Coping with Insomnia, Stress, Anxiety, Uncertainty

Insomnia During Times of Stress, Anxiety, and Uncertainty

Many people are experiencing insomnia due to stress, anxiety, and uncertainty.   Insomnia, trouble falling or staying asleep, is a common symptom of stress or anxiety. So, it’s no wonder that so many of us aren’t sleeping well as we’re faced with growing coronavirus cases, a high-stakes election and divided nation, fire season in California, and a multitude of other […]

How to Journal to Reduce Stress and Anxiety

Journal to Reduce Stress and Anxiety

  Everyone experiences stress – the tension and pressure of too many demands on our time and resources (both emotional and material). And even if you don’t meet the clinical criteria for an anxiety disorder, I’m sure you’ve experienced some of the most common symptoms of anxiety from time to time: uncontrollable worry trouble concentrating insomnia rumination or obsessive thoughts […]

11 Ways to Improve your Communication Skills

Communication problems are one of the most common reasons couples and families come to counseling. It’s hard! It can help to remember that healthy communication is a skill and it can be learned. We all learn how to communicate from our families and other early experiences. However, these aren’t always the most respectful and productive ways to communicate. Below are […]

Overcoming Analysis Paralysis

Overcoming Analysis Paralysis I get overwhelmed making decisions. We have so many choices in the United States. This is awesome and paralyzing all at the same time. When you get stuck in overthinking decisions, it’s called analysis paralysis. The overwhelm can cause us not to decide at all or to let other people make decisions for us. Neither of these are […]

How to Succeed in Therapy

Have you been in therapy? Are you wondering how to succeed in therapy? After nearly twenty years as a therapist, I’ve put together my top 5 tips for helping you achieve your therapy goals. 1. Effort Like most things in life, you get out of therapy as much as you put into it. Effort seems like a given, but many people […]

Asking for help by Sharon Martin, LCSW

Asking for Help: It’s Hard

Asking for Help: It’s Hard by Sharon Martin, LCSW Have you been thinking about trying counseling? Have friends or family members suggested you see a counselor? What’s keeping you from asking for help? I very often see people who have been suffering for a long time before finally deciding to come to therapy. Let’s take a look at some of the […]

Depression Busting

Depression Busting

Depression Busting by Sharon Martin, LCSW Depression is a very common disease in the United States. The good news is that it’s very treatable. People do recover from depression and/or keep their symptoms manageable. Many do well with a combination of medication, cognitive, and behavioral strategies. A therapist can help you change your negative thoughts and feelings (the cognitive part). […]