We often envision progress as a straight line, a steady upward climb towards our goals. We picture ourselves diligently checking off tasks, achieving milestones one after another, and ultimately reaching the pinnacle of success with a sense of accomplishment. However,...

Life can often feel overwhelming. Between external pressures, unexpected events, and the constant flow of information, it's easy to lose sight of the things you can control. But amidst the chaos, there lies a powerful truth: you have more agency than you might...

In the tapestry of life, there are moments when we all seek a little extra support. A gentle hand to guide us through the complexities of our thoughts and emotions. This is where the world of therapy opens its arms. Therapy offers a diverse range of approaches,...

Panic attacks can feel like a tempest, a whirlwind that sweeps you off your feet, leaving you gasping for air. But remember, you are never alone in this. Together, we'll discover powerful panic attacks techniques to not just weather the storm, but to regain control...

In the tapestry of life, we all have moments when we yearn for a deeper sense of connection. Loneliness can cast a shadow, but remember, you are not alone in this. Together, we'll explore heartwarming strategies that gently guide you towards the warmth of community....

In the grand tapestry of life, there exists a common thread that binds many of us together: the pursuit of perfection. It's a quest that stems from noble intentions, a desire to excel and present our best selves to the world.  Yet, in this noble pursuit, we often...

Social interactions are the threads that weave us together. Yet, for some, the prospect of these interactions can be accompanied by powerful current of social anxiety. If you find yourself navigating these waters, know that you are not alone. Together, let's embark on...

Adversity can be incredibly challenging, but it also has the potential to lead to growth and transformation. Post-traumatic growth is the concept that individuals can find newfound strength, resilience, and a deeper sense of meaning in life after experiencing...

The food we consume doesn't just impact our physical health; it also has a profound effect on our mood and mental well-being. Research shows that there is a strong connection between our diet and our mental health. By understanding how diet affects our mental health...

We all have that critical inner voice that can bring us down and undermine our confidence. However, with a little practice and self-awareness, we can transform negative self talk into self pep talks. These empowering messages can uplift our spirits, boost self-esteem,...

The link between mental and physical health is profound and undeniable. Our mental and emotional well-being significantly impacts our physical well-being, and vice versa. Adopting a holistic approach to health recognizes the interconnectedness of mind and body, paving...

In today's digitally connected yet socially isolated world, loneliness has become a prevalent issue. The feeling of disconnection can take a toll on our mental and emotional well-being. However, by actively seeking and nurturing connections, we can combat loneliness...

Are You Tired of Burnout? Award Winning Employer, Life Connections, Is Now Hiring Mental Health Therapists In Iowa!Mental health professionals are crucial to society as they offer vital care and assistance to individuals dealing with mental health problems. Despite...

Are You Tired of Burnout? Award Winning Employer, Life Connections, Is Now Hiring Mental Health Therapists In Iowa!Takes Less Than 2 Minutes!Mental healthcare professionals play a critical role in society by providing essential care and support to individuals with...

Communication is key to any successful relationship, and open dialogue plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy and strong bond between partners. In this blog, we will provide you with practical tips and fun games that you and your partner can use to improve your...

Depression is a common and serious mental health condition that can have a significant impact on a relationship. Depression in couples can lead to feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and disconnection, which can cause strain, tension, boredom and relationship...

Depression is a complex mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It's a condition that can manifest in a variety of ways, and there are different types of depression that can affect individuals differently.  Each type of depression has its...

Anxiety is a normal and common human emotion that serves an important evolutionary purpose. It's a natural alarm system that kicks in when we perceive danger, helping us stay alert and focused to prepare for or avoid potential threats. However, for some individuals,...

Sleep is an essential part of our daily routine, and it plays a vital role in maintaining our physical and mental health. Unfortunately, sleeping with anxiety can severely impact the quality and quantity of our sleep, leading to a vicious cycle of sleep deprivation...

It seems to be a common opinion that recess during school hours is a privilege. Experts in the field of child mental health would disagree! Recess provides many things that support a child’s development. Free play, sunlight, fresh air, socialization, and physical...

Reactive Behavior is the immediate response to feelings about a situation that a child cannot control; a problem, other issue or feelings that they do not understand.  Why reactive behavior occurs: Lack of control over a situation Lack of understanding of feelings...

Fact: All humans want to control their activities and environment. So when saying "no" to children occurs for any reason, they will try to find a way to still get what they want, or they may demonstrate tantrum behaviors. So here’s a quick intervention strategy:...

As a parent it is inevitable for there to be disagreements or conflicts between you and your child. Whether or not conflict is common for your family, the way a parent responds can set the tone for future disputes, and overall communication within the family.

Parenting an adolescent can be a challenging time; hearing that your child identifies as a different gender than the one assigned for them at birth can often be upsetting for many parents and leave them with many questions about what to do and what happens next.

Have you ever been so filled with intense emotion that you couldn’t think straight? Logic goes out the window and you feel out of control. Someone tells you to calm down and you become more enraged. This happens to children too!

Adolescents are susceptible to limited capacity to process complex information, decision-making, and social behaviors. In today’s blog series we will explore the following cognitive distortions: catastrophizing, minimization, magnification, & overgeneralization.

When the signs are not physical, it is easy to miss the signs of an unhealthy and abusive relationship; but emotional abuse is still abuse.

Routine is one of the most important and beneficial items that you can help provide for a child. This allows them to learn many skills to work through life in a manner that helps them become successful.

