As we approach almost a year of quarantine and isolation required by the COVID-19 pandemic, you are likely feeling the frustration of the lingering rules and regulations. The social isolation has become an unfortunate way of life and the novelty of online happy hours and home projects has long worn off. You likely feel antsy or a growing ...
It’s the end of a long day and you likely feel like “zoning out” with some form of entertainment. In the past, that might have been a good Netflix binge or sitting at a local bar. The popularization of social media and digital communication, coupled with the isolation of the coronavirus pandemic means that more and more people ...
Chances are that your 2021 New Year’s celebrations looked a lot different than years of the past. At the same time, you likely felt relieved to say goodbye to such a challenging year amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. While this time of year is usually full of planning, goals, new year's bucket lists, and resolutions, the pandemic will likely ...
It’s not uncommon to feel a variety of emotions as you go through your divorce. Days of excitement about this new chapter will unfold alongside days of fear, shame, worry and grief. Emotions that you didn’t expect will bubble up, ranging from nostalgia to uncertainty. The ups and downs are normal and healthy as you process this significant ...
Take a moment to think back to your carefree college years and all the funny beliefs you might have had about dorm life, frat parties, and drinking. You likely remember the age-old saying “don’t break the seal” and the memories of your friends reminding you not to pee if you have been drinking beer because then you would be ...
It’s been several long months since the coronavirus pandemic began and we have been asked to shift our lives in ways that were previously unimaginable. Like any kind of restriction in life, from dieting to saving money, there are times when it feels too hard to stay the course. In those moments, you might cave into your desires and ...
Do you lie in bed at night with anxious thoughts and a running mind? Do you find yourself fearful about the future for no reason? Do you tend to have the same thoughts over and over again without resolution?
If any of these scenarios speak to you, you are likely prone to overthinking or anxious thinking. In our practice ...
Like so many other milestones and traditions this year, the holidays will look different during the Coronavirus Pandemic than they have in previous years. It will be easy to focus on what and who is missing, the traditions lost, or the sense of collective grief in the air during this time. Instead, we encourage you to plan ...
Validation is the need to have your self-worth, opinions, and thoughts recognized as worthwhile. It’s the need to be seen, understood, and accepted. Validation falls into two major categories, with people normally gravitating toward one of these types of validation more naturally: Internal and External.
In our work at Center for Shared Insight in Denver, Colorado, we help ...
The success of any relationship in life depends on how it aligns with expectations. Whether that be aligning your actions with your boss’ goals for your role or your partner’s desires, communicating regularly about your goals, needs, and expectations is essential.
Especially during the times of change or instability, such as after a break-up or during the coronavirus ...
You’ve likely felt heightened tension in your life during the coronavirus pandemic, whether that be with family, friends, neighbors, your boss or even your partner, COVID conflict is everywhere. During this time, you might feel as if we should be appreciating one another more than fighting, but so much change and uncertainty has nearly everyone on edge.
Do you feel irritated easily, experience days of overwhelming sadness, or feel lonely on a regular basis? Do you feel unable to pull out of a subtle depression or ongoing ambivalence, overwhelmed by all that is unfolding around us during the coronavirus pandemic? If so, you are absolutely not alone. The COVID funk is a real symptom of ...
Resentment and guilt are two sides of the same coin, and it might be hard to clearly understand which feeling you are experiencing, and how to overcome it. At Center for Shared Insight in Denver, Colorado, we work with clients who are working to better understand how and why these feelings show up and how to find balance ...
Each phase of life offers a new opportunity to learn something about yourself. Your needs will evolve, your perspective will shift, and you’ll continue to learn more about your own identity if you stay aware and present to what you are experiencing throughout motherhood.
So often, clients who work with our team of therapists in Denver, Colorado (especially those ...
Center for Shared Insight therapist Dr. Brittany Woolford, Ph.D recently talked with Dave Glaser from Believe Be Real Be Bold. Their discussion explored the relationship between attachment systems and sex. Throughout the podcast, Dr. Woolford shares her insights as a therapist as it relates to the way healthy attachment correlates to healthy sex.
