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Dr. Teresa Smith

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Benefits of Therapy Dogs

It has been said many times that dogs are man’s best friend. If you’ve ever had the privilege of sharing your life and home with a dog, you know they are wonderful companions.

Therapy dogs, in particular, offer tremendous emotional support to their humans. Therapy dogs sometimes live right in a person’s home, but they can also visit a variety of environments such as nursing homes, hospitals and schools.

Here are just some of the many benefits of therapy dogs:

Improve Our Mental Health

Dogs have a very calming effect on us. In fact, many studies have found they can actually decrease your blood pressure. But in addition, they seem to be able to lessen the symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Help Children Who Have Been Abused

Children find it much easier to talk to animals than adult humans. This is especially true for children who have suffered some form of abuse. Many therapy dogs are used in child-abuse centers where they help children feel safe enough to express their emotions.

Helping with PTSD

Therapy dogs have been used to help war veterans who are experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Improved Physical Health

Sometimes people, especially seniors, need a reason to get up and go. A therapy dog is a great reason to take a walk around the block. This increase in activity can have a significant benefit on a person’s physical health.

True Companionship

So many in our communities are isolated and lonely. Therapy dogs can provide wonderful companionship. I have seen people go from sad to happy in less than a day when a dog suddenly came into their life!

If you are interested in getting a therapy dog for yourself or a loved one, you can do a search for therapy dog trainers in your local area.

SOURCES:

https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/how-therapy-dogs-can-improve-well-being-0527137

https://www.verywellmind.com/therapy-dogs-benefits-2615438

The Surprising Benefits Of Therapy Dogs This 2022

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Couples: How to Regulate Yourself During Difficult Conversations

Sharing your life with someone means having open and honest conversations, even when those conversations are a bit difficult. But that’s easier said than done.

During hard conversations, it’s common for many people to become triggered by something their partner has said. Calm one moment, but the next they’re thrown into “fight or flight” mode, their brain sensing danger. Before they know it, the most primitive part of their brain is activated in an effort to help them survive. And this is when things can get ugly. Because it’s fairly impossible to speak calmly and rationally when your entire body is in survival mode.

Luckily there are things we can do during difficult conversations to regulate our emotional responses and keep ourselves calm and level-headed.

Pause and Breathe

As soon as you start to feel triggered, pause and take a few slow, deep breaths. While deep breathing may seem like a cliche, it is actually a very powerful tool that helps us get out of “fight or flight” mode and into a more relaxed state. When we breathe slowly and deeply, it sends a signal to our brain that we are out of danger.

Use Your Senses

Another effective way to regulate your emotions in the moment is to focus your attention on a physical sensation. You could take a sip of water and really feel the sensation of drinking, or you could run your fingers along the seam of the sofa cushion.

Listen Fully

It is so common in a conversation to listen to form a response. But when we do this it is far easier to misunderstand what the other person is really saying. Be sure to listen to understand, not to form a response.

Difficult conversations are inevitable when you are in any kind of relationship. But if you use these tips to regulate yourself, you can remain calm and communicate effectively with your partner.

SOURCES:

https://www.hope-wellness.com/blog/hard-relationship-conversations

How to Self-Regulate During a Difficult Conversation

https://hbr.org/2017/12/how-to-control-your-emotions-during-a-difficult-conversation

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Mental Health Benefits of Gratitude Journals

At some point in their life, many people will face a mental health crisis. Perhaps it is the stress from a divorce, anxiety from a move, or grieving the loss of a loved one. There are numerous ways we can tackle mental health to make our entire well-being a priority. But one method that not nearly enough people speak about is gratitude.

Gratitude, or a feeling of thankfulness, is a powerful alchemist. It can instantly and dramatically change your mood. When one is feeling grateful, it is hard for them to feel anything else. And while you can easily think about all of the things you are thankful for, it is a better idea to write them down in a journal.

Here are some of the mental health benefits of keeping a gratitude journal:

It Helps Us Feel Valued

When we recognize how many blessings we have been given, it is natural for the perception of our own value and worth to increase. This boost in value and self-esteem has been shown to decrease feelings of anxiety, depression and stress.

It Minimizes Negative Behaviors

As I mentioned, when we are focused on the positive, it is almost impossible for us to think about the negative aspects of our lives. This focus on positivity translates into better choices and behavior. We become kinder as well as more empathic and generous. These new ways of feeling and being continually perpetuate goodness coming into our life. And the new cycle continues.

It Helps Motivate Us

When we allow ourselves to feel grateful, we begin to feel more and more inspired. This newfound inspiration ignites our inner passion and motivates us to become our best selves.

I cannot recommend gratitude journals enough. I have seen them perform miracles in my clients’ lives. If you need some help getting started on your gratitude journey, get in touch with me. I would love to discuss more how gratitude journals, and counseling in general, may be able to help you with the mental health challenges you are facing.

SOURCES:

https://www.wellrx.com/news/how-a-gratitude-journal-can-support-your-mental-health/

https://www.sportskeeda.com/health-and-fitness/6-mental-health-benefits-keeping-gratitude-journal

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/comfort-gratitude/202006/the-positive-impact-gratitude-mental-health

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How Counseling Can Help With Big Life Changes

They say there are only two things in life you can count on: death and taxes. I would add a third: changes. Every person goes through changes in life. And some of those changes can be significant.

Whether you are graduating, starting a new job, moving to a new city, or ending a relationship, you may find dealing with change to be stressful. But there is good news. Counseling can absolutely help you navigate these big life changes so you can make the absolute best decision for you.

Here are some ways counseling can help with big life changes:

Managing Expectations

There’s the change itself, and then there’s what we expect life to be during and after the change. Often we can feel stress when reality does not align with our expectations of reality. Counseling can help you manage your expectations so that the transition is peaceful and realistic.

A Positive Framework

Change means one door closes as another one opens. But many people put all of their focus and attention on that closing door. Focusing on an ending can make us feel depressed and anxious.

A counselor can help you focus on the new opportunities ahead of you. This can improve your state of mind, which will ultimately help you make the most of the current situation.

Self-Care

For many of us, change means burning the candle at both ends and not taking care of ourselves. Counseling can remind us (as many times as needed) that we need to make our physical and mental health a priority during this transition.

Now that you see some of the ways counseling can help you through the biggest changes in your life, it’s time to find a counselor who can help you find insight and fresh perspective. If you’d like to explore counseling further, please reach out to me. I’d be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

SOURCES:

https://onlinedegrees.bradley.edu/blog/six-ways-counselors-can-help-clients-dealing-with-major-change/

http://creativeresolutionsinc.com/2021/07/20/how-counseling-can-help-you-through-life-changes/

Adjusting to Big Life Changes

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