Sexual Orientation OCD (SO-OCD)

Sexual Orientation OCD (SO-OCD) Sexual Orientation Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (SO-OCD) is a sub-type of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). When OCD is mentioned, most people think of excessive hand-washing due to fear of germs and counting prior to completing an action to prevent a dreadful situation (usually irrational). However, OCD does not discriminate; it latches onto anything the individual values. Women are slightly … Read More

The Biological Stance of Trauma

  Have you ever wondered, ‘what would I do if I were to ever be in a terrifying situation? Would I fight the threat, flee, or shut down?’ If you’ve ever gathered around your friends to theorize about this, or even watched the show “What Would YOU Do?”, it’s easy to say, “Well I would do XYZ and definitely not … Read More

Negative Thinking Traps… Part 3

Finishing up our in-depth review of negative thinking traps, there are another five common traps that can hijack us into negative feedback loops if we are not prepared. Taking us to places that are unproductive and skewing the truth when in reality, the situation may be easily resolvable. Rounding up the last of the prominent negative thinking traps we can … Read More

Thought Fusion: How to Adapt

Our brains quite simply put are impressive. Billons of neurons firing, keeping our bodies functioning automatically while our minds are freed up to do any additional heavy lifting. Such as planning, predicting, categorizing, basically preparing for a plethora of situations that may or may not arise. The power of the brain is an effective tool, but not totally infallible. We’re … Read More

Suspending Judgment with our Thoughts

By Martín Prete, LCPC Being in our heads 24/7 can be difficult. Thoughts can be relentless. Passing through our stream of consciousness in a variety of manners. Sometimes it feels like speeding bullets while other times, we can barely think at all. Sometimes too, our thoughts can be nasty and cruel, even if deep down inside we don’t believe it. … Read More

Positive Affirmations and OCD

  As a clinician 8 years removed from graduate school, I have encouraged, and more than likely, annoyed a lot of people with the concept of affirmations. Positive affirmations to be precise. Because, honestly, what’s not to love about encouraging ourselves, reminding ourselves that we are capable, resilient, and worthy of love! Well, if those already are difficult words to … Read More

Negative Thinking Traps… Part 2

In our previous post, we gave a brief outline on the concept of negative thinking traps and how they have a nasty habit of taking us away from the present moment, exacerbating our negative emotions and distorting reality. These thoughts tend to just pop into our heads but are prone to stay within our thinking process if we buy into … Read More

Impending Doom

Do you get an uneasy feeling? Have you seen the news lately? It seems like the world is coming to an end! In our age of social media and the 24-hour news cycle, it is no surprise that you may feel an inevitable disaster is waiting for you right around the corner. Heavy exposure to tragedies displayed on a grief … Read More

Germs: Fear of the Invisible Threat

First encounters   At an early age, I remember the adults in my life teaching and modelling appropriate hygienic behavior. Now I can’t say I remember potty training, but the concept of washing hands was something hygienic that was repeated by my teachers, parents, grandparents, and friends in my class. We need to use soap to kill off the germs … Read More

Anxiety vs. Panic attack: When We Turn Against Ourselves

Understanding the difference between anxiety vs. panic attack can make a big difference in how you approach your mental health or that of someone who is experience one or both of these. The following article covers the differences and why they happen.   The Experience of Anxiety Anxiety while functional, can be rather uncomfortable. In our physical bodies, we may … Read More