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Neurodiversity Neurodiversity refers to neurological differences, such as autism, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental conditions, that are natural variations of the human brain. These differences are not disorders or deficits, but rather unique ways of thinking, perceiving, and experiencing the world. Neurodiversity promotes acceptance, understanding, and inclusion of individuals with diverse neurological profiles. How Neurodiversity Impacts […]
What is Perfectionism? Perfectionism is a trait that many people possess, and while it can be a positive attribute in some situations, it can also cause depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. Perfectionists often set unattainable standards for themselves, leading to chronic procrastination, difficulty completing tasks, or giving up easily. They are highly critical of […]
Understanding Social Anxiety Disorder Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is a type of anxiety that causes intense fear and anxiety in social situations. People with social anxiety disorder may feel self-conscious, judged, or scrutinized by others, making it difficult to engage in social activities or even perform daily tasks. Recognizing Social Anxiety […]
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by obsessions, which are unwanted and intrusive thoughts. Or, compulsions, which are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that are done specifically to alleviate the anxiety caused by the thoughts. OCD can have a profound effect on a […]
EMDR & Trauma Trauma in its many forms and intensities can have a profound impact on an individual’s life, from low anxiety to a range of psychological and emotional difficulties. Thankfully there are modern treatments that are both fast and effective. One is called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or “EMDR”. Originally developed in the […]
As a parent, it can be difficult to recognize when your teen is experiencing social stress. Unlike adults, teens may not have the vocabulary or self-awareness to articulate their feelings of stress and anxiety. However, it is important to be aware of the signs of stress in teens so that you can help them manage […]
We have all heard the expressions: “Good Vibes Only”, “Think Positive”, and “Be Happy”. It was refreshing to read the recent blog posted by S. Wall that brought to our attention the toxicity of always seeking positivity. As a therapist, I have long believed that suffering, loss, and pain are not feelings simply to be […]
Sometimes when you’re in a relationship, you can start to forget who you really are. These 4 tips can help you stay true to yourself. Have Personal Time: Just because you live with your partner does not mean you have to be together all the time. It’s not healthy to be around one person 24 […]
There is so much to love about the holiday season. Usually, we get to spend quality time with family and friends, eat delicious food, and let’s not forget about all those amazing holiday movies! As you know, this holiday season will be far different than most. We may not be able to attend in-person events, […]
We are all human and there is no such thing as a perfect parent. If you’re wondering how you can help strengthen your relationship with your children, keep on reading. Model Healthy Behaviors: You are your child’s biggest role model. Your thoughts and actions impact them in so many ways! If your child sees you […]
Everyone worries and doubts themselves sometimes. It is completely natural and part of life. However, too much of anything is not a good thing – especially excessive worrying. Anxiety can be very exhausting, draining and even impact our relationships. We all experience anxiety in our own way. Sometimes we can feel it approaching, and sometimes […]
Boredom isn’t always a bad thing. It can teach us patience and encourage creative thinking. However, like most things in life, too much of anything is not healthy. For many months now, children have been learning at home and seeing their friends virtually. Even though staying at home is keeping us safe, the truth is […]
As a parent, you probably woke up one morning and realized your child has become a teenager. This is a big change. Yet, while this is a new challenge for you, at least you were a teen once. It’s important to remember your teen is going through changes too, for the first time. So things […]
Going through a divorce is an emotional and stressful time for the entire family. It’s not uncommon for the children to feel sad, angry, confused, or even like it’s their fault. Keep in mind that you as a parent may not be able to completely prevent your child from experiencing pain. But there are a […]
Going through a breakup is never easy – even if you were the one who initiated it. The first step is working to disconnect emotionally from the relationship. This will help you be more emotionally available to date. The loss of the other relationship is going to involve grief to work through. Forget about the […]
Back-to-school season is always a challenging time for kids and parents alike. No more free summer schedules of sleeping in. It’s time to wake up early, get back into a routine and head off to school. Except this year, school will look different right from the start, as learning will be done virtually for most […]
Wondering how you can help increase your child’s confidence? Well, you’re in the right place! Keep on reading to learn more. The Comparison Trap Remind your child that they have something special to offer that no one else has. It’s common for children to compare themselves to their classmates, friends or even siblings. Every single […]
