Blog

• posted: Mar. 10, 2026
• mental health,  counseling,  psychotherapy,  executive functioning,  tinley park counseling,  procrastination

Ever listen to a song and feel like it was written just for you? There is this Francesca Battistelli song that is running through my brain these days because it Read More

• posted: Mar. 10, 2026
• counseling,  illinois counseling,  psychotherapy,  tinley park illinois,  tinley park counselors

In the previous blog, I introduced the difference between feedback and criticism. In Part Six, I will address blame and our inner critic. Blame and Burden According to Caldwell, taking responsibility for Read More

• posted: Mar. 10, 2026
• mental health,  counseling,  psychotherapy,  tinley park illinois,  tinley park counseling,  therapy,  tinley park counselors

Mindfulness breathing is one of the most accessible and effective ways to support both mental and physical wellbeing. By gently directing attention to the breath, we can calm the nervous Read More

• posted: Mar. 10, 2026
• mental health,  counseling,  illinois counseling,  psychotherapy,  tinley park illinois,  tinley park counseling,  counselor

We now turn to another important section of the book: Feedback versus Criticism. Caldwell explores how our interpretation of the world and others shapes both our reactions and our perceptions. Feedback describes Read More

• posted: Feb. 11, 2026
• mental health,  mental wellness,  counseling,  illinois counseling,  psychotherapy,  stress management,  anger management,  coping skills,  tinley park illinois,  oak forest illinois,  mokena illinois,  tinley park counseling

Anger is a normal human emotion. Everyone feels it at times, perhaps when plans fall apart, when we feel treated unfairly, or when we face ongoing stress. Anger itself is Read More

• posted: Feb. 11, 2026
• mental health,  mental wellness,  counseling,  psychotherapy,  physical health,  physical wellness,  personal goals,  confidence,  new year,  resolutions

What resolutions have you thought about making this new year? The new year is a great time to take stock, reevaluate goals, and take positive action to resolve unsettled concerns Read More

• posted: Feb. 06, 2026
• mental health,  mental wellness,  counseling,  psychotherapy,  mindfulness,  mind and body connection,  mind,  body,  reconnection,  awareness,  attunement

In the first blog of this series, we explored how Getting Our Bodies Back by Chrstine Cadlwell brings awareness to our bodies and how incorporating our bodies is essential to Read More

• posted: Feb. 04, 2026
• mental health,  mental wellness,  psychotherapy,  mindfulness,  change,  adjustment,  uncertainty,  community

Hello, I am new here at Olive Branch Counseling Associates. I have the privilege to conduct my undergrad internship here and learn from whom I believe are the best counselors Read More

• posted: Jan. 14, 2026
• mental health,  mental wellness,  counseling,  psychotherapy,  wellness,  journaling,  therapeutic writing,  creative writing,  resilience,  strengths

Part 3: Writing for Strength - How Positive Psychology Uses Writing to Build Well-Being Welcome to the final part in our series on therapeutic writing. Parts 1 and 2 explored how Read More

• posted: Jan. 14, 2026
• mental health,  mental wellness,  psychotherapy,  grief,  stages of grief,  guilt,  guilt in grief,  survivors guilt

Grief is a complicated and complex process that often shows up in subtle, unconscious emotions and, at other times, in more direct, noticeable ways. A feeling that can linger is Read More

• posted: Jan. 13, 2026
• mental health,  psychotherapy,  writing,  journaling,  couneling,  creativity,  expression,  processing,  therapeutic writing

Part 1: Writing Can Heal - Understanding the Therapeutic Power of Putting Words on Paper   In my recent blog, Handwriting Literally Rewires Your Brain, I explained how the process of handwriting Read More

• posted: Dec. 03, 2025
• mental health,  counseling,  psychotherapy,  budget,  holiday budget,  finances,  financial stress,  stress management,  executive functioning,  organization,  anxiety

The holidays are a time of excitement and festivities. There is so much to look forward to! Spending time with family, giving gifts, seasonal foods, and enjoying the decorations all Read More

• posted: Nov. 11, 2025
• mental health,  mental wellness,  counseling,  tinley park,  illinois,  illinois counseling,  psychotherapy,  new beginnings,  pause,  reflect

Welcome to Counseling Matters and to our first post!  I am honored you are taking the time to visit and read on.  This blog will have many contributors on many Read More