The holiday season is a joyful time of year. Getting together with friends and family, holiday parties, and exchanging gifts are a special part of the season for many people. But, even during “the most wonderful time of the year,” stress can take a toll on your mental and physical health and leave you feeling anxious, depressed and irritable. Below is a look at some key factors for holiday stress and depression, and how counseling can help.

Stress Is Common During the Holiday Season

Unfortunately, holiday stress is almost seen as a given these days. Many people have unrealistic expectations and want everything to be perfect for the holidays. Planning, shopping, decorating, and entertaining can be exhausting, both mentally and physically. Overloading yourself with all of these activities can cause you to feel irritable, impatient and even depressed. There is also a lot of financial pressure many people experience during this season.

The Holiday Blues

The holidays can also be a depressing time for some people. Expectations of joy and happiness that seem to be everywhere this time of year can intensify feelings of loneliness, sadness, loss, and anger. Other factors that may contribute to the holiday blues include:

• Unresolved family issues or memories of a painful childhood
• Suppressing feelings of sadness, loneliness or depression because you “should” feel happy and appear cheerful to others
• Missing loved ones with whom you used to share holidays
• Having unrealistic expectations of loved ones
• Feeling isolated
• Focusing on disappointments or losses that may have occurred over the past year
• Coping with changes in family dynamics such as a recent marriage, divorce or child custody issues
• Consuming more alcoholic beverages – alcohol flows quite freely during the holidays, and drinking often makes depression worse

Counseling and Other Coping Techniques

It’s important to take care of yourself year-round but practicing self-care during the holidays is particularly important. Taking time to do activities that restore your inner calm, getting enough sleep, exercising and eating well. Planning ahead, having realistic expectations, and sticking to a budget can help you cut down on stress. Seeking help with therapy can make you feel more positive, less stressed, help you sort out your feelings and find tools to cope, so you and your family find more joy and peace during the holiday season.  

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or depressed, our knowledgeable and compassionate therapists at Kayenta Therapy offer counseling and other resources to help you get through the holidays. Contact a therapist directly to schedule an appointment today.

Many people turn to food for comfort when they’re feeling sad, stressed, depressed, or angry. The holiday season can be particularly challenging for many, and frequent gatherings with friends and family can make it easy to overindulge. Counseling sessions with a therapist can help you overcome emotional eating and help you find other ways to cope and experience comfort.

How to Rein in Emotional Eating

Eating to relieve stress or squelch negative emotions can lead to weight gain and exacerbate conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. The following tips will help you identify the reasons you may reach for food when you’re stressed and help you become more aware of how to break the cycle:

1. Make Time for Self-care

Sometimes it seems like everything you need to do to prepare for the holidays is urgent — but in reality, it isn’t. Taking even 15 minutes a day to nurture yourself with something besides food can reduce stress and lift your spirits. Read a book, take a bubble bath, go for a leisurely walk, or do something else you enjoy.

2. Practice Mindfulness and Self-compassion

Meditation, yoga and journaling can allow you to find your inner voice and help you observe your thoughts and feelings without becoming wrapped up in them. If you feel anxious or stressed, take some slow, deep breaths and focus on releasing the tension from your body before diving into the refrigerator to find something to eat. Ask yourself, “Am I really hungry?” Most times, the answer will be no. Avoid beating yourself up if you overeat or comfort yourself with food — being self-critical often leads to more emotional eating, not less.

3. Plan Ahead

Stock your pantry with healthy and nutritious food. If you’re going to a party or family gathering, take time to prepare yourself mentally, and remember, “No” is a complete sentence. If someone pushes you to eat or drink something you don’t want, it’s perfectly fine to decline without offering an explanation.

4. Ask for Support 

Reaching out for help instead of suppressing your feelings with food can change your life, not only during the holiday season, but year-round. Talk to trusted friends and family about how you’re feeling, and ask for assistance with tasks if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Seeking counseling from a qualified therapist provides an opportunity to uncover the root causes of your emotional eating and can help you develop effective coping skills to deal with all types of issues that have been holding you back from self-growth.

