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Family Therapy Tips to Help Your Children Cope with Tragedy

Children are often left confused and scared after a loss or frightening event. They may wonder if they are safe or if something could happen again to someone they love, and the anxiety can start to spread into other areas of their lives. These thoughts and feelings are all normal and responding to them with […]

Children are often left confused and scared after a loss or frightening event. They may wonder if they are safe or if something could happen again to someone they love, and the anxiety can start to spread into other areas of their lives.

These thoughts and feelings are all normal and responding to them with care is critical to ensuring your children’s well-being. Las Vegas family therapy can equip you with the tools you need to help your children cope.

Give Your Children a Break

Following a tragedy, little minds can get information overload quickly. As more and more information is discussed or revealed, anxiety and stress can increase for your little ones. Turn the news off and keep discussions about family events as private as possible. Have distraction-free conversations with your kids.

Be Honest – to a Point

While you don’t want to mislead your children or gloss over important specifics, there’s no need to go into detail about violent or frightening events. Your kids will probably have lots of questions and being open and honest will help them feel safe. However, be sure to add reassurances to your answers and leave out disturbing details.

Spend Extra Time with Your Kids

In the days and weeks following a tragedy, questions, concerns and other issues will present themselves at unexpected times. Perhaps your child has been thinking about an aspect of the event. By spending extra time with your kids, you’ll not only help build a sense of security, but you’ll also be available for these discussions.

How Las Vegas Family Therapy Can Help

If your child is showing signs of extreme fear and anxiety such as restlessness, difficulty concentrating, or changes in appetite and activity level, consider speaking with a Las Vegas family therapy expert. At Kayenta, we’re dedicated to giving parents and children the tools they need to feel safe and succeed in every area of their lives. Contact us today at 702-4387800 to learn more.

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How Therapy Actually Works

While therapy is a unique experience for everyone, knowing what to expect can be helpful for those who are still thinking about trying a Las Vegas therapy session. Here are a few common misconceptions, along with what you can expect. 1. The Eureka Moment Movies and TV shows often portray patients as having a sudden […]

While therapy is a unique experience for everyone, knowing what to expect can be helpful for those who are still thinking about trying a Las Vegas therapy session. Here are a few common misconceptions, along with what you can expect.

1. The Eureka Moment

Movies and TV shows often portray patients as having a sudden “aha!” moment where everything becomes clear and they are suddenly able to go about life in a new and better way.

While many people do experience breakthroughs and big realizations during a therapy session, these moments are not the end of therapy. Even with a big breakthrough, there’s still a lot of work to be done if behaviors are going to change. Plus, most breakthroughs will address a specific idea or area and won’t be a magic fix-it for all life’s problems.

2. You Need Fixing

Many people think that visiting a therapist is like visiting a medical doctor: you describe what’s troubling you, and then receive treatment to fix what’s wrong. Once treatment is complete, your illness will be banished, never to return.

Unfortunately, we all know the human mind doesn’t work that way. Everyone is different so there’s rarely a prescribed course of action that’s just right for everyone. Instead, your therapy sessions will help you uncover strengths you can use and new skills you can apply to face life’s challenges.

You might benefit from trying new approaches and learning your strengths so you can achieve more. Visiting your therapist often is the best way to reach your goals.

3. The Iconic Couch

Another takeaway from television and films is that there’s always a couch and you have to lie down on it. Your session does not have to consist of you facing away from the therapist and describing your entire childhood to discover what’s going wrong now.

There may be a couch but there’s probably also chairs. The point is for you to be comfortable. Gone are the days where every adult decision and interaction stems from your childhood relationship with your mother. Today’s therapists are far more focused on making each day better.

4. How Does That Make You Feel?

Don’t worry. This question is not going to follow every statement you make during your therapy sessions. Your therapist cares far more about finding actionable solutions to what’s difficult for you. Of course, your feelings matter a great deal and if you need to talk about them, please do! But if you prefer to stick to making plans and acquiring tools, that’s good too.