In this podcast, ...
Difficult emotions are labeled that way because they are difficult to feel, difficult to experience, to name, to own, and to overcome. Some of the emotions that might come to mind as you think about the most difficult things you feel include shame, guilt, fear, rage, grief, regret, and unworthiness.
Since these emotions are so difficult to work ...
Overcoming loss in your life, whether that be the death of a loved one or the end of a significant relationship, is full of ups and downs. The highs and lows of the grieving process can feel like a rollercoaster that you can’t get off. There will be days when you feel positive and optimistic about your healing only ...
Some milestones in life present a more natural time to let go. Those might be at a birthday when you are reflecting on the past year and what you’d like to manifest in the next year, or during major life shifts such as moving into a new home or changing jobs. The new year is another time where ...
Being separated from your kids at any major holiday or birthdays can be emotionally challenging. Your tendency might be to protest the agreement you and your former partner have already made about the parenting plan or try and re-negotiate the plans you confirmed prior to the holiday.
Chances are, the parenting plan and custody arrangements are far more
The holidays are inevitably a time of year in which you’ll spend more time with friends and family. While that can be fun and celebratory, it’s often also stressful and triggering. If you know that you struggle to be around family during the holidays, and that time with parents, siblings, and other relatives makes you more emotional, here ...
Whether it’s due to the loss of a relationship, death of a loved one this year, your parenting plan results in less time with your kids, or other unwanted changes you’ve endured in the past year, the holidays aren’t a happy time for everyone. When you are surrounded by music suggesting that “it’s the most wonderful time of the ...
In working with hundreds of clients, the therapists at Center for Shared Insight in Denver Colorado often hear phrases like:
“I’m overwhelmed.”
“I feel so drained.”
“I can’t keep all the details straight.”
“It’s exhausted managing it all.”
If it’s your job to manage your relationships’ details, such as the planning, scheduling, social calendar maintenance, and more, it ...
Meet Lachele Perdue our Intake Coordinator responsible for connecting new clients to the therapist who is the right fit for them. She also ensures a smooth onboarding process for all new clients, which is so important to their success in therapy. ...
While it’s a well-known fact that healthy relationships add to one’s life expectancy, less is known about the effect of relationships and suicide rates. In this post, we’ll examine the impact of positive relationships, toxic relationships, and breakups on suicidal tendencies, signs to look for, and how to get help.
Not only does a romantic relationship ...
Camille Virginia is an award-winning writer, founder of Master Offline Dating, and author of The Offline Dating Method. She helps single women ditch the dating apps and attract great men in the real world. She is passionate about helping people create a more fulfilling life across every aspect: friendship, career, family, and romantic. Learn more about Camille and her ...
Some topics are easy to talk with your therapist about, such as problems sleeping, or lack of a work/life balance. Others might require more vulnerability, including gender identity questions or challenges related to sex. At our therapy practice in Denver, Colorado, we encourage clients to have uncomfortable conversations with our team of specialists, including those related to sex. In ...
We’ve all trusted the words of a partner and let promises of change propel the relationship forward. Especially if your love language is words of affirmation the commitments your partner makes to you are vital to building confidence in your relationship. But, how often have your partner’s actions not matched those promising words? How do these mixed signals ...
Whether it’s heartbreak, loss, or unwanted change, difficult situations often evoke feelings of anxiety, fear, and sadness. While it’s important to own and honor these very natural responses to challenging times in your life, these periods are also an opportunity for growth.
In fact, growth can very often be stimulated by difficulty, and the learning and expansion that occurs ...
In this interview with Mallaree Blake, PsyD., we'll learn more about everything from Dr. Blake's favorite way to spend a day to her top book recommendations.
Dr. Mallaree Blake, PsyD. provides specialized treatment for pregnancy, perinatal and postpartum health, infertility, dating and relationships, anxiety and depression, sexuality and sexual health, as well as LGBTQ and cultural identity concerns.