Find a Therapist at Kayenta Therapy

The experienced and compassionate therapists at Kayenta Therapy offer counseling that can help you overcome emotional eating and lead a healthier, more joyful life. Contact a therapist directly to schedule an appointment today.

Advancements of the internet, smartphones and other technology have made it easier than ever to stay connected and informed. Technology can be beneficial for staying in touch with friends and family, working remotely and learning about other parts of the world, but it can also become detrimental to your mental and physical health. These tips for healthy internet and social media use can help you become more mindful of the impact technology has on your life and your health.

1. Be Respectful, and Think Before You Post 

Hiding behind a keyboard can give you a false sense of confidence, obscurity and safety. Everything you do and say online can come back to bite you, whether it’s in the form of screenshots, social media posts or forum entries. Irresponsible behavior can have consequences in your real life and negatively affect your relationships and reputation. Before you react, stop, take three deep breaths and think about the repercussions of your actions before you hit send.  

2. Don’t Share Passwords – Ever

Even if only for a temporary situation, sharing passwords increases the risk of someone obtaining private information or impersonating you online. Although you may think there is no harm in sharing your information with someone you trust, relationships can change, and you don’t want anyone having access to your personal information.

3. Don’t Believe Everything You See 

Most people are very mindful about the image they want to project on social media. Everyone has bad days, but few people post about them the majority of the time. Take everything with a grain of salt and make the effort to connect with the people in your life outside of social media.

4. Don’t “Google It” for Professional Advice 

Although the internet provides a wealth of information on any topic you can think of, using it to diagnose a health issue or other issues can be a big mistake. Not all information is accurate or helpful and can end up harming instead of helping you. If you need help with something, ask a professional.

5. Don’t Waste Your Time 

Be conscious of how much time you spend on your devices, mindlessly scrolling through apps like Instagram or playing video games. Although it can be fun, limiting the role technology plays in your life can improve your physical and mental health. Instead of sitting in front of your computer, take a walk, catch a movie with friends or read a book. Put down your device when you’re spending time with family and friends. The world offers so many rich experiences, and if you don’t look up from your phone, you could miss many amazing moments that make life memorable.

Do you feel like your use of technology has become unmanageable? Therapists at Kayenta Therapy are here to help. Contact a therapist to schedule a counseling session today.

Conflict between parents and children is usually unproductive and tends to escalate quickly. If you want to reduce the conflict in your home, there are some highly effective techniques you can implement. Family therapy will help you put these techniques into consistent practice, as well as gain additional tools to help mitigate tension.

Keep Your Cool

When you get frustrated with your child, it can be challenging to maintain your composure. As soon as you feel yourself becoming upset and irritated, remind yourself that most of the time, it’s not so much about what you say, but how you say it. Even when it’s difficult, learn how to keep your cool in these challenging parenting situations.

There’s nothing wrong with taking a breather if you need to regain control of your emotions. Stepping away is much better than escalating the problem. Tackle the situation when you are able to discuss it calmly with your child. While they still might not always like what you have to say, their reaction will usually be completely different when you treat them kindly and with respect.

Establish Eye Contact

Imagine you are trying to get your child’s attention, but they are distracted by a toy or the TV. You become frustrated and raise your voice to grab their attention. This gives the impression you are upset with them, leading to needless conflict. Instead of raising your voice, focus on establishing eye contact with your child. Once you make eye contact, you can calmly discuss whatever you need to.

Stick to a Routine

Children tend to benefit from a structured routine. Create daily schedules for things that tend to create conflict in the family – like doing homework or going to bed. It will be an adjustment period as your child gets used to doing things at a set time every day, but the conflicts should subside once the routine becomes a habit.

Why Attend Family Therapy

The therapist will help your family talk and work through the difficulties you are facing and offer specific, personalized advice. They can also provide a fresh, healthy perspective. For more than 10 years, therapists at Kayenta Therapy have provided family therapy and low cost therapy options to patients. If you’re ready to schedule a session for you and your family, contact one of the therapists today.

