When our nervous systems are triggered by safe or unsafe situations, they send signals to our bodies. The initial perception that we have of these messages, before we can create meaning around them or move into action, is a feeling, a primary emotion. Thus, if we want to respond to stressors and triggers in our lives with wisdom and intention, we must work from the bottom, up - by investigating our primary emotions.
As humans, we long for connection with others, whether that be romantic or platonic. We are always seeking to build lasting and meaningful relationships with others. That instinct is constantly reinforced by society and mirrored in our media: you will only feel complete once you’ve found that other part of your soul.
Read MoreAt times in life, we experience events that are so difficult that accepting them may seem nearly impossible. In other instances, it may be more day-to-day frustrations that we cannot come to terms with. There may be no justification for the things in life that cause us pain. We may wish things happened differently. We may not deserve them. Some things don't feel fair at all.
Read MoreTeens today experience stress at levels that rival adults. Young people today are more connected than ever and are susceptible to stress from sources that can be nearly impossible to disconnect from whether it’s peers, family, academic, or community stressors. For many reasons, it can be challenging for loved ones to recognize when teens are experiencing typical day-to-day stressors, and when their stress is actually better defined by anxiety. Here are some ways to identify and support a teen in your life that may be affected by anxiety.
- Kaely Phelps, LMSW, MS, SIFI
Teens and young adults today are under an enormous amount of pressure. Between navigating school demands, friendship and romantic relationships, family responsibilities, social media, and increasing awareness and engagement with social issues such as gun violence and racial justice, teens are experiencing increasingly high rates of stress. Recently, teens even report higher levels of stress than adults, but under-estimate the negative long term impact of chronic stress.
- Kaely Phelps, LMSW, MS, SIFI
Often times as human beings we find ourselves feeling stuck, repeating the same cycles, patterns, and habits. These same thoughts and emotions can affect our mental health, physical health, and overall well-being. Symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma can take a toll on our bodies and have a lasting impact. Impacts that can take away from our true inner strength and beauty. But what if I told you there was a way to navigate these stressors and overcome these emotional challenges in the comfort of your own space?
- Beenish Ansari, LMSW
While certain breathing techniques can be useful for some, they may not always click with everyone. There is an entire world of mindfulness techniques that open the door to something you never would have thought can help ground you.
- Ava Kaplan, LMSW
People are far more than their symptoms or problems, which is why holistic therapy asks us to bring our whole selves into the therapeutic process. This approach focuses on fostering a balanced relationship between mind, body, and spirit to achieve optimal wellness and personal growth. As a holistic therapy practice, we at Repose integrate psychotherapy with movement and somatic education in order to help you gain clarity and overcome challenges.
- Sarah Panzer, MSW
Whether it’s your first day of college or the beginning of your senior year, the start of a new academic year can come with a lot of overwhelming thoughts. It is important to acknowledge those thoughts but keep an open mind, and thus, there can be a world of new experiences on the horizon.
- Ava Kaplan, LMSW
Trauma is something that we don’t talk about enough. Most often individuals expect trauma to show up in veterans or someone who has experienced a traumatic event. But, did you know that, in some capacity, we have all experienced trauma? Whether it was a big traumatic event or something that has built up traction over time. Trauma is an experience that can leave us stuck, lost, and hurting. Especially when the long-term damage finally leads you to your breaking point. That is why it matters to have therapists who understand that trauma is a common occurrence. In fact, even being trauma-informed as a clinician can make a world of difference.
Read MoreGrief is the aftermath that we have to make sense of. You may be wondering: “How could this happen to me?” “Why am I feeling both yearning and relief?” “I don’t want to wake up tomorrow anymore.” “Why don’t I feel anything?” “I should not feel this way, others lost so much more than me.” “I could have, should have, would have…” As we grapple with our loss, it can lead us to isolate ourselves from those who wish to share in our pain. After all, how can others understand that which we cannot fully fathom?
Read MoreHaving suicidal thoughts can be terrifying. These thoughts can be isolating. You might feel lost, as though you can’t tell anyone. Maybe the thoughts don’t feel so serious because you know you would never act on them. Or you might be ashamed that you feel that way in your weakest moments. You probably don’t want to burden your loved ones with your personal struggles.
Read MoreMany relationships in life can cause a great amount of uncertainty. Do they like me as much as I like them? Am I being overbearing? Did I say the wrong thing? It is important to work through these feelings in order to thrive in the various relationships we have in our lives.
- Ava Kaplan, LMSW
Grief is the intense emotional response to the pain of a loss (Kubler-Ross & Kessler, 2014, p. 170). This loss could be the death of a loved one, loss of a career, loss of identity, loss of health, or even something as innocuous as the loss of routine. Change, albeit exciting, can also bring about a sense of loss, be it graduation, moving to a new city or country, changing jobs, or having a family. Nevertheless, the loss of connection can translate into grief.
Read MoreThe physical element of movement therapy has its advantages - aerobic exercise elevates dopamine and endorphins, and reduces levels of stress anxiety, and depression. The emotional element of movement therapy allows us to become more aware and mindful of our mental state and how these feelings manifest in our physical states. It gives us a chance to truly connect with all parts of us. Click to learn more.
- Devika Chandnani (Studio Instructor)
The 2020-2021 school year was unprecedented. Millions of students around the world spent the year learning remotely, a process that disrupted peer socialization, changed learning habits, and created additional responsibilities for parents and caregivers. As students return to classrooms this fall, disagreements, challenges, fears and anxieties are natural and understandable responses to our changed environment. Where do we begin to manage these challenges? And how can families come together to help teens adjust to our new normal?
Read MoreWe experienced massive shifts in our everyday realities in a short period of time: financial challenges abounded, domestic violence rates increased, and we longed for physical interaction with distant loved ones. We also experienced longer stretches of solitude, allowing us to reflect and initiate changes. The fear we felt - and in many ways are still feeling - is causing us to relate to and communicate with our partners and children differently - sometimes for the worse. What should we know about the pandemic’s effects on couples and families moving forward? What changes should we make to remain grounded in our relationships?
Read MoreYou’ve made it through the first steps: recognizing your teen is struggling with their mental health and broaching the topic of therapy with them. But what do you do if you’re met with resistance? Getting your teen to see a therapist can be a difficult feat, but there are additional steps you can take to help facilitate that process.
Read MoreDance movement therapy is a somatic psychotherapeutic approach to further healing and connection to the self through a deepening of conscious connection between your body and mind. Through engaging in somatic-based interventions such as meditations, body scans, somatic sensing, breath-work, movement improvisation, structured movement phrases, imagery, and movement explorations you can reach places within yourself that words can not.
- Noelani Rodriguez, LCAT, RDMT
Most people will experience anxiety at some point in their lives, drawing their full attention to a uniquely stressful situation. For most people, once the crisis is over, the feeling of anxiety ends as well. However, for some, anxiety can feel like a full-time emotion that leaves us feeling powerless over our thoughts and regretful of overreacting to events, whether real or perceived. So, how can yoga and the breath help?
- Caroline Gomez, MA, ERYT-500, RM
