The Montfort Group

Can a Weighted Blanket Ease Your Anxiety and Depression?

With the colder weather months on us, many turn to weighted blankets to keep warm and find comfort. But can a weighted blanket really help with stress and anxiety?

According to our own Gergana Markov, as featured in Woman's World, “A weighted blanket activates the senses and provides warmth, softness, and a soothing touch to lower cortisol levels, slow the heart rate, deepen breathing, and send the autonomic nervous system into ‘rest and digest’ state."

Read the full story here:

Can a Weighted Blanket Ease Your Anxiety and Depression? A weighted blanket acts like a hug, helping you decompress in moments of stress, anxiety, or deep sadness. Find out more about it here.

5 Ways to Slash Holiday Stress and Enjoy the Season — Best Life

The holidays can be a magical time as everyone gathers for festivities and merriment. But it can also be chaotic and overwhelming with the stress and expectations that come with this time of year. Here, in this article with Best Life, Laurie Poole shares how to tackle holiday stress...and even enjoy yourself in the season!

5 Ways to Slash Holiday Stress and Enjoy the Season — Best Life Holiday stress getting you down? We asked a therapist for her best tips on staying sane—and even having fun—during the festive season.

Eating Disorders and the Holidays: Setting Yourself Up for Success · The Montfort Group

With so much focus on food and family dinners during the holidays, it can be a particularly challenging time for those dealing with eating disorders.

However, there are ways you can prepare, plan and maintain recovery during holiday festivities with a few tips. Read how in our latest blog from our own Courtney Strull.

Eating Disorders and the Holidays: Setting Yourself Up for Success · The Montfort Group The holiday season can be an especially challenging time for individuals with eating disorders, let us help you!

My Grief Through the Holidays · The Montfort Group

"There is a saying that grief is love with nowhere to put it and I think that’s true. And it’s even more true over the holidays when the ache and loss are amplified amidst the celebrating and social gatherings."

Read more from our own Laurie Poole through this beautiful account about her mom, as she discusses handling and over the .

My Grief Through the Holidays · The Montfort Group The holidays can be tough when loved ones are no longer seated around the table. So when are you supposed to be joyous and celebratory?

How to Detect What Couples Really Feel About Each Other

It's been proven that unspoken reactions may say more than any words. But how does that translate into your relationships?

Researchers have taken a deeper look at our “implicit” attitudes toward our partners, which are defined as our “spontaneous affective reactions.” Turns out these "gut" reactions say a lot more about our feelings toward our mate than we realize.

Here's more from Psychology Today.

How to Detect What Couples Really Feel About Each Other Unspoken reactions may say more than any words.

Wishing a Happy Birthday to our own Laurie Poole! We appreciate your strength, humor, candor and beautiful heart! So lucky to have you on the TMG team!

Are You In A 'Permacrisis?' Here's How To Tell.

has been dubbed the word of the year, which means “an extended period of instability and insecurity." For many, this has translated to feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, loneliness, grief and a host of other tough emotions.

For others, the signs aren't as obvious. "You may find yourself 'quiet quitting,' which translates to stepping away from work responsibilities and seeking ‘quality of life pursuits,’” said TMG's Courtney Strull.

Read more about this phenomenon via HuffPost here.

Are You In A 'Permacrisis?' Here's How To Tell. If 2022 was a tough mental health year, you’re not alone. Therapists share the signs you’re in this state and how to deal.

How To Cope With Divorce During The Holidays · The Montfort Group

The holidays are a time when many are looking forward to spending time with family and friends and celebrating with those they love. But for those going through, or on the other side of a divorce, it can be a challenging and stressful time as well.

Read more in our latest blog from Gergana Markov on how to cope with divorce during the holidays.

How To Cope With Divorce During The Holidays · The Montfort Group If you are going through divorce during the holidays, the season can feel anything but festive. But we can help!

Feeling by a friend can be challenging and hurtful when you are trying to and build a meaningful .

However, as our own Cory Montfort shared in this article on UpJourney, the reason for the distance may have nothing to do with you, and your friend may just need the space to work through their own .

Read the full article and Cory's comments here: https://upjourney.com/what-to-do-when-a-friend-is-ignoring-you

A recent article in magazine touched on between and how this has affected their as adults. Our own Cory Montfort was quoted in the article, where she focused on and .

Happy Birthday Courtney! We are extremely thankful for your stunning spirit + smile + sense of humor. The glowing good vibes you bring to our office and our lives are so light and so bright! ✨🤍😎

🗣 If you are experiencing conflict or distance with your adolescent, this episode of Therapist Unplugged is so helpful!

