Arguments happen, but they don’t have to damage your connection. Learning how to recognize emotional triggers, pause before reacting, and communicate with understanding can turn conflicts into opportunities for growth. This step-by-step guide will help you navigate disagreements with empathy, active listening, and resolution-focused strategies—so you and your partner can build a healthier, stronger relationship.

Read more to learn how to de-escalate conflicts effectively!

Relationships are meant to be a source of connection, love, and support, but when emotional triggers are at play, they can lead to intense reactions and misunderstandings. This blog explores the nature of emotional triggers in relationships, their roots in past experiences, and how they impact communication. Learn how to recognize, manage, and communicate about your triggers to create healthier, more harmonious connections with your partner. If you're ready to foster deeper understanding and healing in your relationship, click to dive into strategies that can make a transformative difference.

In an increasingly digital world, virtual EMDR therapy has become a game-changer for those seeking effective trauma treatment from the comfort of their own homes. Whether you're new to EMDR or exploring the virtual option, it's important to understand how this approach works and how you can prepare for a successful experience.

In this blog, we’ll explore the effectiveness of virtual EMDR therapy, comparing it to traditional in-person sessions, and provide practical tips to help you make the most of your virtual therapy. Whether you're curious about the benefits or ready to start your journey, this guide will give you the insights and confidence you need to embrace virtual EMDR therapy!

If you've always been curious about trauma and trauma therapy but want to delve deeper into understanding, click here to embark on a journey of discovery. Our blog explores the intricacies of what trauma actually is, ranging from its various forms to how it profoundly impacts us as human beings. We delve into the intricate ways trauma can shape our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, shedding light on the complexities of its effects on our lives.

Moreover, we explore the transformative power of trauma therapy in our blog. From traditional approaches to innovative modalities, we uncover how trauma therapy can be a catalyst for healing and growth. Whether you're seeking insights into trauma's impact or considering trauma therapy for yourself or a loved one, our blog offers valuable perspectives and information to empower your journey towards healing and resilience.

In our latest blog, we delve into a common yet often misunderstood phenomenon known as the abstinence violation effect (AVE) and its impact on individuals in eating disorder recovery. Explore how a perceived lapse or violation of self-imposed rules can trigger intense negative emotions and potentially derail progress. Discover strategies for recognizing and managing the AVE to promote resilience and sustainable recovery.

In our latest blog, we dive deep into the transformative power of radical acceptance. Explore how this mindfulness-based practice, rooted in DBT principles, can help you break free from cycles of pain and suffering. Discover the art of embracing reality without judgment or resistance, paving the way for greater resilience and inner peace in your daily life!

Living in Philadelphia can be vibrant and exciting, but it can also come with its share of stressors that contribute to anxiety. From bustling city life to work pressures and personal challenges, it's essential to have effective coping strategies in place. In this blog post, we'll delve into practical tips and techniques specifically tailored to help individuals in Philadelphia manage their anxiety and improve their mental well-being.

Explore the intersection of spirituality and therapy as we embark on a transformative journey towards holistic well-being. Dive deep into the realm of self-discovery, healing, and personal growth, blending the wisdom of spiritual practices with the insights of therapeutic modalities. Discover how integrating spirituality into therapy can nurture profound healing, cultivate resilience, and foster inner peace.

Healing sacral chakra trauma involves self-exploration, self-compassion, creative expression, and embracing sensuality for chakra realignment. Visit our blog for more insights.

If you find yourself struggling with cognitive distortions that are affecting your daily life and overall well-being, Spilove Psychotherapy is here for you. Whether you're based in Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr, or seeking the convenience of virtual counseling, our experienced team of therapists is available to help you recognize and challenge these distortions, ultimately leading you towards cultivating healthier thought patterns and achieving improved mental wellness.

If you are living in Philadelphia, Center City, or out on the Main Line and find yourself feeling trapped in a cycle of negative thoughts, you may want to learn more about how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) could help. Click on this blog to gain a deeper understanding of the potential benefits of CBT and to explore how it can offer you the support you need. We're here to provide you with additional details and support as you consider this treatment option, empowering you to make informed decisions about your mental health journey.

Managing emotions during the holidays can be tough. But you don't have to go through it alone. Consider trying DBT. DBT offers proven techniques to help you regulate your emotions and improve your wellbeing. To learn more about how DBT can help during the holidays, click here. Build your own DBT toolbox and gain valuable skills for a more balanced and connected holiday season.

We can build up our Thanksgiving tool box by integrating the techniques of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). By harnessing the power of DBT, we can maximize our potential for creating harmonious and enriching connections, and truly embrace the spirit of Thanksgiving.

Fall is a beautiful season full of vibrant colors and a sense of change in the air. However, many individuals find themselves facing a unique set of challenges when it comes to managing their fall and body image. The shift in weather, wardrobe transitions, and cultural emphasis on holiday festivities can all impact how we perceive ourselves and our bodies. However, It is important to remember that we have the power to navigate these challenges and foster a positive relationship with our bodies during this time.

