Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Changing how we make New Years Resolutions and adding more compassion...

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Mindful Decluttering and Organizing, LLC

Guest Post by Amy Hooper from Another Look at Healing


As this year nears its end and we look ahead to 2016, what if, instead of thinking about our resolutions, we challenge ourselves to view the different aspects of our lives as part of a broader journey toward greater personal growth?
If we ask ourselves questions such as: How can I be kinder to myself? How can I ask more for what I want and need? And how can I communicate my feelings with others more effectively? Then we’re thinking about the things in life that lead to healthier living. Taking the time to figure out these issues is no easy task, so we at Another Look at Healing, Counseling and Wellness Center would like to offer several tips to help you along your journey - so stay tuned for our next post!
1. Take reasonable steps. You want to match your personality, skill set, strengths and weaknesses to the goals you’re setting. And make sure the goals are not too big or too small. This way, the chances of disappointment are decreased, and your motivation increased by achieving what you have set for yourself to accomplish.
2. Set clear goals. The more you can identify and clarify your goals, the more motivated you will become to achieve them. For example, write down specific lists of exactly what you want to accomplish, and then break it down into tangible, practical steps.
3. Use your senses. See, hear, and feel what it’s like to have that thing or person you so desire. Visualizing your goals may inspire you to achieve them!
4. Your goals are yours and not someone else’s. Your goals need to resonate with who you are and what you’re capable of. Focusing on what someone else has or what someone else can do can impose a lot of stress without much joy. Keep our #1 tip in mind here!
5. Balance. Balance. Balance. Sticking to one area of your life too much and for too long while ignoring other areas may backfire, so be aware of your priorities, and look at your life in the long term as well as short with a sense of moderation.
6. Finally, your actions speak louder than your words. When you respect your word (whether thinking to yourself or talking aloud) and follow through with your actions, you build a sense of trust within yourself that helps you become stronger, more determined and more you. This season, look inside to find the wisest part of you for the answers of what you want to accomplish this next year.
If you would like some support in order to be kinder and more compassionate with yourself, counseling can help. You can visit our website www.HealingLLC.com or contact us at 240-274-5680 or Admin@HealingLLC.com with any questions or to schedule a counseling appointment.
Take Good Care,
Amy Hooper, LCSW-C, CEAP, Director, Gaithersburg Counseling Center

Sunday, November 1, 2015

What are you resolving to do this holiday season and in the new year?

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Mindful Decluttering and Organizing, LLC

Guest Post by Amy Hooper from Another Look at Healing


As each year comes to a close, we’re often compelled to think of our New Year’s resolutions – this year, I’m going to…“cut chocolate out of my diet and drink less soda,” “exercise more – maybe 3 times a week?” “read more books or join a book club," “do more of the things that I want to do, but never get around to doing,”… the list goes on.
These resolutions translate into the various components of life – relationships, financial stability, health (emotional, spiritual and physical), giving back to the world, having a meaning in life – all of which influence each of us differently, shape our experiences, and affect our overall well-being.
As this year nears its end and we look ahead to 2016, what if, instead of thinking about our resolutions, we challenge ourselves to view the different aspects of our lives as part of a broader journey toward greater personal growth?
If we ask ourselves questions such as: How can I be kinder to myself? How can I ask more for what I want and need? And how can I communicate my feelings with others more effectively? Then we’re thinking about the things in life that lead to healthier living. Taking the time to figure out these issues is no easy task, so we at Another Look at Healing, Counseling and Wellness Center would like to offer several tips to help you along your journey - so stay tuned for our next post!
If you would like some support in order to be kinder and more compassionate with yourself, counseling can help. You can visit our website www.HealingLLC.com or contact us at 240-274-5680 or Admin@HealingLLC.com with any questions or to schedule a counseling appointment.
Take Good Care,
Amy Hooper, LCSW-C, CEAP, Director, Gaithersburg Counseling Center

Friday, May 1, 2015

Attempt to Reduce Stress - What is Stress? - Adapted from a Post written by Leo Babauta (part 2/2)

Are you stressed? It could be a result of a stressful home life, habits, or chaotic work conditions. Instead of adopting old habits (reaching for food, drinking, or smoking for comfort) to deal with stress that could only lead to other problems. Here’s more options of on a list of things you can  do to get your life to a more manageable level of stress, a continuation from our last post.


3. Simplify your finances. Spending too much, late fees, trying to remember when to pay

what bill, or finding those paper bills that you’ve placed somewhere. First, pinpoint what

stresses you out about your finances. Automate savings, bill payments, and debt

payments can be a solution. Or it could be trying to spend less by reducing your shopping

trips (online too).

