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Braving New Seasons and Beginnings

By Nathan LeFebre, Sync Clinical Psychology Trainee   Springing Ahead  It may be hard to believe, but we are quickly approaching the spring equinox– the official start of spring on March 20th. Of course, new seasons are nothing really new to most of us. And yet, something about this time this year has caused me to step back and think more deeply about newness; about transitions, new seasons of life, and what it is like to be a “beginner” at something.    Beyond the Comfort Zone I think that we can all relate to the experience...

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Start Where You Are, and Go from There

By Emily Phifer, M.S. AMFT   When the Shine Wears Off We often think about life motivation in the first week or so of January. But if you’re anything like me, you could probably use a little boost of inspiration right about now– Mid- February, when the shine of the new year has worn off a bit, and motivation levels have waned. I won’t be suggesting that we dash all hope of having goals or aspirations. I simply want to recommend: Let’s reevaluate, and recalibrate. Is Bigger Really Better? I’ll be honest. When I dragged...

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Remembering Hannah

  As therapists, we are deeply connected not only to the humanity of our clients, but also to our own human experience. We grieve, we struggle, we question, we grow, and we carry the poignant, fragile pieces of being human in an unpredictable world. While we walk alongside our clients, we are also humans in flux, always in process- susceptible to pain as well as joy; struggle as well as triumph.    For many of us, however, nothing brings our humanity more to the forefront than experiencing the death of someone we care...

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The Secret Ingredient to a Meaningful and Successful Fitness Journey

By Yin Yin Lim, MFT Trainee   January is typically the time of the year that many of us begin an exercise and healthy eating regimen. We are motivated and excited to embark on this new journey right off the bat. At some point however, our excitement and motivation might start to wane–getting out of bed to exercise takes more effort, and following healthy meal plans seems extra challenging. We may simply find it too difficult to follow through with what we set forth to do to better ourselves. For some of...

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When You Don’t feel OK at “the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”

by Emily Phifer, M.S. MFT   A Mixed (Gift) Bag While the holidays can be a time for joy, connection, inspiration and delight, they can also be a time fraught with despair, loneliness, discouragement and compounded losses.  To truly prioritize mental and emotional health in our lives and communities, we must acknowledge both realities. If you find yourself feeling burdened with difficult emotions this holiday season, you are certainly not alone.   Merry, Bright, and Burdened Sometimes our self-imposed holiday expectations can accentuate when we are feeling less than: merry, magnanimous, productive, content, excited, bustling, prepared,...

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