😤 For parents this can be one of the most frustrating and powerless periods of parenting that creates confusion, conflict and a breakdown in relationship.

Teens & Cracking the Code: https://bit.ly/Therapist_Unplugged_E6

🎧 Listen to Laurie interview Courtney Strull, LPC for real talk on the developmental tasks of adolescence, when parenting feels ineffective and the value of offering choices. Stay tuned for more!

🗣 If you are experiencing conflict or distance with your adolescent, this episode of Therapist Unplugged is so helpful!

😤 For parents this can be one of the most frustrating and powerless periods of parenting that creates confusion, conflict and a breakdown in relationship.

Teens & Cracking the Code: https://bit.ly/Therapist_Unplugged_E6

🎧 Listen to Laurie interview Courtney Strull, LPC for real talk on the developmental tasks of adolescence, when parenting feels ineffective and the value of offering choices. Stay tuned for more!

The perfect for a daydream! 💭☺️🌦

Life Over 60: A Conversation With Friends · The Montfort Group

✨“The relief of shedding the mantle of perfectionism we wore in our 30s is immeasurable. Our priorities are different. The focus has shifted to self-care and unapologetically asking for what we need. S*x is better. Friendship and relationships mean more than ever but we also enjoy our own company.”

🎧On this episode of Therapist Unplugged, host Laurie Poole interviews two long-time friends, who have known one another over 30 years.

Episode 10: https://bit.ly/Therapist_Unplugged_E10

🔥No topic is off limits as they voice their perspectives on s*x, marriage, parenthood and careers through three decades of friendship. A must hear for all ages!

Life Over 60: A Conversation With Friends · The Montfort Group Laurie Poole interviews two long-time friends, who have known one another over 30 years, about the joys of life over 60. No topic is off limits as they share perspectives on s*x, marriage, motherhood and careers. All three women share how their friendship has carried them through some of the most ch...

💕“Partner-time is an excellent way to strengthen the foundation of your marriage and create the long-lasting mutual appreciation, respect, and affection that defines a healthy marriage.”

🕰️ After a long day of work, household responsibilities, and childcare, making time for marriage can be quite a challenge.

✌️ Explore these two tips for making time for marriage with Cory Montfort, LPC-S.

https://bit.ly/MakingTimeforMarriage

🚺 Life as a woman is inherently marked by changes. We are constantly adapting and growing, and so is the world around us. These changes might be huge, like a wedding, separation, or divorce. Perhaps you are getting a new job, leaving a job, or considering a move. You’ve recently become a parent, or your children are “leaving the nest.”

No matter what the change, the question is often the same: “What’s next?” In therapy for life transitions, we can help you figure this out.

https://www.themontfortgroup.com/counseling-for-women/

Blended Family · The Montfort Group

🌳 As you blend two families, differences in parenting, discipline, lifestyle, etc., can create contention between you and your partner. This can also become a source of frustration for the children. We work with partners to help overcome step parent challenges. We help you and your partner find common ground and agree on consistent guidelines about rules, and discipline with children. This shows the children that you and your partner intend to deal with issues as a team.

🔗 We have helped hundreds of couples make significant changes, develop a stronger relationship foundation and reestablish connection. How can we help yours?

Blended Family · The Montfort Group As you blend two families, differences in parenting, discipline, lifestyle, etc., can create contention between you and your partner. This can also become a source of frustration for the children. We work with partners to help overcome step parent challenges.

A Sense of Belonging with Gergana Markov · The Montfort Group

🫂 People’s sense of social belonging, or their sense that they have good relationships with others, is a fundamental human need. That is, having solid social connections can be as important to human health and happiness as having food, water, and shelter. Indeed, there is research to support the idea that having social relationships can increase your odds of survival by 50%, comparable to the effects of smoking and excessive drinking on mortality. These findings suggest that having quality social ties is vital to our lives.

🎙 https://bit.ly/Therapist_Unplugged_E9

🎧 On this episode of Therapist Unplugged, Laurie chats with The Montfort Group's very own Gergana Markov about how to find your sense of belonging & connection.

A Sense of Belonging with Gergana Markov · The Montfort Group People’s sense of social belonging, or their sense that they have good relationships with others, is a fundamental human need. That is, having solid social connections can be as important to human health and happiness as having food, water, and shelter.