Find a Las Vegas Therapy Center

Therapy is only what you need it to be and will only give you what you put into it. Our experienced therapists are here to help you and show you how therapy can benefit you. Contact Kayenta Therapy Centers at 702-438-7800 to find out how to start Las Vegas therapy and show you how we can help you reach your goals.

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How a Counselor Can Help You Maintain Motivation When Suffering Depression

Motivation is what keeps us going, even when we feel the odds are stacked against us. It’s the inner voice that says, “Don’t give up, you’re almost there.” What about when life’s obstacles appear to block our path to success? Staying motivated can be difficult in the best of times. If you’re dealing with depression, […]

Motivation is what keeps us going, even when we feel the odds are stacked against us. It’s the inner voice that says, “Don’t give up, you’re almost there.” What about when life’s obstacles appear to block our path to success?


Staying motivated can be difficult in the best of times. If you’re dealing with depression, it can be even harder. Las Vegas counseling can help you maintain motivation and reach your personal goals.

Maintain Motivation

Depression can make it difficult for you to engage in your normal activities. A therapist can help you sustain motivation, identify goals, and work with you to break them down into manageable steps that increase your optimism and self-confidence.


When feeling depressed taking action of any kind sounds impossible. While it’s always important to give depression the attention it needs, it’s equally important to understand the concept of “mind over matter” can help create motivation when you’re depressed. In other words, if you make just a few changes in mindset, you can change your experience with depression.

Improve Low Motivation

There are many ways counseling can help you improve motivation. Here are just three:

  1. A counselor can help you discover new skills you can connect to a life situation and personal goals.
  2. A counselor can help you learn to focus on positive experiences and expectations as a way to reach your goals. Revisiting past successes helps you identify strengths and abilities you may not see while depressed.
  3. A counselor can help re-frame negative experiences in a more positive light. It’s easy to get discouraged about the future when your depression causes you to think about unpleasant past experiences. You can learn to recognize the coping skills you once used to get through a tough time are, in fact, strengths that can be used in the present moment.

How Las Vegas Counseling can Help

Depression does not have to consume your motivation. With the help of Las Vegas counseling, you can learn how to stay motivated and continue to work towards your goal, even while dealing with depression. Call Kayenta Therapy at 702-438-7800 to learn more.

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Tips from Family Therapists on Managing Work Stress and Home Life

Work-life balance is described as the ability to find harmony between the day-to-day responsibilities at work and the precious hours you spend off the clock. It’s easier said than done. A recent study revealed that up to 60 percent of all Americans have an unhealthy work-life balance, which is no way to live. So how […]

Work-life balance is described as the ability to find harmony between the day-to-day responsibilities at work and the precious hours you spend off the clock. It’s easier said than done. A recent study revealed that up to 60 percent of all Americans have an unhealthy work-life balance, which is no way to live.

So how do you manage work stress and home life to achieve the elusive work-life balance? You can start with tips from family therapists in Las Vegas:

Set goals (but keep them manageable)

Research shows, people who are in control of their work experience less stress. One easy way to gain control over workloads and deadlines is to set reasonable and manageable goals. If you make a “to-do” list, eliminate the things that don’t matter and accomplish the things that do matter, you will be likely to experience less stress.

Make the most of your time

Procrastination is a catalyst for stress. The longer you wait to take on a task, the more insurmountable it seems in your mind.

So take on those big projects. Start by breaking them down into smaller tasks and completing each one before moving on to the next. Not only will you accomplish something, but you will spend less time worrying and stressing.

Communicate

Questions, concerns and frustrations are not meant to be buried inside of you. Hold enough of them in and you just might burst like a balloon.

Instead, communicate with your colleagues, friends and family about what’s bothering you. Hearing yourself talk about a problem might help put the problem in perspective. It might also lead to finding a solution.

Unplug and recharge

There was a time around the turn of the century when people were able to unplug. Cell phones, internet access and instant messages were not ubiquitous–and that’s a good thing. Sadly, too many people never unplug or take time to recharge.

By switching things off once in a while and getting away from work, you are more likely to feel more relaxed, especially at home.

