Our Blog

At Coral Gables Counseling Center, we often have what we call Meeting of the Minds, better known as MOM meetings. These are meetings where psychologists, …

Continue reading “Why Boredom Is Good for Kids”

We’ve come a long way in creating more space for emotional awareness, especially around women’s mental health. But there’s a blind spot that still lingers …

Continue reading “What About Him? Understanding the Emotional Biology of Men”

By Bianca Gabay, RMHCI When most people think about prevention, they think about avoiding problems. Staying calm. Keeping the peace. Not letting things get “too …

Continue reading “Prevention Isn’t What You Think”

By Elizabeth Schaul, MHC Intern It is easy to imagine that the future will unfold naturally over time. That with enough effort, or simply enough …

Continue reading “Living with Intention”

By Izaskun Cruz, LMFT We often think prevention means avoiding pain. Like if we do things “right,” nothing difficult will happen. But life sometimes is …

Continue reading “Prevention Now – Before It’s Too Much”

By Vanessa Molina, LMFT Sometimes reflection from others feels wrong—not necessarily because there is no truth in it, but because it challenges how we see …

Continue reading “Navigating Reflection in Family and Friendships”

As the year comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on family and friends. It has been a year of reconnection, deeper communication, personal …

Continue reading “A Year Lived Intentionally”

Saturday is November 29th, and it’s my birthday. Every year, I feel lucky that my birthday falls during a season when so many of us …

Continue reading “Grateful Now in the Messy Middle…”

By Emilia Maria Alvarez Everybody’s body is different – something we all know yet often forget when it matters most. We can get so frustrated …

Continue reading “Your Body, Your Plan Now!”

By Elizabeth Schaul, MHC Practicum Student It’s that time of year many family’s dread. The end of a beautiful, relaxing summer filled with adventure and …

Continue reading “Back to School Success: Start the Year Strong”

As we wrap up our month-long focus on Purposeful Parenting, I want to leave you with a personal reflection—a story I’ve shared before, but one …

Continue reading “The More Things Change…”

By Carolina Navarro – Intake Coordinator at CGCC Raising a teenager is no easy feat. Raising one as a single mom adds layers of complexity, …

Continue reading “Parenting with Purpose: Letting Go While Holding On”

Throughout my years as a therapist, parents have come to me with many different challenges their children are facing. One of the most common concerns …

Continue reading “Introvert, Extrovert, or Both? Understanding Your Child”

By Analisse Ortiz, Office Manager, CGCC Raising my daughter Charlie, who just turned two, has been and will continue to be the most rewarding experience …

Continue reading “Parenting Panic? Relax, You’ve Got This!”

As a life coach that coaches male attorneys – and the mom of a “Dad” – I’ve seen that being a Dad today is a …

Continue reading “Being a Dad Today!”

Men and women don’t speak the same language. It’s a truth that’s been noted in countless books and blogs. But here’s what often gets overlooked: …

Continue reading “The Surprising Way to Get Men to Open Up!”

By Emilia Alvarez Money. Money money money, dollar dollar bills, y’all. It’s arguably one of the most stressful things we as humans deal with. No …

Continue reading “Finding Joy in Budgeting Now – for a Better Future”

We often hear about preventive measures related to physical health. Preventive medicine aims to prevent diseases or reduce the severity of their impact. We don’t …

Continue reading “Prevention Now for a Better Future…”

Our days are filled with transitions—waking up, heading to work, taking breaks, coming home, going to bed. Yet, most of the time, we rush through …

Continue reading “Tiny Daily Shifts for Less Daily Stress – Now!”

By Natalie Peña, IMHC In a fast-paced world filled with distractions, stress, mindless scrolling, and competing demands, the concept of mindful living offers a refreshing …

Continue reading “🔑 Unlock Secrets to Balance Your Life…”

As the calendar turns to a new year, there’s a natural pause—a moment to breathe, reflect, and reset. The past year holds stories of triumph, …

Continue reading “🌟🛣️Where We’ve Been, Where We’re Headed…”

By Natalie Peña, IMHC As the holiday season approaches, many look forward to festive gatherings, family traditions, and shared memories. However, for some people, family …

Continue reading “Tips for Navigating Family Dynamics Now!”

