The Grouport Journal

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

Timeline of Habit Formation: The Process of Creating Lasting Routines

Mental Health

Timeline of Habit Formation: The Process of Creating Lasting Routines

The process of habit formation is a fascinating journey that reflects our ability to adapt and evolve. Habits, whether they involve daily exercise, healthier eating, or time management, can significantly impact our lifestyle and well-being. While the common adage states it takes 21 days to form a habit, research suggests the timeline can be quite varied. Unraveling the timeline of habit formation can offer useful insights into human behavior and personal development.

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Sublimation Defense Mechanism: Channeling Emotions into Constructive Outlets

Mental Health

Sublimation Defense Mechanism: Channeling Emotions into Constructive Outlets

Sublimation is a term used in psychology to describe a type of defense mechanism where negative emotions or instinctual drives are converted into positive actions or behavior. It is considered one of the mature defenses, as it allows individuals to transform potentially destructive feelings into beneficial outcomes. Understanding the sublimation defense mechanism can shed light on how we manage stress and negative emotions, and foster healthier coping strategies.

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Navigating Through the Fear of the Unknown

Mental Health

Navigating Through the Fear of the Unknown

Fear of the unknown is a fundamental aspect of the human experience, deeply ingrained in our survival instincts. As human beings, we crave predictability and security, and anything that deviates from our expectations can trigger anxiety and fear. By understanding this fear and learning effective ways to cope with it, we can become more resilient and adaptive, capable of embracing life's uncertainties with courage and optimism.

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Guiding Principles for Handling Disrespectful Adult Children

Mental Health

Guiding Principles for Handling Disrespectful Adult Children

Parenting doesn't end when your children reach adulthood. The dynamics of the relationship may change, but challenges can still arise, especially when faced with disrespectful behavior from your adult children. Understanding the reasons for this behavior and developing appropriate strategies to deal with it can restore harmony and mutual respect.

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Unraveling the Dynamics of the Black Sheep Effect in Family Structures

Mental Health

Unraveling the Dynamics of the Black Sheep Effect in Family Structures

In every family or social group, there might be one person who stands out because they are considered different from the rest. They are often labeled as the "black sheep." This article sheds light on the concept of the black sheep within a family context, its dynamics, causes, effects, and potential paths towards understanding and acceptance.

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Demystifying Mind Reading: A Journey into the Realm of Psychology

Mental Health

Demystifying Mind Reading: A Journey into the Realm of Psychology

Mind reading, within the context of psychology, does not refer to psychic phenomena or supernatural powers. Instead, it pertains to our innate ability to understand and interpret others' thoughts, emotions, and intentions, often termed as Theory of Mind. This psychological mind reading is an integral part of our social interactions and communication. This article delves into the intricacies of mind-reading from a psychological perspective.

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The Secrets of the Fetal Position: An Insight into Sleep Psychology

Mental Health

The Secrets of the Fetal Position: An Insight into Sleep Psychology

Sleeping positions can say a lot about a person's personality and mindset. Among these, the fetal position is one of the most common. Sleep psychology suggests that sleeping positions can be linked to our subconscious thoughts, feelings, and even personality traits. This article will delve into the psychology behind the common practice of sleeping in the fetal position.

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The Complexity of Male Emotion: Unraveling Gender and Emotional Expression in Psychology

Mental Health

The Complexity of Male Emotion: Unraveling Gender and Emotional Expression in Psychology

While emotions are universally experienced by all humans, societal norms and expectations have played a significant role in shaping how different genders express these emotions. The realm of male emotional psychology is often unexplored, largely due to persistent stereotypes that suggest men should be stoic, unemotional, or even emotionally invulnerable. This article aims to delve into the world of male emotion psychology, challenging stereotypes and promoting understanding.

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Unipolar Depression: Understanding Its Nature, Causes, and Treatments

Mental Health

Unipolar Depression: Understanding Its Nature, Causes, and Treatments

Unipolar depression, also known as major depressive disorder, is a mental health condition characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness or a lack of interest in outside stimuli. The world seems colorless and empty to a person suffering from this disorder, leading to a significant impairment in daily functioning. This article delves into the characteristics, causes, and treatment options for unipolar depression.

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Narcissistic Parenting: Understanding Its Impact and Navigating Its Challenges

Mental Health

Narcissistic Parenting: Understanding Its Impact and Navigating Its Challenges

Narcissistic parenting is a form of child rearing where the parent's needs and desires take precedence over the child's. Children who grow up under the influence of narcissistic parents often face various emotional and psychological challenges. This article aims to shed light on the characteristics of narcissistic parenting, its effects on the child, and strategies for adults who grew up with narcissistic parents to cope and heal.