Therapists have the great honor ...
In this interview with Dr. Brittany Woolford, PhD., we'll learn more about everything from Dr. Woolford's journey as a therapist to her favorite food. Dr. Brittany Woolford, PhD. joins our practice to provide specialized treatment for couples and families for issues including relationships, break-ups, divorce, sexual health, military life, and more.
Therapists have the great honor of witnessing ...
Painful events in life are inevitable. No matter your socioeconomic status, race, gender, or personal history, it’s certain you’ll experience loss, unwanted change, or death of a loved one throughout your life. You might even currently feel pain within your existing relationship, even if it’s relatively healthy. Or, as a parent, you might feel discomfort about your experience of ...
So much of what creates fulfillment in life stems from making the right decisions. You make significant choices throughout your life as you decide your career path, whether to have kids, and who to choose as a romantic partner. It’s important to be selective and clear about your values and needs as you make any important decision about your ...
In a recent interview on the Oprah show with Wade Robson and James Safechuck related to the film, Leaving Neverland, Safechuck told Oprah, "Forgiveness is not a line that you cross—it's a road that you take." This profound statement has applications far beyond this film and suggests that forgiveness and healing are a choice, and possible for everyone.
When something painful happens in your life, such as a breakup, loss of a job, or unexpected illness, it’s certain that many emotions will arise. Those might include fear, anger, sadness, regret, betrayal and many others. These feelings, and others that bubble up as you go through a stressful life event, are important to embrace, own, and experience ...
When it comes to challenges around getting (and staying) pregnant, so often the focus and support is geared toward the woman. There are an abundance of support groups, books, and resources to help women overcome the challenging feelings that accompany unsuccessfully becoming pregnant.
But, as we all know, it takes two to make a baby, and rarely is ...
One of the many reasons I gravitate toward the practice of yoga is because of the parallels and metaphors that exist between the poses and life. In a recent class led by Anders Tremont-Nelson in a suburb of Denver, Colorado, I was reminded of an important perspective that not only applies on the mat, but also in many facets ...
When you enter into a relationship, you are likely optimistic that the relationship will last and are hoping for a true long-term connection. When you start to question whether the relationship will last, it might take a while to get honest with yourself. You might initially make up excuses for your partner’s behavior or the lack of overall chemistry. ...
Upon hearing the words “Mother’s Day” you may immediately think of the Hallmark version of this holiday, full of flowers, cards, moms and daughters in matching dresses, and fancy brunches. But, that’s not everyone’s experience. Mother’s Day evokes a variety of emotions and can be a very difficult day for many, depending on the circumstances of their family.
If ...
In a world with endless demands on your time, a growing to-do list, and the pressures created by social media to be nearly perfect, exhaustion is more the norm than not. In fact, according to a recent study conducted by the National Safety Council, 97 percent of working Americans have at least one of the leading risk factors ...
If you have ever overreacted or “blown up” in a conversation with a loved one, co-worker, parent, or even child, then the practice of tuning into your emotional thermometer would likely be a helpful one. The process of understanding your emotional continuum is especially critical if you have a tendency to spiral out of control during heated discussions and ...
‘Boundaries’ is a word we throw around casually nowadays as it becomes more mainstream. Maybe you have heard comments like “my resolution this year is to have stronger boundaries” or “better boundaries will help me find more balance in my life”. And, while these comments are true, it’s often difficult to define exactly what “good boundaries” means, especially because ...
Think back to your last break-up...Did you feel devastatingly empty, depressed, lost or wonder how you would move forward without this person in your life? If so, you might be prone to losing yourself in a relationship. If you tend to merge with your current partner, assume their likes and dislikes, and take on his or her interests, after ...
Heraclitus, the great Greek philosopher, is credited with the famous phrase “change is the only constant in life”. While this is undoubtedly true, challenge is also another constant. Life is rarely without a challenge — whether that be minor or catastrophic. It’s how we face and overcome challenge that leads to character. While it’s inevitable that life will hand ...