Practice self-care

Eating right, exercising, getting enough sleep and learning how to relax are critically important. Regardless of how busy you are at work or at home, you owe it to yourself to make the conscious and active choice to engage in activities that are good for you physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Asking for help from a family therapist

Set your pride aside and ask for help. Talk to your supervisor, reach out to family, or seek professional support from a family therapist in Las Vegas.

Kayenta Therapy Centers has family therapists that can meet with you and help you achieve a work-life balance. Connect with Kayenta Therapy Centers today–and start experiencing the harmony you deserve. Call 702-438-7800 to learn more.

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8 Signs It’s time to See a Counselor

Whether it’s one particular area of your life, or the combination of everything together, therapy is something everyone can access to get the tools and the skills needed to live a stronger life. Most people think you need a specific mental illness to benefit from therapy. The truth is that stress, anxiety, or even just […]

Whether it’s one particular area of your life, or the combination of everything together, therapy is something everyone can access to get the tools and the skills needed to live a stronger life. Most people think you need a specific mental illness to benefit from therapy. The truth is that stress, anxiety, or even just feeling overwhelmed are all things a counseling center in Las Vegas can help with.

Not sure therapy is right for you? Here are 8 signs it’s time to see a therapist at Kayenta Therapy.

1. Intense Feelings

While a full range of emotions is normal, being overcome with rage, sadness, anxiety, or only being able to see the worst in every situation isn’t something you have to live with.

2. Life Struggles

Life comes with struggles that we all face. However, there can be certain circumstances such as breakups, loss of a job or the death of a loved one where the grief can be long-lasting and get in the way of your health. A counseling center can help you find ways to experience these feelings in a healthy way so you can stay engaged with your best life.

3. Unexplained Physical Problems

Chronic headaches, stomach aches, a diminished sex drive, and aches and pains your doctor cannot seem to find a cause for may be linked to stress or other emotional sources. Not every unexplained physical problem is caused by mental health issues but a therapist may be able to give you additional answers your primary care doctor couldn’t.

4. Substance Use

Even if you don’t consider yourself an addict, if you feel like you need a drink or medication to cope with the everyday, a therapist will give you healthier, long-lasting alternatives. If you find yourself turning to food for comfort, or avoiding food when you’re stressed, we can help.

5. Difficulty at Work

Adults spend most of their time at work. If you’re not as productive as you used to be or you’re consistently receiving poor feedback, a therapist can help you get to the bottom of the problem.

6. Loss of Interest

Our tastes change over the years. What was exciting and fun at 21 might be exhausting and chaotic at 40. On the other hand, if you’re suddenly uninterested in a favorite hobby or you’re avoiding social gatherings you once enjoyed, there might be more to the story.

7. Strained Relationships

If relationships–from partners to parents to children–seems harder than it should be or if you’re having trouble explaining how you feel or what you need, therapy can help. Individual counseling can help you identify problems and family therapy can help bring families back together.

8. Concern from Others

If your friends and family are frequently concerned about your well-being, take them seriously. Other people in our lives can often spot things we are blind to.

Reaching Out to a Counseling Center in Las Vegas

If any of these apply to you, or if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed and you’re ready to find your way out, we can help. Contact Kayenta, a counseling center in Las Vegas, at 702-438-7800 to learn more.

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6 Reasons Therapists Encourage You to Try Talk Therapy

Some people believe talk therapy is for those who have no one else to talk to, or for those who are unable to successfully deal with their own problems. Nothing could be further from the truth. Talk therapy emphasizes the importance of a patient speaking to a therapist to express and resolve different issues in […]

Some people believe talk therapy is for those who have no one else to talk to, or for those who are unable to successfully deal with their own problems. Nothing could be further from the truth. Talk therapy emphasizes the importance of a patient speaking to a therapist to express and resolve different issues in their life.