Becoming engaged to the one you love is an exciting experience. Although you may be focused on planning your wedding and envisioning your life together, it’s important to consider the complexities of your personalities, lifestyles and relationship dynamics, as well as how these factors will affect your marriage. Many relationship experts recommend premarital counseling, as it gives you both the opportunity to communicate your needs and desires. It also allows both parties to go into the marriage with proper expectations.

What Is Premarital Counseling?

Premarital counseling is a type of relationship counseling that helps couples get ready for marriage and can help you and your partner identify and deal with issues that may become problems once you’re married. This type of relationship counseling can help you get to know your partner better and increase your chances of having a strong, happy and healthy relationship.

Issues Addressed in Premarital Counseling

You can discuss any subjects or issues you choose in relationship counseling. Common topics include:

• Communication styles
• Value and belief systems
• Dealing with anger
• Marriage and gender roles
• Decision making processes
• Finances
• Intimacy
• Affection
• Sex
• Desire to have children
• Parenting styles
• Extended family dynamics and relationships
• Career goals
• Life/work balance

In relationship counseling, therapists use different techniques and exercises to help you gain a deeper understanding of your partner, improve communication and guide you through any issues that may arise.

Benefits of Premarital Counseling

Who Provides Premarital Counseling?

Although many different types of counselors offer premarital counseling, marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) specialize in family and relationship counseling. Each therapist has their own approach to counseling, and the number of sessions you’ll need depends on your individual circumstances. Keeping an open mind and being honest about your feelings can help you get the most out of premarital counseling, allow you and your partner better understand and support each other and lead to a long, happy and fulfilling marriage.

If you’re ready to give premarital counseling a try, check out our online directory of licensed counselors at Kayenta Therapy and contact one directly to get started.

Sometimes, it’s tough to tell whether your child is experiencing normal growing pains or if he or she is struggling with emotional or mental issues that require the help of a professional. Children experience anxiety, depression, mood changes, and feelings of loneliness just like adults do, but it’s often hard for them to understand and express. If your child is struggling, the earlier you seek therapy, the easier it is to empower them with the tools so they’ll feel safe, secure and content.

Signs Your Child May Need Therapy

If you’re unsure whether your child may benefit from therapy, identifying certain warning signs and risk factors can help you make a decision about getting counseling for your child. Children who are struggling with mental and emotional issues often exhibit the following warning signs and symptoms:

• Acting withdrawn from family and friends
• Persistent sadness, irritability or hopelessness
• Excessive restlessness, anxiety or stress
• An unwillingness to open up about how they’re feeling
• Sudden anger or agitation that leads to tantrums or lashing out
• Difficulty connecting with classmates and friends
• A rapid decline in performance at school
• Difficulty concentrating
• Low energy levels
• A loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy
• Insomnia or sleeping too much
• Changes in eating habits, weight loss or weight gain
• Difficulty coping with divorce or the death of a loved one
• Trouble handling transitions, such as having a new sibling, moving or starting school
• Nightmares about past traumatic events
• Obsessing over common habits, such as hand washing or checking to make sure doors are locked

What Do Child Therapists Do?

Child therapists are specially trained and licensed to work with children facing all types of issues. Therapists tailor treatment to each child’s specific needs – age, developmental level, personality, and physical or behavioral issues are all taken into account when developing a treatment plan. Depending on your child’s issues and needs, a therapist may employ a combination of talk therapy, play therapy, art therapy, and group therapy to help your child. Although each of these methods can be effective, therapists often begin with talk therapy to build trust, develop a connection and get a deeper understanding of how a child is feeling. A child therapist will meet with you periodically to discuss your child’s issues and treatment.

When to Seek Therapy for Your Child

If your child is experiencing one of more of the symptoms listed above for a prolonged period of time, it may be time to seek therapy. Major events, such as divorce, death and other life-changing transitions, can have an impact on children’s mental health and overall well-being. Taking a proactive approach and finding therapy that works best for your child can help to ensure problems are addressed and treated, so they can lead a happy, healthy, productive life.

Therapists at Kayenta offer child therapy that gives children and parents the tools they need to thrive and succeed. Contact a therapist at Kayenta Therapy to schedule an appointment today.

