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Understanding the Avoidance-Anxiety Cycle Anxiety is a natural response to stress, uncertainty, or danger. But when anxiety becomes chronic, it often leads us to develop behaviors meant to protect us—like avoiding situations that feel overwhelming. At first, avoidance can feel like a relief. But over time, it becomes a powerful force that makes anxiety worse,…

Depression affects millions of individuals across the country and is one of the most common mental health conditions we treat at Aram Connection, a therapy practice serving the Northshore area of Illinois. It impacts how you think, feel, and function in everyday life. From persistent sadness and fatigue to difficulty concentrating and a loss of…

Adolescence is a pivotal stage in life—a time filled with growth, self-discovery, and inevitable challenges. For many teens, navigating this phase can feel overwhelming. Changes in the body, shifts in social circles, academic pressures, and identity questions can create emotional turmoil. As a parent or caregiver, watching your teen struggle can be heart-wrenching and confusing.…

One of the key go-to exercises in mindfulness is the practice of deep breathing. It is a highly effective tool that can help provide rapid relief from stress, anxiety, or worry. The great news is that there are many other ways to integrate mindfulness into a busy day.  Why practice mindfulness? Because it can help…

Communication Tip: Using “I” Statements A lot of our conversations with others revolve around accountability. We can become very invested in who we think is right and who we think is wrong. Although most communication is never that simple, we all have times where we think someone else should be held accountable when bad things…

Being alone can be a good thing. Maybe you can find time to go for a walk or shop at a favorite store. Choosing to be alone, however, is different than loneliness. Being lonely can feel like you lack the emotional and social support to enjoy life. As a country we are struggling with the…

When “Don’t Cry You’re Going to Be O.K.” Isn’t Enough The myth that people only cry when they’re sad is well known. Sometimes this belief causes family and friends to want to  “cheer you up” when you cry. Crying is often seen as a behavior that needs to be stopped, redirected, or felt ashamed about.…

There are many ideas about what forgiveness is and why it matters. The popular phrase that calls on people to forgive but never forget can be confusing. If a person hurt us, why should we forgive them? How will forgiving someone help you feel better? Forgiving is the intentional decision to let go of the…

When people think about habits it can be confusing. Are habits activities that we put in place to be healthy? Or are they patterns we feel the need to break? Maybe a little bit of both. “Bad habits” are the ones that can be frustrating. Maybe you have a friend who has tried to quit…

Now that you have scheduled your first therapy session what can you expect? A therapist should be able to emotionally connect with you and gain an understanding of what brings you to therapy. Being able to build a positive, safe, and supportive relationship with your therapist is one of the most important parts of feeling…

Myth: Mental health issues don’t affect that many people. Do people really need to get help? Fact:  Actually, mental illness is a very prevalent concern that affects individuals and the families that care about them. According to the NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health), more than 1 in 5 U.S. adults live with a mental…

Things you can do when a loved one has a mental health disorder Educate yourself on the warning signs of mental illness. Turn to reputable sources for information such as NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) or NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health). While signs and symptoms of mental health changes can vary, a person…