Knowing how to deal with big and small problems in a healthy way is a valuable and essential life skill. Here are six reasons how talk therapy can help:

1. Therapists are Objective

Many believe talking to friends and family is as, or more effective, than talk therapy with a professional. Objectivity, though, is the real value in talk therapy because your therapist has no connection with the people associated in your personal life that would cloud their approach to your problem.

2. Therapy Has Long-Lasting Effects

As you participate in therapy, you not only work through current issues, you learn to develop tools that help you deal with future problems.

3. Therapy Helps You Develop Empathy

One of the greatest benefits of talk therapy is it helps you gain a new perspective on other people, too. You may learn how assumptions often lead to misunderstandings and may come to realize it helps to ask when unsure of someone’s intentions and motivations.

4. Therapy is For You and Your Loved Ones

You’re a common denominator in all your relationships. Learning how to improve your communication skills, your sense of empathy and responsibility, is beneficial to you and those around you.

5. Therapy Helps Your Physical Health

The connection between emotional and physical health is well-documented. Not dealing with your emotional health can lead to poor eating habits, lack of physical exercise, and overindulgence in alcohol or drugs. Overall health requires balance and talk therapy can be the key to obtaining that.

6. It’s Smart to Take Care of Your Mental Health

Talk therapy will help you build mental strength, confront your problems, learn to value vulnerability, and recognize that staying mentally fit is just as important as eating the right foods and getting a good night’s sleep. You work to keep your body healthy, why not your brain, as well?

Contact Kayenta and Schedule a Las Vegas Therapy Session

With the help of our Las Vegas therapy, you can learn how to use talk therapy to improve your life. If you’d like to explore how talk therapy can benefit you, call Kayenta Therapy at 702-438-7800 today.

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Common Relationship Problems Couples Therapy in Las Vegas Can Help With

Something is wrong in your relationship and you cannot figure out what it is. Or you may know exactly what it is, but can never get it resolved. When it comes to couples therapy, Las Vegas counselors know most problems boil down to a few things. Let’s look at a few of the most common […]

Something is wrong in your relationship and you cannot figure out what it is. Or you may know exactly what it is, but can never get it resolved. When it comes to couples therapy, Las Vegas counselors know most problems boil down to a few things.
Let’s look at a few of the most common relationship problems and how couples counseling can help.

Life Stages and Changes

A spouse is retiring. The last kid is going off to college. One partner makes a major career change. All of these are life stages and changes which can cause stress in any relationship. Relationship counseling can help spouses or partners stay connected during these transitions and teach them how to communicate even in the most stressful times.

Money

How to manage money is one of the most common reasons couples come in for therapy. When both partners have different ideas on how to manage money, it can drive them apart. While couples therapy cannot solve all financial problems, it can help couples learn how to communicate and negotiate their way to mutually satisfying solutions.

Parenting Conflicts

Parents don’t always agree on how to raise or guide their children through life. Conflicts can arise which drive the parents apart. This has a negative effect on their relationship and on how the children perceive the parents. The good news is parenting is not a competition. Therapy can help partners work through parenting conflicts and develop strategies for handling conflicts in the future.

In-Law Problems

This is a bit of a cliché, but in-law problems are actually quite common in troubled couples. One partner may always side with their parents, against the other partner. Or, the in-laws are too involved with the couple or the family unit. In couples therapy, both partners will learn how to support each other and manage extended family involvement.

Intimacy Problems

Intimacy is not the same as sex, though sex is definitely part of couples’ intimacy. Intimacy is the closeness couples share. It includes close familiarity and friendship. When intimacy is not there, it can damage the emotional connections between couples. A trained therapist can help spouses reconnect with each other on an intimate level.

Emotional Distance

Life goes by and partners grow apart. They may have emotional needs that are not met, which only makes the distance wider. Learning how to reconnect with your partner is often the goal of couples therapy. It offers a chance for both to express their needs and find resolutions to long-seated problems.

Schedule an Appointment for Couples Therapy in Las Vegas through Kayenta

Of course, there are other areas where a relationship can break down. That’s why seeking a therapist who can help identify the area(s) of conflict and outline solutions is important. If you and your partner are having trouble, call Kayenta Therapy at 702-438-7800 and schedule an appointment for couples therapy in Las Vegas.