Summer means different things to different people – for some, it’s a joyful time filled with sunshine, swimming, vacationing, and hanging out with friends and family. For others, summer can be a bummer. Typically associated with shorter days, colder weather and winter depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) may also affect people during the summer. SAD can be treated effectively with therapy, behavioral changes and medication; learning how to identify the causes and symptoms of summer depression can make it easier to cope.

Causes of Summer Depression

A disrupted sleep schedule. One of the keys to staying stable and maintaining good mental health is getting enough sleep. During the summer, routines often go out the window – kids are home from school, so you may spend more time away from home and stay up later than you would in the winter.

Issues with body image

With so much focus on getting that perfect “summer body,” a lot of people become more self-conscious about their physiques. Being critical of your body and feeling uncomfortable in shorts or a bathing suit can keep you from enjoying outdoor activities such as swimming, hiking and going to the beach.

Financial woes

If you’re a working parent, you may have to shell out a significant amount of money for childcare in the summer, not to mention paying for summer camps, sports and other activities to keep your kids occupied. The extra expense of taking vacations can also cause stress and anxiety.

Heat

Lots of people love basking in the warmth of summer, but for some, the heat can be both physically and mentally oppressive. This causes them to stay in and isolate themselves from other people.

Too much sunlight

Your body’s production of melatonin is affected by exposure to sunlight. Too much sunlight can affect melatonin production and disrupt your circadian rhythm, leading to insomnia and unbalanced levels of the mood-regulating hormone, serotonin.

Allergies

There are typically many allergens floating around in the summer breeze, which can leave you feeling irritable, anxious and physically ill.

Social expectations

Summer should be a happy time, right? If you feel like you’re expected to enjoy summer and you don’t, you may think something’s wrong with you (although it isn’t).

Signs of Summer Depression

Some signs you may be experiencing summer depression include:

• Insomnia
• Aversion to heat and sunlight
• Feelings of sadness, anxiety, agitation, and hopelessness
• Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
• Manic feelings such as a highly elated mood and grandiose ideas
• Decreased appetite and weight loss
• Lack of interest in activities and social events you usually enjoy
• Thoughts of suicide

How to Manage Summer Depression

Schedule a Therapy Session Today

Are you ready to treat your summer depression with therapy? Contact a therapist at Kayenta Therapy to schedule an appointment today.

Therapy can be a great way to work through problems and improve your overall well-being. But, if you want to make the most of your sessions, it is important to establish your needs, wants and expectations in advance. Before you begin therapy, there are a few questions you should ask yourself.

Ask These Questions Before Beginning Therapy

1.  “What do I want to work on?”

Before going to your first therapy session, it is important to determine exactly which problems you would like to discuss and work on. Attempting to address too many things at once can be counterproductive. When you divide your time and focus in many directions, it is unlikely you will make any real progress on any of the things that are bothering you. Pick one or two of the things that are most important to you to focus on first.

Once you have determined what you would like to work on, figure out a way to succinctly express this to your therapist. Being able to clearly describe the primary issues in one or two sentences will help ensure you and your therapist are focused on the same task.

2.  “What do I hope to get out of therapy?”

People go to therapy for a variety of reasons. Likewise, their expectations for what they want to get out of their sessions are also vastly different. Perhaps you want to work through a problem from your past and learn from these experiences. Or, you may be looking to learn coping techniques.

When you start attending therapy, you will want to have a vision of what you hope to get out of your sessions. By setting this expectation in the beginning, you will have a clear goal to work toward. You should let your therapist know what your expectations are. This will help you both work together to meet them.

3.  “Am I ready for change?”

Therapy can offer a wide range of benefits that can help improve your mental, emotional and overall well-being. But, in order to make the most of these benefits, you will have to make some changes. You cannot expect to get different results by doing the same things you have already been doing. Change can be uncomfortable and awkward at first, but if you are ready to try something new, your efforts will be worth it.

Kayenta Therapy is Nevada’s largest private counseling center and has been providing therapy for over 10 years. Browse our therapists to find the one that’s right for you.