By Bianca Gabay, National Certified Counselor Cultivating gratefulness in our relationships is a powerful way to enhance connection, deepen emotional intimacy, and strengthen the bond …

Continue reading “Sparking Joy and Connection Through Gratitude! 💖🤝”

By Angelica Cruz-Serrano, RMFTI Gratefulness is often considered a simple act, but its impact on our lives can be profound. Practicing gratitude can shift our …

Continue reading “Gratefulness: A Pathway to Joy and Stronger Relationships”

By Izakun Cruz, LMFT Gratitude has become an often-used word in wellness circles, and for good reason. Science and spirituality both affirm the transformative effects …

Continue reading “Gratitude: Is it Science or Spirit?”

In October, I always pause and take inventory of how I’ve been doing with my health during the year.  As a breast cancer survivor, for …

Continue reading “💥Top Priority: Your Personal Health Scan!”

Attachment styles have been a hot topic over social media and a relatively new science that has gained momentum since the publication of Amir Levine …

Continue reading “Attachment As A Biological Need”

By Bianca Gabay, National Certified Counselor When we think about self-improvement, we often focus on personal goals, habits, or skills. But what if there’s a …

Continue reading “Self-Improvement Through Relationships: How Connection Fuels Personal Growth”

By: Natalie Peña, IMHC In today’s fast-paced world, balancing the demands of work, family, and daily life can often leave self-care feeling like an afterthought. …

Continue reading “Creating a Self-Care Routine that Works for You”

Entering a state of trance that’s just right for you. Hypnosis has been around for the past 1,000 years give or take and varies wildly …

Continue reading “Demystifying Hypnosis in Therapy”

“Should I?” This is a question I get asked often by clients, family, and friends.  AND, me. It’s a tricky question because it’s a question …

Continue reading ““Should I?” Understanding the Difference Between Indecision and Careful Analysis”

As we all know, school starts soon, and many parents across the country are already buying school supplies and uniforms and preparing their kids for …

Continue reading “Making Friends in High School and Taking Care of Your Mental Health”

As our kids head back to school, they’re not just lugging backpacks, books, laptops/ipads– they’re also carrying the weight of social media. Strange how social …

Continue reading “Social Media and Heading Back to School”

By Bianca Gabay, National Certified Counselor The funny thing about parenting is that, despite all good intentions, a clear plan, and the surplus of resources …

Continue reading “Purposeful Parenting is Relational Parenting”

When I was raising my three kids – now adults with their own kids – my parenting was anything but purposeful.  It was very reactive. …

Continue reading “From Unpurposeful Parenting to Purposeful GrandParenting”

As a parent, your relationship with your child is one of the most important in your life.  A strong and healthy relationship between parents and …

Continue reading “How to Improve Your Parent-Child Relationship”

School is finally ending, and kids are excited that summer is about to begin. Most kids are hoping to stay home, relax with their electronics, …

Continue reading “The Importance of Kids Participating in Summer Camp”

By Cristina Ferreira, RMFTI, RMHCI There is often a big misconception when it comes to men’s mental health. The idea that men don’t struggle with …

Continue reading ““Boys Don’t Cry”= Men Suffering in Silence”

So, it’s Mental Health Awareness Month. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I obviously am so grateful for the awareness that has been created around …

Continue reading “Mental Health Awareness – Let’s Become Aware”

“What do you want?” When I ask my clients, this question the response is a blank stare.  When they do respond the response is “What …

Continue reading “What do you want?”

When we look for our happiness, many of us look for it outside of ourselves. We expect it to come from our significant other. We …

Continue reading “Our Happiness – Our Responsibility”

In a few days, I will turn 50. Many people have been asking me how it feels to turn the big 5-0; honestly, I’m not …

Continue reading “Life is a Roller Coaster”

As I was getting dressed yesterday, I saw a scar on my body, then another, then another, and another.  And it made me think of …

Continue reading “Brushstrokes of Time – The Masterpiece of a Life Lived”

This is our last blog of the year, and I thought I would end 2023 with a little bit of a twist. This is the …

Continue reading “2024 Tips – Tools Not Stress”

As I sit here reflecting on this past year, I feel a heaviness instead of my usual end of year reflection of excitement for the …

Continue reading “Reflecting on Grudges, Resentments, Guilts and Regrets”

Today is my 65th birthday. The past 65 years have been full of both lessons and milestones. A friend of mine gave me a birthday …

Continue reading “Every Candle Tells a Story”

By Pan He, Certified Life Coach It’s November, and Thanksgiving is coming up in the United States. Families and friends gather to celebrate and give …

Continue reading “The Season of Gratitude: A Practical Guide to Feeling More Grateful”

As the summer comes to an end and the back-to-school season approaches, a whirlwind of emotions is stirred that accompanies the return to both the …

Continue reading “Back to School and a Routine”

As someone who went back to school in my 40’s, 50’s and then again in my 60’s – this has been a question I’ve asked …

Continue reading “Back to School – Should I or Shouldn’t I?”

