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Love Lab: Rethinking Modern Dating

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, May 06, 2026

By Vanessa Molina, LMFT Hey there! Yeah, you – Do you ever find yourself in conversations about the dating world where you’re talking for hours… …

The Surprising Way to Get Men to Open Up!

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, June 04, 2025

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: …

🔍✨And Where is Your Focus?

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Saturday, March 08, 2025

What is stealing your focus? Probably the screen you’re reading this blog on right now! Or it could be worries about health or money? Is …

❤️‍🔥Love is not Enough…

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Thursday, February 27, 2025

We often grow up believing that love conquers all. Movies, songs, and fairy tales tell us that as long as two people love each other, …

🔓 Unlock Deeper Connections Now…

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Monday, February 17, 2025

Have you ever felt frustrated because someone didn’t meet your needs—only to realize you never actually expressed them? Communicating our needs is one of the …

❤️‍🩹 vs. 💖 | Conditional v. Unconditional Love

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Love is one of the most powerful forces in human relationships, yet not all love is the same. At its core, love can be classified …

💪❤️From Strain to Strength: Transform Your Relationship!

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Monday, January 20, 2025

By Angelica Cruz-Serrano, RMFTI The start of a new year is a powerful reminder of the fresh possibilities that lie ahead. It’s a time when …

🌟🛣️Where We’ve Been, Where We’re Headed…

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Tuesday, December 31, 2024

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, …

Self-Improvement Through Relationships: How Connection Fuels Personal Growth

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, September 25, 2024

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 …

From Unpurposeful Parenting to Purposeful GrandParenting

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Sunday, July 14, 2024

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

Breaking the Silence: Promoting Mental Health Awareness Among Teenage Boys

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Tuesday, June 18, 2024

By Izakun Cruz, LMFT To become a healthy man, we must first learn to be one. Society and cultures have not left much space for …

Boost Your Bro: The Lowdown on Testosterone Checks

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Sunday, June 09, 2024

Gentlemen, gather ’round. It’s time we have a little chat about something near and dear to our hearts: testosterone. Yes, that magical hormone responsible for …

Holidays, Family and Tradition

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, December 20, 2023

The holidays, the end of the calendar year, this all brings on a feeling of reflection. Looking back, taking stock. The rituals of wrapping up …

Redefining Masculinity: Male Emotional Advocacy Takes Center Stage

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, June 28, 2023

In a world where societal expectations have traditionally dictated that men must be strong, stoic, and unemotional, there is a growing movement that seeks to …

Forced to Mature – Growing up with an ADHD sibling

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, May 31, 2023

By: High School Student – her college essay We all go through the natural and unavoidable process of growing up. However, for some of us, …

Taking Care of Your Mental Health

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Tuesday, April 11, 2023

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 …

Mindfulness and Personal Growth

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Thursday, March 16, 2023

By Maria Silvia Paoli, Certified Life Coach Mindfulness is defined as “a basic human ability to be fully present, in a state of awareness and …

Less Electronics, More Mindfulness

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Tuesday, February 28, 2023

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 …

Girl Love

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, February 22, 2023

As I write this last blog for the month of February on the topic of “Love for Yourself and Others,” I thought I would close …

Stop Having the Relationshits!

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Friday, February 03, 2023

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 …

Coach Thought of the Week: Getting Out of Your Own Way

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Monday, November 21, 2022

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 …

Coach Thought of the Week: Manuals for Others

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Monday, August 01, 2022

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 …

Are You Tired of Having the Relationshits…???