If you’re thinking about attending family therapy, you’re probably feeling many strong emotions. Perhaps your marriage or partnership is in trouble. Or maybe you’re going through a divorce and your children are having difficulty coping. You may think of therapy as a last resort for when your life is falling apart, but the truth is something far different. Family therapy is a positive experience that can greatly enhance your family’s life.

How Family Therapy Heals

Family dynamics, divorce, addiction issues, anxiety, grief, and communication problems are just some of the reasons people find themselves seeking family therapy. A qualified family therapist can help you identify and uncover what keeps you from reaching your full potential as a person, as a partner or as a parent. People from all walks of life consult with counselors to make their lives more gratifying and to gain better focus on communicating effectively.

What to Expect from Family Therapy

So, what does a family therapy session entail? Professional therapists understand that every person has specific needs and each situation is different. Sessions, therefore, will vary based on what approach works best for you.

At Kayenta Therapy, therapists are trained in a wide range of specialties, including cognitive behavior (CBT), Gestalt, mindfulness-based (MBCT), Jungian, and many more. Each method addresses specific issues that are affecting your family’s life. Using different techniques and exercises, your therapist will thoughtfully guide you through what’s behind behavioral or emotional problems family members are coping with.

The goal of family therapy is to strengthen the family unit so everyone is better equipped to interact with one another and make decisions together. Here are just a few of the approaches a family therapist might use:

• Observe how family members interact with each other and within the family as a whole.
• Identify and treat psychological disorders within a family context.
• Highlight dysfunctional behaviors and help to replace them with healthy alternatives.

Focus on the Positive

When you meet with a family therapist for the first time, you may feel an enormous sense of relief. The nurturing and non-judgmental environment can help you not only pinpoint problem areas, but also recognize and admire the strengths of the family unit. Learning to celebrate the good things and feel a stronger connection as a family is just one of the many joys of therapy.

There are many professionals practicing family therapy, and if you don’t feel a connection with the first one you meet with, keep looking! If you’re ready to find the right family therapist for you, browse our online directory and contact the therapist of your choosing to schedule your first session.

If you’ve never been in counseling before, you may be apprehensive about whether the issues you discuss in therapy are confidential. If you are hesitant about seeking therapy to privacy concerns, these facts about confidentiality will put your mind at ease and help you speak openly and honestly.

Confidentiality

People seeking therapy need to feel safe and comfortable talking about their lives and feelings without worrying information will be shared with others. Mental health professionals understand this and highly value the need for client confidentiality. In fact, they are bound to adhere to it by a code of ethics.

HIPAA

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects patients’ medical records and personal health information. At your first therapy session, your provider should give you a written copy of privacy policies outlining how your personal information is handled. Your therapist may ask for your written consent to share information or discuss your care with your other health care professionals.

Privacy Rule Exceptions

• Providers may disclose confidential information without consent to protect the public or client from harm. For example, if a client reveals plans to hurt someone or attempt suicide.
• Providers are required by law to report child abuse and neglect, abuse of the elderly or disabled, and ongoing domestic abuse.
• Mental health professionals may be legally compelled to release information through court order.

Insurance Companies

Your mental health provider must share some information about your diagnosis and treatment plan with your health insurance company so they can determine which services are covered. However, the insurance company is required to keep this information confidential, according to HIPAA standards. If you decide to avoid filing an insurance claim and pay out-of-pocket for therapy instead, your insurance company most likely will not be informed of the mental health services you receive.

If your health insurance is through your employer, you can rest assured your employer will not have access to information about the health care services you receive. However, if your company offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), it’s best to speak with your human resources department about privacy.

Minors and Adult Children on Parents’ Insurance

Each state has different laws regarding the age at which young people can seek mental health services without parental consent. Mental health providers who treat kids under the age of 18 often meet with both the child and his or her parents at the first visit to set ground rules for privacy. If you are over 18 and use your parents’ insurance, it’s important to keep in mind they may receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) outlining the services you received. However, they cannot access your records or discover what you talked about during your therapy sessions.

For over 10 years, Kayenta Therapy has been helping people acquire the tools they need to find greater growth and joy. If you’re ready to start therapy, contact a therapist to schedule an appointment.