Serenity Behavioral Health Services

  What started you on the path to helping others... In my experience, I don't think I have ever met anyone in my field who has ever told me that they just woke up one morning and thought about doing this for a living, but that it was a very specific path that led them here and I would have to say the same goes for me, as well. In fact, most if not all of my previous jobs growing up, and in young adulthood, had something to do with helping others. I remember being in my early teens and teaching at our family dance studio, specifically younger kids, ages 2-4. It may seem like a tall task, but I cannot tell you how satisfying it really is when they start to learn and retain the information. It also is a perfect way to teach younger children how to let loose and have fun. A lot of what we teach clients in adulthood, as well. But my biggest path that led me here was honestly my father. Growing up, my dad was in the air force reserves and went on a lot of deployments overseas. Without sh...

  Yes, it is important to know if your workplace supports you and your mental health. Following is a wonderful article about what to look for when searching for a new job: https://www.calm.com/business/resources/blog/picking-mentally-healthy-workplace  

Codependency is an imbalanced relationship where one person assumes the responsibility for meeting another person’s needs to the exclusion of their own needs. Codependent relationships can occur between family members, friends, co-workers, and between romantic partners. Many codependent people find themselves repeating the same unhealthy relationship patterns despite their best intentions. Codependency traits include: Compulsive attention to someone. Codependent people feel like they can’t live without the other person. They may hiding feelings and thoughts to ensure the other person continues to like them. Fear of abandonment. Codependent people have a deep-seated fear that the other person is going to leave the relationship. Lack of external support systems. Codependent people rely entirely on someone else for their emotional needs. They don’t have many friends outside of their main relationship. Self-doubt. Codependent people don’t feel like their preferences are important enoug...

  We are used to multitasking the requests of our boss, our teachers, our co-workers, and our friends and families; and generally do so without much thought. We block out time for these relationships every day.  And on many days, it feels like time is flying by at warp speed. We may not be thriving with bits of ourselves being accessed by so many. It is important to carve out moments of solitude to balance the needs of our inner self with our busy lives. Make it a point to block out 10 to 15 minutes of the day for just you. No phones, no computers, no tv, no book; no distractions, just you and your thoughts. You’ll find that embracing the practice of solitude is the best form of self-care. Over time, you’ll enjoy the long-term benefits of spending time alone including: reduced stress, better memory and problem-solving, improved self confidence, and you’ll experience less depression. And - you will be surprised at how refreshed and ready you are for facing a new day.

Negative thoughts left unchecked can gather mass like a snowball rolling downhill. Many times negative thoughts shape our actions. They can cause us to abandon an idea or an activity and they can put a dent in our overall sense of well-being and affect our self-esteem. If you frequently demean yourself by saying things like, “No one likes me,” “I am such a loser,” “I can’t do anything right,” “I am not good enough,” chances are good that it’s time rework your inner dialogue. Evaluating your thoughts can help turn a negative mindset towards a more positive mindset.  For instance: *Is the thought I am having helpful? Am I providing a solution? *Would I offer these thoughts as advice to a friend? *Do I have proof or just a gut feeling that what I think is true? *Can I cope with my worst case scenario? *Can I do anything about this right now? If yes, take action. If no, move on. Being optimistic and practicing positive self-talk can improve your health, reduce stress, and produce good ...