The holiday season can be a time of joy and connection, but for many, can create waves of stress and disruption. Holidays can be hard on our mental health due to a wide variety of reasons: increased expectations for perfection, feelings of loneliness or isolation, financial strain, and family dynamics that may trigger stress. The overstimulation from crowds and events, disruption of routines, inaccessibility to reliable coping resources, and nostalgia or grief from past experiences can also contribute to anxiety. Additionally, heightened substance use and the pressure of social comparison through social media further complicate mental well-being during this time.

Anxiety can feel like an ever-present cloud hovering over your daily life, affecting everything from your thoughts to your physical well-being. For many, anxiety becomes such a common experience that it’s hard to imagine life without it. But what if there’s more to the story? Often, people suffering from anxiety don’t realize that its roots may lie in trauma—experiences, sometimes long buried, that continue to influence how we feel and act. Understanding the connection between anxiety and trauma can be the first step toward lasting relief and healing.

Trauma can leave deep emotional and psychological scars that affect your day-to-day life, often making the path to healing seem overwhelming. Whether it stems from a single event, like a car accident or natural disaster, or prolonged experiences like childhood abuse or neglect, trauma shapes how you engage with the world and how you perceive yourself. The good news is that, thanks to advancements in technology, trauma survivors in North Carolina can now access professional help through online therapy—making recovery more accessible than ever before.

In recent years, mindfulness has become a “pop-psychology” buzzword, garnering attention to the practice. Deservingly so, it has been shown to be an effective tool for managing stress, improving mental well-being, and enhancing overall quality of life. However, as with any technique or tool, mindfulness is designed with an intended purpose in mind.

In our journey towards improved mental health and self-awareness, one of the fundamental aspects to explore is our core beliefs – the deeply ingrained thoughts and convictions that shape our perceptions and behaviors. These beliefs, often developed in childhood or through life experiences, can have a profound impact on our emotions, relationships, and overall well-being. Negative core beliefs are often formed in response to adverse experiences or trauma and can have a significant impact on our mental health and overall well-being.

We are excited to debut our Anxiety Recovery Course developed by Strive On’s Mike Comparetto, LCSW. Our three-module course is a free resource that is designed to help you understand anxiety and provide tools and strategies for its management. For those curious about therapy, this course can also be a glimpse into the world of therapy where you can get a taste of what parts of the process may be like. 

Online therapy offers access to a wide range of therapeutic approaches. Individuals can choose a therapist specializing in their specific needs and preferences, ensuring a personalized and effective treatment plan. Perks of online therapy can be great for people in remote locations or who have busy, non-traditional schedules.

Spending time in nature has been shown to have a variety of mental health benefits. Studies have found that simply being in a natural environment, whether it's a forest, park, or beach, can reduce feelings of anxiety, depression, and stress. The sights, sounds, and scents of the outdoors can help to lower cortisol levels and promote a sense of relaxation and well-being. Asheville, NC, nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is a haven for nature enthusiasts seeking to immerse themselves in the beauty of the natural world.

Unresolved trauma is like a wound that is invisible to the naked eye. It can have a profound impact on our mental well-being. Trauma can stem from a variety of stress inducing experiences, such as abuse, neglect, accidents, or witnessing a traumatic event. When these experiences are left unresolved, they can manifest in a multitude of ways and hinder our ability to lead a fulfilling and peaceful life. Let’s explore the effects of unresolved trauma on mental health and discuss strategies for addressing and healing these invisible wounds.

Negative core beliefs are deeply ingrained patterns of thinking that shape our perception of ourselves, others, and the world around us. They are usually formed during childhood and can persist into adulthood if left unaddressed. Negative core beliefs can often establish themselves as a result of traumatic experiences. These beliefs are often illogical and irrational in nature, yet they have a powerful influence on our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. When negative core beliefs become deeply ingrained, they can create a cycle of anxious thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate anxiety.

In recent times, it's hard not to feel overwhelmed by all the negativity and chaos around us. From economic uncertainty to social upheaval, it can feel like the world is falling apart. When we're constantly bombarded with negative news and events, it's easy to forget that happiness is still an achievable goal. It's important to recognize that there are meaningful ways to make changes and find fulfillment even amidst chaos. Here are some tips for staying happy, positive, and satisfied even during life’s challenging times.

While traditional therapies focus on the mind, somatic therapy tools offer a unique approach that emphasizes the connection between our bodies and mental health. Somatic approaches understand that anxiety is not solely a mental phenomenon but has physical manifestations as well. By building our experiential awareness of anxiety in our physical bodies and finding practical ways to address it, somatic therapy can allow us to heal and find relief. In this blog post, we will explore some effective somatic therapy tools that can help manage anxiety.

Anxiety is a common mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. While it may feel overwhelming, there are effective strategies and tools available to manage anxiety. In this blog post, we will continue our exploration of anxiety tools by looking at two powerful aids for managing anxiety: mindfulness and principles of Buddhism.

Anxiety is a common mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. While it may feel overwhelming, there are effective strategies and tools available to manage anxiety. In this blog, we will explore practical tools for alleviating and preventing anxiety symptoms from two evidence-based approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

We are very excited to announce the addition of a second office space in Asheville, located in the heart of downtown on Wall Street. On top of that, one of our clinicians is now seeing clients in person in Leicester! Reach out to us if you would like to learn more about seeing someone at one of these locations. We will continue to offer online therapy to anyone who prefers teletherapy to in-person therapy. This raises an interesting question for some people- is in-person or online therapy right for me? Let’s explore!

A myriad of benefits have come from the rise in the availability of telehealth therapy since 2020, such as being an accessible alternative to those with limited opportunities for in-person therapy or providing flexibility to individuals with tight schedules. With the rise of online therapy platforms come questions surrounding the effectiveness of treatment on different types of mental health issues. Social anxiety, for example, is a common mental health issue that affects many. In this article, we will aim to explore whether online therapy can help in treating social anxiety. 

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy approach that has gained significant recognition for its effectiveness in the treatment of trauma and other mental health conditions. While EMDR primarily targets the processing and healing of traumatic memories, it also has the potential to bring about profound changes in a person’s negative core beliefs about themselves. In this blog post, we will explore the power of EMDR in transforming negative core beliefs and discuss its potential benefits for individuals seeking relief from deep-rooted negative self-perceptions.

In today's digital age, technology has opened up new possibilities in various aspects of our lives, including mental health counseling. Even with easier access to therapy, there are still factors that you should take into consideration in order to set yourself up well for success with your wellness journey.

Mindfulness offers a gateway to improved mental well-being and can be integrated into our daily lives. Let's dive in and discover how mindfulness practices can positively impact our mental health.

As the city of Asheville, NC, nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, continues to evolve, so does its approach to mental health care. Despite the challenges of the past, many therapists in Asheville have chosen to continue offering online therapy, recognizing the numerous advantages that this modality provides. Let's explore why Asheville therapists are committed to maintaining online therapy as a valuable and accessible option for their clients.