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5 Ways to Decrease Your Anxiety With the Help of Las Vegas Therapy

Your thoughts are racing. Your chest feels tight. You’re short of breath. These are all signs your anxiety is back. Anxiety is one of the conditions most people can manage, but it takes focus and commitment to make it happen. Let’s look at five ways you can decrease your anxiety, alongside Las Vegas therapy. 1. […]

Your thoughts are racing. Your chest feels tight. You’re short of breath. These are all signs your anxiety is back. Anxiety is one of the conditions most people can manage, but it takes focus and commitment to make it happen. Let’s look at five ways you can decrease your anxiety, alongside Las Vegas therapy.

1. Use Deep Breathing

During an anxiety episode, most people experience rapid breathing, which can lead to shortness of breath. Deep breathing can help calm anxiety as well as bring breathing back under control. Practicing it regularly will help you manage an anxiety attack that comes out of nowhere.

  • Sit with your eyes closed. Don’t try to control your breath at this point. Pay attention to how the breath feels as it comes in and out of the nose.
  • Breathe in deeply for a count of four. Hold for a count of three. Exhale for a count of four. Repeat this cycle.
  • Concentrate on your breathing. Let everything else fade away. Your mind may be a hive of activity, but concentrate on how you’re breathing. If you find yourself thinking of anything else, go back to breathing.

2. Adopt Good Sleeping Habits

Sleep deprivation plays havoc on the brain. It ups overall anxiety and increases the brain’s need to anticipate everything. Building good sleeping habits is one of the first steps that can help avoid these symptoms.

Go to bed at a regular time. Sleep in a dark room at a comfortable temperature. Wear ear plugs or a sleeping mask if necessary. It may take a while, but over time your body will thank you for getting to sleep.

3. Reduce Caffeine, Sugar, and Processed Food Intake

Caffeine increases the heart rate. Sugar stimulates the adrenal gland. Processed foods often contain ingredients which overstimulate the central nervous system, contributing to anxiety attacks and heart palpitations.

Eliminating these items, or at least reducing your intake, helps prevent anxiety symptoms.<p

4. Exercise

Therapy professionals recommend regular, vigorous exercise to their anxiety patients. Exercise fires up the endorphins, which helps give them a sense of calm. It can help clear the mind and also promote healthy sleep patterns.

Go out for a 20-minute walk. Take a yoga or aerobics class. Take a bike ride in the evening or early morning.

5. Get Routine Medical Exams

Ask the doctor if you might have a condition or be using a medication which might increase your anxiety levels

Contact Kayenta and Schedule a Las Vegas Therapy Session

Anxiety does not have to rule your life. With the help of Las Vegas therapy and some of these coping strategies, you can reduce your anxiety and learn how to manage life without the panicky feelings that crop up unexpectedly. If you need help controlling your anxiety, call Kayenta Therapy at 702-438-7800 to schedule an appointment with a licensed therapist today

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6 Ways Las Vegas Family Therapy Can Reduce Your Child’s Stress

Childhood should be a carefree time when kids don’t have to worry about much. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. A large number of school-aged children experience stress. It’s detrimental for their emotional and physical well-being. If your child is stressed and needs help, Las Vegas family therapy may be the answer. How Family Therapy […]

Childhood should be a carefree time when kids don’t have to worry about much. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. A large number of school-aged children experience stress. It’s detrimental for their emotional and physical well-being. If your child is stressed and needs help, Las Vegas family therapy may be the answer.