As we approach the start of a new school year, it is not uncommon for children to experience a surge of anxiety. The transition from the relaxed days of summer to the structured routine of school can be overwhelming and stressful. As parents, it is crucial for us to provide the support and guidance our children need to navigate these emotions.

Studies show that mindful activities scattered throughout one’s day can have an even deeper impact on healing and self-growth than a regular sitting meditation practice. This is because, once a mindful approach is embedded into our regular activities, it is more likely to become our go-to approach to life. We can take meditation off the cushion, so to speak, and into our daily lives. We can start to incorporate mindfulness into our days by learning ways to reach stillness other than traditional meditation. Here are some other ways to achieve a mindful state in your day to day life…

Panic attacks can be intense, overwhelming and downright scary because of the fear and discomfort that one experiences while being in the throes of a panic attack. While panic attacks are extremely scary, there is a simple and effective way to stop them in their tracks: the butterfly hug.

Anxiety–whether social, general, specific, or panic–is extremely frustrating and difficult to manage. Anxiety not only can get in the way of the present moment but can even interfere with one’s daily life. While it is important to know that anxiety is VERY normal for each and every one of us to experience (and even helps us!), we all know that anxiety can easily get out of control.

You know it’s time to see a therapist for your anxiety, depression, trauma, and/or eating disorder but private pay fees are hard to swing. You’ve reached out to a couple practices and they mentioned the idea of working with a graduate level counseling intern because they can provide low cost therapy in and around Philadelphia, PA. You aren’t sure about it, so you’ve been holding off.

We have all experienced signs of stress, whether we are juggling work, our relationships, school, finances, kids, or every day tasks our lives are busy and down right demanding at times! So, it’s no wonder we feel…STRESSED!  Stress is something we have all experienced and is a necessary part of our lives (I might add). We do need small amounts of stress to motivate us to complete tasks. And while stress can be helpful, we all know how it can hinder us.

While DBT has been proven to be highly effective in treating a range of mental health conditions, you don’t have to have a mental illness to benefit from these skills. In fact, learning these skills and incorporating them into your life can help all of us! Here are 3 DBT skills to help you get started. 

You’re in the midst of a transformation–whether you are grieving a dream you had that is no more or you have moved into a new phase of your life, all you know is that you just want to be happy.  You have everything or most of what you want and all of what you need, but you’re just STRUGGLING!  

We all have inner voices—one that judges  and belittles and one that is nurturing and up-lifting. However, for many the second inner voice often sounds like a fantasy. In fact, it feels impossible to even comprehend talking to yourself in a kind way because for most of us…the critic often always wins. Our inner voice can be a destructive force that can impact our overall mental wellbeing. This damaging voice magnifies negativity and often isn't satisfied until we are left feeling defeated and sometimes even paralyzed. So, how can we regain balance within our own system? How can we reset the inner critic and strengthen our inner coach?

We go into the New Year with the best of intentions, to make these goals actually happen. We feel excited, hopefully and even enthusiastic about the idea of working toward something new. But, for many of us, we often give up on our New Year’s resolutions or simply forget about them all together by the end of the month and revert back to our old habits. This can often make us feel shameful and guilty for not reaching the expectation that we had set out of ourselves.  So, this New Year, instead of putting pressure on ourselves to make an excessive list of all of the New Year’s resolutions you feel that you have to complete, what if you threw that all out the window? What if you didn’t set resolutions?

Getting back into the swing of things can come as a relief for many after the holidays. Jumping back into their comfortable routine and leaving the holiday stress behind is what actually brings much cheer to many. For others, the financially, emotionally and mentally stressful come down from the most wonderful time of the year can bring on post-holiday blues. 

You get caught up in the idea that you need to create the perfect holiday experience for yourself and for those around you. Each holiday season you set extremely high hopes that this year will *finally* be different. Yet, you often fall short of these expectations that you put on yourself. You often become overly stressed and anxious because of the added pressures of the December month. And while you had good intentions at the start of the month, you have set the stage for your inner critic to take the spotlight because you feel that you have fallen short. 

The holiday season for many with an ED or in ED recovery can feel like the superbowl of negative thoughts and body image, anxiety, decreased self-esteem and even sadness. Which is why it feels impossible to try to keep your eating disorder from controlling your holiday season. It can feel easier to let the eating disorder voice win because it is so exhausting to keep your ED in check. And as exhausting as it is, you can still support yourself through the holiday season with the list of tips below. 

What if ‘the most wonderful time of year’ brings nothing but holiday anxiety? What if you feel overwhelmed and stressed during this season, rather than joyous like society tells us? And what if you don’t feel or want to be that cheerful this year? Well, I am here to tell you that this is completely natural.

Wouldn’t it be nice if nutrition was presented to you in a truly neutral way? Without dieting, weight loss, or some new fad? Instead you had someone walk you through your own personal lifestyle and help you construct your own nutritional roadmap. You can! That’s what a nutritionist would do with you.