would be a good opportunity to talk about ways you can help a loved one whom you suspect or know has an eating disorder. If you suspect a loved one, friend, or co-worker to have an eating disorder, here is how you can help: Generally it…
Read MoreMINDFULNESS FOR BETTER SEX
You might be asking yourself – Are you kidding me? Is this a ploy to get me to read your blog? No. Mindfulness training can really be useful in gaining more pleasure from sex (and other aspects of life, of course). First, what is mindfulness? In a nutshell, mindfulness is a way of training your…
Read MoreOVERCOMING FEAR
Are you living from a place of fear? If you really pay close attention, do you notice ‘not enough’ thoughts sneeking in throughout the day? Fear can really bring you to a dark place and keep you stuck there. Fear can make you feel vulnerable and insecure. But no one talks about fear – it’s…
Read MoreSECRETS TO A HAPPY LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP – PART III
Another common misconception is that a long-term couple’s sex life remains as active and passionate as the day they met. If not, there is something wrong. Again, this is not the case. One way to keep the passion and desire alive in a long-term relationship is to plan it. Contrary to popular belief, you can…
Read MoreSECRETS TO A HAPPY LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP – PART II
Indulge yourself. This may seem counter-intuitive, but it works. Generally, we help care for one another in relationships, but this only truly works well when you are also continuing to care for and about yourself. Take the time to do something for you and only you at least once a week (I’d prefer once daily, but…
Read MoreSECRETS TO A HAPPY LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP – PART I
There are a few things that stand out when it comes to having a happy long-term relationship. This is the first of a series about secrets to a happy long-term relationship. One way to remain happy together is to be separate too. Having time and interests to yourself mean that you are autonomous and a…
Read MoreBREAKING HABITS
I just finished reading the book “The Power Of Habit” by Charles Duhigg and thought I would share some of the powerful take-aways I have from this book. It feels so good continue learning and growing in life and as a therapist. I enjoy sharing the new research findings I come across, and this book…
Read MoreARE YOU SHOULDING ON YOURSELF?
Many of us spend a lot of time and energy thinking about how we should be feeling, what we should be doing, or what we should have done. Living in the land of shoulds usually makes us feel lost, wrong and/or bad. It is rare that a should thought is positive in nature. Most of…
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