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, June 15, 2022

There are various benefits for men from being in a healthy relationship. Their well-being is positively influenced by healthy relationships not just emotionally, but physically …

Give Yourself Some Grace

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, May 18, 2022

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 …

Let’s Talk About Anxiety

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, May 04, 2022

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 …

What to Watch Out for When Dating

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, April 06, 2022

Each relationship we experience throughout our lives allows us to learn something about ourselves and our community. We learn more about who we are our …

Mindful Moments

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Tuesday, March 01, 2022

Here is a simple script for mindful moments. Let’s break it down. Notice your thoughts. “I’m sitting on a soft, blue chair. I like this …

Moving Forward in the New Year

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, January 26, 2022

New Year, New Me, right? Or is it a New Year, Old Me? Depending on your journey, these questions can feel different because it gives …

Holidays and Family

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, December 22, 2021

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 …

Self Reflection

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Self-Reflection might sound easy to do, but it’s the most challenging thing we can do. It’s hard to focus on our thoughts and feelings about …

Creating Gratitude

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, November 17, 2021

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 …

My Work Anniversary Story

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Ten years ago this month, I was lucky enough to start working at Coral Gables Counseling Center (CGCC) — and I’ve never looked back. I …

Motivation

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Motivation is Bullsh*t. Bold statement, I know, but stay with me for a second. Telling ourselves that the reason for not doing things is lack …

Natural Negativity to Proactive Optimism

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, September 08, 2021

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 …

Summer is Over. Now What?

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, August 25, 2021

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 …

Deciding to Go Back to School

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Most of us know what back to school means. Some of us went back to school as kids. Some of us had kids that went …

Going Back to School

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, August 04, 2021

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 …

What I Do To Help My Kids Behave

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, July 28, 2021

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 …

Parenting

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, July 21, 2021

By Katheryne Puentes, LMHC Parenting is NOT an easy job. Being a parent involves 100% attention to how they interact with their children and their …

Purposeful Parenting from an Empty Nester

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, July 14, 2021

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 …

Men…Beautiful, Beautiful Men!

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, June 09, 2021

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 …

Let’s talk about Low-T, but really, let’s talk about it.

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, June 02, 2021

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 …

Dealing With Client Termination in Therapy

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, May 05, 2021

I had the opportunity to advise a colleague on how to terminate therapy for one of her clients. This particular case was sensitive and complex. …

Living in the Present for a Better Future

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Eli Bravo https://www.linkedin.com/in/elibravooficial/ As if it was a miracle pill or a magic potion, it is common in books, webinars, and social media posts the …

Don’t Get in Your Own Way of Happiness

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Tuesday, April 20, 2021

6:30 AM. I am sitting in front of the candle and trying to let the thoughts pass so I can be in the present moment. …

Umbrella of Health

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, April 14, 2021

What comes to mind when you think of health? For most, it’s the yearly visit to your primary doctor, gynecologist, or dentist. What comes to …

Notes to Self: Two Books Sounding Off Loudly

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, March 24, 2021

By Lucia Fernandez, Director, LMFT and Natalie Ortega, Attorney and Teacher   My friend, Natalie Ortega, and I have had many conversations on spirituality. She …

Mindfulness Aspirations?

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Do you aspire to be “mindful” tangibly and practically? Ask yourself these four questions.  It will give you a well-grounded approach to your day: 1) …

Mindful Pause

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Creating an awareness of the present moment is one of the basic principles of mindfulness and mindful living. We tend to live our lives and …

How To Make That Special Someone, Fall In Love With You

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, February 24, 2021

No, I’m not talking about making your hot co-worker or classmate fall in love with you. I’m talking about making the MOST special person in …

Self Love

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, February 17, 2021

BY: MERIEM OUCHAKA, LMHC Self-love is often overlooked. We assume it’s a given. Do you love, like, and respect yourself? What is the meaning of …

Loving Me=Loving You

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Almost a year into the pandemic and those of us who are healthy and have survived it, are so very blessed. So many have passed …

Mind, Body and Spirit

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, February 03, 2021

Many times I discuss with clients developing a self-care routine.  You would be surprised how many people have difficulty with this. When describing themselves or …

Teens and 20s – A Time for Self-Improvement

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, January 27, 2021

I’ve always liked working with the younger population (teens and 20s), but never quite knew why. Maybe it’s because I can relate to them pretty …

New Year New You

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, January 13, 2021

2020 was a year like no other. Many things happened in 2020. For some, it brought sorrow and loss – disappointment and sadness. For others, …

No Whining

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, January 06, 2021

Why no whining? These times have been sad, scary, hard, and uncertain. They’ve been quiet and loud and new and somehow…same ‘ole same ‘ole. Certainly, …

