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December 1, 2022 By laurenschiff

Making The Most of your Imperfectly Perfect Holiday Season.

By Hilary Hoye, MSW, LSW ‘Tis the most wonderful time of the year! As moms, the holiday season can be magical as we live vicariously through the joy experienced by our children. Still the pressure to have a perfectly curated social media worthy holiday season can be overwhelming and unrealistic. In the age where Instagram inundates us with highlight reels…
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August 26, 2022 By laurenschiff

MINDFULNESS: Learning to Cope in a Changing World

I first learned about mindfulness under the willow tree at Gillson Beach in Wilmette 15 years ago. A former colleague and longtime friend of mine was studying yoga and offered classes to her friends and neighbors. I joined her because I love the outdoors and thought it might be a nice complement to my regular workouts. As a member of…
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July 6, 2022 By laurenschiff

Talking to Your Kids after a Traumatic Event

We are all still in shock and horror about the shooting in Highland Park. All of our hearts are just on the beginning of a grieving process. Everyone’s grieving process is different. There is no right or wrong way to feel your feelings. Most importantly kids process trauma and feelings differently through their different ages and phases of life. It’s…
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July 6, 2022 By laurenschiff

What to do after a Traumatic Event

To our friends in Highland Park and all who are heartbroken watching the horrible news about the shooting , I never thought we’d face a tragedy like this on a beautiful Fourth of July. We want you to know we are with you. We are here for you. We love you. Our hearts are breaking with yours. This is a tragedy…
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April 28, 2022 By laurenschiff

Summer Beach Body Anxiety

Erika Oller, MSW Summer is just around the corner. If that makes you pause and feel a little anxiety, you are not alone!! Maybe you are starting to hear some familiar (yet uncomfortable!) musings from friends, family and social media influencers. Does any of this sound familiar? “It’s almost May. I need to get my body bikini-ready.”  “It was bulking…
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April 15, 2022 By laurenschiff

Spring Cleaning for your Mind!!

Clean up your Mind for New Growth, Dreams, JOY & POSITIVITY!!  Spring it the perfect time to look around and clean up! We often look at our closets, garages, physical health — which are all great! But, in all that clean up, what we’re really searching for is that mental feeling of “ahhhhhhhhh…. that’s better!!” We all want to feel…
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Did you catch my last post on how to make new frie Did you catch my last post on how to make new friends as an adult woman?

I’ll be the first to admit, talking to new people can be nerve-wracking, so I came up with a few easy icebreakers to get the conversation started: 

🧊"I noticed your [bag/shirt/shoes, etc.]. That's really cute! Where did you get it?"
🧊"My child is starting at this school/daycare next week. Where does your child go?"
🧊"I've been looking for something new to read. Do you have any recommendations?"
🧊"Have you tried any new restaurants or coffee shops in the area lately? I'm always looking for new places to check out."
🧊“I’m prioritizing staying healthy right now. What kind of exercise do you do?”
🧊“What shows are you loving right now? Mine are [tell them your favorite shows].”
🧊“Do you listen to podcasts? Which ones are your favorite?”
🧊“Do you have any interesting hobbies?”
“Where are you vacationing this summer?”
🧊“I’m interested in volunteering, do you have any organizations you can recommend?”

Remember, icebreakers are meant to be light conversation starters - a good place to start is to simply introduce yourself, shake hands, and smile. For best results, always try to choose an icebreaker that has some context to the situations you’re in.

Finally, it’s 100% normal to feel awkward and you can rest assured that most people feel the same when they’re meeting someone new. Embrace whatever feelings you’re having and just be yourself.

#mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #therapist #relationshippodcast #icebreakers
Our digital, hyper-connected world can sometimes f Our digital, hyper-connected world can sometimes feel lonelier than ever, right? 

Something I’ve heard as a therapist from women - something they’re often very ashamed to admit - is that, through the ups and downs of motherhood, they’ve lost touch with many of their friends and feel incredibly lonely.

First off, if you’re feeling this way, there is absolutely zero shame in feeling disconnected and lonely. We’ve all lived through a once-in-a-lifetime, traumatic global event which permanently changed many of our relationships and way of life.