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Navigating Difficult Decisions: Recognizing When to End a Friendship

Mental Health

Navigating Difficult Decisions: Recognizing When to End a Friendship

Friendships play an integral part in our lives, contributing to our sense of identity, happiness, and wellbeing. However, not all friendships are beneficial or healthy. Sometimes, one might find themselves in a friendship that causes more harm than good. It's a challenging situation to be in, but it's crucial to know when to end a friendship that isn't serving you well. This article aims to guide individuals through the signs of unhealthy friendships, the impact they have, and how to navigate ending such relationships.

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The Essence of Authenticity: Understanding What It Means to Be Genuine

Mental Health

The Essence of Authenticity: Understanding What It Means to Be Genuine

The quest for authenticity is a popular topic in the modern age. But what does it truly mean to be authentic? It goes beyond surface-level honesty or expressing oneself openly. Authenticity is an inward journey that requires introspection, self-awareness, and an ongoing commitment to personal growth. This article explores the deeper understanding of authenticity, its impact on individual and social levels, and how one can cultivate it.

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Finding Healing Together: Exploring Trauma Support Groups

Mental Health

Finding Healing Together: Exploring Trauma Support Groups

Experiencing trauma can be isolating and overwhelming. One of the most therapeutic ways to process trauma is through connection with others who share similar experiences. Trauma support groups provide a safe space for individuals to share, heal, and learn. This article will delve into the significance of these groups, what to expect from them, and how to find a local trauma support group.

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A Journey of Healing: Learning to Trust Again

Mental Health

A Journey of Healing: Learning to Trust Again

Trust forms the bedrock of any relationship, and when this trust is broken, it can be devastating. However, it's crucial to remember that the process of healing and learning to trust again is achievable. This article will guide you through the journey of regaining trust, addressing why trust is essential, steps to rebuild trust, and methods to foster trust in future relationships.

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The Art of Vulnerability: Expressing Your Feelings to Someone You Love

Mental Health

The Art of Vulnerability: Expressing Your Feelings to Someone You Love

Expressing your feelings to someone you love can often be a challenging endeavor. It requires courage, authenticity, and vulnerability. However, it is a necessary process to establish a deep, meaningful connection and ensure clear communication in a relationship. This article will provide insights into why it is essential to express feelings, how to articulate your emotions effectively, and ways to manage the possible outcomes.

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Unearthing the Subconscious: An Exploration of Sandplay Therapy

Mental Health

Unearthing the Subconscious: An Exploration of Sandplay Therapy

Sandplay therapy is a powerful form of expressive therapy that allows individuals to navigate through their unconscious thoughts and emotions. Through symbolic modeling with sand and miniatures, it provides an opportunity for individuals to express feelings and experiences that might otherwise be difficult to articulate. This article will delve into the underpinnings of sandplay therapy, its process, and its therapeutic benefits.

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Rebuilding the Bridge of Trust: A Guide to Restoring Trust in a Relationship

Mental Health

Rebuilding the Bridge of Trust: A Guide to Restoring Trust in a Relationship

Trust is a crucial pillar of every successful relationship. It allows for vulnerability, fosters emotional intimacy, and provides a solid foundation for love to grow. However, trust can also be fragile and once broken, restoring it can be a complex and challenging process. This article aims to guide you through the steps of rebuilding trust in a relationship, from acknowledging the breach to creating a new bond of mutual respect and understanding.

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Understanding and Managing Feelings of Emptiness

Mental Health

Understanding and Managing Feelings of Emptiness

Feeling empty is a complex emotional state that many individuals encounter at some point in their lives. It is often described as a sense of loneliness or numbness, a feeling of disconnection from oneself and the world. This article aims to provide an understanding of why people may feel empty, the potential causes, and the approaches to managing these feelings.

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Embracing the Future: A Guide to Letting Go of the Past

Mental Health

Embracing the Future: A Guide to Letting Go of the Past

Letting go of the past can be a challenging yet crucial step towards personal growth and happiness. This article delves into the process and provides practical strategies for releasing past burdens, embracing the present, and fostering a hopeful outlook for the future.

