Orlando Therapist Shares 10 Steps to Heal After After a Toxic Relationship

Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC

Have you just ended a toxic relationship where you constantly felt like you were walking on eggshells? You never knew what to expect next and felt anxious about what might set your partner off. One moment, your toxic partner might have showered you with love and attention, only to turn cold and cruel the next. Maybe a relationship with them made you feel stressed or emotionally drained. They often used gaslighting, guilt-tripping, or emotional blackmail to control you. They manipulated and played mind games, making you question your reality and worth and feel bad about yourself. Additionally, they frequently violated your boundaries, showing little respect for your personal space or needs.

Sometimes, the most sensible decision is to let go of those who have been harmful to us. However, walking away from a relationship is never easy, no matter how destructive and isolating that relationship was.

What is the Difference Between Mindfulness and Meditation? And How Do They Help with Mental Health?

Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC

Do you struggle with anxiety and wonder how mindfulness or meditation can help? There's much talk these days about self-care and the benefits of mindfulness and meditation. It seems like everyone is into these practices. Friends, coworkers, and social media influencers are all talking about how mindfulness and meditation have improved their mental health and well-being.

You may have many concerns, such as: "Do I need mindfulness, meditation, or both?" How can I know which type of meditation is right for me? How can these routines help me with my anxiety? You are not alone. Many people who are trying to take charge of their physical and mental health feel overwhelmed when introduced to the terms mindfulness and meditation.

We at Mindful Living Counseling understand your confusion and want to clear that up for you. Allow us to take you through untangling these terms, understanding the difference, and learning how to use mindfulness and meditation to improve your mental health and overall well-being.

Orlando Therapist Shares Emotional Blueprint: Understanding Our Emotional Responses

Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC

The Heart of Well-Being: Embracing Emotional Health 

I believe at the core of all problems is how we attend to our emotions. This seems like a pretty lofty statement, I know, but with all of the years of being a therapist, I really do believe how we show up for our own emotional health, dictates our overall well-being.

When we disconnect from our emotions, we disconnect from the core of who we are. We end up in situations that don’t align with our personal values and find ourselves in unfulfilling jobs and relationships. We lose touch with ourselves and put our needs and wants on the back burner, don’t engage in nurturing self-care practices, or don’t do things to fill up our cup. We tend to be on autopilot moving through life feeling half empty.

When we tune into our inner world, we tap into our deepest desires and authentic truth. Having access to such wisdom allows us to be true to ourselves, pick personally fulfilling careers, and choose friends and relationships that enrich our lives. 

When we’re tapped in, we know that our emotions are necessary to experience the fullness of life. We allow our emotions to signal to us what we may need at any given moment. We honor our own needs, wants, and desires. We set boundaries and practice self-care because we prioritize our needs and understand that it is our responsibility to ensure our needs are met.

Anxiety Therapist: Overcoming Performance Anxiety with EMDR Therapy

Written by: Lauran Hann, LMHC

Does even the thought of speaking in front of your colleagues or clients fill you with dread? Do your racing heart, sweaty palms, and shaky voice drive you crazy, and yet, there’s nothing you can do to stop it? You may freeze up before every meeting, unable to perform at your best. There's your mind – going blank, making it impossible to concentrate on your presentation or prepare for an important speech. This fear of presenting might have prevented you from advancing in your career. Perhaps you're a gifted athlete who underperforms in crucial games, your muscles tensing as you take the field; or a student who panics during a critical test despite being well-prepared.

If so, you might be struggling with performance anxiety, also known as "stage fright."  

At Mindful Living Counseling, we specialize in helping people with similar challenges overcome these issues. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful therapeutic approach for treating performance anxiety, helping people reprocess negative thoughts and boost their confidence.

Trauma Therapist: Understanding the Fawn Response

Do you avoid conflict and then regret it later? Or do you say ‘yes’ when you actually want to say ‘no?’ Do you go out of your way to help others and find that your help is a one-way street? If this sounds like you, you might be experiencing the nervous system response of ‘fawning.’ Fawning is a way to stay out of trouble and stay in the ‘good graces’ of those around you. You go to great lengths to avoid disappointing or upsetting others.

In my last blog post, Trauma Therapist: Understanding the Window of Tolerance, I did a deep dive into common nervous system responses. I saved ‘fawning’ as its own article because fawning can present as both hyperarousal and hypoarousal.

