In this episode, Joseph and Paula define depression and delve into the realities of living with depression and how it can impact every aspect of life. The co-hosts explore a range of practical coping strategies to help manage the challenges that come with it, from small everyday habits to more structured therapeutic approaches. They also discuss the importance of seeking professional help, breaking the stigma around mental health, and fostering supportive environments for those struggling with depression. Tune in to learn valuable tips that can help you or someone you care about find a path to healing.

Questions? If you have a question, you would like Joseph and Paula to answer during an episode of Questions for Counselors, feel free to reach out through the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email them directly at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Info@lifelivedbetter.net ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Just a reminder - anything shared by the pair during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession.

We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

Resources used to create this episode:

31 Coping Skills for Depression (serenitymentalhealthcenters.com)

Depression (major depressive disorder) - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

Mental Health America’s Free Depression Screen: Depression Test – Free mental health tests from Mental Health America (mhanational.org)

Understanding Depression: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments (youtube.com)

If you are considering hurting yourself or taking your own life,

• In the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• • You can use the Lifeline Chat. Services are free and confidential.

  • • The Lifeline Chat is 988LifeLine.org

• U.S. veterans or service members who are in crisis can call 988 and then press “1” for the Veterans Crisis Line.

• • Or text 838255.

• The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. has a Spanish language phone line at 1-888-628-9454 (toll-free).

In this episode, Joseph and Paula discuss the habits that may be hindering your mental well-being. While many of us focus on building positive routines, it’s easy to overlook the small, everyday actions that might be working against us. The co-hosts explore behaviors that contribute to anxiety, low self-esteem, and negative thought patterns, and discuss why they’re so difficult to change. More importantly, they’ll provide actionable strategies to break these detrimental cycles and replace them with healthier, more supportive habits. Tune in to identify what might be holding you back and how to set yourself on the path to better mental health and overall wellness.

There are many things a person can be in recovery from and there are many pathways to get into and stay in recovery. In this episode, Joseph and Paula explore those pathways and discuss multiple resources available to address addiction and those that support recovery. If you are a person who struggles with addiction, a person in recovery, or someone who knows a person with addiction or in recovery, you will not want to miss this episode.

This episode is sponsored by the Recovery to Practice Initiative at The University of North Texas. To find out more about UNT RTP you can visit their website at UNT Recovery to Practice Website.

Questions? If you have a question, you would like Joseph and Paula to answer during an episode of Questions for Counselors, feel free to reach out through the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email them directly at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mail to: Info@lifelivedbetter.net ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: www.lifelivedbetter.net

Just a reminder - anything shared by the pair during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession. We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

Work Used in the Research of this Episode:

Pathways to Healing and Recovery: Perspectives from Individuals with Histories of Alcohol and Other Drug Problems Garland, P. (2024). Many Pathways to Recovery [Class handout]. University of North Texas, ADDS 4675.

This episode is co-sponsored by the Recovery to Practice Initiative at The University of North Texas. Joseph and Paula are taking on one of our most popular topics - Questions for Counselors!

Questions are coming in about anxiety, procrastination, burnout, and more. Send us your question today.

Questions? If you have a question, you would like Joseph and Paula to answer during an episode of Questions for Counselors, feel free to reach out through the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email them directly at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Info@lifelivedbetter.net ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Just a reminder - anything shared by the pair during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession.

We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

Follow us on social media. Visit our website at www.lifelivedbetter.net

Subscribe, share, and empower yourself!

Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

Resources referenced during this episode:

Information about Recovery to Practice can be found on the website: hps.unt.edu/rhs/rtp

The Virtual Community of Practice can be accessed through Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/RecoverytoPractice

11 Ways to Overcome Procrastination
Psychology Today18 Time Management Tips to Boost Productivity [2024] • Asana

Have you ever been controlled by another person? Are you a controlling person?

In this episode, we're diving into a complex topic: control. We’ll explore the subtle and overt tactics used by individuals who seek to manipulate and dominate others, whether in personal relationships, workplaces, or broader societal contexts. We will dissect the psychology behind these behaviors and offer practical advice on how to recognize and address them. Joseph and Paula will share insights on setting healthy boundaries and regaining your personal power. If you’ve ever felt overshadowed or controlled, this episode will empower you with strategies to reclaim your autonomy and foster healthier interactions. Tune in to understand how to protect yourself and support others who may be affected by controlling behavior. Don’t miss this essential discussion on navigating and overcoming manipulation.

Questions? If you have a question, you would like Joseph and Paula to answer during an episode of Questions for Counselors, feel free to reach out through the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email them directly at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Info@lifelivedbetter.net ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Just a reminder - anything shared by the pair during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession. We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

Work Used in the Research of this Episode:

Familial manipulation: Common tactics and how to respond (medicalnewstoday.com)

If You Display These 11 Traits, Your Family Was Probably Very Controlling (msn.com)

Signs of emotional abuse: Situations and relationships (medicalnewstoday.com)

What is a controlling person? An overview (decision-making-confidence.com)

Support

You can seek support through any of the following:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call or text the hotline for help, as well as information and advice on different forms of abuse.

• Child Welfare Information Gateway: This group provides a resource list of organizations that can give support to those experiencing family violence and abuse.

• Family Crisis Centers: This offers resources, support, and a 24-hour hotline for families in crisis.
  Domestic Violence Resource Network: This provides a list of resources and organizations to support family violence and abuse.

In this insightful episode of Life Lived Better, your hosts Joseph and Paula dive into the challenging but essential topic of navigating life after a relationship ends. Whether you’re freshly single or still processing the breakup, this episode offers practical advice and emotional support to help you move forward with confidence and clarity.

We explore Processing Your Emotions, Rediscovering Yourself, Building a Support System, Setting New Goals, Navigating Social Media, and Self-Care Essentials.

Join us as we share personal stories, expert insights, and actionable steps to help you turn this difficult chapter into an opportunity for growth and renewal. Whether you're seeking closure, self-improvement, or just some reassuring advice, this episode is here to guide you through the next steps.

Tune in and take your first step towards a brighter future!

Questions? If you have a question, you would like Joseph and Paula to answer during an episode of Questions for Counselors, feel free to reach out through the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email them directly at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Info@lifelivedbetter.net ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Just a reminder - anything shared by the pair during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession. We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

Work Used in the Research of this Episode:

7 Ways to Cope After the End of a Relationship | Psychology Today

Is Social Media Helpful or Hurtful After a Breakup? | Psychology Today

Grieving After a Break-Up? 6 Strategies to Help You Heal (clevelandclinic.org)

Navigating Social Media After A Breakup: Modern Therapy

In today's episode, we're diving into the challenging topic of failing relationships. If you find yourself wondering whether your relationship is beyond repair, we'll explore the signs.

Therapists say that constant criticism, stonewalling, putting forth little effort, and emotional detachment are a few of the signs that your relationship might be over.

We all know relationships can be tough, and sometimes, despite our best efforts, they don't work out. If you’ve truly given it a chance and it's time to let go, be honest with yourself and your partner. Reflect on what you’ve learned, consider personal growth, and avoid rushing into a new relationship.

Questions? If you have a question, you would like Joseph and Paula to answer during an episode of Questions for Counselors, feel free to reach out through the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email them directly at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Info@lifelivedbetter.net ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Just a reminder - anything shared by the pair during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession. We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

Work Used in the Research of this Episode:

3 signs your relationship is failing, according to a therapist (msn.com)

7 Early Warning Signs of A Dying Relationship | Power of Positivity: Positive Thinking & Attitude

20 Signs That a Relationship Is Over | Psychology Today

Psychologist shares five signs your relationship is over | Metro News