Despite our virtual networks and social media platforms, many people are experiencing profound feelings of isolation and disconnection. The loneliness epidemic is a complex issue with far-reaching consequences for mental and emotional well-being. However, there are steps we can take to combat loneliness and foster genuine connections in our lives.

What exactly makes a good therapist? How do you know if they're the right fit for you? Let's delve into these questions and more so you feel confident getting the right support and partnership for you!

Like many modern professions, the fields of psychology and counseling were primarily established by men.However, today, women now make up 75% of therapists in the U.S., and the once male dominated field is now eclipsed by women! For this year’s Women’s History Month, we at Nashville Collaborative Counseling Center would like to highlight some of the women pioneers in therapy and psychology.

Between the pouring rain and heaps of snow we’ve been experiencing in Nashville this month, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can cast a shadow on both your drive and energy levels, making this time of year a challenge. Remember, you're not alone in navigating these winter struggles. Whether you're dealing with SAD, or just experiencing the winter blues, read here for some practical tips from our NCCC therapists.

For some, using the start of a new year to set goals is a helpful marker for measuring personal success. For others, feelings of pressure and anxiety arise when trying to make multiple lifestyle changes all at once. This is where setting intentions can be helpful. Intentions provide an open space for exploring all of the possibilities of a new year, and with that space, a sense of self-efficacy can flourish.

With shorter days giving us less and less daylight, constant news headlines reporting war, hatred, and divisiveness, pressure to make an already thin budget stretch even further, and family dynamics that are complicated, at best, and contentious, at worst, WE NEED THERAPY. Read more on why continuing therapy throughout the holidays is vital for mental health.

November 1st was National Stress Awareness Day, a day established to increase public awareness and help people recognize, manage, and reduce stress in their personal and professional lives. The ways we take on and deal with stress can have a huge impact on our overall well being. Read more to find some of the ways that stress can affect us physically, mentally, and emotionally, along with some helpful ways to cope.

As parents, it’s important to regularly check in regarding our kids' social media activity, especially regarding exposure to current world events. While it’s traumatizing for anyone to witness violence, children are especially vulnerable. Now is a good time to review and learn a few reminders and guidelines for monitoring your kids' social media use.

Here are five tips from Meredith Martin, one of our children’s therapists at NCCC, for practicing online safety with your kids.

Ask any mental health provider and they’ll tell you: It’s always a good time to seek therapy. Often, we think something needs to be wrong in order to seek professional support. However, even though therapists are trained in treating mental health disorders, many therapists also work through a preventative care lens. Establishing a relationship with someone who creates a safe place full of trust, acceptance, and compassion means that when greater challenges arise, you won’t have to start from scratch getting the help you need.

Read here for three reasons to seek therapy today.