How many times have you been told to “Man up!” or “boys/men don’t cry”? When we really think about these commonly used phrases and zoom out at the bigger picture, we see a real problem with using this type of language. The problem being a society where being a “man” is correlated with toughness, resilience, lacking of emotions, being un-phased by things, and an example of "strength".  Because of this, a huge stigma has developed for men to inadvertently build walls around emotional expression and vulnerability and feeling as though they are unable to genuinely tap into that part of themselves.  The truth is, men feel just as deeply as anyone else, but the societal expectation to remain tough and unshaken often silences those emotions. But what’s the toll from this mentality? The pressure to appear strong and unemotional has real consequences. Studies show that men are less likely than women to seek help for mental health challenges, even though they are equally suscepti...

When we usually hear about manipulation or gaslighting, odds are it’s coming from the perspective of noticing when someone else is engaging in these tactics against you...but…what if, YOU   are the one engaging in these psychological tactics against others, intentionally or unintentionally? Both of these tactics are often associated with intentional, malicious behavior meant to control or harm someone. However, it’s possible to engage in these tactics without being fully aware of it. People may manipulate or gaslight unconsciously, driven by personal insecurities, past experiences, or even habits learned in childhood. Good news is that by taking the time to learn, reflect, and understand how these behaviors can arise unintentionally is the first step toward addressing them and fostering healthier, more honest relationships.   Before we dive into the reasons that can spur use of these psychological tactics, let’s quickly define these terms: Manipulation - when someone ...

  In a world were anyone can have their own interpretation and definition of something, how do you define self-improvement?  Some of us hear this term and might get defensive and feel that someone is being critical or insinuating something is wrong with us and needs to be changed. Others might hear this term and feel like they don’t have anything to improve about themselves.  Our hope, though, is that you hear this as a validation of being an ever-evolving human, who always has room for improvements and growth. Self-improvement itself is a personal and unique process that involves an intentional effort to make changes in our lives to enhance our overall well-being. It is a lifelong journey and encompasses every area of our lives, including: mental and physical health, emotional well-being, relationships, career/education, and personal goals.  But why is self-improvement important? I think we can sum this down to a few points: Empowers taking control of your life Lead...

Did you know there are currently around 12 million people in the United States with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?  Did you also know that most people who have PTSD don't get the help they need? June has been identified as PTSD Awareness Month offering an opportune time for us to deepen our understanding of this often misunderstood condition and spread the word about effective PTSD treatments and support.  Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. These events may include but are not limited to, natural disasters, accidents, physical or sexual assault, or combat. While it's normal to experience stress reactions after trauma, PTSD involves persistent symptoms that significantly interfere with daily life and functioning. Here are symptoms that people with PTSD can experience or struggle with: Intrusive Memories: Recurrent, distressing memories of the traumatic event(s) Flashbacks, w...

  In our journey through mental health, we often find ourselves delving into the intricate tapestry of our family histories. Each thread represents a story, a trait, a pattern passed down through generations. Genograms offer us a unique lens through which to examine these narratives, providing insight into the interplay of genetics, environment, and relationships on our mental well-being.  But what is a Genogram, you might be asking...well, think of a family tree on steroids and a caffeine-high, and then you have a Genogram! Not only does it list the names and birthdays of family members, but it also captures health information, relationships, dynamics, death causes, and more. Here's a visual of a Genogram:  Through symbols and lines, genograms depict not just who is related to whom, but also the quality of those relationships, patterns of behavior, and even emotional connections. One of the most compelling aspects of genograms is their ability to reveal patterns and tren...

Hey Pioneers and welcome to the beautiful month of April, where the weather starts to turn nice, nature turns green and bright again, and the semester's end is close at hand!  We want to take a second to validate that it's common to encounter moments of doubt and uncertainty while in college, especially as finals draw closer. The demanding nature of your studies coupled with high expectations can sometimes trigger feelings of inadequacy, commonly known as imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern where individuals doubt their accomplishments and have a persistent fear of being exposed as frauds, despite evidence of their competence and success. Out of all the mental health concerns we encounter with students, imposter syndrome and questioning competency is one of the main things we see.  We want you to know that you're not alone in this experience, and there are strategies to help you navigate through these feelings of not being enough. In this blog, w...