Allium Counseling Blog

Staying Grounded: Maintaining Eating Disorder Recovery During the Summer
Summer can be a season of light, warmth, and freedom, but for those in eating disorder recovery, it can also stir up a unique set of challenges. As a therapist who works with individuals in various stages of recovery, I’ve seen how the summer months can bring both progress and pressure. Whether you’re navigating vacation …

Navigating the Stages of Change: A Therapist’s Guide to Personal Growth
As a therapist, one of the most powerful frameworks I share with clients navigating personal growth, healing, or habit change is the Stages of Change Model (also known as the Transtheoretical Model). This model helps us understand that change isn’t a straight line – it’s a process. Whether you’re working to improve your mental health, …

Finding Hope in Eating Disorder Recovery
If you’re in the thick of an eating disorder or just beginning your recovery journey, the idea of hope might feel like a distant concept—something fragile, maybe even foolish. We understand. Not just because we’re therapists trained to help people heal from eating disorders, but because some of us have walked this road ourselves. We …

The Mental Rabbit Hole of Anxiety (and How to Climb Out With a Laugh)
You know the drill. You feel a little twinge of worry, maybe about a work email you haven’t responded to yet. No big deal. But suddenly, your anxious brain decides to take that worry, strap it to a rocket, and launch it into a full-blown disaster scenario. Before you know it, you’re spiraling: Or maybe …

Breaking Free from Perfectionism:
You set excessively high standards, fear failure, engage in intense self-criticism, and struggle to accept mistakes. If this sounds familiar, you may struggle with perfectionism, and you’re not alone. Perfectionism is often associated with success, but when extreme, it leads to stress, anxiety, procrastination, and burnout. The relentless pursuit of flawlessness can harm mental health, …

Social Media Addiction: Understanding and Addressing Its Impact on Mental Health
In today’s digital age, social media and smartphones are integral parts of daily life for both adolescents and adults. However, the pervasive use of these technologies can sometimes lead to unhealthy patterns of behavior, including what is often referred to as social media addiction. This phenomenon can significantly impact mental health, leading to increased anxiety, …

Navigating Body Image Struggles: A Therapist’s Perspective on Building Resilience
As a therapist, one of the most rewarding aspects of my work is helping clients develop skills to navigate the challenges they face, including those surrounding body image. Body image struggles are incredibly common, touching people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. What makes these struggles especially tricky is how deeply they’re tied to our …

Understanding Food and Mental Health: Building a Healthier Relationship
The connection between food and mental health is complex and deeply personal. Whether someone is navigating emotional eating, impulsive eating, or other challenges, gaining insight into these patterns can be an empowering step toward a healthier relationship with food. It’s important to understand that you don’t need a diagnosed eating disorder to explore food-related concerns. …

The Importance of Self-Compassion in Changing Your Relationship with Food During Eating Disorder Recovery
Recovering from an eating disorder is a journey that takes courage, strength, and patience. At Allium Counseling, we know that one of the most challenging parts of this process is learning to rebuild a positive, balanced relationship with food. This often means challenging longstanding beliefs, routines, and fears tied to the eating disorder—steps that can …

How to Cope with Anxiety Symptoms Without Taking a Sick Day
If you struggle with anxiety, you may know that it oftentimes shows up at inconvenient times, like when you’re trying to get ready for a busy day or when getting ready for work. So, how can you navigate these symptoms without having to cancel your plans or taking a sick day from work? First, let’s …