So, if you’re hoping to make some new friends, here are a few suggestions:

👉Join online communities: Facebook, Instagram, and Meetup.com are excellent resources for finding local groups and events that match your interests. You can join groups specifically for moms, or groups focused on hobbies or activities that you enjoy. Engaging with others online can be a great way to build connections and pave the way for IRL relationships.

👉Take up a new hobby: Trying something new is an excellent way to meet people who share your interests. You could join a local yoga studio, take a pottery class, or sign up for a gardening club. 

👉Volunteer: Volunteering for a local charity or non-profit organization is an excellent way to give back to your community and meet like-minded people. You could volunteer at a local food bank, animal shelter, or community garden.

👉Attend events: Many cities have events like workshops, seminars, and conferences that are open to the public. 

👉Attend therapy: If you're feeling lonely or struggling with anxiety or depression, therapy can be a helpful tool for building your confidence and social skills. A therapist can work with you to identify any underlying issues that may be holding you back from making connections and help you develop strategies for overcoming them.

#mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #therapist #relationshippodcast #womensupportingwomen
You’ve been together for years, and you’re tot You’ve been together for years, and you’re totally devoted. But, lately, things just seem … off.

Maybe there’s some unnecessary bickering happening, maybe you don’t see eye-to-eye on most things like you used to. Here are some tips to help you reconnect:

💕Communicate openly and honestly - It's important to express your feelings and thoughts in a respectful and non-judgmental way. Take the time to listen to your partner's perspective and try to understand where they're coming from. 

💕Schedule regular date nights - Whether it's a dinner at your favorite restaurant, a walk in the park, or a weekend getaway, make sure to carve out time for just the two of you.

💕Show your appreciation - Let them know that you recognize and value their efforts, even if it's just through a small gesture or a heartfelt conversation. 

Most importantly …

💕Seek professional help - A therapist can help you identify underlying issues and provide guidance on how to improve your communication and relationship. Remember, there's no shame in seeking help from a professional, and it can be an effective way to work through challenges and reconnect with your partner.

#mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #therapist #relationshippodcast #dateyourspouse
As both a mother and a therapist I understand how As both a mother and a therapist I understand how overwhelming anxiety can be for today’s teens. 

Anxiety can seep into every aspect of a teen's life, from their friendships to their grades. Seeing your child struggle with fear and worry can be heart-wrenching, and you may feel lost about how to help them. That's why I'd like to share some strategies that I've found to be effective in supporting teens with anxiety.

1 - Validate their feelings
It's important to acknowledge and validate your teen's feelings. Anxiety can be overwhelming and scary, and your teen may feel like they're the only one who is experiencing it. Let your teen know that it's okay to feel anxious and that you're there to support them.

2 - Encourage healthy habits
Healthy habits can go a long way in reducing anxiety. Encourage your teen to engage in regular exercise, eat a healthy diet, and get enough sleep. These habits can help improve their overall wellbeing and reduce anxiety.

3 - Teach relaxation techniques
Relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation can be helpful in managing anxiety. Teach your teen these techniques and encourage them to use them when they're feeling anxious.

4 - Promote positive self-talk
Encourage your teen to reframe negative thoughts into positive ones. Help them focus on their strengths and accomplishments rather than their shortcomings. Positive self-talk can help reduce anxiety and improve self-esteem.

5 - Seek professional help
If your teen's anxiety is severe or impacting their daily life, it may be time to seek professional help. A mental health professional can help your teen develop coping skills and provide additional support.

I know that anxiety can be a challenging emotion to manage, but not only is it treatable, but it’s also important to teach them healthy habits they can take into adulthood.

#mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #therapist #relationshippodcast #anxietyawareness
It’s time for BBQ’s, fun food and time in the It’s time for BBQ’s, fun food and time in the sunshine or pool this Memorial Day weekend … 🍔🧺🌭🇺🇸

While you plan tour menu,remember to notice what you’re feeding your soul. 

An anchient story goes like this: A boy asks his grandpa what to do since he was wronged by someone. He was angry and hurt and wanted revenge. Who doesn’t? 

The grandpa tells him, he understands. It’s like there’s 2 wolves living inside of us all. One is full of anger, resentment, hate. The other wolf is peaceful, free and loving. 

