Retroactive jealousy in relationships: What it is, plus causes and treatments by Alexandra Cromer, LPC | Aug 30, 2024 | Feelings & Emotions, Mental Health Topics, Relationships We all get jealous occasionally—but retroactive jealousy can make someone start obsessing over their partner’s romantic past. Retroactive jealousy, also known as Rebecca syndrome, can be so intense that it can derail a person’s relationship, mental health, and ability to trust others. Although this type of relationship anxiety can warp…
What is phubbing? Impact on relationships and solutions by Christine Ridley, LCSW | Jun 20, 2023 | Communication, Mental Health Topics, Relationships When it comes to our cell phones, nothing else in our life gets as much attention. If we lose it, let it die, or can’t answer it, the stress starts to build up rapidly. Getting by without a cell phone really isn’t possible anymore—which means other areas of your life…
How social media affects women’s mental health: Negatives vs. positives by Jason Crosby | May 12, 2022 | Media Use, Mental Health Topics It seems like nearly everyone with a smartphone has at least one social app that they dedicate a little time to. Around 72% of us pick up our phones and tap on those familiar icons daily, but the effects of using social media don’t affect everyone with the same intensity….
Misinformation nation: How false news can influence us mentally and emotionally by Jason Crosby | Mar 29, 2022 | Media Use, Mental Health Topics, Psychology No one enjoys being lied to—but chances are, you’re absorbing some form of misleading or skewed information every day. This is known as misinformation—purposefully deviant reporting that aims to trigger an emotional response, usually in favor of the creator’s own biases. It can spread like wildfire across social media platforms,…
Wrestling with war anxiety? 5 tips for coping amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict by Jason Crosby | Mar 9, 2022 | Anxiety, Coping Skills, Mental Health Topics The Russia-Ukraine conflict — one of the biggest news stories of the year thus far — continues on without an end in sight. As a result, some difficult changes are occurring here in the US, including the cost of living, our diplomatic relationships with other countries, and (most personally), our…
The mental health impact of Instagram and TikTok on young adults by Jason Crosby | Jan 12, 2022 | Media Use, Mental Health Topics You’ve read it a thousand times: Social media apps can wreak havoc on our mental health. Many of us (if not all) have heard that distant “ding” that resonates off the kitchen counter and experienced the sudden surge of curiosity — only to discover it’s a spam message, or worse,…
What is character bonding? Exploring the connection we feel with fictional characters by Jason Crosby | Jan 7, 2022 | Media Use, Mental Health Topics, Psychology, Relationships Ask anyone headed to watch the next Marvel flick: It’s hard not to idolize the heroines and heroes within the realms of popular fiction. Whether they’re on the silver screen, in books, TV series, or even video games, many of us admire these depictions of larger-than-life characters. But, even though…
How to combat Zoom fatigue symptoms: Learn to improve your body language and nonverbal communication skills by Jason Crosby | Oct 28, 2021 | Communication, Mental Health Topics, Work & Careers Platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and even FaceTime have streamlined our ability to communicate both personally and professionally. However, the best virtual meetings always seem to be short, sweet, and efficient. In these dream scenarios, everyone wins: There are no awkward pauses, people talking over one another or trying to…
What is micro-cheating? How to recognize the signs, plus tips on how to save your relationship after infidelity by Jason Crosby | Oct 28, 2021 | Infidelity, Mental Health Topics, Relationships As the name implies, micro-cheating occurs when partners use small gestures or actions to engage with someone outside of their relationship in a flirtatious manner. Micro-cheating can happen when we cross the line with coworkers or friends, spend too much time secretly scrolling through our ex’s social media, or even…
Online Counseling Question: How can social media help me during COVID-19? (Video) by Taylor Bennett | Jul 31, 2020 | COVID-19, Media Use, Mental Health Topics Hi, I’m Juliette Zuckerman, a licensed marriage and family therapist at Thriveworks in Fairfield, Connecticut. I’m going to answer the following question: “How can social media help me during COVID-19?” While there are benefits to using social media during this time, there are limitations that are important for all of…
Online Counseling Question: How do I make social media a positive experience? (Video) by Taylor Bennett | Apr 29, 2020 | Media Use, Mental Health Topics, Self-Improvement Click here to schedule online counseling at Thriveworks. Hi there. My name is Kat Robey and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I work with Thriveworks in the beautiful city of Tucson, Arizona. The question today is, “How do I make social media a positive experience?” So we’re going to…
Is social media good or bad for teens? What are the pros and cons? by Taylor Bennett | Jan 31, 2020 | Children, Teens, & Adolescents, Mental Health Topics, Parenting Many of us have a love-hate relationship with social media: We’ve got accounts on every platform there is, but we debate whether using these accounts is good or bad for our health. Some decide they’re better off without social media; some cut back and find a sweet spot; and others…