Therapist Tori

How Your Fear of Criticism Could Be Limiting Your Life

Most people don't like being criticized, but having an irrational fear of it holds us back from doing what we need or want to do. Learning how to handle it is one of the skills we learn through therapy, counseling, or coaching.

How Your Fear of Criticism Could Be Limiting Your Life Assertiveness is the key to freeing yourself from worry.

Healthy relationships require compromise, but they also require communication. Making things you consider sacrifices without your partner's awareness is likely to lead to resentment. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/happy-together/202209/are-your-good-intentions-sabotaging-your-relationship

Self-Regulation Definition and Skills to Practice

Self-regulation goes beyond self-control. It's our ability to guide ourselves toward certain goals by caring for our emotional and mental health.

Self-Regulation Definition and Skills to Practice The ability to manage your emotions and behave in line with your values is called self-regulation. Learn strategies to develop self-regulatory skills.

We're proud to observe Martin Luther King Day in hope of a more just and peaceful world, from Victoria Lynn Dorsey

It's hard to get a partner to open up if they believe that they would be a burden. But although it's up to them to change, there are ways you can show you're open to communicating. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulfillment-any-age/202209/4-ways-bring-out-your-partner-s-true-feelings

14 Ways to Manage Work Stress and Avoid Burnout

Stress often has physical symptoms. If you are suffering from fatigue, headaches, or digestive problems, that may be a sign you need to reduce how much stress you subject yourself to.

14 Ways to Manage Work Stress and Avoid Burnout Work got you down? These 14 strategies can help you stay on top of work stress and avoid a burnout.

3 Reasons Why You Each See Your Relationship Differently

Every family has its own culture, and romantic relationships are meetings between different cultures. Sometimes, that means there will be clear misunderstandings, but other times, it might take more digging to determine where the disconnect is.

3 Reasons Why You Each See Your Relationship Differently Feel like you and your partner live in different realities? You probably do.

Why You Don't Need a 'Big' Reason for Therapy

Part of the reason people seek mental health services is so that they can gain a fuller understanding of their problems. You don't need to already have everything figured out to seek help.

Why You Don't Need a 'Big' Reason for Therapy There's a common misconception that people only go to therapy to deal with mental health conditions or major challenges, but that's just not true.

Happy new year to all, from Victoria Lynn Dorsey!

How Can I Relax?

Stress is a normal part of life, but it can become overwhelming if we don't learn ways of managing it. Some ways of soothing physical symptoms also have an effect on the mind.

How Can I Relax? It can be difficult to calm down your body and mind when you're anxious or overwhelmed. Learn tips on how to relax, both mentally and physically.

Want to Get Out of Your Head and into Your Body? Try These 9 Tips

If your stress response isn't shutting off on its own, there are several ways you can learn to take control of it consciously. Many of these involve recognizing the close connection between the body and the mind.

Want to Get Out of Your Head and into Your Body? Try These 9 Tips Connecting to the body can help you become an active participant in your own life.

Wishing you a merry Christmas, from Victoria Lynn Dorsey!

My Partner and I Both Have Depression, Now What?

If two people who are in a relationship both have depression, they may have a better understanding of what the other is going through. But it is still important for them to take care of their individual needs.

My Partner and I Both Have Depression, Now What? Navigating a relationship where you and your partner have depression can be challenging, but not impossible. Learn how to handle this dynamic and ways to cope.

Wishing our friends a happy Hannukah, from Victoria Lynn Dorsey

How to Turn Positive Stress Management Into a Habit

It's easier to get into the habit of stress management when you work techniques into preexisting parts of your schedule. For example, your commute could be a good time to check in with yourself.

How to Turn Positive Stress Management Into a Habit Effectively managing stress at work requires daily practice.

Here’s How Couples Therapy Could Completely Transform Your Relationship

Couples Therapy teaches skills couples can use to work through their problems respectfully, but it can also provide a neutral arbiter when they need an additional perspective. It's not just something for times of crisis.

Here’s How Couples Therapy Could Completely Transform Your Relationship A therapist explains how it works — and why most couples should try it.

10 Easy Breathing Exercises for Anxiety

Breathing exercises aren't just for when you're having an anxiety attack. They can be practiced regularly, reducing symptoms such as insomnia.

10 Easy Breathing Exercises for Anxiety Breathwork can be a soothing cure for anxiety symptoms. Here are some breathing exercises to try when you’re experiencing an anxiety attack.

How to Deal With Passive-Aggressive Behavior in Your Relationship

When you sense that passive-aggression is becoming common in your relationship, whatever problem is driving it needs to be addressed. Your conversation is more likely to be productive if you stay focused on what you need and feel.

How to Deal With Passive-Aggressive Behavior in Your Relationship Whether it's a backhanded compliment or a subtle eye-roll, learn how to identify passive aggression and what to do about it.

The Most Misunderstood Feeling

Anger is a natural feeling and can be used positively. But many people think it's something inherently destructive.

The Most Misunderstood Feeling How to develop a healthy relationship with anger, and why it's so misunderstood.

