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Discover a game-changing approach to conquer procrastination and supercharge your productivity. Dive into the fascinating world of neuroscience and dopamine dynamics as we unveil a science-backed strategy to kickstart your motivation.
Do you find yourself pouring so much time, attention, and effort into a relationship that you lose yourself? The drive to help loved ones when they endure difficult situations is normal! Empathy is foundational to forming and maintaining healthy relationships, but it’s often mistaken for a different, dysfunctional behavior; codependence. While empathy brings connection, understanding, and positive change, codependency can leave you empty, resentful, and drained. Let’s distinguish between selflessness and losing yourself in a codependent relationship.
If you’ve never heard of a “life coach,” you’re not alone. Honestly, I hadn’t heard much about life coaching before becoming a certified life coach back in 2018! During the certification process, I coached and was coached by different professional coaches to gain the skills I needed. My experience was so positive and valuable, both personally and professionally, that I knew I wanted to do this work full-time – and now I get to coach on behalf of EFR!
Having worked with many clients over the last five years, the biggest questions I get from those exploring coaching are:
• How is coaching different from counseling?
• When should I work with a life coach?
• What can I expect when working with a life coach?
I’m sharing my answers and experiences to help you decide if life coaching is for you!
Contrary to the common misconception, mental health is not limited to being either mentally ill or mentally well. Everyone experiences mental health on a continuum that fluctuates between wellness and illness, much like physical health. Just as unhealthy eating or lack of sleep can affect your physical well-being, your mental health is susceptible to various stressors and life events.
You do a lot of thinking. Research estimates the average person processes over 60,000 thoughts each day! Like millions of gallons of water surging through the Colorado River cut the steep crevasses of the Grand Canyon, the thousands of thoughts coursing through your head carve neural pathways in your brain. These ideas and ruminations form a sort of ‘muscle memory’ that makes some thoughts habitual. In fact, science shows that 90% of your thoughts are repetitive- tomorrow, you’ll have many of the same thoughts as today. So, what happens when negativity and anxiety color most of your thinking?
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise mental health awareness and erase the stigma surrounding mental illness. Books are a powerful way to gain insight, empathy, and practical tips for navigating your mental health journey or understanding that of a loved one. This month, the EFR team is sharing mental health-related books in their personal library that can inspire, educate, and uplift. Whether you’re struggling with mental health challenges or simply interested in learning more about the topic, we hope you find valuable insights, support, and new favorite additions to your reading list.
505 Fifth Avenue, Suite 600 Des Moines, IA 50309
6th floor of the Insurance Exchange Building in downtown Des Moines
800-327-4692
Counseling Services
1001 Office Park Rd, Suite 205
West Des Moines, IA 50265
2nd floor of the building
515-471-2357
The Healing Space
1001 Office Park Rd, Suite 209
West Des Moines, IA 50265
2nd floor of the building
515-471-2357
Monday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Tuesday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Wednesday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Thursday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Friday 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Student Assistance Program (SAP) & Outpatient Counseling
Maddox*, an elementary-aged student, struggled with anger outbursts, physical aggression, and difficulties with problem-solving. After spending years off-and-on in therapy seeking treatment with various providers only to remark that “none seemed to want to listen,” Maddox’s parents sought SAP services through their district.
Today, Maddox is completing his SAP sessions and moving towards outpatient counseling. He has reduced his anger outbursts and has learned skills to help him successfully navigate challenging days.