OCD Archives - Blossom Counseling

Understanding ACT and ERP for OCD: Effective Therapies for Real Change

When it comes to navigating the challenges of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), finding the right therapeutic approach can feel like untangling a complex web of thoughts and behaviors. Two evidence-based therapies, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), have emerged as powerful tools in helping individuals reclaim their lives from the grip […]

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OCD, Therapy, Treatments

How to Respond to Negative Self-Talk

Negative self-talk is so much more common than most of us tend to realize! Basically, negative self-talk is a clinical term we use to describe and identify the negative things that we say and think to ourselves. Some common examples include: “Wow, I guess I just can’t do anything right” “Why isn’t my life as

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Anxiety, Children, College/Students, Couples, Depression, Family, Grief, How To, OCD, Parenting, Stress, Teens

How to Win with Confidence Affirmations

Self-confidence is something that many people struggle with. It can be very easy to compare yourself to others or doubt yourself and your abilities. Sometimes this lack of confidence may lead you to avoid speaking up for yourself or doing something that you might really want to, due to fear of others’ reactions or fear

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Anxiety, Children, College/Students, Depression, How To, OCD, Professional/Work, Stress, Teens

Test Anxiety? Here’s How to Fix it

Whether it is the SATs or a test in math class, test anxiety plagues many high schoolers. Students experience a lot of pressure, both external and internal, to do well on exams, but the anxiety often has a counterproductive effect. Of course a little stress can be helpful. If there is no stress at all,

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Anxiety, College/Students, How To, OCD, Stress, Teens

10 Books to Support Children with Anxiety

Wilma Jean the Worry Machine by Julia Cook Anxiety continues to be a common ailment in children, especially given the current climate today. In this colorful, fun, book, children can relate to Wilma as she struggles to understand and manage her anxiety. It also provides tips and strategies to help parents and children become more

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Anxiety, Children, Family, OCD, Parenting, Stress, Wellness

11 Unexpected Thinking Patterns that Effect Your Day

Just as people have patterns or habits of doing things throughout their day without really thinking about it – putting your keys on a hook when you come inside, avoiding a pothole for so long that even after it’s been filled you still drive around the spot – we have patterns or habits for the

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Anxiety, Depression, OCD, Stress, Wellness

8 Ways Your Furry Friend Boosts Your Mental Health

The role that our furry friends play in our daily lives is significant. As a mental health clinician, I find myself speaking about my clients pets quite often. When I reflect on the frequency of conversations regarding our pets and the positive effect on one’s mental health in my practice, it makes complete sense to

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Animal-Assisted, Anxiety, Children, College/Students, Depression, Grief, OCD, Stress, Teens, Therapy, Treatments, Wellness

Supporting Each Other When Your Child Has a Mental Illness

Your child has been diagnosed with a serious mental illness. After months and years of trying to understand why traditional parenting methods have not been successful, you are beginning to understand why. Remember, mental illnesses often have a biological component. They are not the result of bad parenting, and they probably couldn’t have been prevented

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Anxiety, Children, Couples, Depression, Family, Grief, How To, OCD, Parenting, Stress, Teens

How to Turn Galaxy Jars into Your Favorite Coping Tool

We hear a lot about mindfulness and meditation as ways to achieve “calm” and lessen anxiety. Mindfulness and meditation are great tools that can be achieved by almost anyone if various options are explored. The Galaxy Jar is a fun DIY idea to children and adults! Creating the jar and watching the swirls flow around,

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Anxiety, Art Therapy, Children, Depression, How To, OCD, Stress, Teens, Therapy, Treatments

How ACT Can Inspire You to Find Comfort in Acceptance

Acceptance and commitment therapy is a therapeutic technique that falls under the CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) umbrella. CBT therapy targets a person’s cognitions (or thoughts), behaviors, and feelings. A cognitive behavioral therapist may use a variety of techniques such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to enhance their practice. ACT practitioners use a CBT lens to

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Anxiety, Depression, OCD, Stress, Teens, Therapy, Treatments