Do I have a drinking problem?

DRINKING IS FUN

Let’s face it, having a few adult beverages is as American as apple pie and fireworks. We drink to celebrate newlyweds or to ring in the new year. We drink mimosas at Sunday brunch with our girlfriends and we crack open a cold beer after a tough day at work. We drink when we are happy, sad, anxious, frustrated and bored. Sometimes we drink for no reason at all.

Thomas Rhett reminds us in his popular country song that “There Ain’t Nothing a Beer Can’t Fix” and Margaritaville famously assures us that a cocktail will fix our problems. You know the tune, “… There’s booze in the blender, And soon it will render, That frozen concoction that helps me hang on…”. And, who could forget all the good times the ladies of Bad Moms had while drinking away their sorrows? As the saying goes, ‘it’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt’.

DIVORCE DAY UNDER QUARANTINE, CAN YOU SURVIVE?

You may wonder, as you contemplate the state of your marriage or partnership, how things would have turned out if you had not been quarantined together for nearly 12 months. There is no doubt that the pandemic caused by COVID19 has contributed to your marital stress, tension, exhaustion, and agitation. Sometimes the agitation is simply the by-product of the pull of work, kids, and spousal duties. In these situations, you know that if you could just get back to the gym regularly or hang-out with your girlfriends for a weekend in the woods, you would emerge refreshed and clear-headed.

However, sometimes, though, the tension and frustration are amplified and apparent because your relationship is truly in trouble. Whereas in the past you could engage, knowingly or not, in avoidant behaviors like staying extra hours at the office, traveling across the country to sales meetings or playing intramural sports with your friends, these tactics are not an option during a health pandemic. The reality of living through the COVID19 pandemic is that we are made to face our realities… whether we like them or not.

Leaving an Abusive Relationship

Something is Wrong

Many of us are familiar with the feeling that something is simply ‘not right’ in our relationship. The constant fighting; the demeaning comments about your appearance; the sense of relief you feel when your partner is out of the house for a few hours. Intuitively you know that something is amiss, but you cannot clearly articulate what is wrong. Worse yet, it may not be a small rough patch that needs to be smoothed over. Rather, you may be realizing that your relationship has never truly been a fairy tale romance or even remotely loving, giving, or joyous. While romance, lust, and a sense of ease may wax and wane through different seasons of life, most healthy and sustainable relationships start and maintain some level of ease and gentleness.

What’s Sex Got To Do With It?

Carrie Mead, LCPC
Maryland Psychotherapist
443.951.3986 — Sex is a normal discussion point in psychotherapy

Why Seek Psychotherapy in the First Place?

As a psychotherapist, I am trained to help people feel comfortable in uncomfortable situations. Crying, long periods of silence, anger outbursts, lying and denying problems are all part of the therapy session from time to time. It is to be expected and anticipated as a therapist. No one comes to see me when their life is going well… they only come when things are challenging. And, they usually come once they have tried everything their best friend or Dr. Google has suggested. Then, they call me when they are really desperate. And that is okay. I welcome that first call when someone reaches out in despair. It might seem odd, but, from my perspective, I see this as the first step in their healing journey and transformation process, and so, I welcome it.

Should I stay or Should I go? A guide to using discernment in your marriage.

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Carrie Mead, MS, LCPC
443. 951. 3986
Maryland Psychotherapist for Depression, Anxiety and PTSD — Considering divorce is painful

Discernment is defined as the ability to judge well. This is a beautiful and simple definition of an elegant term. It is clear and precise. It is impossible to be confused about what it means to use discernment with a definition like this. However, when your marriage or partnership is on the rocks, you will feel anything but clear and precise about the unspoken decisions you need to make. Divorce is emotionally, spiritually, and financially painful and you want to avoid this at all costs.

How to Heal and Find Hope while Grieving

As a psychotherapist and certified life coach I have accompanied many people on their journeys through the messiness of life. Some people reach out to me in the immediate aftermath of a tragedy while others wait decades to seek healing from childhood atrocities. I always aim to be present, empathetic, and supportive to my clients no matter what they are facing. Like many helpers and healers, I am a wounded healer, so relating to people in the depths of despair is quite natural for me. However, as I observe the events around racial and social injustices in America unfold, I find myself at a loss for words and understanding.

Depression, Anxiety, Stress… When Do I need to seek counselling?

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Carrie Mead, LCPC offering mental health services from the state of Maryland. 443.951.3986 — Mental Treatment and Psychotherapy for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Family Conflict and Chronic Stress

It usually starts like this, “I don’t know if I need a therapist… actually, I am not sure what therapy is but my friend suggested I call you. I have never had a problem that I could not handle myself before this thing happened. But now I can barely concentrate, I am not sleeping well, and I am constantly yelling at my kids… can you help me?”