He goes on to say:

“Hate is like drinking poison, while looking at your enemy hoping they die.” It only hurts you. You’re the only one drinking the poison. 

It’s difficult to navigate these two wolves. The boy asked, “Which one wins?” 

The grandfather says: 

“Which ever one I feed.”

Holding on to resentment, revenge and anger only hurt ourselves. 

I heard a renowned trauma therapist once say something similar. He worked with people who had experienced some of the most vile & hanious abuse. Things that could NEVER be forgiven. But, he has to help them forgive in order to free themselves and stop drinking the poison of anger. 

He said it like this: 

“Forgiveness is not saying that it’s okay or what the person did was acceptable. Forgiveness is letting go of all possibility that you can change what happened in the past.” 

I hope you have a beautiful weekend, feed yourself with delicious and no rushing food.  AND I hope you feed your spirit with beautiful peace, forgiveness, kindness. 

Choose wisely which wolf you feed. 😉❤️

Sending you all my love ✨✨ keep shining!! 

Xoxo,
Lauren
Real talk: navigating mom guilt is hard. But you d Real talk: navigating mom guilt is hard. But you don’t have to let this feeling cause you any more inner turmoil than necessary. So carve out some time, make sure you won’t be interrupted, and use these journaling prompts to get to the bottom of your feelings.

✍️Reflect on a recent situation where you felt mom guilt. Write about the emotions that came up for you, and try to identify the root cause of your guilt.
✍️Write a letter to yourself, offering self-compassion and kindness. Imagine that you are writing to a close friend who is going through a similar parenting experience.
✍️Make a list of things that are within your control as a parent. How can you focus on these things to alleviate feelings of guilt and anxiety?
✍️Consider the values that are most important to you as a parent. How can you model these values to your child?
✍️Think about the people in your life who offer support and encouragement. How can you reach out to these people when you are feeling overwhelmed or guilty?

Remember, journaling is a personal and reflective practice, so feel free to modify these prompts or come up with your own based on what resonates with you. Happy writing!

#mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #therapist #relationshippodcast #momguilt
Mom guilt can be a pervasive, debilitating emotion Mom guilt can be a pervasive, debilitating emotion, and can exacerbate toxic habits of perfectionism. Here are some affirmations that may help you navigate mom guilt:

💛I am doing my best and that is enough.
💛My child knows they are loved and cared for.
💛I trust my instincts and my decisions as a mom.
💛I am not perfect, but I am a great mom.
It's okay to take time for myself and practice self-care.
💛I am teaching my child valuable life lessons through my mistakes and imperfections.
💛I am allowed to ask for help when I need it.
💛I am not alone in my struggles as a mom.
💛My child is resilient and can handle life's challenges with my support.
💛I am worthy of love and respect as a mom, regardless of my perceived failures.

Remember to say these affirmations to yourself regularly, especially when feelings of guilt arise. It can also be helpful to write them down and post them somewhere visible as a daily reminder.

#mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #therapist #relationshippodcast #momguilt
Inspiring Your Summer Transition Hi sweet friend! Inspiring Your Summer Transition

Hi sweet friend!! 

It's another end of an era... graduations, proms, college kids returning home...it is all a transition. No matter how exciting or happy---transitions can be tough.

For me, every season change reminds me I'm getting older, everyone I love is getting older and life is constantly changing. I always get a little sad and overwhelmed with all the routine changes. While it can be challenging, change can make us better.

Change give us the gift of pausing, reflecting and starting a new chapter. 

We see a lot of clients find that summer is a great time to RESET! Schedules slow down. Routines loosen. It's your time for mental rest, support, and re-evaluate your goals for the next season!! 

No matter what your summer transition looks like--we've got you. We love you. This team has dedicated their lives to make yours better. 

Here's what we've got for you: 
~More therapists, services & counseling openings 
~An "Adulting Group" group for Recent Grads
~More locations (New office opening in EVANSTON!!) 
~More psychiatry openings 
~More ways to give us feedback! 

Enjoy the extra sunshine!! We love you and are here for you! 

xoxo, 
Lauren Schifferdecker 
owner of Inspire
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