Author: Kara Ferriera

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 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 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 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...

by Kara Ferreira and Sarah Rea This time of year can become a little chaotic, with holiday plans and end-of-year tasks colliding all at once.  Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can further complicate a busy schedule. Some of the symptoms of ADHD in adults include: Lack of...