Source: Photo by In Lieu & In View Photography on Unsplash In any relationship you are present as both a partner and as an individual. While you live together, you also have a life that is separate from your loved one. We spend time apart from each other and simultaneously want to be a part…
The Wildflower Blog
Venture into the heart of therapy with the Wildflower blog. We delve into topics that matter, blending therapeutic expertise with genuine stories of hope and transformation. *Please note that our blogs are designed to inform only and are not intended to diagnose or treat mental health disorders.
Understanding Health Insurance Plans: Fundamentals to Help you Navigate Your Mental Health Benefits
Source: Photo by Edu Lauton on Unsplash Understanding the details of health insurance policies is hard! As Wildflower’s Practice Manager, I see firsthand just how challenging (and frustrating) navigating health plan benefits can be. I empathize and understand these reactions––insurance plans are increasingly complex, nuanced and filled with fine print. It is important to develop…
Therapist Spotlight: Jennifer Nemecek, JD
Jennifer is an advanced clinical social work intern at Wildflower and is passionate about creating a therapy space that is welcoming, safe, and effective. Her clinical areas of focus include depression, anxiety, sexual functioning, gender identity, communication, grief, trauma, and self-esteem. Jennifer is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in clinical social work at the University…
Therapist Spotlight: Lolly O’Sullivan, M.Ed., LPC
Lolly is a psychotherapist at Wildflower. Lolly’s clinical experience spans private practice and inpatient mental health settings. She has received specialized training in, among others, ACT, MBCT, CBT, and ERP. Lolly earned her Bachelor’s degree from DePaul University in Communication Studies and her Master’s degree from DePaul in Clinical Mental health Counseling. Read Lolly’s full…
How to Establish and Maintain Boundaries with Family and Friends During the Holidays
Source: Photo by Dima Pechurin on Unsplash Setting and maintaining boundaries with family and friends starts with asking yourself what you want your boundaries to look like. It can be difficult to differentiate between what you truly want and need versus what you feel you should do. This is further muddied by the expectations that…
A Solo Thanksgiving in Chicago
Source: Photo by Erol Ahmed on Unsplash First and foremost, be sure to take care of YOU. Spending a holiday alone can bring up many different emotions from sadness or dread to excitement or relief. A missed flight, illness, job demands, or establishing healthy boundaries with family are just some of the many reasons people…
5 Things You Can Do Today To Start Being More Productive
Source: Photo by Ian Dooley on Unsplash Have you ever looked at your to-do list, felt overwhelmed by how much is on it and ended up taking a nap instead? If so, you aren’t alone. According to a research study conducted by Reutskaja et al. in 2018, while our brains find the idea of choice…
What Is Sexual Health?
Source: Photo by Leticia Pelissari on Unsplash Have you ever taken time to reflect on what your sexual health means to you? Depending on our personal histories and our accessibility to resources (educational, medical, etc.), we may not have an idea of what sexual health means. Historically, sexual health has been understood as avoiding unwanted…
Matrescence as a Psychotherapist: Part III
Source: Photo by Vivek Kumar on Unsplash In our first two articles in this series written in collaboration with Chrissy Ellis, LCSW, PMH-C, we have identified what matrescence is and what it means to navigate this transitional period as a therapist, the various client and therapist reactions that commonly occur, and how to use the…
Navigating Miscarriage and Infant Loss: How to Get Support When You Don’t Like Asking for Help
Losing a pregnancy or an infant can be one of the most devastating events a person can experience. While human beings are wired to connect with other human beings, it can still feel incredibly uncomfortable to ask for help. This kind of loss creates a unique type of grief, and you deserve strong support. Here…
