The Wellness Diary

Insights, advice, new research, tips and tricks, and new resources to help you with your mental health journey.

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Understanding the 7 Stages of Trauma Bonding

Trauma bonding is a term coined to illustrate the deep, complex emotional connection that can often manifest between an individual subjected to abuse and their perpetrator. This unique bond is particularly prevalent in relationships where instances of abusive behavior are sporadically interrupted with moments of affection and tenderness. What is paradoxical about this bond is that it is not weakened by the abusive episodes, but rather, it is strengthened.

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What Should I Talk About in Therapy?

Therapy, in its various forms, is a potent tool for personal growth, healing, and self-discovery. It provides a secure and non-judgmental space where you can freely explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors under the guidance of a trained professional. Whether you're grappling with mental health challenges, navigating complex life transitions, or simply on a journey toward personal development, therapy can provide the support, insights, and strategies you need to thrive.

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Finding Your Inner Compass: A Deep Dive into Meridian Counseling

Meridian Counseling stands as a beacon of hope and guidance amid life's challenges for many of our clients. Our therapeutic philosophy offers a unique, holistic, and comprehensive approach to mental wellness, where the physical, emotional, and mental aspects of our being are given equal importance. Our ultimate goal is to help individuals navigate through the complexities of life and find their unique direction, leading to self-fulfillment and a balanced life. We believe that everyone has the potential to create their journey towards mental health, fulfilling relationships, and higher life satisfaction, we are here to provide the necessary guidance and support.

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Navigating the Path to Marital Bliss: Premarital Counseling in Salt Lake City

Premarital counseling offers couples a chance to explore key aspects of their relationship. This includes understanding each other's ways of communication, managing finances, exploring intimacy, and setting common family planning goals. It's a safe space to have tough conversations, guided by a professional. This proactive approach tackles potential issues early on, preventing them from becoming bigger problems. In turn, it helps couples build a robust, satisfying, and enduring relationship.

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How Long to Rewire Brain from Addiction

Addiction is a complex phenomenon that significantly disrupts the brain's carefully balanced system of reward, motivation, and regulation. It primarily interferes with the normal functioning of key neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. Dopamine is often associated with feelings of pleasure and reward, while serotonin plays a critical role in mood regulation. The imbalance produced by addiction in these neurotransmitter systems has profound effects on an individual's behavior, decision-making processes, memory, and other cognitive functions.

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Understanding Ketamine Therapy: Who Should Avoid It?

Over the last several decades, our understanding and application of the drug ketamine has evolved and expanded significantly. Originally known for its anesthetic properties, ketamine has demonstrated a unique ability to provide relief for individuals suffering from severe mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This is particularly notable in cases where traditional treatment methods, such as psychotherapy and antidepressants, have failed to produce effective results. The emergence of ketamine as a potent tool in the battle against these debilitating conditions marks a significant and promising advance in the field of mental health treatment.

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Episode 18: The Healing Power Of Breath Work

Episode 18: Nathaniel Hodder-Shipp discusses how trauma is stored in the body and how he uses breathing techniques to help client's access, process and move through the trauma stored in their body and transform their lives.

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Episode 15: Healthy Love LA

Episode 15:  Barry Davis, LMFT and Shana Diskant to discuss their group therapy approach to helping people develop healthy relationships and how they use a combination of mindfulness and CBT to teach new client's new ways of communicating, connecting and caring for their relationships. 

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