Self-Compassion: What makes it worth it

This blog is part 4 of 4 and was written by Hina Wain, a therapist in training who interned at Centered Therapy Chicago this past year. Part 4: Why is self-compassion worth it? Research has found that practicing self-compassion has been associated with  decreased symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress with increased life satisfaction...

Self-Compassion Across Cultures

This blog is part 3 of 4 and was written by Hina Wain, a therapist in training who interned at Centered Therapy Chicago this past year. What does self-compassion look like across cultures? Self-compassion may be in part informed by one’s culture, group norms, values, and practices. Generally speaking, Asian cultures are described as collectivist...

Self-Compassion & Bravery

This blog was written by Hina Wain, a therapist in training who interned at Centered Therapy Chicago this past year. Part 2: Self-Compassion and Radical Bravery There is a common misconception that self-compassion is simply “making excuses” for passivity, complacency, or avoidance of responsibility. There may be a tendency to reject the kindness directed at...

Self-Compassion: What Is Compassion?

This blog was written by Hina Wain, a therapist in training who interned at Centered Therapy Chicago this past year. As a South Asian in North America, I have always been curious about the meeting of Eastern ideas and Western inquiry. May, as you may know, has been named as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and...

It’s Not Me, It’s You: Breaking Up With COVID  

by Samantha Brooks & Michelle Barichello The past two years have been a time of change, challenges, and transformation. As we’ve entered 2022, many had hoped we were in a “post-pandemic” era, but we are very much still in the midst of this global pandemic. It’s been a time of collective trauma throughout the world, and...

Trauma and the Therapist’s Role in Healing 

by Bianka Hardin, Psy. D. Over a decade ago, I was at a trauma conference and noticed and bought two books that have impacted the course of my career. The books, “Healing Healing Developmental Trauma: How Early Trauma Affects Self-Regulation, Self-Image, and the Capacity for Relationship” by Dr. Lawrence Heller and Aline LaPierre and The...

Q&A with Aliza Solomon

Aliza Solomon just joined CTC in 2022, and we are glad to have her on board.  As a professional, Aliza is a board-certified in Dance/Movement Therapist (BC-DMT) and is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). She earned her M.A degree in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling from Columbia College Chicago in 2018 and prior to that attended the...

What is Dance/Movement Therapy?  

What may come to mind first is jazz hands, choreographed moves, flowery pink tutus, and ballet slippers. But dance/movement therapy is not that and is more than a simple dance class. Instead, it’s an integrative mind-body approach to therapy that has many applications and benefits regarding mental health.  The American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) defines dance/movement...

Why Getting Back to Normal Can Be So Scary

After a year and a half of living under lockdown and social restrictions, people are clamoring to leave their homes and interact. According to the CDC, as of June 18th of this year, 57.2% of all Americans have received at least one dose of the vaccine. Many businesses are lifting their Covid restrictions, and with summer...

5 Easy Ways to Make Your Mental Health a Priority

May is National Mental Health Awareness month. We all know the importance of healthy eating and exercise for a healthy body. Recently, some high-profile people have spoken out about their struggles with mental health issues. Carson Daly (anxiety disorder), Ariana Grande (depression and PTSD), Demi Lovato (bipolar disorder), Leonardo DiCaprio (OCD), and Michael Phelps (ADHD)...

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