The Grouport Journal

Explore all things mental health. Check out some of our latest journals below.

Navigating Narcissism: Establishing and Maintaining Boundaries

Mental Health

Navigating Narcissism: Establishing and Maintaining Boundaries

Dealing with a narcissist can be challenging, especially when it comes to establishing and maintaining boundaries. Narcissists often have difficulty recognizing and respecting the boundaries of others, which can lead to conflicts and emotional distress. This article will delve into the complexities of narcissism, the importance of boundaries, and practical strategies for setting and maintaining these boundaries when dealing with a narcissist.

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The Anatomy of Overwhelm: Understanding and Managing Emotional Overload

Mental Health

The Anatomy of Overwhelm: Understanding and Managing Emotional Overload

Feeling overwhelmed is a common experience that many people grapple with, especially in today's fast-paced world. It can manifest as an intense surge of emotion, where feelings become too much to manage, often leading to stress, anxiety, and fatigue. This article delves into understanding the state of emotional overwhelm, what triggers it, and effective ways to manage and navigate this emotional state.

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Therapy Frequency: Understanding the Common Patterns

Mental Health

Therapy Frequency: Understanding the Common Patterns

Therapy is a valuable tool for addressing a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and mental health issues. It can be tailored to the unique needs of each individual, which includes the frequency of sessions. People often wonder about the ideal frequency of therapy sessions. This article will explore how often people typically attend therapy and the factors that influence this frequency.

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Do Therapists Give Advice? Exploring the Nature of Therapeutic Guidance

Mental Health

Do Therapists Give Advice? Exploring the Nature of Therapeutic Guidance

Therapy, a vital component of mental health care, is a collaborative process between the therapist and client. A commonly held assumption about therapy is that it predominantly involves a therapist giving advice. However, the reality of therapeutic work is much more nuanced. This article will explore the unique dynamics of therapy, addressing the question of whether therapists provide advice, and illustrating what they do instead to support their clients' journey towards healing and self-improvement.

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The Unfamiliar Reflection: Understanding the Feeling of Not Recognizing Yourself

Mental Health

The Unfamiliar Reflection: Understanding the Feeling of Not Recognizing Yourself

Feeling as though you do not recognize yourself can be a bewildering and even distressing experience. It often occurs when you perceive a disconnection between your external presentation and your internal self-perception. This article explores the reasons why you might not recognize yourself, the implications, and some steps to reconnect with your true self.

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Approval From The Outside: Understanding External Validation

Mental Health

Approval From The Outside: Understanding External Validation

External validation refers to the process of seeking or receiving affirmation, acceptance, or approval from outside oneself. While everyone appreciates acknowledgement and acceptance, relying too heavily on external validation can have significant implications for mental health and self-esteem. This article delves into the concept of external validation, its origins, and its impact on individuals.

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Unfenced Terrain: Lack of Boundaries Personality Type

Mental Health

Unfenced Terrain: Lack of Boundaries Personality Type

Boundaries play a critical role in relationships and personal well-being. They establish the limits of acceptable behavior, protect individuality, and promote respect. However, certain personality types have difficulty setting or maintaining boundaries. The lack of boundaries personality type often struggles with assertiveness, personal space, and autonomy. This article delves into the characteristics and implications of this personality type.

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Drawing the Lines: Examples of Boundaries with Family

Mental Health

Drawing the Lines: Examples of Boundaries with Family

In every relationship, boundaries are essential for maintaining a healthy interaction and preserving individuality and respect. Establishing boundaries with family members can often be more challenging due to the emotional depth and complexities associated with these relationships. This article aims to provide examples of effective boundaries that can be established within the family setting.

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BIPOC Mental Health Month: Its Importance and Objectives

Mental Health

BIPOC Mental Health Month: Its Importance and Objectives

BIPOC Mental Health Month, formerly known as Minority Mental Health Month, takes place every year in July, highlighting the unique struggles faced by underrepresented groups in the United States. BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and the observance aims to raise awareness about the distinct mental health needs and disparities affecting these communities. This article delves into the significance of BIPOC Mental Health Month, the specific challenges faced by these communities, and the call to action that the month embodies.

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Navigating the High Seas: Dealing with a Dramatic Family

Mental Health

Navigating the High Seas: Dealing with a Dramatic Family

Dramatic families, characterized by heightened emotions and conflict, can be challenging to manage. However, understanding the dynamics, the effects, and strategies to cope can help individuals navigate the stormy seas of dramatic family relationships. This article delves into the ins and outs of dealing with a dramatic family, providing insights and guidance for those who find themselves amidst familial drama.

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Why Do Some Brains Enjoy Fear?

Mental Health

Why Do Some Brains Enjoy Fear?

