Evolve Counseling & Coaching Blog

Understanding Grief: The Unique Journey of Loss
Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

Understanding Grief: The Unique Journey of Loss

Grief is one of the most profound human experiences, yet no two people grieve the same way. When we experience loss—whether it’s the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or even the loss of a dream—it can stir up deep sadness and emotional pain. While some may openly express their sorrow, others may retreat inward, finding it difficult to put their feelings into words.

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How to Know if You’re an Introvert
Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

How to Know if You’re an Introvert

What’s the difference between introversion and extroversion, and how can you tell whether you’re an introvert? We’ve got the answers you need below.

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How EMDR Can Help Reprocess Difficult Events
Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

How EMDR Can Help Reprocess Difficult Events

When we experience trauma, it can feel like the event is frozen in time, with its emotions, images, and fears replaying over and over in our minds. This can lead to a heightened sense of chaos, fear, and anxiety in everyday life. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful therapy designed to help individuals process these painful memories and reduce their emotional grip.

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How Anxiety Can Make Life Feel Chaotic
Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

How Anxiety Can Make Life Feel Chaotic

Anxiety has a way of making life feel like it’s spinning out of control. From racing thoughts to constant worry, the experience of anxiety can create an overwhelming sense of chaos in your daily life. For many, this chaos is fueled by a combination of fear and unpredictability, leaving you feeling stuck in a cycle of overthinking and emotional exhaustion.

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5 Summer Activities That Can Boost Your Mental Health
Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

5 Summer Activities That Can Boost Your Mental Health

The sun’s out, the temperature is rising, and… you’re feeling down. While people typically experience the effects of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in the fall and winter months, this condition can also cause some individuals to feel down in the spring and summer.

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How Sunshine Impacts Our Mood
Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

How Sunshine Impacts Our Mood

Have you ever noticed how stepping outside on a sunny day can instantly lift your spirits? Sunshine does more than warm your skin—it has a profound impact on your mood and mental health. For those grappling with anxiety or sadness, sunlight can be a natural and accessible tool to boost emotional well-being.

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How to Know If You’re a People Pleaser
Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

How to Know If You’re a People Pleaser

Do you find yourself constantly putting others’ needs before your own, even at the expense of your well-being? Do you feel anxious at the thought of disappointing someone or saying "no"? These behaviors are often associated with people-pleasing, a pattern that can stem from anxiety, trauma, or a stress response known as "fawning."

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Why Does Exercise Reduce Stress?
Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

Why Does Exercise Reduce Stress?

If you’re looking for a way to relieve stress, you’ll want to consider incorporating exercise into your daily routine (with a doctor’s approval).

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How to Know If Therapy Is Right for You
Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

How to Know If Therapy Is Right for You

Therapy can be a transformative experience, but knowing if it’s the right step for you can feel like a daunting question. If you’re struggling with anxiety, trauma, or panic, you might wonder if therapy could help you find relief or if you should try to manage on your own.

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Mindfulness: A Powerful Tool for Navigating Anxiety, Trauma, and Panic
Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

Mindfulness: A Powerful Tool for Navigating Anxiety, Trauma, and Panic

In today’s fast-paced world, anxiety, trauma, and panic can feel overwhelming and all-consuming. Whether it’s the racing thoughts of an anxious mind, the emotional weight of past trauma, or the sudden and intense fear of a panic attack, these experiences can leave us feeling disconnected from ourselves and the present moment.

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How to Track Your Mental Health
Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

How to Track Your Mental Health

If you’re looking to improve your mental health and overall well-being, one of the best things you can do is track how you’re feeling.

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Understanding the Difference Between Anxiety and Panic
Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

Understanding the Difference Between Anxiety and Panic

Anxiety and panic are terms often used interchangeably, but they refer to different experiences, each with its own triggers, symptoms, and intensity. Understanding the difference between anxiety and panic can help individuals identify what they're experiencing and choose effective ways to cope.

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Coping With Grief After Losing a Loved One
Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

Coping With Grief After Losing a Loved One

Have you recently lost a spouse, partner, child, parent, sibling, extended family member, friend, or pet? Grief after losing a loved one (also known as “bereavement” or "grief") can be one of the hardest experiences that a person can go through. To help you get through this difficult time, we’ve compiled the following tips for coping with the loss of someone you love:

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Nurturing Positive Relationships With Extended Family Members
Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

Nurturing Positive Relationships With Extended Family Members

Maintaining healthy relationships with extended family members—such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and in-laws—can be tough. According to an article published by YouGov, 46% of Americans don’t have any extended family members living in the same city or town as them.

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Understanding Panic Disorder
Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

Understanding Panic Disorder

If you’ve had at least four panic attacks and you regularly worry that you’ll experience another one, you may have panic disorder. In some cases, this type of anxiety can make it difficult for people to leave their home, since they may worry about when and where their next panic attack will occur.

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How to Navigate Family Around the Holidays
Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

How to Navigate Family Around the Holidays

For many of us, spending time with family during the holidays is something straight out of a Hallmark movie with days filled with comfort and joy. But for others, the holidays with family are scarier than Halloween

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