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Navigating Emotional Landscapes: Understanding the Window of Tolerance

Mental Health

Navigating Emotional Landscapes: Understanding the Window of Tolerance

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Minimizing Symptoms of PTSD

DBT

Minimizing Symptoms of PTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can occur in individuals who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. Symptoms can include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and intrusive thoughts about the event. While PTSD is a serious condition, there are effective ways to minimize its symptoms and regain control over one's life. This article will explore strategies for reducing symptoms of PTSD, including mindfulness, exposure therapy, and cognitive restructuring.

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DBT Skills to Know - Radical Acceptance

DBT

DBT Skills to Know - Radical Acceptance

The concept of Radical Acceptance is rooted in the idea that all suffering originated not in pain, but in our attachment to pain. In fact, Radical Acceptance has origins in Buddhism with the tenant that relief from suffering begins first and foremost with acceptance. ‍As a Dialectical Behavior Therapy skill, Radical Acceptance refers to the ability to accept our situation when the circumstances are out of our control, which can reduce the suffering we feel. Instead of being attached to our

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DBT Skills to Know - Emotional Regulation

DBT

DBT Skills to Know - Emotional Regulation

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches critical skills relative to Emotional Regulation, which is arguably relevant for people of all backgrounds, behavior types, and with or without mental health conditions. We can all benefit from greater emotional regulation. ‍While emotions are important and feelings are relative in our relationships and day to day life and processing (they help us communicate and understand our experiences), they can also create a great deal of emotional suffering

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DBT Skills to Know - How to Think and Act Dialectically

DBT

DBT Skills to Know - How to Think and Act Dialectically

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is, at its core, founded upon principles of Dialectical thinking, which involves an integration of two foundational opposites: acceptance and change. ‍Learning to think and act in a dialectical manner can open up your thought process and increase your awareness of the different nuances in the world around you, rather than allowing you to exist in extreme black and whites. Extreme highs and lows are what drive many of the mental health conditions DBT is use

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DBT Skills to Know - What is a “Wise Mind”?

DBT

DBT Skills to Know - What is a “Wise Mind”?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), is a specific type of psychotherapy under the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy umbrella that was curated for Borderline Personality Disorder. However, this type of therapy has been proven to be successful in the treatment of a myriad of other mental health conditions, including but not limited to anyone struggling with: Overwhelming emotions.Impulsive behavior.Self injury.Suicidal thoughts.Substance abuse.Eating disorders.PTSD and other trauma disorders.&nbsp

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How DBT Skills Help Manage Eating Disorders

DBT

How DBT Skills Help Manage Eating Disorders

Over 28.8 million Americans will have an eating disorder in their lifetime. Eating disorders are generally classified as a type of mental illness characterized by harmful behaviors related to food. Those with eating disorders (such as bulimia, anorexia, binge eating, ad more) usually struggle with impulsivity, compulsive behaviors, negative body image, and even coexisting conditions like depression, anxiety, and more. ‍Eating disorders are the second most deadly mental illness (the first is

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How DBT Helps with Managing Anxiety Disorders

DBT

How DBT Helps with Managing Anxiety Disorders

These days over 18% of US adults are living with an anxiety disorder. For many people living with chronic anxiety, experiencing a daily, significant and ongoing sense of fear or anxiety can lead to restlessness, panic attacks, isolation, poor sleep, and physical symptoms such as headaches, nausea, body aches, stomach pain, and more. These and a host of other symptoms can be debilitating and may significantly decrease the sufferer’s quality of life. ‍Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is usu

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Dialectical Behavior Therapy: An Effective Approach for Depression

DBT

Dialectical Behavior Therapy: An Effective Approach for Depression

Depression is a common mental health condition characterized by persistent sadness, decreased interest in activities, and difficulty functioning daily. While there are many treatment modalities for depression, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is particularly effective in providing individuals with tools to manage their symptoms. This article will delve into the ways DBT can aid in coping with depression.

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Essential Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills: Distress Tolerance and Mindfulness

DBT

Essential Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills: Distress Tolerance and Mindfulness

Are you interested in learning more about Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)? This unique form of psychotherapy - a variation of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), can be used for a wide variety of mental health issues and conditions. While DBT was specifically developed for treating individuals who have difficulty managing and regulating their own emotions, (such as with Borderline Personality Disorder), this treatment type has also been proven to be effective for a variety of other condi

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Is Group Therapy Beneficial for Borderline Personality Disorder?

BPD

Is Group Therapy Beneficial for Borderline Personality Disorder?

Living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a difficult challenge for many. The struggle to control thoughts, actions, and reactions permeates their everyday lives and relationships. Their sense of self is highly dependent on their mood swings and often chaotic relationships with others, and they have difficulty managing stress, conflict, and the emotions of others. Living with BPD essentially means coping with a pattern of regular instability that spans mood, behaviors, identity, commu

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Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy Right for Me?