“You never change your life until you step out of your comfort zone; change begins at the end of your comfort zone.” ― Roy T. Bennett What Kind Of Person Are You? These past several months many of us have been working and living at home basically full-time. The people we spend our time with […]
Are you experiencing brain fog? Are you having a difficult time getting things done? Are you struggling to get motivated? If so, you may be experiencing burnout. What Causes Burnout: Everything from telehealth meetings to working from home without a change of scenery can be contributing factors to burnout. Burnout Vs. Stress: Keep in mind […]
It’s recommended that teens get around 8 – 9.5 hours of sleep each night. However, the vast majority of teens end up getting much less. Sleep deprivation in teens can impact their grades, weaken their immune system, and even bring on depression or anxiety. If you’re worried your teen isn’t getting enough sleep, […]
Accept Your Feelings: No one ever said being a teen was easy. Everything from grades to friends to family can be a lot. Coronavirus is bringing on a whole new set of challenges for teens all over the world. Teens can no longer go to school, see their friends, or even attend prom. No matter […]
Is there a money imbalance in your relationship? Money is power. In relationships when one person makes more and the other person feels “less than”, the money dynamic can create resentment, a sense of being controlled, and for sure disconnection. Money and time as equal resources In a relationship, it is important that both partners […]
Are relationships unconditional or a choice? Does the word “divorce” not exist in your vocabulary? If this is true for you and your partner, awesome! Unfortunately, when one or both partners hold the belief that the other will never leave, this invites complacency or even neglect into the marriage. Life gets busy, so if the […]
Have traumatic experiences in your past? Are painful emotions overwhelming you? Do you turn to substances to cope? Do addictions control you? Past experiences can cause real pain. When you can’t escape the resulting emotions from those experiences, even if it was years ago, many will turn to substances to ease that emotional pain. Trauma […]
If you want your child to eat their vegetables, guess what? You have to eat your vegetables first. As a parent, what you model is 10,000 times more powerful than what you say. Want respect? Give respect. Yes, it is so much faster and easier to tell your child what to do. Yet, if you […]
10 Relationship Rules of Engagement to help your relationship to survive a disagreement Why Do We Need Rules? The military, the police, professional boxers, and martial artists, all must adhere to rules of engagement in their respective zones of conflict. These rules define what the acceptable use of force is. If the military used nuclear weapons every […]
When your tween or teen directly expresses the thought or desire to harm them self or commit suicide, of course, it is alarming. It may seem to come out of the blue or be part of growing distress they are experiencing. Either way, when you become aware that your child or teen talks about self-harm […]
Any child loves attention. Dramatic children know how to get it. Some are born into that role by coming out of the womb with a roar! These vibrant little personalities are great charmers yet can also wear down their parents since they seem to have a huge need to be the center of the show. […]
It might be stereotypical to suggest that women push for intimacy and men push for sex. Yet, there is some truth behind this. In romantic relationships, there is a pull and push dance that happens between intimacy and sex. To understand how this plays out in a relationship, let’s first let’s define what intimacy is. Intimacy […]
Resentment is a highly toxic poison that will kill your relationship if you don’t find a way to release it. When you feel unfairly treated, you’ll become angry. When anger is mixed with a sense of betrayal, you’ll feel resentment. How Resentment Builds It’s easy to understand how resentment can occur in a relationship after […]
Spending Time with Your Children? If you have children, getting yourself and them through the morning, afternoon and evening routine can be crazy hard! I bet you still find time to worry you’re not spending enough quality time with your children. No doubt you go full throttle from the moment you wake until your head plops […]
Divorce is undeniably a social, emotional and financial upheaval for families. The time of divorce will almost always be held as an incredibly sad memory for children. Unfortunately, we cannot protect our children fully from the inevitable impact of this moment. This inevitably leads to the question, “How do I tell my child about […]
Are you experiencing a hurt that won’t stop? Do you believe you don’t have a voice in your relationship? Do you feel it’s always your fault? One reason might be that you haven’t set healthy boundaries for yourself and your partner. What Are Healthy Boundaries? Boundaries are what you are happy to allow for yourself or around you […]
Want to increase your relationship intimacy? Ask, when is the last time you flirted with your partner? Remember the honeymoon phase when you looked into each other’s eyes, shared vulnerable things about yourself, touched, kissed, and were intimate? If you want to increase your intimacy? It’s time to flirt with your partner! Flirting is part […]
“I’m unhappy in this relationship.” “This isn’t working for me.” “I can’t do this anymore.” Expressions like these from your partner often come during an argument, so you might shrug them off as just words from someone who is upset. You might even think, “Well, I feel that way too.” These are red flashing lights. […]