How Family Therapy Can Help a Child’s Stress

  1. It encourages your child to face their fears. Avoiding a fear actually maintains or increases stress levels. Facing a fear and dealing with it teaches a child the fear is only temporary and will go away once it’s dealt with. It also builds the child’s self-confidence, reducing stress over time.
  2. It encourages your child to express their anxiety. Family therapy offers your child the chance to express their emotions. If your child is worried or scared, let them talk about it. Never dismiss those emotions or make them less than what the child is feeling.
  3. It helps your child learn how to focus on positives instead of negatives. It is very easy for a child to get lost in negative thoughts or feelings. Family therapy can help your child focus on what is positive and good. This will teach them how to manage stress levels on their own.
  4. It teaches your child how to problem solve. One way to face a stressful situation is to come up with a solution to solve it. That doesn’t mean a parent swooping in to save the day. It means encouraging the child to come up with their own solutions, or providing options for the child to choose from.
  5. It tells your child they don’t need to be perfect. Kids feel a lot of pressure to be perfect in school, at sports, or in performance situations. That can put plenty of stress on the child. Therapy can teach both the child and the parent that perfection is not the goal. Encourage a child to work hard, but accepting their mistakes and imperfections, is the better option.
  6. It gives you the chance to model the right behaviors. Family therapy focuses on all members of the family, not just the child. Parents can learn how to handle stressful situations and model the right behavior. Kids learn by watching parents. If you’re managing stress in a healthy, positive way, so will your child.

Contact Kayenta for Las Vegas Family Therapy Today

Stress is an ongoing challenge for anyone. But, a child may have a harder time coping due to their emotional and mental immaturity. Las Vegas family therapy can help your child learn how to face fears and express emotions appropriately. It gives you the chance to model the right behaviors so your child can too. If your child needs help managing his or her stress, contact Kayenta Therapy today at 702-438-7800.

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Solve Relationship Conflicts with Marriage Counselingin Las Vegas

Conflicts happen, when two people are in an intimate relationship. They can be as minor as deciding what’s for dinner and as major as determining whether to have children or not. Spouses who communicate well and work together to resolve issues can work through most any conflict. However, when one or both spouses lack the […]

Conflicts happen, when two people are in an intimate relationship. They can be as minor as deciding what’s for dinner and as major as determining whether to have children or not. Spouses who communicate well and work together to resolve issues can work through most any conflict.

However, when one or both spouses lack the skills or willingness to work together, even minor conflicts can cause serious rifts. Left unresolved, these rifts have the potential of ending even the strongest marriages.

If your relationship is under stress from unresolved conflicts, you need to consider marriage counseling in Las Vegas.

Healthy vs. Unhealthy Resolution of Conflict

Do any of these comments sound familiar?

  • You never change a diaper.
  • I’m your wife not your mother.
  • You never listen to me.
  • You’re such a slob.
  • You spend too much on makeup. Do you think I am made of money?
  • Why do you spend so much time with your buddies and never spend a spare moment with me?

These comments, and ones just like them, are red flags of a relationship in trouble. The couple has not resolved normal conflicts, causing ever-growing rifts in the relationship. If the couple doesn’t address the conflicts in a healthy way, the rifts are only going to grow deeper.

Marriage counseling in Las Vegas can help both spouses. It can help them learn how to resolve underlying conflicts in a healthy way. It can also help rebuild the strength of the relationship as both spouses learn what the other needs and work together to come up with a solution.

Here are some skills couples learn in counseling:

  • Addressing conflict in a direct manner without assaulting the other person’s character. Telling someone they’re a control freak or a slob puts that person on the defensive, making it difficult to resolve the situation.
  • Keeping generalizations out of the conversation. “Always” and “never” are common generalizations that tend to escalate disagreements.
  • Developing active listening skills. Interrupting the other person or not paying attention shows disrespect.
  • Avoiding negativity. It is so easy to get into a pattern of trading insults and contemptuous comments over and over again.
  • Learning to walk away when necessary. Taking a time out and letting tempers calm down can keep grievances from escalating further.

These skills can help marital partners address ongoing conflicts as well as any that arise in the future. They can improve communication and help rebuild the strength of the marital relationship.

Do You Need Marriage Counseling in Las Vegas?

If you and your spouse have ongoing conflicts that remain unresolved, it’s time to consider marriage counseling in Las Vegas. Kayenta Therapy Centers can help. They have offered counseling services for over 25 years. Call them today at 702-438-7800 to schedule an appointment.

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