Auld Lang Syne (Times Gone By)

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Thursday, December 31, 2020

I love submitting our last blog of the year. If I have not yet done so, it forces me to stop and reflect. Before I …

The Last Month of 2020

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Friday, December 04, 2020

2020 is the year that will be known as the year of the Pandemic and THE election. A year of the unknown. A year of …

Gratitude Done Right – More Than a Feeling

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Here we are at the end of “Gratitude Month” as November has come to be observed when being grateful is all anyone seems to be …

Random Acts of Kindness

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, November 18, 2020

November is easily one of my favorite months of the year. I love that it’s sandwiched between Halloween and Christmas (celebrated in my family). It …

Don’t Downplay Your Strengths: Here Are 5 Reasons Why

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Gratitude and self-appreciation are not qualities that come naturally to the majority of us. In therapy, we often recommend incorporating a gratitude practice into a …

Healer Heal Thyself

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, November 04, 2020

As a Mental Health Counselor, I’m often on the receiving end of questions such as, “How do you listen to people’s problems all day and …

Psychiatrist Unfiltered: 5 Things Learned Deleting Social Media

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Monday, November 02, 2020

I am a millennial psychiatrist. I grew up in the era of smartphones filled with apps that have helped me stay connected all hours of …

The Health Benefits of Sex

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, October 28, 2020

So, this month’s topic is women’s health. Naturally, I thought, what better way to be able to identify easy health-improving habits for women while still …

2020 Reflection of a Breast Cancer Survivor

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, October 21, 2020

This is the only time of year I pause to reflect on my diagnosis 3 years ago – Invasive Ductal Carcinoma – or breast cancer.  …

Add This To Your Resume

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, October 14, 2020

I overheard a teacher say to my daughter on virtual school, “Kids, have your moms upload that later.” Moms. Not parents. Not dads or caretakers. …

10 Practical Ways to Stay Motivated on Your Self-Improvement Journey

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Tuesday, September 29, 2020

I consider myself to be an eternally active learner and a self-improvement/personal growth enthusiast. It’s important to be open to constant learning about yourself, others, …

Don’t Leave “Self” Out of Self-Improvement

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, September 23, 2020

When you hear “self-improvement,” what comes to mind?  Self-improvement can mean so many different things for each of us.  One thing all definitions should have in common is “the …

Rosh Hashana 2020

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Friday, September 18, 2020

To me, September has always marked the beginning of a new year, even more so than January. Maybe it’s because it signals the end of …

Self-Improvement and Homelessness

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, September 16, 2020

By Remy Gordon, LCSW What does self-improvement mean to you? By definition, self-improvement is “the improvement of one’s knowledge, status, or character by one’s own efforts”. …

You Need To Calm Down. You’re Being Too Loud

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, September 09, 2020

Many of us have anxiety levels that are higher than usual on any given day in 2020. Things aren’t where we’d want them to be. …

Self-Improvement and Mental Health

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, September 02, 2020

I have to admit, I love memes and get a lot of enjoyment from them. Pro-therapy memes? Even better! (By the way, I love that …

Back to School

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, August 26, 2020

By Remy Gordon, LCSW How do we prepare to return back to school when we aren’t really going back to the classroom physically? We are …

Clarity Vision ??

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, July 29, 2020

2020 – the year of Clarity and Vision…but really? On January 1, 2020, I declared my word of the year: Purpose. Everything I was doing …

Parenting Style From My House to Yours

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, July 22, 2020

How many of us struggle to be perfect parents?  There are so many levels of fear and uncertainty when it comes to raising little humans.  …

Teaching Respect to Children

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, July 15, 2020

It seems that every time we turn on the TV or listen to the news, all we hear is negative activities going on in the …

Infant Mental Health – It Starts on Day 1

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, July 01, 2020

Erika Fernandez De Castro A little over a year ago, I attended a training on the topic of Infant Mental Health. Prior to the training, …

Don’t Worry Be Happy

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, June 24, 2020

As the world begins to move into this “new normal” post-COVID 19 quarantine world – I cannot help but wonder what our lives and realities …