Depression Therapy · The Montfort Group

We are big fans of feeling better. We’ve all had our share of miserable times and wouldn’t wish for anyone to stay stuck in depression. Fighting depression in therapy is about more than feeling better.

The hard part is that you can’t take on depression in therapy without looking at the overall task of creating your life. What makes this so challenging is that you’ve got to create a less depressing life even as you’re feeling (perhaps incredibly) depressed!

Getting out of depression involves getting up, getting showered and dressed, making plans, being in touch, going on dates, finding a better job–in short, it involves doing all of those things that seem impossible for the very reason that you’re depressed!

It seems impossible, we know. But it isn’t. It may hurt like hell for a while. It may seem terrifying. But you’ve got to do it anyway. Our job is to work hard to help make it possible for you to put one foot in front of the other.

Depression Therapy · The Montfort Group There is perhaps no more talked about emotional malady than depression, and no form of therapy more prevalent than depression therapy.

Realities of Adoption with Laura Summers · The Montfort Group

💓 "There's the experience of being adopted. And then there's the narrative around adoption. And that larger narrative is something that myself and other adult adoptees are are trying to work to shift and reframe, because it's very binary. It's very black and white." - Laura Summers, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and owner of Engage Counseling & Consulting.

🎙 Episode 7: Realities Of Adoption
https://bit.ly/Therapist_Unlplugged_E8

🎧 Unfortunately, there are some common misconceptions about adoption. On this episode of Therapist Unplugged, Laurie Poole welcomes Laura Summers, LMFT to unpack what some of these are and discuss the truth about the family-building option that is today’s modern .

Realities of Adoption with Laura Summers · The Montfort Group On this episode, Laurie Poole welcomes Laura Summers, LMFT to unpack what some of these are and discuss the truth about the family-building option that is today’s modern adoption.

🧭Do you have a roadmap for defining a good relationship with your partner?

🧑‍🤝‍🧑At its core, we all want and long for secure adult attachment. That’s when partners have total trust in each other, which creates a safe haven knowing that your partner will always stand by you no matter what.

🎙Episode 7: https://bit.ly/Therapist_Unplugged_E7

🎧On this episode of Therapist Unplugged, Laurie Poole, welcomes Connie Cornwell, MA. Connie has over 30 years of experience as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Approved LMFT & LPC Supervisor. This episode is for couples and therapists alike!

✨Laurie Poole, our golden, guiding light and fabulous firecracker! 🧨

🤍Her joy and wisdom are as contagious as her warm, heartfelt laughter! You make us smile daily, especially as we celebrate your Birthday! Here’s to you, this year and many more! 🥳

A very welcoming winter ! 🌲

Six Ways Men Can Benefit From Counseling · The Montfort Group

🤔“What’s the hardest part about being a man?”

“Emotions”
“Managing anger“
“Finding a mate“
“Maintaining s*xual performance“
“Living up to expectations“
“Believing I should know things that I don’t”

💔Truthfully these answers aren’t uncommon. Men tend to withdraw, aren’t sure how they feel, can’t find the words to describe their fears or pain, and often push the discomfort away by distracting themselves. That’s got to be hard. This is where therapy can help.

There are many, but here are just a few of the benefits that men can experience in counseling.

https://bit.ly/6WaysMenBenefit

Six Ways Men Can Benefit From Counseling · The Montfort Group I think we are less tolerant of men expressing emotions; not being allowed to feel fear, failure or vulnerability. As women, we can feel locked out when they won’t “share” their feelings when truthfully many men don’t know how or don’t talk the same language. This is where therapy can help...

🙄 "Because I said so” doesn’t go over well with teens. In fact, it can charge them into arguing, defiance and a relentless determination to get what they want. Teens live in the now and star in their own movie. For parents this can be one of the most frustrating and powerless periods of parenting that creates confusion, conflict and a breakdown in relationship.

🎙 On this episode of Therapist Unplugged, Laurie talks with Courtney Strull, LPC of The Monfort Group, about developmental tasks of , when parenting feels ineffective and the value of offering choices. You are not alone and these great will strengthen the bond with the in your life.

https://bit.ly/Therapist_Unplugged_E6

🎧 Listen in and share your questions.

🙄 "Because I said so” doesn’t go over well with teens. In fact, it can charge them into arguing, defiance and a relentless determination to get what they want. Teens live in the now and star in their own movie. For parents this can be one of the most frustrating and powerless periods of parenting that creates confusion, conflict and a breakdown in relationship.

