Blog
Insights from the Team at Your Story Matters Therapy Group
How to use reflective listening to connect with your teen
Teenagers often tell us therapists that they feel no one understands them, no one really listens to them, and no one takes them seriously. With these five steps of reflective listening, parents can help their teens feel heard and valued.
The power of words: Building awareness of the messages you speak to yourself
There is a constant dialogue occurring within your mind speaking your actions, abilities, and identity into being. Are you aware of the messages your internal communication system is broadcasting?
What are gender pronouns and why they matter
Gender pronouns are becoming increasingly more common. But what exactly are they, why do they matter, and how do you know you’re using the right ones for the people you know and meet? We break down your top questions.
How a gratitude journal can improve your well-being
Gratitude journals are not like your childhood diary. They can actually help improve mood, lower stress, reduce pain, and improve sleep. Check out all of the benefits, how to start one, and our weekly challenge for you.
Grief and when to seek professional help
Grief is a normal part of life and a normal healthy reaction to experiencing loss. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and everyone grieves differently. But how do you know when you or a loved one may need outside help to heal? We take a look at the signs.
A Therapist Ruins Pop Culture: Music
Fun and catchy songs can get your feet tapping and your body moving. But have you ever stopped to think about some of the lyrics while you’re rocking out? Let’s ruin pop culture with a therapist take on three of your favorite songs.
Get physical and get rid of stress
Turning to exercise in times of heightened stress can reap benefits beyond your mental health. Explore the many reasons why you should find time to get out of your new home office chair, turn off Netflix and get moving during COVID-19 and beyond.
Creating your own calm haven during social distancing
Our pets have a knack for finding cozy spaces around the house to relax. For this week’s self-care series installment, we will take a tip from our fuzzy friends and learn the recipe for creating a calm haven of our own.
Enhance your music listening coping skill with guided imagery
Listening to music on its own is already a popular coping skill for people of all ages. Combining music with a guided imagery exercise from Your Story Matters Therapy Group will further enhance your stress management.
Center yourself with a simple grounding exercise
It can be hard to center yourself when you are feeling hopeless, frightened or lost during our new reality created by COVID-19 or even in more normal times. This simple grounding exercise can help bring your mind back to the here and now.
Put a STOP to your anxious thoughts
Repeated thoughts of anxiety are completely normal during stressful situations. Don’t get down on yourself. Instead, use this visualization exercise to help stop your anxious thoughts and calm your overall anxiety.
Using your five senses to ground your body and mind
Grounding isn’t just the most dreaded thing from childhood. During times of heightened uncertainty, grounding yourself can have huge physical and mental health benefits. This grounding exercise calls for using your five senses.
De-stress with progressive muscle relaxation
Managing stress during COVID-19 can be difficult but is important for your physical and mental health. This progressive muscle relaxation exercise will help you release that tension and regulate your body.
Calm your anxiety with belly breathing
With COVID-19 and social distancing causing our everyday routines and interactions to drastically change, it is normal to have heightened anxiety. Do this belly breathing exercise to help calm our anxiety and manage your stress.
Launching the Your Story Matters Blog
Welcome to the Your Story Matters Blog! In addition to providing mental health services in a traditional therapy office setting, we think it is important to also offer a forum to post news and share our passion for everyday self-care.
