Blog

Understanding Abbreviated Grief: Why It Happens and How to Cope

Abbreviated grief refers to an authentic form of grief that feels short-lived or even inappropriate given the circumstances. That said, even if the grief feels temporary, the feelings are still there, and they can fluctuate over time. Abbreviated grief can be difficult because it might feel like you're suppressing your emotions even when you're not. You may also feel guilty...[ read more ]

Understanding The Complicated Relationship Between Chronic Pain and Mental Illness

Not only does chronic pain come with physical issues, but it can also result in some serious emotional turbulence. People living with chronic pain are 4x more likely to experience mental illness than their pain-free counterparts. Living with both chronic pain and mental illness can be frustrating for both individuals and their loved ones. One condition can affect and exacerbate...[ read more ]

How To Develop and Implement Healthy Coping Skills Into Your Daily Routine

There is no doubt that we’re a stressed-out nation. Nearly half of Americans report feeling more stressed now than they did five years ago. What’s more? Almost 80% of Americans indicated regularly experiencing physical symptoms (fatigue, headaches, gastrointestinal distress, muscle tension) due to their stress. Life doesn’t stop moving, and stress doesn’t stop happening. We’re busier than ever, and we...[ read more ]

The New Client: How To Prepare For Your First Therapy Session

The time has arrived. Tired of struggling with the same problems, you’ve taken the nerve-wracking plunge. You’ve made the call, scheduled your appointment, and now you’re anticipating (and maybe even dreading!) what looms ahead. For the first-timer, the therapy process often seems confusing and even unsettling. After all, what are you supposed to talk about- and what if you run...[ read more ]

How To Find Meaning When You’re Coping With Bereavement 

“Grief can destroy you --or focus you. You can decide a relationship was all for nothing if it had to end in death, and you alone. OR you can realize that every moment of it had more meaning than you dared to recognize at the time, so much meaning it scared you, so you just lived, just took for granted...[ read more ]

Coping With Depression: How Therapy Can Help You Unleash Deeper Happiness

Depression is a conniving thief. It can rob you from your happiness, your sense of purpose, and your daily routine. It can drag you into the darkest of dark places and leave you feeling stranded and hopeless. Depression doesn’t discriminate, and it can strike without mercy. If you’ve been coping with depression, you know the challenges associated with trying to...[ read more ]

7 Alarming Symptoms of Caregiver Burnout That Require Immediate Attention

Are you one of 43.4 million Americans providing caregiving to an adult or child? Caregiving can be a necessary and gratifying experience between you and the other person. However, it can also be mentally and physically taxing. Caregiver burnout is a real phenomenon that can impact the quality of your physical and emotional health. Failing to address it can lead...[ read more ]

What Is Anticipatory Grief and How Do You Cope?

When we think of grief, we typically think of grief in its traditional form. We reflect on death and all the ravaging emotions that death causes. We imagine the gut-wrenching feelings of loss and agony, fear and loneliness, despair and anger. Death is absolutely part of grief, but what happens when you have not literally lost the person? What happens...[ read more ]

Understanding The Basics of EMDR Therapy

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a dynamic, unique treatment method for clients struggling with trauma-related symptoms. Today, numerous therapists and clinicians vouch for its impressive benefits. As a result, EMDR has surged in popularity over the past few years. Do you struggle with your trauma symptoms? Do you want to learn more about how EMDR can help...[ read more ]

Healing at Every Age: The Benefits of Therapy for Older Adults

Have you been thinking about talking to someone? Have the same problems been nagging at you for several months or years? Are you tired of feeling like you don’t know how to move forward in your life? There’s no doubt that therapy can offer profound support and healing for people of all ages and demographics. That said, as we grow...[ read more ]



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Austin, TX 78759

kara@hartzellcounseling.com
(512) 988-3363

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