Fear is a primal emotion, crucial to the survival of human beings. However, its enjoyment seems counterintuitive. Yet, some individuals relish experiences that induce fear, like horror movies or thrilling rides. This article delves into the fascinating reasons why some brains enjoy fear, investigating the role of adrenaline, the brain's reward system, and the sense of accomplishment that overcoming fear can provide.

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The Healing Power of Safe Space Therapy

Mental Health

The Healing Power of Safe Space Therapy

The concept of a 'safe space' is vital in therapeutic contexts. Safe space therapy aims to create an environment where individuals feel secure, understood, and free to express themselves without fear of judgment or repercussion. This article delves into the essence of safe space therapy, its importance, and how it can be effectively created in a therapeutic setting.

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Navigating Love's Terrain: Distinguishing Healthy Relationships from Toxic Ones

Mental Health

Navigating Love's Terrain: Distinguishing Healthy Relationships from Toxic Ones

Navigating relationships can be a complex journey, often requiring careful discernment to differentiate healthy, nurturing partnerships from toxic ones. Understanding the distinction is crucial for one's emotional well-being and overall quality of life. This article delves into the characteristics of healthy versus toxic relationships, highlighting the importance of maintaining one's individuality and respect within a partnership.

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Charting the Path to Healing: Understanding Success in Therapy

Mental Health

Charting the Path to Healing: Understanding Success in Therapy

The measure of success in therapy can be subjective, varying significantly from one person to another. The term encapsulates numerous factors including symptom reduction, improved well-being, and personal growth, among others. However, understanding what constitutes success in therapy is critical, both for those seeking help and for the therapists who guide them. This article provides an insight into the definition of success in therapy, its indicators, and strategies to enhance therapeutic success.

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Paving the Path to Change: An Overview of Progress Therapy

Mental Health

Paving the Path to Change: An Overview of Progress Therapy

In the diverse realm of psychotherapy, progress therapy has emerged as a dynamic approach that focuses on the ongoing development and advancement of individuals. Rather than concentrating on diagnosing and treating mental health disorders, progress therapy centers on personal growth, change, and the journey towards achieving one's full potential. This article will delve into the concept of progress therapy, its key components, and techniques employed.

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How Therapy Dogs Improve Mental Health

Mental Health

How Therapy Dogs Improve Mental Health

In recent years, the utilization of therapy dogs in mental health treatment has gained significant attention. These specially trained animals provide comfort, relief, and a sense of companionship to individuals dealing with various mental health disorders. This article explores the role of therapy dogs in mental health improvement, the science behind it, and the wide-ranging benefits they offer.

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Establishing Boundaries with a Narcissist

Mental Health

Establishing Boundaries with a Narcissist

Maintaining a healthy relationship with a narcissist can be an arduous task. Narcissistic individuals, characterized by grandiosity, entitlement, a constant need for attention, and a lack of empathy, often violate the personal boundaries of those around them. Establishing and maintaining boundaries with a narcissist is crucial to ensure one's mental health and well-being. This article examines strategies for setting boundaries with a narcissist and ways to enforce them effectively.

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Embracing Fortuity: Navigating Life When Things Suddenly Start Going Well

Mental Health

Embracing Fortuity: Navigating Life When Things Suddenly Start Going Well

Life can sometimes be a rollercoaster ride, with ups and downs that are often unpredictable. Everyone has periods of struggle and success, and it's quite common to experience challenges and setbacks. But what happens when, unexpectedly, life starts going well? This article explores the emotions and changes that can occur when life suddenly takes a turn for the better, and how to navigate this newfound positivity in a healthy and balanced way.

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Navigating Toxic Positivity: Understanding and Mitigating Its Impact

Mental Health

Navigating Toxic Positivity: Understanding and Mitigating Its Impact

While the pursuit of positivity and happiness is a universal goal, an excessive or forced focus on positivity can result in a phenomenon known as 'toxic positivity.' This term refers to the overgeneralization of a happy, optimistic state, which results in the denial, minimization, and invalidation of authentic human emotional experience. This article explores the nature of toxic positivity, its psychological impacts, and strategies to counteract its effects.

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What Is Malingering?

Mental Health

What Is Malingering?

Malingering, a term frequently used in the medical and legal fields, refers to the intentional fabrication, exaggeration, or induction of physical or psychological symptoms for external gains. Unlike other conditions, malingering is not recognized as a psychiatric disorder, but rather as a potential issue that medical professionals must be aware of during diagnosis and treatment. This article provides a detailed understanding of malingering, the rationale behind it, and strategies to identify and manage it.