When researching this study I found a headline claiming that “Everything You Think You Know About Addiction Is Wrong.” What? Could that be true?

Autism was originally referred to, in the 1940’s, as a child-like version of schizophrenia and the result of “cold parenting,” a type of parenting that is categorized by the indifference of parents taking little interest in their children or activities.

Teenage years may be the most enjoyable and confusing years for both adolescents and their support system. For many caregivers and support individuals, the term “What are they thinking!?”

Social media can be a versatile tool for communication, sharing information, entertainment, and its popularity continues to grow among teens. While it can be a useful tool, it also appears to be a growing concern for parents as they are left with many questions, such as: Is my child using social media too much?

Body positivity is currently all the rage on social media: being confident and loving your body regardless of shape and size. This is wonderful and I praise everyone who is body positive because I struggle to be no matter how hard I try.

When we ingest mind altering chemicals, it creates new neurological connections in the brain and strengthens existing ones. Although the use of certain substances can create dependency, it is not necessarily due to the chemical make-up of the drug.

Some parents, teachers and other caregivers struggle with understanding why children lie and what they should do when catching a child in a lie.

Substance use by youth has seen an increase in recent years. Between 2016 and 2020, substance use increased by 61% among 8th graders, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics.

Children need assistance with becoming emotionally aware and learning to regulate themselves as they are not born with these skills. If a child struggles with implementing coping skills that are taught, this may be a sign they need more help.

I want to pay homage to trauma-informed care by acknowledging the importance of focusing on regulation first, while also talking about how to improve maladaptive patterns within the relationship with a child.

When we begin to understand what happens in our body when we breathe with awareness and depth, we can start using this tool to bring ourselves to a more calm and focused place.

Even the most loving parents may be doing things to cause harm to their children’s feelings as they are occupied with their own feelings regarding divorce.

Addiction simply comes down to the basics of what we know about human brain chemistry and the reward pathway. If you find something that helps you deal with the forces in this world that you don’t have control over, your brain will want to go back to it again and again.

Individuals with autism need a break from the demands of their life also; however, the typical ‘breaks’ that others find restful can be stressful and seem like ‘work’ for the child with autism.

Children often struggle with identifying their emotions. So, when strong emotions such as anger, frustration, anxiousness, nervousness and sadness increase; negative reactions such as yelling, hitting, lack of listening, and/or a lot of crying increase.

“Laughter is the best medicine.” I am sure we have heard this said before, but have we really reflected on what this means and the many health benefits it can bring?

The coexistence of a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder is referred to as a co-occurring disorder. Many people wonder if a mental health disorder causes substance use or vice versa; and there is not an easy answer to this question.

Caregiver burnout, also known as caregiver burden or caregiver stress, is mental, physical and/or emotional exhaustion that can occur while caring for another person; unfortunately it is often overlooked.

Diet culture is sneaky and so embedded within our society it is not always so easily spotted. It may be presented as health or wellness on the cover of magazines, on your social media feed and even in your doctor’s office.

It is okay to feel bored, it is okay to feel triggers and have cravings. The choices you make to “do something else first”, identify feelings within the boredom, and to reach out to your support system, can provide empowerment on your road to recovery.

Life Connections’ Substance Use Program has multiple clinicians with masters-level licensure equipped to assist individuals of all ages better manage their mental health and addiction disorders. Treatment is tailored to the client’s needs and family priorities. Treatment sessions range in intensity and duration based upon the client’s assessment.

Loving someone with a substance use disorder is one of the most difficult things you may ever do. It is classified a disease, but can feel like a choice to those watching their loved one putting substances first.

Trauma is something we often feel are extreme events in an individual’s life; however, this is not necessarily true. Trauma is identified by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network as any event in an individual’s life where they either witness or are involved in a threatening situation.

Aging comes with many difficulties. One of which is Dementia, or the decline in a person’s cognitive abilities. One of the most common is Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive type of dementia caused by changes in the brain.

Life Connections provides evidence-based, individualized Applied Behavior Analysis to individuals with an autism diagnosis in Bettendorf, Cedar Rapids, Clinton, Dubuque, and Muscatine. Treatment is provided in clinic-based settings that provide an enriching and engaging environment. 

Mindfulness can be done in a variety of ways. Some people build a period of time into their day to practice Mindfulness, while others use it as a tool for combatting overly felt emotions that may become overwhelming.

Can you imagine our lives or communities without our First Responders? Law Enforcement Offices (LEOs), EMTs/Paramedics, and Firefighters experience trauma routinely. In our small rural communities, most of these EMTs/Paramedics and Firefighters are volunteers who devote their time and energy helping their community whenever they are called upon and expect nothing in return.

The basic idea of positive thinking is related to having higher self-esteem and lower anxiety and depression levels, allowing for the ability to be flexible with emotions while having a generally optimistic outlook. Toxic positivity, however, negates the challenges that an individual is going through and demands positive feelings and thoughts.

Utilizing and explaining the work of Dr. Daniel Siegel, M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson, PhD, in their book “No-Drama Discipline,” addressing two parenting strategies to explain why some methods have poorer outcomes than other methods.

The new year can be an exciting turning point which happens each and every year of life. For many, this is a time to reflect upon goals and milestones of achievement desired in the next year.

I’ve experienced a significant amount of “holiday hell-days” with my 3 boys, so here are some suggestions on how to enjoy the season when the autism in your home is saying “Bah-Humbug.”