By Kara Ferreira We know the feeling – you’re going away on vacation, and you should be excited about it, but the overwhelm of finishing up work, and organizing the family’s packing, and finishing arrangements is stressful. Planning – from packing your luggage, to scheduling activities for...
by Barbara K. Stump, MA As I sat down to write this latest series, I thought some of you might be wondering, “What is Art Journaling?” Art journaling is a creative outlet for expressing one’s thoughts, dreams, and memories in a stress-free way. It can be...
by Kara Ferreira Children spend a majority of their day at school, so it is important that they have a positive and enriching experience while they are there. Unfortunately, not all children have this type of experience. Some children experience bullying, social isolation, or other difficulties...
By Kara Ferreira Animal assisted therapy (AAT) is a growing field of mental health treatment that has shown to be effective in aiding recovery from trauma, anxiety, and depression. AAT provides an opportunity for patients to interact with therapy animals in a safe and controlled environment,...
By Barbara K. Stump, MA February is here- and that means Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. How do you feel about this Hallmark Holiday? Do you embrace it or do you wish it was over yesterday? Regardless of whether you have a special Valentine...
By Kara Ferreira Mindfulness is an important tool for maintaining mental health. It helps us to be more aware of our thoughts, feelings and behaviors, so that we can better manage them in a healthy way. Mindfulness also enables us to stay present in the moment...
by Kara Ferreira At Galvin Growth Group we often talk about gratitude and how it can be used to improve your outlook and mental health. Did you know that it can also improve your relationships? Marriage experts Dr. John Gottman and Dr. Julie Schwartz Gottman study partner...
by Kara Ferreira Childhood emotional neglect is the failure of parents or caregivers to meet a child’s emotional needs, particularly during the early years of development. It varies in severity and may occur intentionally or unintentionally. Examples of childhood emotional neglect (from PsychCentral) may include: Lack of...
By Barbara K. Stump, MA When was the last time you visited a museum? Have you had experiences with looking at art in museums which has allowed you a time for reflection? Has it felt relatable or maybe even healing? Have you found art which you...
By Kara Ferreira A recent Psychology Today article considered the use of cell phones and how they can get in the way of social connection. Cell phone use is not always detrimental to relationships, but it can be if it is perceived as dismissive and when it...