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5 Signs a DBT Skills Group is Exactly What You Need

DBT

5 Signs a DBT Skills Group is Exactly What You Need

Do you feel like you can’t get ahead? Like life is just beating you down, or that challenges are overwhelming you to the point of chronic, debilitating anxiety, depression, PTSD, disordered eating, insomnia, or other mental health concerns? Do you feel like your emotions run your life, and you’re exhausted by the ups and downs? If these experiences are familiar to you, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, could be the solution you’re looking for. ‍If you’re unfamiliar with this type of tre

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How DBT Skills Help With Economic Anxiety

All Articles

How DBT Skills Help With Economic Anxiety

Many people will argue that we are actively in a recession, while others say the worst of it is just around the corner. Rising gas and cost of goods cost, supply chain constraints, thousands of businesses going under, peak reports of bankruptcies and foreclosures… it's normal to feel stressed and anxious during these trying economic times. ‍If you’re wondering if you’re dealing with economic anxiety, consider these important symptoms: ‍Overspending: Oddly enough, for many people strugg

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How DBT Skills Help With Climate Anxiety

DBT

How DBT Skills Help With Climate Anxiety

As concerns rise for our climate and the future of our world, so does the anxiety that’s sweeping the planet. Increases in frequency of widespread wildfires and the length of wildfire season, along with rising temperatures and shifts in weather patterns leave many concerned and considering the long-term consequences for the Earth as well as the mental health of those who inhabit it. ‍The sobering ramifications of climate change are real, and present. It’s normal to react to these with emoti

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Understanding Anxiety Disorders and the Power of DBT

DBT

Understanding Anxiety Disorders and the Power of DBT

Anxiety disorders are one of the most prevalent mental health conditions worldwide, affecting millions. These disorders take various forms, each with distinct characteristics and symptoms. Fortunately, therapeutic approaches like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) provide effective treatment options. Additionally, according to the U.S. Dept of Health & Human Services, there are five significant types of anxiety conditions, which will cover here. This article will delve into five common types of anxiety disorders and discuss how DBT can aid in managing their symptoms.

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DBT Skills for Coping With Job Loss

DBT

DBT Skills for Coping With Job Loss

Careers fulfill a number of functions in our lives, including satisfying our need to achieve, bringing us income, creating a sense of belonging and stability, and helping us to feel empowered and accomplished. Therefore, when losing a job (which can often be so integrated with your identity), we can notice an immediate and significant decline in your mental health. According to a Gallup poll in 2013, unemployed Americans are more than 2x as likely to be treated for depression as those with full-

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3 Keys to Choosing the Right Online Group Therapy Option

All Articles

3 Keys to Choosing the Right Online Group Therapy Option

In digital health and wellbeing, online group therapy has become an increasingly popular choice for those seeking emotional support and connection. This is particularly true for caregivers, who often deal with high-stress levels and isolation. However, choosing the right online group therapy option can be challenging, with many choices available. Here are three crucial factors to consider when selecting an online group therapy that fits your needs.

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DBT Skills for Developing Self-Compassion

DBT

DBT Skills for Developing Self-Compassion

Although not frequently discussed when referring to Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills training, self-compassion is a beneficial and powerful side effect of this specialized type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). ‍Part of the reason DBT can result in a greater sense of self-compassion is that throughout the DBT modules, students will learn to activate their “wise mind,” which is essentially a stronger and more powerful awareness of yourself, your emotions, your instincts, and yo

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How DBT Skills Help With Everyday Stressors

DBT

How DBT Skills Help With Everyday Stressors

No matter who you are, the reality is that you will eventually deal with stress of some kind. This is a simple fact of human existence. Jobs, children, relationships, health, driving, you name it - everyone will experience stress.‍Unmanaged stress can increase your risk of conditions like obesity, heart disease, Alzheimers’s, depression, GI problems, diabetes, and asthma, along with chronic physical symptoms like headaches, nausea, and insomnia. ‍When looking to manage stress, it’s importan

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Benefits of Online Group Therapy for Caregivers

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Benefits of Online Group Therapy for Caregivers

In our digitally connected world, online group therapy has emerged as a beneficial and effective tool for individuals seeking support and connection in their caregiving journey. Often battling feelings of isolation and emotional stress, caregivers can find comfort, companionship, and practical advice through online group therapy. This innovative form of support can profoundly impact their resilience and mental health. Let's explore the significant benefits online group therapy offers to caregivers.