What Causes Contempt in Relationships

Contempt is one of the greatest threats to a relationship. But as long as a couple wants to save their relationship, there are things they can do to make contempt less common.

What Causes Contempt in Relationships Contempt, the worst of the Four Horsemen, can devastate a relationship. Learn how to spot it and what to do when it shows up.

Maintaining diverse sources of nutrition will help us to control inflammation, and regulate our moods. There are a lot of options out there for you to try. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mood-microbe/202205/what-is-the-diversity-diet

We wish you a happy Thanksgiving, from Victoria Lynn Dorsey!

Are Rough Patches in Relationships Normal?

It's expected that you'll encounter difficulties in your relationship. But their are methods of communicating you can learn that will make conflict resolution much easier.

Are Rough Patches in Relationships Normal? When your relationship is in a rough patch, you may wonder if it’s over. Here are some things you can do that will guide you through.

Your Guide to Managing Workplace Anxiety

You don't need to have an anxiety disorder to feel stressed about specific situations. If work is something that's causing you a lot of trouble, there may be things you can do to make it easier for yourself.

Your Guide to Managing Workplace Anxiety Does the thought of work inspire nervousness and dread? You could be dealing with workplace anxiety. These tips can help you manage it.

One of the most important things to remember about communication is that it's not all verbal. We have to show that we're open to listening by more than just taking turns speaking. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/compassion-matters/202207/want-better-relationship-try-collaborative-communication

11 Anxiety Triggers and How to Identify and Manage Them

Anxiety can strike for all sorts of reasons that may not be immediately obvious to you. But once you identify them, many are within your power to change.

11 Anxiety Triggers and How to Identify and Manage Them Many things can trigger anxiety, but some are more common than others. We explain how to identify and manage your anxiety triggers.

Thank you to all who served, from Victoria Lynn Dorsey!

Couples go through the same events together, but each person won't always be affected the same way. Those differences aren't always bad, but they do need to be understood. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/communication-matters/202207/how-we-live-in-the-same-and-different-relationship

The Best Way to Manage Anxiety

Anxiety can't and shouldn't be completely eliminated. One of the keys to controlling it is to understand it's purpose and whether it's achieving that in a particular moment.

The Best Way to Manage Anxiety How to apply the anxiety formula in daily life.

Conflicts are inevitable and we need to be able to work them out productively instead of pretending like they're not there. But sometimes, that means knowing when to take a break and how to calm down enough to feel less defensive. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/well-being/202207/how-manage-conflict-and-promote-harmony

Bacteria, inflammation, and our mental health are all closely related. If you're trying to improve your mood, some simple changes in your diet could make a big difference. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mood-microbe/202207/the-microbial-heroes-the-gut-brain-axis

Healthy Relationships: Definition, Characteristics, and Tips

The sense of meaning we get from our relationships isn't quite the same thing as whether we're happy. To build stronger bonds, we have to be in tune with how our partner communicates and willing to be vulnerable.

Healthy Relationships: Definition, Characteristics, and Tips What is it like to be in a healthy (or unhealthy) relationship? You may have an idea from popular media or your own personal experience. Keep reading to find out what psychological research has to say.

What Is High-Functioning Depression?

"High-functioning" is a phrase some people use when symptoms of depression don't match their stereotype of it. But those cases are still serious and can be improved through mental health services.

What Is High-Functioning Depression? 'High-functioning' depression is not a clinical diagnosis but is instead a lay term for hidden depression that goes unnoticed. Learn the signs and what you can do.

Creating and Sustaining a Culture of Appreciation in Difficult Times

Regularly expressing appreciation is essential for a strong marriage. If you're not sure how to start, here are some ideas.

Creating and Sustaining a Culture of Appreciation in Difficult Times Life stressors can challenge your marriage. Learn how building a culture of appreciation can help you weather any storm.

Changing your communication style might not be easy or something you can do overnight. But counseling will help you figure out the hardest parts. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fixing-families/202208/couples-who-dont-talk

5 Reasons Why We Worry

Even when we feel overwhelmed by worry, there's a need that's driving it. Figuring out what that need is will allow us to handle anxiety in a manner that makes us feel better.

5 Reasons Why We Worry You can make changes by taking a step back from your worries.

Living The Abundant Life Ep 14

Please join my podcast every Friday at 5pm CST. I promise you'll get nuggets of information that will help you live an abundant life.

Living The Abundant Life Ep 14 Therapist Tori is in! Every Friday @ 6 PM EST/ 5 pm CST

Office refresh is looking very nice!

What Is Chronic Depression?

Depression is a varied disease, and different forms of it can last for a long time. However, chronic depression can still be manageable.

What Is Chronic Depression? This article explores the symptoms, causes, and diagnosis of chronic depression, as well as some treatment options and coping strategies that may be helpful.

You may have heard that there is a link between your gut bacteria and your mental health. In fact, there are several. The chemical reactions produced during digestion are closely tied to our moods. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-modern-brain/202207/3-ways-your-gut-microbiome-controls-your-mind