By Laurel Kilpatrick, M.D., Certified Life Coach Is it really time to start thinking about going back to school? It seems like it was just …

Continue reading “Time Flies: Time Management Hacks for Heading Back to School”

The other day my sister and I were spending time with our adult daughters relaxing and hanging out in the pool.  They were talking about …

Continue reading “Mom You Did the Best You Could”

By Alli Griffiths, Mental Health Counselor, Practicum First, emotional neglect is not emotional abuse. Abuse intends to harm whereas emotional neglect is usually unintentional. Oftentimes, …

Continue reading “What is Childhood Emotional Neglect?”

Most parents struggle with the transition from parenting a child to parenting a teen. This typically happens because your teen is seeking independence yet instinctually, …

Continue reading “Navigating Through the Teens”

As I was sitting in front of the computer, not sure what to write about on Men’s Health, I received this picture from my son.  …

Continue reading “Men and Life Balance”

Lisa is a 55-year-old, happily married retired woman who lives with her husband in a house in Coconut Grove. All her children are adults and …

Continue reading “Am I just sad or am I clinically depressed?”

By Christian Mendez, Board-Certified Behavior Analyst Just last month the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updated the incidence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 8-year-old children …

Continue reading “Autism Awareness”

Your Branding is Your Identity When we think “branding” most of us think businesses and corporations. My definition of branding is when businesses and corporations …

Continue reading “Coach Thought of the Week: Branding Your Identity”

Alli Griffiths, Mental Health Counselor, RI Do you see your doctor annually for a routine checkup? Or do you wait until you have a problem …

Continue reading “Taking Care of Your Mental Health”

It’s Friday night.  You’re out to dinner with your family: a ritual you look forward to throughout the week.  Although you’re all together, you feel …

Continue reading “Less Electronics, More Mindfulness”

There are always challenges we face within the trenches of a long-term relationship. Some conflicts include, financial struggles, parenting stressors, health issues, and sexual issues …

Continue reading “Stop Having the Relationshits!”

We get motivational quotes all the time. We see them everywhere. We use them to inspire us to action. In Verywell Mind they describe motivation …

Continue reading “Coach Thought of the Week: Motivation”

I love many of Dr. Seuss’ quotes, but my very favorite is: Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one …

Continue reading “Coach Thought of the Week: Comparing”

Now that we turned the corner into 2023 and before we continue moving forward, let’s take a minute to pause and reflect on 2022. As …

Continue reading “Celebrating our Wins and Losses”

Yes, you may not have enough hours in a day. Yes, you may have too many deadlines. Yes, you may have too much work. But, …

Continue reading “Coach Thought of the Week: Opening up to Change and Possibilities”

Yesterday was my 64th birthday. It was a nice day. It was an ordinary day. It was a perfect day. I woke up with a …

Continue reading “My Journey Around the Sun”

By Dara Teller, LCSW There are so many things to be grateful for, but often times we allow our stress and anxiety to consume us. …

Continue reading “A Reflection”

Those who know me, know I love tennis! Earlier this year, I was coaching with a tennis pro when I decided I didn’t want to …

Continue reading “Coach Thought of the Week: Getting Out of Your Own Way”

Happiness is the “state of just being happy.” But how do we just “be happy” when life is 50/50? 50% good and 50% bad. We’ve …

Continue reading “Coach Thought of the Week: Happiness”

My daughters prepared the funeral mass for my ex-husband who passed away two months ago.  As a gift for my 3 kids and my stepdaughter, …

Continue reading “The Eulogy”

Change is such a constant in our lives…whether we like it or not. Many years ago I decided to embrace change and look forward to …

Continue reading “Let Go and Let God”

Many of my clients come in stressed because they can’t find their Work-Life Balance.  As much as they try, they can’t seem to get both …

Continue reading “Coach Thought of the Week: Life Balance”

After eight years as a Life Coach, I recently completed a second Life Coach Certification.  This time with The Life Coach School. One of the …

Continue reading “Coach Thought of the Week: Manuals for Others”

Recently, the topic of interest amongst my clients is parenting styles. More specifically, which of the four parenting styles – Authoritarian, Authoritative, Passive, and Neglectful …

