Mindfulness is the practice of being fully aware of the present moment without placing judgment on one’s current thoughts, sensations, and feelings. Research supports that people who increase levels of mindfulness have demonstrated decreased stress and negative self-evaluation, increased self-acceptance and self-esteem. What you need Let’s begin I am loved; I am respected; I am […]
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What is Reiki and how can it help with stress?
What is Reiki? Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a Japanese energy healing technique used for stress reduction and relaxation. Reiki has been around and practiced for thousands of years. There are different kinds of Reiki healing practices and therapy. A more common form is Reiki Usui, which was discovered by Mikao Usui in March 1922. Reiki […]
End of Year Reflections
At this time of year we are bombarded with messages about New Year’s Resolutions and setting goals for the new year. As we look forward into the new year it is just as important to look back; to stop, reflect, and review the year we’ve just survived. Reflection is important for many reasons. It helps […]
Rachel Lehr, LCSW
I am a licensed clinical social worker who obtained my Masters in Social Work from Loyola University of Chicago. I am passionate about working with individuals and partnerships to assist them in uncovering strengths and building skills to navigate relationships with themselves and others. I became a clinical social worker because of my fascination for […]
3 Ways to Cope with Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Loss of Light Leaving You Depressed & Anxious? Around this time of year (as the season’s change), many people find themselves feeling a little different. Nearer one end of the spectrum, people feel only slightly sleepier or less motivated. On the other end of that same spectrum are some people who suffer from something called […]
History of Trauma? Let’s Talk About It: 5 Signs of C-PTSD
When you hear about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD), you might automatically think about war or veterans. And even though PTSD is common amongst this group, you can still develop PTSD if you were to experience a traumatic event like a car accident, natural disaster, or sexual assault. Well, what happens if you experience several traumatic […]
“Gender, Therapy, & Therapeutic Success:
The Value of Working with a Therapist of a Different Gender” Above all, the most important aspect of psychotherapy support is the connection between the patient and therapist. The therapeutic relationship cultivated is key to a patient’s success in managing and/or recovering from their symptoms. Just as is true in the everyday relationships we create […]
Communication-Encouraging, School-Related Scripts for Parents & Guardians.
An Unfortunate School-Related Truth: Sometimes, our kiddos will end up spending time around school staff members that discipline or supervise in ways we don’t practice, support, or encourage at home. While some people feel authoritarian-ish styles build character— the research says otherwise. Children often really need our help when it comes to processing certain pieces […]
Using Therapy to Move Past Diet Culture Into Healthy, Mindful Eating
If someone told you about a procedure that would change your life for the better, but they said it would be uncomfortable, costly, and have only about a 5% effectiveness rate long-term, would you go for it? Given those terms, probably not! However, those terms actually describe what we call ‘dieting’ for weight loss. The […]
EMDR Therapy and its 8 Phases
Have you considered seeing a therapist for EMDR Therapy but felt nervous about what the process might look like? Some clients have reported that EMDR Therapy can seem intimidating or even confusing; however, the process is actually quite simple and quick to complete compared to other treatment methods. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy […]