Trauma Therapist: Why We Self-Sabotage

Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC

Do you find yourself stuck in a cycle of getting in your way? You're heading in the right direction and all of a sudden, boom, you kick yourself right off your path. This can look like working hard towards a promotion, only to miss an important deadline because you procrastinated or doubted your abilities. Or it can look like being in a healthy relationship, but focusing only on your partner’s negative traits.

At Mindful Living Counseling Orlando, we help people stop sabotaging their own efforts so they realize their deepest desires. We help them heal past wounds and traumas so they can get out of their own way and live deeply fulfilling lives.

Trauma Therapist: Understanding the Window of Tolerance

Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC

Do you find yourself overcome with anger, only to fall into a spiral of shame because of what you've said or done? Or do you freeze at other times and hate yourself for not standing up for yourself?

Let’s take a deep dive into what is happening in your nervous system. Psychologists use a concept called the window of tolerance, coined by Dr. Dan Siegel. This offers a map, of sorts, to explore what is happening within your nervous system.

Teen Counseling: Discussing Back-to-School Anxiety

As Summer comes to an end and the new school year approaches, it's normal for many teens to feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. The thought of going back to school can stir up a range of emotions. 

Orlando's Coziest Bookshops to Reduce Anxiety

Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC

In the bustling heart of Orlando, amidst the theme parks, downtown commotion, and tourist attractions, there is a quiet sanctuary for those seeking relief from the stresses of daily life: a cozy bookshop. Finding these pockets of peace is great to stop by after a stressful day of work, for some self-care time, or for a quiet afternoon with your family or friends.

Orlando Therapist Explains How EMDR Transforms Your Life by Alleviating PTSD Symptoms

Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC

Shows an image of someone feeling stressed. Represents how and Orlando therapist can help.

Have you gone through a traumatic or stressful event that has left you dealing with distressing feelings and memories? Are you easily triggered, swamped by discomfort, dread, or anxiety, or trapped in thought and behavior patterns that drain you emotionally and physically? Have you been withdrawing from family and friends and avoiding social interactions because you are afraid anything may trigger a painful memory or a panic attack?

Orlando Therapist: Everything You Need to Know About Depression

Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC

Almost every morning, you lay in bed after another sleepless night, not wanting to get up. The chronic worry, sadness, and guilt weigh you down. You feel extremely alone and isolated. Negative thoughts that pop up out of nowhere regularly end in feeling self-hatred and worthlessness, exacerbating your discomfort and sadness. Fatigue, low energy, and strange aches all contribute to the stress. Maybe you’ve also been isolating yourself from social situations, struggling more in your relationships, and losing interest in all those things you once enjoyed. All of this feels so overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through this alone.

Orlando Therapist: What is a Superbill for Therapy?

Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC

Navigating the journey to mental wellness can feel like venturing into an intricate labyrinth. You’ve spent hours searching for the right therapist and deciphering complex therapy jargon, and now you're faced with the daunting task of understanding the maze of in-network and out-of-network benefits. It's a whirlwind of emotions and confusion, and just when you think you've grasped it all, you stumble upon a new term: superbill. What is a superbill, and how does it fit into this puzzle?

As the owner of Mindful Living Counseling Orlando, I understand how overwhelming it can be to navigate through all the choice points when it comes to starting therapy. This blog post is meant to help this process be less stressful so you can easily get the support you need and deserve.

Trauma Therapy: Internal Family Systems

Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC

Do you struggle with internal conflict that creates anger and anxiety? Does it feel like different parts of you are playing an internal game of tug-of-war? Does indecision and ruminating thoughts keep you up at night? If so, it may be worth your while to do an internal deep dive and see what is happening within.

Orlando Therapist: Everything You Need to Know About Self-Care

Written by: Lauran Hahn, LMHC

In today's hectic world, the concept of self-care often gets overshadowed by endless to-do lists and responsibilities. Yet, taking time to care for yourself is essential to living a balanced and fulfilling life. Self-care isn't merely a trend or a luxury; it's a vital practice that helps you maintain your mental, physical, and emotional health. By prioritizing self-care, you empower yourself to handle life's challenges with resilience and grace, bringing your best self to every situation.