DBT

Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy Right for Me?

Do you have intense emotional highs and lows? Maybe regularly find yourself engaging in self-destructive behaviors such as substance abuse, self-harm, eating disorders, and interpersonal conflict? Have you been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder? Or maybe you can identify with one of the following: ADHDAnorexia NervosaBulimia NervosaAnxiety DisordersMajor Depressive DisorderSuicidal BehaviorOCDPTSD‍If so, Dialectical Behavior Therapy may be the right treatment to get you back on

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How is DBT Different from CBT?

DBT

How is DBT Different from CBT?

Psychotherapy offers exclusive benefits as a treatment method which differs from traditional talk therapy. If you’re at all familiar with psychotherapy, you’ve probably heard the terms “DBT” and “CBT.” DBT stands for Dialectal Behavior Therapy, and CBT stands for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. If you’re trying to decide which one is right for you, it’s important to understand the differences between the two. ‍Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT is closer in concept to traditional talk ther

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What Everyone Should Know About Dialectical Behavior Therapy

DBT

What Everyone Should Know About Dialectical Behavior Therapy

If you’re considering Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for you or a loved one, you probably already know the basics: DBT was developed in the late 1980s by Dr. Marsha Linehan specifically for patients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). DBT is a highly beneficial treatment for many individuals for various mental health disorders and conditions, and traditionally follows the same path or protocol of treatment through 4 key modules to achieve success. The 4 main stages of DBT are:&n

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How to Talk About Mental Health

All Articles

How to Talk About Mental Health

In today’s day and age, mental health is a HOT topic, and we’re excited about that! However, for many people entering a new, sometimes scary world of discussions about inner workings, mindset, worldviews, diagnoses, emotions, and more, it may be daunting to get pulled into a discussion about mental health. ‍If you’re struggling to understand what kind of language to use to participate in discussions around mental health, or even to discuss your own, this guide will help you get started on t

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4 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting Dialectical Behavior Therapy

DBT

4 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, is a modified version of another well-known type of psychotherapy called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The primary goal of DBT is to help individuals struggling with certain behaviors and mental health conditions to better cope with stress, regulate their emotions, stay present in every moment, and consequently improve the health of their relationships with others. ‍While DBT was initially developed to treat a specific condition - Borderline Perso

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The Top 5 Benefits of Online DBT Group Therapy

DBT

The Top 5 Benefits of Online DBT Group Therapy

When approaching Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), many people are surprised to find that online group sessions actively work on the skill development required to succeed. While it’s often presumed that DBT is most effective in a one-on-one setting, in reality DBT skills are best adopted in a group setting where members can actively practice their new skills and participate in discussion around common mental health challenges. ‍Benefit 1: Community & AccountabilityFor the majority of

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What Therapy is Best For Borderline Personality Disorder?

BPD

What Therapy is Best For Borderline Personality Disorder?

When it comes to Borderline Personality Disorder, there is currently only one empirically-supported treatment protocol for this condition: Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT. A form of psychotherapy developed in the late 1980s by Dr Marsha Linehan, this treatment protocol is based on cognitive behavioral principles applied in specific ways in order to target common symptoms of BPD such as chaotic relationships, emotional lability, instability, and impulsivity. Over the last few decad

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What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy Used For?

DBT

What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy Used For?

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, or DBT, was developed in the late 1980s by Dr. Marsha Linehan following extensive use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). DBT was developed specifically because it became clear that CBT was not fully effective for patients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). In order to improve treatment for BPD, Dr. Linehan and colleagues created and tested additional techniques in order to achieve greater success as they sought to improve the health and wellbeing of t

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What Is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy?

DBT

What Is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, is a modified version of another well-known type of psychotherapy called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The primary goal of DBT is to help individuals struggling with certain behaviors and mental health conditions to better cope with stress, regulate their emotions, stay present in every moment, and consequently improve the health of their relationships with others. ‍While DBT was initially developed to treat a specific condition - Borderline Perso

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What Are Therapies For OCD?

OCD

What Are Therapies For OCD?

The road to treatment for OCD can be a difficult one, and often requires significant courage and determination to succeed. Establishing a healthy level of support from a group can encourage you during the treatment process and is a healthy and beneficial step as you get started. ‍ERP & SRIsThe majority of psychologists will agree that the best and most effective treatments for OCD are Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) in combination with medication such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors (

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