🎙 On this episode of Therapist Unplugged, Laurie talks with Courtney Strull, LPC of The Monfort Group, about developmental tasks of , when parenting feels ineffective and the value of offering choices. You are not alone and these great will strengthen the bond with the in your life.

https://bit.ly/Therapist_Unplugged_E6

🎧 Listen in and share your questions.

🎲 What do you think about when you hear the expression ‘date night’?

💞 Suppose you don’t know what kind of feeling you’re after? In that case, it doesn’t really matter the destination, whether you’re at a really nice restaurant or at home watching TV, if don’t know how to find a spark of excitement and adventure. In that case, dating can feel more transactional than playful and connective.

🎙On this episode of Therapist Unplugged, Laurie and Cory discuss how to date your partner by focusing on the feeling instead of the destination with a few tips on how to find the spark.

https://bit.ly/Therapist_Unplugged_E5

🎧 Listen in & share your questions.

How to Deal With Emotional Loneliness - The Montfort Group

🌧 We are used to associating loneliness with depression, sadness, and lack of motivation. However, it can also look like social anxiety, fear of judgment, and harsh self-criticism. The irony here is that some of the things we do to alleviate the emotional pain of loneliness pull us further away from the connections we seek.

🌤 Human beings are wired for connection, and we need it to survive and thrive.

☀️ Cultivating connections in relationships with ourselves and others can help combat loneliness along with these 6 prevention techniques TMG therapist Gergana has shared with us.

https://bit.ly/GergagaMarkovTMG

How to Deal With Emotional Loneliness - The Montfort Group We associate loneliness with depression, sadness, and lack of motivation. Additionally anxiety, fear of judgment, and harsh self-criticism.

Why Arguing Can Help Relationships - The Montfort Group

Agree or Disagree? 👥 Weekly arguments with your significant other help foster communication.

🗣 Studies have found that couples who disagreed peacefully were less likely to break up. And if every couple argues, why are some successful and others not? It all comes down to the way they disagree. You and your partner must learn to argue healthily without insults, put-downs, or negativity. Learn how to argue constructively with the following guidance.

https://bit.ly/ArguingCanHelp

Why Arguing Can Help Relationships - The Montfort Group Every couple argues. Don't think your relationship is immune from conflict. Just embrace it and accept having disagreements as a natural part of growth.

Cory Montfort | When an Attorney isn’t Enough: How Therapy Can Be Helpful in Family Law Cases

"Lawyers prepare you sort of for what seems like your worst day, you know? And therapy can really help you prepare for your best. And so we need both; good representation but also understanding communication can change the whole process." - Cory Montfort

Watch the full Texas Family Law Insiders interview here as Holly of The Draper Law Firm, P.C., and Cory discuss the valuable role and resource therapy can be for those working through family law. How can these families best be supported?

Cory Montfort | When an Attorney isn’t Enough: How Therapy Can Be Helpful in Family Law Cases Today, we’re excited to welcome Cory Montfort of the Montfort Group to the Texas Family Law Insiders podcast. Cory is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a...

Gergana Markov, MS, LPC Associate - The Montfort Group

💭 I know triumph and failure, love and loss, rewards and disappointments, and have learned there will always be another hurdle. Whether pursued or imposed upon us, change is challenging, but can lead to personal growth and enrichment. It certainly has for me.

💡Some people are born knowing their calling in life; others actively seek out their purpose, hoping the next opportunity is the right fit. I, for one, have spent decades unknowingly collecting the life experiences necessary to land me here today.

⚓️ As we work together in therapy, you will find an accepting space to share your story while feeling valued and encouraged. My desire is to be an anchoring presence for those who struggle to stay afloat and aim to restore hope in healing by empowering my clients to live richer and more fulfilling lives.

Let's get to know each other: https://bit.ly/GergagaMarkovTMG

Gergana Markov, MS, LPC Associate - The Montfort Group Gergana Markov, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate at The Montfort Group in Plano, TX offers professional counseling services.

💎 Like a rare diamond, Cory is bright, beautiful and full of precious value! ✨

👸🏻Happiest Birthday to our and gem of a friend, leader and . 🤍

The 5 Point Check-in is a 2-5 min daily practice to connect with the body and tune into inner experiences.

Most of us have the capacity to tolerate the ebb and flow of emotions and have strategies to self-regulate. However, trauma, chronic stress, and adverse childhood experiences can narrow the window of tolerance and limit that capacity. Daily life events can seem like huge challenges and illicit outsized reactions.

Let's check-in together: https://bit.ly/5PointsCheckIn