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...
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...
During the holidays, it can be so busy that we can go into automatic pilot and forget about self-care and the true meaning of the holidays. Here are a few tips to help you stay focused and practice good self-care. Be Intentional During the holidays, it’s easy to get caught up in the busy-ness of...
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...
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)...
Everyday we are bombarded on social media, news channels, and television with stories of community violence, mass shootings, sexual assault and more. It’s hard not to feel distressed by these current events. Daily exposure to traumatic events can have a cumulative effect on us, even when we are not directly exposed to the event. This...
Even though spring officially begins on March 20th, there’s no reason to wait to do some mental and emotional spring cleaning. The idea of spring cleaning has been around for thousands of years. Some research points to the Persian tradition of cleaning the entire house in preparation for Nowruz, the Persian New Year which falls...
At Centered Therapy Chicago we are dedicated to helping you and your loved ones find peace, longevity, and healing. In honor of Valentines Day, we recommend taking a closer look at one of the most fundamental ways of healing and connecting with others. Hugs! Here are our five reasons to mindfully hug, the benefits you...