Our BlogFree Mental Health Back-to-School Toolkit
Saying yes to therapy is one of the most courageous steps one can take for one’s personal health. However, convincing a teen or young adult that they could benefit from therapy can feel like hiking Mt. Everest with no training! Here are some guidelines for navigating those conversations with your teen.
How to talk to your teen about starting therapy
Saying yes to therapy is one of the most courageous steps one can take for one’s personal health. However, convincing a teen or young adult that they could benefit from therapy can feel like hiking Mt. Everest with no training! Here are some guidelines for navigating those conversations with your teen.
How to Journey with Grief
“Grief is not an illness that needs to be cured, nor is it a problem that needs to be solved. It is a normal, natural response to loss.” - Paula Bunn
5 Challenges Teens Face Everyday and How You Can Help
Your teenager may seem aloof and independent, but they need you now more than ever. Here are some of the challenges your teen may be facing and how you can support them through the psychological changes that come with adolescence.
Service Dogs, Therapy Dogs, ESAs: Do You Know the Difference?
As someone who splits my time between dog training and mental health advocacy, I’m often asked about the difference between service dogs, therapy dogs, and emotional support animals (ESAs). Each type of dog has a different purpose, which means each type of dog is covered by different rules or laws. Unfortunately, many people are a little fuzzy on the difference, especially when it comes to mental illness-related disabilities. I thought it would be helpful to jump on here and share some of the things that separate these different types of dogs.
5 Cheap Ideas You'll Want to Try for Self Care Saturday
We asked our therapists, who live and work all around San Diego County, about their favorite weekend self-care activities. They all replied with outdoor activities that are not only super relaxing, but also fairly cheap or even free. If you’re looking for a way to boost your mental wellness this weekend, check out our list of cheap self-care ideas in San Diego from our therapists.
Things to Know Before Calling to Make a Therapy Appointment
I love that I get to help everyone who calls find someone who can be their therapist, whether it is at Integrity Counseling Group or if that means referring them elsewhere. So as you’re thinking about making that phone call, sending that e-mail, or shooting us a text message, I want to give you a few pieces of information that will take a bit of the unknown out of that initial conversation for you.
How the Personal Craziness Index Can Help You Survive the Holidays
It’s okay if the holidays fill you with equal parts joy and anxiety. This season is not easy, especially if you have a history of mental health struggles. This is the time to dig out the tools that have served you well in the past, and perhaps try some new ones.
How to Combat Seasonal Depression (Yes, Even in California)
I’ve never been formally diagnosed with seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). But as someone prone to bipolar depression, I have always noticed that my mood dips as the days get shorter, usually starting around my birthday in October (sad, I know!).
When Your Depression Makes You a Suicide Risk
When your thoughts focus on suicide, it's easy to feel like there are no answers. Here's how to get emergency help when you're not sure where you can turn.
Still I Run -- An Exciting Event for World Mental Health Day in October
Sunday, October 10th is World Mental Health Day. October 9th-10th are also the days that Still I Run is hosting its 2021 World Mental Health Day Virtual 5K Race Weekend!
Everything You Need to Know About Support Groups
Predators like lions never take down a group of animals (for example, a herd of sheep). What a lion does instead is this: he lures one of the sheep out of the herd by frightening the herd with a chase. The sheep are safer if they can stick together. Support groups, also known as therapy groups, provide you with similar benefits.
What It's Like Serving "the Least of These" at San Diego's Top Mental Hospital
We asked our newest associate therapist to share a little bit about her experience as an intern therapist at Sharp Mesa Vista, one of San Diego’s top mental health facilities. It’s such a unique setting and has more than prepared her for the challenges of working with clients at Integrity Counseling Group.
New Website, Renewed Passion: How We’re Celebrating Our 2nd Anniversary
As we approached our two year anniversary, we knew we needed to clarify our vision, starting with a new website that would speak to the heart of potential clients and those who trust us with referrals. Today, we’re excited to share that website with you, along with a behind-the-scenes look at what went into it.
How Much Sleep Do Adults Need?
You can find piles of books to tell you how much sleep babies need or how much sleep teenagers need, but we forget that adults need care too. Full grown adults need food, water, and sleep, just like any human. As we age our sleeping habits evolve and our sleeping needs change.
Teen Counseling Center of San Diego Announces New Website
We are thrilled to announce the new Teen Counseling Center of San Diego website! The Teen Counseling Center of San Diego is a part of Integrity Counseling Group. It focuses exclusively on providing counseling services to teens and their parents, as this is an often overlooked age group within therapy practices that requires special skills and experience.
What Does It Mean That We Do Christian Counseling?
Ever wonder what makes Christian counseling different? We actually get this question a lot! It’s often from Christians who want to make sure that their therapy experience is consistent with their faith. If that’s the case for you, read on to hear some thoughts on Christian counseling from therapist Megan Weller.
Tips to Make the Most Out of Online Therapy
As therapists, we take the time to craft a safe, healing space for our clients. Our therapy offices reflect a peaceful environment, so you might want to find a space at home where you feel the most comfortable and secure. You’ll want to find a spot where you won’t be interrupted and where you can chat openly without worrying about anyone overhearing your conversation. Wondering what to expect in your first session? We break it down in our blog post.