Creating Certainty in Uncertain Times

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, June 17, 2020

The world is a very uncertain place right now. There is less predictability about basic life issues such as employment, education, food, and shelter. It is a …

Modern Man’s – Man

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, June 03, 2020

I’m a guy’s guy. A Modern Man’s – Man. Rough around the edges, not afraid to get dirty, a fan of grit, and hard work. …

A Review on Mental Health Awareness

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Congratulations! You made it to the end of May, AKA Mental Health Awareness Month. By now I’m sure you’ve been inundated with plenty of words …

I’m Fine, It’s Fine, This is Fine…But Do You Know a Good Therapist?

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, May 06, 2020

Can you believe it? It’s finally May. We have all been through a lot with the recent COVID-19 situation. One of the topics in the …

Joy!

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Our current situation is tough. There is suffering, fear, uncertainty and so many challenging situations for a lot of people. So, with all that, are …

Dreaming During the Time of Covid

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Monday, April 13, 2020

Yes, we’re in the middle of a pandemic. Yes, we’re now teachers in addition to parents. Yes, we’re in confined quarters. Yes, we’re unemployed. Yes, …

How to Prevent Anxiety in the Time of Corona

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, April 08, 2020

I woke up this morning feeling much better than I did yesterday. I felt a new sense of relief and control. These feelings elude me …

Prevention Mental Health for a Better Future

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, April 01, 2020

I just started with a new therapist. I’m not in crisis. I’m high functioning and successful (depending on who you ask). But I like to …

Living mindfully is

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Life and Wellness Coach es, living mindfully is about being present with others Yes, living mindfully is about self care Yes, living mindfully is about …

Mental Health Treatment Courts: An Alternative to the Traditional Criminal Court System

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, April 17, 2019

A large number of people arrested in South Florida have a serious mental illness (SMI; e.g., schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder). The typical crimes charged …

Improving by 1%

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Life and Heath Coach Most of us look forward to the future wondering what changes we can make today – to improve what is to …

Wellness is the Path to Prevention

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, April 03, 2019

Wellness is quite the buzz word. Thankfully, we are mindful of needing to improve our overall physical and emotional health to guard against our fast-paced …

Being in the Here and Now in Relationships

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, March 27, 2019

The benefits of practicing mindfulness impact every aspect of life including relationships. Relationships come with different levels of stress and anxiety. Practicing mindfulness can actually …

Can we Balance our Work and Personal Life?

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, March 20, 2019

How can we balance our work and personal life? Is that even possible in today’s fast-paced world? It’s not always easy but we can start …

The Imperfect Journey of Living More Mindfully

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Saturday, March 09, 2019

Mindful living is such a wonderful, nice, wholesome idea. The problem that happens with this idea and with mindfulness in general, when you’re a perfectionist …

Mindful Living

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, March 06, 2019

Are you multitasking as you read this? Eating? Watching T.V.? On the toilet? Driving?! Then you’re not mindfully present because your mind is divided.  Mindful …

Loving Yourself and Others

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Certified EMDR Therapist When I was asked to write this blog it gave me pause. I thought a lot of people don’t love themselves, and …

Go Girl, its Your Birthday

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, February 20, 2019

This year, like every year before it, I got to celebrate my birthday surrounded by the people I love. I smiled so hard all day …

My Own Best Ally

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Licensed Mental Health Counselor Self-compassion. I know, I know, It sounds hokey. Just give me two minutes. Hear me out. I’m not saying be self-indulgent. …

"Love"

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, February 06, 2019

Just that word provoked a reaction in you. Assumptions and expectations popped up. (Maybe some resentments too.)How do you feel about love? Is love equated …

How Acupuncture Works for Anxiety Relief

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Acupuncture is an ancient integrative medicine that involves stimulating certain points on the body with hair thin needles. It becomes a popular alternative treatment for …

Wrapping Your Head Around Weight Loss

Coral Gables Counseling Center - Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Life and Health Coach Many of us are constantly worrying about our weight. This is true whether we’re at the “ideal” weight or not.If we’re …

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