with Louisa Bradford, LCSW The term mindfulness has entered the zeitgeist and taken on a wide range of meanings. But what does it actually mean, and how does it show up in therapeutic work? For Louisa Bradford, LCSW, mindfulness is a two-part practice: paying attention to your present experience without casting judgment. While simple in...
The holiday season can get so busy that we can often slip into autopilot and lose track of our well-being—not to mention the true spirit of the holidays. Here are a few ways to help you stay grounded and care for yourself during this time of year. Be Intentional When life speeds up, it’s easy...
blog by Laura Brownstone, LCSW I feel this freeze state in my bones. The freeze state is an ancient, protective response that has shaped my life and the lives of many clients I work with. This involuntary, biological reaction occurs when we encounter an imminent threat. Though it can feel terrifying, it’s also adaptive and...
By Mandy Bullock Humans love to have fun. We seek out things that make us feel good and spend our free time indulging in these things. Media is a major part of our lives and provides us with a sense of escape from the stress of our day-to-day. Whether it’s superhero movies, sporting events, or...
By Samara Al-Omaishi, MA Healing from an eating disorder isn’t just about changing how someone eats—it’s about helping them feel more in control of their life, reconnecting with their body, and feeling seen and understood for who they are. At CTC, we believe that everyone’s journey is unique. That’s why we focus on care that’s...
By Bianka Hardin, Psy.D September is Suicide Prevention Month, an important time to raise awareness, break the stigma surrounding mental health, and extend support to those who are struggling. By spotlighting this month, we can encourage meaningful conversations, share essential resources, and remind everyone that help is available. It is also an opportunity to educate...
written by Laura Brownstone As a licensed therapist, I have worked with people who have dealt with many kinds of grief. Prolonged, complicated, frozen. In this role, I have had the honor of working with clients and bearing witness to clients who lost parents via Skype or by phone during the pandemic. I have also...
Throughout my life, I have turned to writing and stories as a source of respite, wisdom, and comfort. Since I was a teen, I have kept a journal/diary named Gerty where I would write all the things down that I thought were true. I had a voice that would chime through, sometimes as kindness or...
By Bianka Hardin, Psy. D. During Black History Month, it is imperative to honor and pay tribute to the trailblazers who have significantly shaped the landscape of psychology. We have profound gratitude for their pioneering contributions. Their intellectual courage and dedication have not only paved the way for advancements in our understanding of the human...
Last December, we stumbled across an online post put up by the Cleveland Clinic that told us something not so surprising. The article asserted that the act of giving is good for your health. Getting into the holiday groove, those of us at Centered Therapy Chicago (CTC) thought it would be helpful to think more...