4. Have a blast! Have fun each day, even if it’s just for a few minutes.  This may include

playing with your kids outside, watching a funny TV show, reading your favorite comic

or looking online for silly jokes or inspirational phrases. Engage in something that takes

your mind of your stressors daily. Play sports, board games, read, dance, or watch

Youtube videos. Whatever you choose, be sure to laugh.

5. One thing at a time!

Start reducing your stress today! But remember, take it slow and do one thing at a time.

Focus as much as possible on doing one thing at a time.  Clear your desk of distractions.

Pick something to work on. Need to get ready for a presentation at work? Do only that.

Remove distractions such as phones and email notifications while you’re working on

that report. This takes practice, and you’ll get urges to do other things. But it can be done!

If you would like some support in order to manage your stress, counseling can help. You can visit our website www.HealingLLC.com or contact us at 240-274-5680 or Admin@HealingLLC.com with any questions or to schedule a counseling appointment.

Take Good Care,

Amy Hooper, LCSW-C, CEAP, Director, Gaithersburg Counseling Center

Dena Alalfey, Graduate Intern

References: Zen habits : Breathe. (n.d.). Retrieved May 26, 2015, from

http://zenhabits.net/10-simple-ways-to-live-a-less-stressful-life/

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Attempt to Reduce Stress - What is Stress? - Adapted from a Post written by Leo Babauta (Part 1/2)

Stress - /stres/

noun

1. Pressure or tension exerted on a material object.

2. A state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very

demanding circumstances.

verb

1. Give particular emphasis or importance to (a point, statement, or idea) made in speech

or writing.

2. Subject to pressure or tension.


Are you stressed? It could be a result of a stressful home life, habits, or chaotic work conditions. Instead of adopting old habits (reaching for food, drinking, or smoking for comfort) to deal with stress that could only lead to other problems, or attempting to eliminate stress completely from our lives, we can know that stress is evident in everyone’s life and there are ways to reduce it. No need to strive for a stress free life.

First, it’s not possible! And second, stress challenges us and helps us grow. When stress gets too high, we feel unhappy and can become unhealthy. See our next post for more from our list of things you can  do to get your life to a more manageable level of stress.

1. Be early. It may sound challenging to do if you like to hit that snooze button or if you

have kids to get out of the door with you. But being late can make you frantic. This can

be a stressful start to your day. Try waking up earlier, or scheduling more space between

events. Getting somewhere a few minutes early can give you time to catch up on your

reading or browse the internet on your phone or get ready for your next meeting.

2. Declutter.  Take 20-30 minutes to throw away things you don’t need in each room.

Clutter can be very stressful when looking at or when trying to find things we’re looking

for. A decluttered space is found to be a peaceful environment for work, play, and living.

For each object, you can ask yourself "Does this bring joy, peace and calm into my life?",

and see what emerges as the response.



Take Good Care,

Amy Hooper, LCSW-C, CEAP, Director, Gaithersburg Counseling Center

Dena Alalfey, Graduate Intern

References: Zen habits : Breathe. (n.d.). Retrieved May 26, 2015, from

http://zenhabits.net/10-simple-ways-to-live-a-less-stressful-life/

Monday, March 9, 2015

The Keys to Happiness - Learning to feel good about you!


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What do you like about yourself!? This may be a challenging task at first, but start a file on what you like about yourself. Take your time writing it and as you write it think about what it feels like to write it. You may expand this list by writing down compliments people give you! Try to visit this file daily and read what you have, notice your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations that arise while writing in the file and also while re-reading it.
Maybe these couple of exercises will help you feel more positive, grounded and balanced. Whether or not they are helpful, they might give you some insights or topics to discuss further with a counselor or trusted friend.  At Another Look at Healing, Counseling Center, we can help with this search for greater self-awareness and finding those strengths to help you feel happier and more fulfilled. For more information, you can email us at AnotherLook@HealingLLC.com or call us at 240-274-5680. Or for more information, visit www.HealingLLC.com.

Announcing: Free Phone Consultation!


We are now offering a free phone consultation! Also, special discounts are available for individual, couples and group counseling if you call us before March 25th to discuss setting up an appointment. Call today 240-274-5680.


Announcing: Personal Growth Group Openings! 
*Only 2 spaces left*
Are you feeling stuck and want to work out your issues?
Do you value self-reflection and want to find greater understanding of yourself?
Are you looking for support in changing your life for the better?

