Blog Articles
Additional resources written by our PCS therapists.
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Self-Care & Grounding Toolkit
In a world that glorifies hustle and productivity, we often forget to pause. We move from task to task, constantly planning the next achievement. With this future focus, we take time away from ourselves and enjoying the present. At times I feel myself living in the future. I find it… -
Diane Keaton: What Her Way of Being Can Teach Us
In the wake of Diane Keaton’s death, I have felt moved by the immense outpouring of heartfelt tributes honoring her. Sure, when any Hollywood legend dies, tributes follow, but in Diane’s case, remembrances of her life and impact appear to be infused with a certain je nai se quois. Maybe… -
Why We Avoid & What To Do About It
When I sat down to write my last blog, I immediately wanted to avoid writing it. When Imentioned this to a colleague, a suggestion was made to write about avoidance in my next blog.That got me thinking about what’s really going on when I resist writing something others mightsee? Am… -
Empty Nest
I remember when my kids were in elementary school and life had finally hit a predictable pace; I knew at the time there was an expiration date to all of it, that someday they’d certainly leave; I’d tell myself, yes, but it’s not right now. Right now, I get spend… -
Time Confetti: How Notifications Are Shredding Our Free Time and What to do About it.
This probably sounds familiar. You sit down to watch your favorite show, and before you know it, you’re rewinding because notifications on your phone stole your attention. For me, it was the survival series Alone. I missed a medical evacuation while reading about a hot dog eating contest. I missed a… -
Learning to Listen to the Body: Why Somatic Awareness Matters in Therapy
There’s a moment many of us have experienced: you lie down at night and only then realize you’ve had a headache all day, or that there’s been a knot in your stomach or a tightness in your chest. Sometimes, we push through exhaustion without even noticing we’re tired — just… -
Improve Your Relationships by Gifting with Awareness
Giving gifts is a language of love and kindness. It is a vulnerable offering that requires the equal prioritization of intention and impact. When done with skill, giving and receiving co-occur for both parties, strengthening our sense of being valued and connected. Gifts, broadly defined, come in many different forms,… -
Juneteenth
Juneteenth’s history began on June 19, 1865. The executive order known as the emancipation proclamation was issued approximately two years prior. However, it was not implemented in places still under Confederate control. Texas was the final holdout. Not until nearly two years later on June 19, 1865 when Union troops… -
Understanding Emotional Transformation Therapy
Introduction to Emotional Transformation Therapy Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT), founded by Dr. Steven Vazquez, is a treatment modality designed to provide emotional healing using color and light. Various psychological and neuroscientific principles are combined to address unresolved emotional pain by accessing our subconscious, changing neuropathways/neural impulses, and increasing the movement… -
Three Roadblocks to Recovery and One Intervention
Sobriety and recovery require a great deal of self awareness. The process of knowing self is key. When we lack self awareness it is difficult to live with intention and know when and how to intervene. Initially, it is important to identify behaviors that block us from healthy living. Defensiveness,… -
Noisy Spaces Make Little Room for Connection
Okay, I know I am going to sound old and cranky here, but I can’t help but notice how loud most restaurants are these days. I love going out to eat with friends and family. I love trying new foods and breaking bread with those I love. I love slowing… -
Mindfulness in the Heat: How My Summer Walks Taught Me to Be Present
When I was on my mindful walk last week in the 102° weather, I became acutely aware of how sad I will be to stop going on these walks. Summers in Arizona are tough. The intense heat drains the energy out of many of life’s usual rhythms—even something as simple… -
The Importance of Showing Up: Lessons from Life and Loss
This morning, as I drove to work, I found myself deeply moved by an audiobook recommended by a friend: “The Amen Effect” by Sharon Brous. In the opening chapters, she reflects on her grandmother’s powerful rule about the importance of showing up—not just during moments of joy, but also in… -
Why Food Matters Especially When Supporting Mental Health
A healthy and balanced diet is crucial in supporting our physicality, and this is no different when it comes to our mental health. Our brain primarily runs on glucose, needing a consistent supply from the foods we eat. Thankfully, our bodies are brilliant, and we can get “brain fuel” from… -
Uncovering your Reflection
I was always drawn to kaleidoscopes growing up…being able to look through and see colorful patterns shifting and changing could mesmerize me at a moment’s notice. Maybe that’s part of the reason I’m drawn to symbols and metaphors in my own life. I use them to ground myself and articulate… -
The Orienting Response
At any given moment in time, your senses are bombarded with a vast amount of data. To effectively filter and prioritize what you pay attention to – or orient toward – you must, therefore, select some environmental cues to the exclusion of others. This process is correlated with your internal… -
2024: A Year to Leave or One to Embrace
I have typically not embraced the New Year as a significant transition point. I enjoy the year in review summaries to reminisce on the prior year events but not found the motivation or purpose in setting goals for the year. Goal setting has always been an ongoing process for me,… -
What Will Be, Will Be
A new year is something that begins with creating resolutions, goals for the future, and brings a renewed sense of energy and motivation. One consistency through each new year that I have observed, is the idea on everyone’s mind: “What can change look like for me this year?”. Desired change… -
Same Me
If you are reading this, it’s highly likely that you have heard of the idea of “New Years Resolutions” and have also heard the highly optimistic phrase “New Year, New Me.” I have begun to ponder why there’s such a busyness and bustle about these ideas so much so that… -
Giving Yourself Grace
I have been thinking a lot lately about stress and pressure and how all encompassing it can be. I see it everyday as a student and as an intern at PCS. The external pressures that come from every angle externally. The societal, familial and peer pressures to live up to…
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