Continue reading “Raising Emotionally Intelligent Beings”

“Therapists are archeologists that dig into our past to help us understand the present; Coaches are architects that help us build our future once we …

Continue reading “Coach Thought of the Week: Therapy v. Coaching”

Are you looking for a change in your life? Life is made up of the following eight Pillars: Relationships/Friendship Finance Home Environment Career/Business Spirituality Health …

Continue reading “Coach Thought of the Week: Change – Part 1”

It’s Mental Health Awareness month!  And, although it’s nice to have a month dedicated to mental health, I’m happy to see there has been a …

Continue reading “Give Yourself Some Grace”

The most commonly diagnosed mental health disorder in the U.S. is anxiety; and a close second is depression. Both disorders are misunderstood not only by …

Continue reading “Let’s Talk About Anxiety”

By Alejandra Boker, MBA, RD, IFNCP Mindfulness, or the state of being conscious and aware of something, isn’t always easy, especially when there are so many …

Continue reading “Mindful Eating”

As we reach the end of Q1 in 2022, it is time to assess how we are doing. Pull out the list of goals you …

Continue reading “Pause. Assess. Evaluate.”

Love doesn’t start with loving others before us. It begins with loving ourselves first, to know how to love another. We create a strong foundation …

Continue reading “What is Love?”

As I was thinking of this week’s thought of the week, I decided to dig into a problem I tend to have on the regular …

Continue reading “Coach Thought of the Week: Multitasking”

Imagine if one day you woke up and your life had changed. You are happy with your life and who you have become. You are …

Continue reading “Live in Alignment With Your Vision”

With the start of a New Year, many of us take the time to set goals and resolutions on how we can be better and …

Continue reading “Journey into 2022”

The holidays are the perfect time to reflect on our relationships, establish goals for connecting with our family, and set the groundwork for those relationships …

Continue reading “Holidays and Family”

Thanksgiving is my favorite time of year. It’s a reminder to pause and say thank you before the shopping and the parties. It’s a reminder …

Continue reading “Thank You!”

Gratitude is the quality of being thankful. It consists of a readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. Simple concept, right? Yet, it …

Continue reading “Creating Gratitude”

  Creating boundaries – or not creating them. There is no right or wrong answer.  We’re all different.  The question is: Do we need to …

Continue reading “Boundaries”

The other day I was really looking at myself in the mirror while I was getting dressed.  I was looking at my body and scars …

Continue reading “In loving me.”

By: Tiffany N. Perez, RMHC We live in an era of information overload. We are invested in social media platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and …

Continue reading “Self Improvement with Perspective”

Here I am, writing about procrastination in my pajamas at the last minute when I should’ve been wilding out at a fall festival because I …

Continue reading “Procrastination”

Self-improvement. When I talk about this idea (a multi-million dollar industry of how to do and be better), I make sure others understand they are …

Continue reading “You’re Not Broken”

I think we can all agree that the topic of self-improvement is a broad one. In such a complicated time in our world, and with …

Continue reading “Natural Negativity to Proactive Optimism”

Sometimes I set out to rest, relax, recharge. But I end up on my phone. On social media. I do this, I think because I …

Continue reading “Rest and Relaxation”

Summer is over. Well, at least Summer, as in those few months during which “the Purge” happens because the children :coughs: terrors are set loose …

Continue reading “Summer is Over. Now What?”

BACK TO SCHOOL *cue instant anxiety* Whether you’re 5, 12, 18, or 24 years old, that week before school starts always makes most of us …

Continue reading “Normalizing Back to School Anxiety”

Summer is coming to an end. School is right around the corner, as students will be going back to in-person learning. This past year school …

Continue reading “Going Back to School”

Our kids’ behavior is the difference between a great day and a “kill me now” day. It can be overwhelming when your kids misbehave more …

Continue reading “What I Do To Help My Kids Behave”

As a parent of three 30+-year-olds, I want to offer that parenting never ends. Parents of newborns and toddlers are rolling their eyes right about …

Continue reading “Purposeful Parenting from an Empty Nester”

I celebrate you. I celebrate all the men in the world.  Men who are loyal, kind, and true. Men who have protected us and loved …

Continue reading “Men…Beautiful, Beautiful Men!”

Low testosterone is one of the most overlooked causes of depression and other serious mood disorders in males. So much so that when I see …

Continue reading “Let’s talk about Low-T, but really, let’s talk about it.”