Serenity Behavioral Health Services

  Merriam-Webster defines trust as “assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.” Trust is a crucial part of any relationship. It is an expectation and confidence that a certain behavior or response from another will occur. When that trust is broken our guard goes up and we shut ourselves off, which can lead to loneliness and isolation. So how can we move past our feelings of mistrust and learn to trust again? Allow time to grieve. Consider the reason why. Set boundaries. Be consistent as you move forward. Give a little and see what you get. Be patient. It is possible to rebuild trust after a betrayal. Whether it is worth it depends on the relationship and your feelings about what happened. Repairing trust takes time and communication; a therapist can help. You may find that your relationship comes out stronger than it was before.

  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...

Listening is a fundamental component of conversation. Being a good listener or becoming a better listener is an active process that includes showing you are listening, asking questions that encourage sharing, and understanding what is being said by the person speaking. Actively listening can help draw out details that otherwise may not have been shared and it is a helpful skill to develop in personal and business relationships. How can you be a better listener? Following are some helpful techniques that can help you get started on your journey to being a better listener. Show you are listening Focus on the conversation and remove distractions. Turn the television off or mute the sound. Put your phone away. If the area you are in is loud, move to a place where you can speak and hear each other. Listen for emotions and meaning, make eye contact, evaluate the tone of what is being said and body language associated with it. Be patient. Don’t interrupt with questions or comments that can le...