If you answered yes, consider participating in our personal growth group. A psychotherapy group is a safe, protected environment where you can learn about both who you are and how you are with others. By discussing issues and receiving feedback from the other group members you can learn to understand how you feel and how others react to you. This group is for people who are facing a range of concerns including: difficulty communicating, lack of interpersonal skills, trouble getting what you want out of life, loneliness, poor self-esteem and social anxiety.

For more information or to sign up for a pre-group interview to determine whether the group is right for you, please call or email us directly at 240-274-5680 or AnotherLook@HealingLLC.com and ask for a pre-group interview session with Lev Grotel.
If you have any comments or questions, please send them to AnotherLook@HealingLLC.com.

If you are looking for support in making changes and growing the life you always wanted, feel free to contact us here at Another Look at Healing, LLC at 240-274-5680 or by emailing Admin@HealingLLC.com. Our website is www.HealingLLC.com for more details.

Take Good Care,
Amy Hooper, LCSW-C, Director & Dena Alalfey, Graduate Intern

Friday, February 27, 2015

Explore your Senses - Mindfulness leads to improved mood!


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Oh those five senses that we take for granted! - When's the last time you noticed the unique color of the sky? Or that cool breeze brushing up against your face? When walking from your car to the office, while grocery shopping, or running errands, walk with your senses. Notice the temperature, the unique scents, the beautiful colors, the people around you and everything happening in the moment.
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Oh that's delicious! We need to eat to survive and everyday we're luck to have decadent food that we're eating rushed, in front of the television, or in just plain autopilot. Let's try to eat with our senses. In autopilot we tend to rush with everything, inhaling food at our desk or in front of the TV. Instead, pay attention to each bite, the texture, tastes and feelings that come up. Notice how much you enjoy that particular snack or meal! Yum!

Meditation and Mood!
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Guided Meditation 
Search Podcasts or YouTube for quick guided meditations. During breaks at work or any time you feel like you need to slow down, these will help you get in touch with your body. And of course there are apps for it! Check out Stop, Breathe & Think, calm, or mindfulness daily.
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So many different moods!
If you find yourself getting mad or upset about something, stop and examine your mood. Ask the question, if I were feeling good right now, would I see this the same way? This helps you question that thought that popped in your mind!























If you are looking for support in making changes and growing the life you always wanted, feel free to contact us here at Another Look at Healing, LLC at 240-274-5680 or by emailing Admin@HealingLLC.com. Our website is www.HealingLLC.com for more details.

Take Good Care,
Amy Hooper, LCSW-C, Director &
Dena Alalfey, Graduate Intern

Friday, January 30, 2015

Learn to Love Yourself - Practicing Mindfulness can help!

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After spending so much time focusing on others (kids, deadlines etc.), it's time to turn our attention inward to love ourselves! Let's work on getting rid of those negative thoughts that lead to feelings of insecurity and doubt. According to Healthy Place, a mental health channel, "mindfulness resources are scientifically proven to calm down your mind and slow down routine thinking patterns that lead to insecurities and low esteem." We want to invite you to take a look at a few Mindfulness practices that will help you get started. Read on for more information...

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Mindfulness exercises permit you to embody each experience as it is without judgment. We can let go of those negative thoughts and habituated behaviors with practice. In time, you’ll be able to see, feel, and explore your life without adding negative thoughts and insecurity to the narrative of your life story. You can let the past stay in the past and wait to worry about all the things that are on your future to do list. You can get off the autopilot living pattern and starting living in the NOW!
These simple practices put us in a calmer state of mind, so we can think more clearly and breathe easier. We are more focused and attentive to what is around us, which brings us more control over our bodies and our minds. By slowing down, we tend to have the opportunity to make better decisions and feel more confident in our choices. We also stop the emotional and psychological automatic thoughts and begin to create our new neural pathways to new ways of thinking. More positive ways of thinking and more realistic, in the moment, thoughts about ourselves and our world can emerge. Practicing mindfulness will not eliminate life’s obstacles. But, with practice, it can help us respond to them in a calmer, more effective manner. Once these skills are developed, the times that your insecurities would take over in the past, now become less intense. You begin to recognize these were habitual thoughts rather than facts or truths. Here's to letting your negative thoughts pass without distressing you and disrupting your day!CHEERS!
If you find yourself feeling more down or anxious than usual, let us know. It can be difficult to make life changes on your own, and you deserve support along the way. So, reach out if you would like to set up an appointment with one of our counselors. For more information, visit www.HealingLLC.com or contact us at AnotherLook@HealingLLC.com or 240-274-5680 with any questions.

Take Good Care,
Amy Hooper, LCSW-C, CEAP, Director and Psychotherapist
Dena Alalfey, Graduate Intern
Another Look at Healing, LLC - Gaithersburg Counseling Center