Learned Helplessness: End the Cycle of Powerlessness
Learned Helplessness: End the Cycle of Powerlessness Learned helplessness, a psychological phenomenon discovered by psychologist Martin Seligman in the late 1960s, speaks to a state of mind where you believe you have no control over your circumstances. This leads to passive acceptance of negative situations even when opportunities for change exist, with profound...Learn More
Help For Navigating Stress and the Holidays
Help For Navigating Stress and the Holidays The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy, happiness, and togetherness. However, for many individuals, stress and the holidays go hand in hand. The societal expectation to embrace merriment can paradoxically result in heightened stress, anxiety, and loneliness. Despite the common portrayal of the holidays as...Learn More
Worry, Stress and Anxiety: What’s the Difference?
As a Therapist at the Counseling and Wellness Center of Pittsburgh, I frequently encounter a prevalent concern among clients – the pervasive presence of stress and anxiety in their daily experiences. Without a doubt, stress and anxiety can be unsettling, and they can feel particularly intense when they appear to pose a threat to one’s well-being. However, in instances where...Learn More
Understanding the Freeze Response During Social “Threats”
In our last blog, Stress Responses: What Are They, How Do They Work, and Why I am so Confused!?, you survived a vicious bear attack and learned how the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in when other responses fail. We explored different stages of the freeze response, and how to recognize them. You also learned some pretty cool new words, like neuroception and ventral vagal,...Learn More
Signs Your Child Is Involved in Too Many Extracurricular Activities
Every good parent knows that providing an enriching environment lays the foundation for future success. Or does it? From summer camp, to instrument lessons, and afterschool programs, how many extracurricular activities are too many and where do parents’ good intentions bleed into something less helpful and even have the unintentional consequence of creating a stressful and...Learn More