Have you ever been in a situation in which you feel like you can’t get clarity? Maybe you are torn between two choices, or in a fog about what the best next step looks like. This might be the case in a decision around a relationship, job, or any other potential change in your life. Or, you might witness ...
Repetition is a powerful teacher. Adding consistency and ritual to your daily life can serve you in many ways including improving productivity, increasing happiness, and boosting mood. Most notably, morning routines have been linked to greater professional success and getting more done overall.
Here are some daily rituals to consider – whether they help you through a difficult ...
Do you feel overcommitted, spread thin, and run down? We often see clients who experience these emotions on a daily basis. While consistent self-care rituals are important to overcoming the pressure you might feel from having a packed schedule and long to-do list, the impact of “saying no” in your life is an important part of managing ...
In my work as a Denver therapist, I regularly witness the power of individual therapy to heal relationship problems. Setting aside time to talk about the way your relationships influence your thoughts and behaviors one-one-one with a trained relationship psychologist is paramount to transforming a relationship.
Many couples choose couples therapy in addition to, or sometimes instead of, ...
When you think of therapy to help your romantic relationship, you probably imagine the classic scene with a couple sitting around with a therapist, each taking turns discussing their core problems and each telling his or her own side of the story. While that model has been the norm for decades, it may not be the most effective in ...
When you are motivated to change and improve your life, there are a myriad of avenues within your reach to help you get there. In today’s hyper-connected world, you probably rely on a wide range of solutions to help meet life’s goals – everything from accountability apps, to self-help books, to online support groups, to life coaches – especially ...
It might be the most difficult decision you’ve made your entire live, and the one that will most impact your future happiness:
“Should I ...
It’s that time of year when almost everyone takes time to reflect on the year’s past and look forward to needed changes as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s eve. While it’s important to engage in evaluation practices and set short-term goals throughout the year, here are some tips for setting and reaching realistic goals in every part ...
The holidays are a powerful, reflective time of the year and the transition to a new year often necessitates a sense of introspection about our impact in the world. Many of you may look back on 2016 and remember fondly the good that came into your life. Whereas, others may feel a sense of loss, anger, tragedy, and/or heartache, and ...
Does winter have you worn down, unmotivated, blue, tired, and/or restless?
Winter is classically the time of year when people tend to hibernate, rest, and reflect. If you are fortunate to live in a place like Colorado where we experience four distinct seasons, there is a sense of appreciation for winter, even if it’s not the ...
If you want a brighter future in life (and dating!) start by looking inward. The stories we tell ourselves impact everything… and we do mean everything.
The stories we tell ourselves are powerful, so powerful that they have the power to change the course of our future. Find out how to harness this ...
As a Denver psychologist specializing in dating, relationship, and divorce issues, I regularly witness the power of active reflection as a personal development tool used to fully move forward. It’s critical to do so at ...
January. It's the time of year when we have a universal clean slate to start again, begin anew, and reset.
As a clinical psychologist in Denver, I regularly incorporate goal-setting, resolutions, and commitments into my work with clients. ...
As a relationship therapist in the Denver area, I witness varying client emotions arising throughout the season, making the holidays both the most ...
Countless studies from renowned organizations including Harvard Health and
In the first part of this Fearless Living in 2015 piece, I shared an intimate story of a dear friend’s experience of ...
I was catching up with a dear friend last week, and she brought up a great (and timely) topic: bringing her new beau home for the holidays for the first ...
As is true for so many who find their way to Colorado, I fell in love with the Rocky Mountains from day one. They are magnificent, beautiful, offer a Utopian escape from city ...
If you’ve been to a grocery store check-out line, turned on the television, or even connected with friends on social media sites, chances are you’ve been inundated by the magazines, commercials, reality shows, advertisements, etc. portraying a fantasy-driven story line pertaining to marriage.
The entire objective of this media is to get you to buy in to the idea of marriage—that ...
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Center for Shared Insight is a safe place for clients and families of all ages, genders, cultures, religions, sexual orientations and walks of life.