• Why grief intensifies during the holidays: nostalgia, social pressures, and reflections.
• Practical coping strategies:
  • Acknowledge your feelings without judgment.
  • Set boundaries and prioritize self-care.
  • Create new rituals to honor lost loved ones.
  • Allow yourself moments of joy.
  • Reach out for support from friends, family, or professionals.
• The importance of recognizing grief as non-linear.
• Local resources, such as Good Grief in Princeton, NJ, and individual therapy options.

Guest: Abigail Malit, LAC – Licensed therapist at Tree of Life Counseling Center, specializing in working with individuals, couples, and families in long-term recovery from substance use.

Topics Covered:

• Holiday Stressors in Recovery: Common triggers like social pressure, family dynamics, loneliness, and financial strain.
• Mental Health Challenges: How heightened emotions and societal expectations during the holidays can impact mental well-being, particularly for those in recovery.
• Setting Boundaries: Tips for declining invitations or setting limits at events that may be too triggering.
• Strategies for Sobriety:
  • Bring a sober buddy to social gatherings for support.
  • Plan an exit strategy to leave if a situation becomes overwhelming.
  • Create new traditions that support a sober lifestyle, like volunteering or spending time with a supportive community.
• Self-Care Practices: Maintaining routines that help reduce stress, like meditation, exercise, and other wellness activities.

Building a Support Network:

• Connecting with support groups can strengthen recovery and offer understanding peers. Recommended organizations include:
  • Alcoholics Anonymous
  • Narcotics Anonymous
  • SMART Recovery
  • Refuge Recovery
  • National Helpline

Professional Support: If holiday stress feels unmanageable, consider reaching out to a mental health professional for additional support.

About Tree of Life Counseling Center:

• Located in Princeton and Freehold, NJ, Tree of Life Counseling Center offers care from 50+ clinicians. Visit treeoflifecc.org/start-today or call 732-393-8391 for more information.

Key Topics:

- The impact of holiday expectations on mental health

- Tips for prioritizing self-care during the holidays

- Coping strategies for loneliness, including volunteering and virtual gatherings

- Managing financial stress and gift-giving pressures

- Navigating challenging family dynamics and setting boundaries

Join us as we explore how to cultivate mental well-being during this complex time of year. If you or someone you know is struggling, it may be time to reach out for professional support.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

5:45 Holidays as a Child vs. Holidays as an Adult

7:20 Event Planning & Family Dynamics

14:53 Gift-Giving Expectations

17:44 Body Image & The Holidays

22:40 Practical Therapeutic Tips

30:49 LGBT+ Individuals and Family Dynamics

37:19 Conclusion

Guest: Shaina Davis, LCSW, LCADC, ACS, Clinical Director at Tree of Life Counseling Center

Topics Covered:

• Overview of maternal mental health, including perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD), postpartum depression, and postpartum anxiety.
• Practical strategies for new mothers, such as self-care, building a support system, and setting realistic expectations.
• Discussion on the viral TikTok by @nursehannahbh, which highlighted the struggles of postpartum life and sparked both criticism and support online.
• The impact of societal expectations on new moms and the importance of empathy.
• When to seek professional help during pregnancy and postpartum.

👉 Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

01:03 Welcome Shaina Davis, LCSW

05:41 The Pressure to “Do It All”

09:07 Practical Strategies for Overwhelmed Parents

11:54 Parental Guilt and Building a Support System

17:53 Balancing Competing Priorities (Work, Family, etc.)

22:03 Workplace Accommodations for New Parents

27:48 How Therapy Can Help New Parents

29:30 Defining your Own Identity

32:07 Listener Call-In

38:17 Conclusion

🌳 Tree of Life Counseling Center

• Serving Princeton and Freehold, NJ
• Offering mental health support with over 50 experienced clinicians
• Schedule an appointment at treeoflifecc.org or call 732-393-8391

Key takeaways:

• The stigma surrounding mental health in South Asian culture
• Pressures related to academic and career success
• Identity conflicts for first-generation immigrants
• Finding a culturally competent therapist

Vyas also emphasizes the importance of self-care and investing in your mental health.Whether you’re South Asian or want to better understand the mental health issues affecting this community, this episode is for you.

Listen to the full episode on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Pandora.

For more information on Tree of Life Counseling Center, visit: www.treeoflifecc.org
To learn more about Healing Lotus Mental Health, visit: www.healinglotusmentalhealth.com

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more content on mental health, student life, and wellness tips!

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👉 Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction
01:04 – Meet Laura: Grad Student and Ice Cream Shop Manager
04:18:– The Challenges of Balancing School and Work
09:28– Laura’s Mental Health Strategies & Advice
18:30 – Learning Time Management Skills

20:40 Practicing Self-Care

26:30 Prioritizing Well-Being Over Academics

32:00 Breaking Down The “Hustler” Mindset

37:46 Developing Support Systems

43:23 Creating a Healthy Work-Life Balance

46:00 Early Signs of Mental Health Struggles
49:52 Personal Aspirations and Social Life

55:11 Final Thoughts

📢 Join the conversation in the comments! What are your strategies for balancing work, school, and mental health?

#StudentMentalHealth #GradSchoolLife #WorkLifeBalance #MentalHealthTips #Podcast #SelfCare #Wellness

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Looking to start your healing journey? Schedule an appointment today by calling 732-393-8391 or filling out an online form at https://www.treeoflifecc.org/start-today.

-

✨Check us out on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treeoflifecounselingcenter/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/treeoflifecc/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@treeoflifecc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/treeoflifecc

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for more episodes focused on mental health and well-being. Let's prioritize our mental health together!

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Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

03:16 Mental Health During the Back to School Transition

07:11 Signs of Anxiety in Students

08:52 Academic Pressure and Mental Health

16:22 School Avoidance

17:20 Advocating for Disability Accomodations

21:53 How Therapy Can Help

24:02 Causes of School Avoidance

26:50 School Avoidance in Younger Children (Ages 5-10)

28:05 Bullying at School

29:32 Bullying and Social Media

34:33 Dealing with Bullying

45:32 When to Seek Professional Help

49:08 Conclusion

-

Looking to start your healing journey? Schedule an appointment today by calling 732-393-8391 or filling out an online form at https://www.treeoflifecc.org/start-today.

-

✨Check us out on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treeoflifecounselingcenter/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/treeoflifecc/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@treeoflifecc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/treeoflifecc

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Guest: Alyson Resnick, founder and owner of Tree of Life Counseling Center

Topics Discussed:

The mental health challenges students face during back-to-school season

Common triggers, including academic pressures, social obligations, and adapting to new environments

Warning signs that a student may be struggling with their mental health

The importance of open communication and establishing a supportive routine

When to seek professional help and how therapy can support students during this transition

Resources Mentioned:

Tree of Life Counseling Center https://www.treeoflifecc.org/start-today

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) https://www.nami.org

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, 24/7 crisis support in the U.S.

If you or someone you know is struggling with the transition back to school, consider reaching out to a licensed mental health professional for support.

Schedule an appointment with Tree of Life Counseling Center by visiting https://www.treeoflifecc.org/start-today or calling 732-393-8391.

#mentalhealth #backtoschool #studentmentalhealth #mentalhealthpodcast