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Benefits of Online Group Therapy for Students

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Benefits of Online Group Therapy for Students

Midterms, finals, challenging courses, dorm life, social events, sororities and fraternities, prom, PSATs, drama club, sports, college applications, friendships, social media… you name it, the life of a student is busy and there is always something vying for your attention! ‍More and more young adults and college-aged students are understanding the value of professional therapy services, but where do you find the time to prioritize your mental health amidst your class schedule, homework, cl

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Benefits of Online Group Therapy for Parents

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Benefits of Online Group Therapy for Parents

Parents know the business of life and caring for children takes priority over self-care, often to the detriment of mental health. It’s easy to get caught up in the day to day rush of waking children for school, packing lunches, running errands, sports practices and games and other extracurricular activities. For a lot of parents, mental health winds up on the back-burner of the constant hustle and bustle of family life. Squeezing in your own therapy sessions can be a chore, and has to take a bac

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Benefits of Online Group Therapy for Working Professionals

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Benefits of Online Group Therapy for Working Professionals

For working professionals like entrepreneurs, doctors, teachers, lawyers, authors, scientists, accountants, and so much more, the daily strain of rigorous scheduling, deadlines, project management, people management, and more can be overwhelming. The daily grind can put a significant strain on the mental health of working professionals, which in turn can aggravate or even kickstart conditions like chronic anxiety, depression, disordered eating, and more. ‍With conflicting priorities often v

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Setting and Achieving Treatment Goals with Online Group Therapy

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Setting and Achieving Treatment Goals with Online Group Therapy

Effective therapy can shorten the distance between where you are now and where you want to be. Increasing your quality of life through group therapy can be a particularly effective solution, as group therapy (both online and in-person) increases the accountability and support around your mental health journey, which improves your chance of success. ‍Good online group therapy is backed by science and years of studies, and good therapy will get you most of the way to where you want to be. Get

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The Power of Group Therapy: How Shared Experiences Can Help You Heal

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The Power of Group Therapy: How Shared Experiences Can Help You Heal

For plenty of individuals around the world struggling to establish a sense of normalcy and better mental health, individual weekly sessions aren’t enough. Overcoming daily symptoms and improving your quality of life can require additional accountability and support - two major benefits of group therapy. ‍Whether you’re managing mild to severe symptoms of mental health conditions on your own, were recently discharged from outpatient services, or just completed a mental health inpatient progr

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How DBT Helps with Bipolar Disorder

DBT

How DBT Helps with Bipolar Disorder

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) techniques are being used in increasing measure in the treatment of various mood disorders and mental health conditions beyond their original intended use (for Borderline Personality Disorder), including for Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar Disorder is a highly recurrent and disabling condition marked by major depressive state and manic episodes. ‍The reason DBT shows evidence of success in treatment of Bipolar Disorder is likely because there is growing reason t

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DBT Skills to Know - Self-Soothing

DBT

DBT Skills to Know - Self-Soothing

The Distress Tolerance module of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) incorporates a number of types of Distress Tolerance skills designed to help distract us and get us through challenging emotions in situations where we feel a loss of control. Decreasing emotional distress as a symptom of situational challenges is one of the primary goals of DBT. There are a number of skills trainings that go into the Distress Tolerance module which can help with this, including: ‍ACCEPTSTIP IMPRO

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DBT Skills to Know - Non-Judgmental Stance

DBT

DBT Skills to Know - Non-Judgmental Stance

Developing a non-judgmental way of thinking is a critical component of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills training, and falls under the Mindfulness module. Mindfulness helps teach participants to observe their own behavior, thoughts and feelings, and to stay grounded and present in the moment. Learning how to do this is the first step in developing new behaviors and making healthy changes. ‍The Mindfulness module of DBT focuses on our need to improve self-observation and awareness th

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DBT Skills to Know - Setting Goals

DBT

DBT Skills to Know - Setting Goals

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was originally created for the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder by Marsha Linehan in the 1970’s. This structured variation on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy consists of what is often a year-long process of walking through the four main modules, and usually involves both group therapy, individual therapy, and even on-call phone consultations to mitigate crisis situations in the patient’s life as they may arise. ‍While the initial phase of DBT invo

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How to Use DBT Skills to Cope in Crisis

DBT

How to Use DBT Skills to Cope in Crisis

If you’ve ever felt your emotions are so completely overwhelming that you can’t restabilize yourself and may return to unhealthy or high risk behaviors, DBT can help.  Helping individuals to cope in crisis situations is one of the primary goals of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). The skills and tools taught throughout DBT can be used in a variety of circumstances and throughout many daily experiences to minimize stress and reduce emotional suffering. If you’re dealing with a high-st

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Utilizing Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Anxiety Regulation: Three Quick Skills

DBT

Utilizing Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Anxiety Regulation: Three Quick Skills

Anxiety can be an overwhelming and pervasive mental health challenge, affecting millions worldwide. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), emphasizing practical skills for managing distress and regulating emotions, can be useful for those looking to control their anxiety better. This article will highlight three quick DBT skills that can be used to regulate anxiety: "STOP," "TIPP," and "Wise Mind."

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