Blog

Marriage/Couples Elizabeth McMahan Marriage/Couples Elizabeth McMahan

The Honeymoon Phase: Why Does It End and What Happens Next?

The heady stages of a new relationship are among life’s more exciting moments.

You feel like you’re living in a real-life fairy tale. You idealize your partner and think he or she can do no wrong.

This is called the “honeymoon phase.” It’s fun and romantic.

It usually occurs in the early stages of a relationship and can last anywhere from 6 months to two years. But sooner or later, it comes to an end.

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Marriage/Couples, Life Transitions Elizabeth McMahan Marriage/Couples, Life Transitions Elizabeth McMahan

Forgiveness: How To Do It, Embrace Acceptance, And Move On

By Elizabeth McMahan

Trust is tricky – it’s hard to gain and easy to lose.

It’s also one of the biggest cornerstones of any relationship. When lost, the person betrayed may feel extremely devastated because it can completely alter the path of the entire relationship. We’ve all experienced some form of hurt or betrayal, but to what extent? The nature of the relationship, as well as the level of hurt we feel, will probably determine whether or not we’re willing to forgive the person who betrayed us.

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Individual Counseling, Life Transitions Elizabeth McMahan Individual Counseling, Life Transitions Elizabeth McMahan

Make Self-Care A Lifestyle? Why And How

By Elizabeth McMahan

Life. It’s full of beauty, full of fascinating discoveries, full of surprises… and full of responsibilities.

Your education, your job, your bills, your family. Everything is jumping, screaming, and begging for your attention.

And more often than not, those things get your attention first—before yourself.

In the end, your life always revolves around other people and other things

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Individual Counseling Elizabeth McMahan Individual Counseling Elizabeth McMahan

Gratitude With Mindfulness And Intention: 8 Ways To Embrace It

By Elizabeth McMahan

Gratitude: “the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.”

Mindfulness: “a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations.”

It seems these two terms have been fluttering around the therapeutic community a lot recently.

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Trauma Therapy Elizabeth McMahan Trauma Therapy Elizabeth McMahan

EMDR Treatment for Trauma? What Makes It Worth Trying?

Trauma – caused by abuse, natural disasters, or perhaps battlefield experiences – is a widespread problem. Studies have shown that unprocessed memories of the trauma are often at the base of the negative thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations a trauma victim experiences.

Professionals utilize several effective therapies for treating trauma, such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) or psychodynamic therapies. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is one that has become popular in more recent years and shows promising results.

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Individual Counseling Elizabeth McMahan Individual Counseling Elizabeth McMahan

Friends and Happiness - Why More Isn't Necessarily Better

By Janie McMahan, LMFT

Long before friend became a popular social media verb, it was the noun that described our most significant non-family relationships.

Friends and happiness are a long-cherished combination. We’ve made incalculable movies and TV shows about friendships. And, who knows how many friend-related songs and books exist?

But, having friends is more than just a part of our cultural life. It’s also good for your health!

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Marriage/Couples Elizabeth McMahan Marriage/Couples Elizabeth McMahan

Practice the Power of Pause in Your Relationship: 7 Ways

By Elizabeth McMahan

Have you ever consider how much power a moment of pause can hold?

When you pause, you actually open up space in your mind that gives you the opportunity to think a matter over and choose something new. It creates the possibility to assimilate a situation, make conscious decisions, and take control of your life. It leads you to talk less and listen more. And as a result, your relationship can become deeper, closer, and more meaningful.

That is the power of pause.

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Individual Counseling, Life Transitions Elizabeth McMahan Individual Counseling, Life Transitions Elizabeth McMahan

Stop Being Hard on Yourself: Put Your SELF Back Into "Self-Compassion"

By Elizabeth McMahan

“You don’t make enough money! You’ll never get that promotion! You don’t spend enough time with your kids! You always snap at them! You’re eating way too much! You’ll never lose that weight! You need to have some control! You’re no good! You don’t deserve compassion!”

Have you ever been told things like that?

Could it be the one talking to you so harshly you isn’t someone else, but you, yourself?

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