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Many, if not all, humans have a voice inside their heads known as the "inner critic." Although what this voice sounds like differs from person to person, it is common for this voice to keep you stuck in patterns of self-judgment. It also can block you from cultivating self-acceptance and making peace with yourself.

Most people have experienced some form of trauma in their life. Regardless of what type of trauma you have encountered, it is valid and you deserve proper healing. There is not a trauma that is “better” or “worse” than another trauma. Trauma is often at least partially responsible when people develop mental health issues like substance use disorders (SUD), mental illness, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Fear is a powerful emotion that can significantly impact the type of decisions you make. If you are thinking about getting treatment, you may be struggling with your fears about the future. Learning to think about your fears differently can help you control them instead of preventing you from growing. It is time to find your doorway to freedom.

The way you communicate and express your needs and emotions to other people can either strengthen the connection in that relationship or take away from it. You convey your experience to other people through your body language and tone of voice as well as your word choice. Nonviolent communication is an important skill for everyone to learn.

If you struggle with perfectionism, you may also experience high levels of anxiety from trying to reach the unattainable standards perfectionism calls for. The funny thing about perfectionism is that even after you do everything to appease the voice of perfectionism, there is always something else to do to attain further perfection. This further perpetuates the cycle of perfectionism and feelings of inadequacy.

Healing journeys can be lonely. Whether you are healing from addiction, mental illness, or something else, it can feel as if nobody understands what you are going through and how exhausting the process is. As lonely as healing journeys can be, it can help to remember you are not alone, even when it feels like you are. Being alone can be a powerful space where you can get to know yourself on a deeper level that leads to growth, authenticity, and the freedom to be who you are.

Spring is here, and many are looking forward to the warm, sunny weather. It is time to get outside, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy all the greenery. While some may find significant relief soaking up the pleasantries of spring, others may become burdened with despair. This paradox shows that individuals are unique in their mental health experiences. It is important to learn more about the positive and negative reactions individuals with mental health disorders can have during this time of year.

Hope is a feeling of trust and desire for something to happen, such as healing, as you begin to experience recovery and feel your innate wholeness. It is also what gets you through the hard times in recovery from substance use and mental illness. When times are tough and you struggle to see the light at the end of the tunnel, there are ways to access hope during your recovery journey.

Being in active substance use recovery can make it challenging to navigate romantic relationships since you must dedicate enough time to your recovery. This perhaps leaves less room for connecting with individuals outside of your treatment program. You may be wondering how to start a romantic relationship in recovery and navigate meeting people while prioritizing your recovery. It can be challenging to manage both at the same time. Yet finding, keeping, and nurturing relationships throughout recovery can be just as important a piece of recovery as any other part.

Have you ever wondered why you are experiencing a season of depression or anxiety? Mental health conditions like these tend to come and go throughout people's lives, although they may always be lingering in the background. Some days the volume is turned up higher than others.

Therapy does not always involve talking. There are non-verbal therapies you can choose in your mental health or addiction recovery program. This article will describe eight alternative methods available at Avalon Malibu to offer something unique to your recovery experience.

Navigating relationships in recovery can be challenging, especially as you learn which ones to let go of and which ones to hang onto. It is an integral piece of recovery and moving forward from your past.