The Childfree Choice: How to Respond When a Loved One Tells You They’re Childfree
Childfree, Childfree by choice, Mental Health, Mental Wellness Lauren Bartholomew, Psy.D Childfree, Childfree by choice, Mental Health, Mental Wellness Lauren Bartholomew, Psy.D

The Childfree Choice: How to Respond When a Loved One Tells You They’re Childfree

When a close friend or family member shares that they don't want children, it's natural to feel surprised or even disappointed if you had hoped they would become a parent. However, it's important to respond with empathy and avoid pressuring them to change their mind.

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Breaking Free from People Pleasing: Putting Yourself First
Mental Health, Mental Wellness, Emotional Wellbeing, People Pleasing Lauren Bartholomew, Psy.D Mental Health, Mental Wellness, Emotional Wellbeing, People Pleasing Lauren Bartholomew, Psy.D

Breaking Free from People Pleasing: Putting Yourself First

Breaking the people-pleasing habit is a journey, not an overnight change. The goal isn't to become selfish or inconsiderate. Rather, it's about creating a life where your needs and wants are given equal importance to those of others. By doing so, you'll cultivate more authentic relationships and a stronger sense of self.

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Setting Healthy Boundaries and Managing Expectations: Keys to Mental Wellbeing

Setting Healthy Boundaries and Managing Expectations: Keys to Mental Wellbeing

By setting healthy boundaries and managing expectations, you create a foundation for better mental health and more fulfilling relationships. It's a skill that takes practice, but the benefits to your wellbeing are immeasurable.

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Mastering Emotion Regulation: Essential Skills for Emotional Balance and Well-being

Mastering Emotion Regulation: Essential Skills for Emotional Balance and Well-being

By investing time and effort into strengthening your emotion regulation skills, you're laying the foundation for greater resilience, improved relationships, and a more fulfilling life overall.

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The Power of Positive Affirmations: How They Impact Mental Well-being

The Power of Positive Affirmations: How They Impact Mental Well-being

Positive affirmations are short, powerful statements that can influence our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. These simple yet effective tools have gained popularity in recent years as a means to improve mental well-being and boost self-esteem.

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Overcoming the Burden of Shame
Mental Health, Mental Wellness, Mental Wellbeing, Shame Lauren Bartholomew, Psy.D Mental Health, Mental Wellness, Mental Wellbeing, Shame Lauren Bartholomew, Psy.D

Overcoming the Burden of Shame

Shame is one of the most difficult emotions to deal with. It leaves us feeling exposed, worthless, and wanting to disappear. If you've struggled with shame, you're not alone. Many people grapple with feelings of shame over mistakes, personal traits, or life circumstances.

The good news is that shame doesn't have to control your life. By understanding shame and taking active steps to overcome it, you can free yourself from its heavy burden.

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Navigating the Decision to Establish Distance from Family
Lauren Bartholomew Lauren Bartholomew

Navigating the Decision to Establish Distance from Family

The decision to establish no contact with family members is not made lightly, but it can be a necessary step towards reclaiming one's sense of self and fostering emotional well-being. By recognizing toxic dynamics, setting boundaries, prioritizing healing, and choosing self-preservation, individuals can navigate the complexities of family relationships with courage and resilience. It's a journey towards greater authenticity, empowerment, and inner peace.

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Embracing Childfreedom: Why Some Choose to Live Without Children
Lauren Bartholomew, Psy.D Lauren Bartholomew, Psy.D

Embracing Childfreedom: Why Some Choose to Live Without Children

In a world where the societal norm often revolves around marriage, kids, and a white picket fence, the decision to forgo parenthood can sometimes raise eyebrows. However, for a growing number of individuals and couples, the choice to remain childfree is a deliberate and empowering one, rooted in personal values, lifestyle preferences, and a desire for freedom and fulfillment.

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Exploring the Inner Landscape: How Can I Connect with Self?
Internal Family Systems, Mental Health, Teen Mental Health Lauren Bartholomew, Psy.D Internal Family Systems, Mental Health, Teen Mental Health Lauren Bartholomew, Psy.D

Exploring the Inner Landscape: How Can I Connect with Self?

Connecting with your Self, as defined in the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model, involves tapping into your core, which is characterized by qualities such as compassion, curiosity, courage, and calmness. The Self is considered the natural state of your being, your true and authentic core, and moving from Self can lead to increased self-awareness, resilience, and emotional well-being.

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Exploring the Inner Landscape: The Concept of Exiles in Internal Family Systems
Lauren Bartholomew, Psy.D Lauren Bartholomew, Psy.D

Exploring the Inner Landscape: The Concept of Exiles in Internal Family Systems

Within the realm of Internal Family Systems, exiles represent the parts of ourselves that carry the burden of our deepest wounds. These wounds are often rooted in early life experiences, trauma, or moments of intense vulnerability. Exiles hold the memories and emotions associated with these painful experiences, and in an effort to protect the individual, the mind often pushes them into the shadows of consciousness.

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