Category: Blog

by Alyssa L. Booth, MA, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor

If you have a loved one in therapy, you might be wondering what you can do to help. Here are a few tips for supporting a friend or family who is in therapy.

1. You can say things such as:

• Please let me know if you need to talk or if you need space.
• Therapy is such a brave decision.
• I am happy that you are choosing to get help.

Or ask:

• What are your triggers?
• How will I know if you are struggling?
• What are some skills I can remind you of when you are struggling?
• What can I do to support you?

2. Validate their emotions and experience. Sometimes all we want is to be heard. If your loved one is in therapy, let the therapist do therapy. Simple validation such as “wow you must be going through a lot”, “I see how much this is affecting you”, or “that must be such a hard situation to be going through” can help reduce shame and stress. It can also build a space for your loved one to feel safe.

3. Respect Boundaries. More likely than not, your friend or family member is working on setting their own boundaries in therapy. This might change the dynamic of the relationship they have with you, which can be a challenging road to navigate for both parties. Know that itʼs okay to feel the discomfort as youʼre both working on finding a rhythm that works. Give it time, and voice your concerns in a loving caring way.

4. If appropriate, ask to attend a session with them. Especially if you are a partner or family member, or a source of main support, attending a therapy session can help you better understand the nature of what is going on. There might be some things the therapist can explain that your loved one cannot put into words, and this gives you a space to share your own concerns as well, again, with the support of a therapist.

5. Give positive reinforcement. If you start to notice small positive changes in your loved one, let them know! Sometimes itʼs challenging for us to see our own progress since we are with ourselves everyday, so a gentle reminder can really lift our spirits. Plus, therapy is hard work! Your loved one will appreciate their hard work showing up in their real lives.

6. Practice healthy communication. The best way to do this is with (a) timing, (b) I statements, and (c) a caring tone. Make sure you and your loved one are in a good headspace for communicating, with timing. You donʼt want to catch someone off guard, or communicate with either of you is overly emotionally activated. Use I statements such as “I feel… (emotion word), when…” And lastly, use a loving and caring tone when communicating, again, to create a safe space of healing.

Some things to avoid saying or asking:

• Itʼs not a big deal.
• Everyone goes through stuff, not just you.
• Youʼre being ridiculous.
• Therapy is for crazy people.
• People have it way worse than you.
• Therapy is a waste of money; those people donʼt really care.
• Why arenʼt you better yet?
• What will people say if they find out you have to go to therapy?
• Just donʼt think about it anymore.

Overall, going to therapy is a decision of empowerment and self care. Depending on the nature of the clinical concern will determine the nature of the treatment that needs to be done. Be patient and practice healthy communication. Your loved one will appreciate your kindness and support during a challenging time.

Thomas B. Efird, LCSW, LCDC, EMDR Approved Consultant, San Antonio, Texas and Telehealth

So why on earth would a counselor promote cooking on a mental health website? Shouldnʼt I promote “donʼtʼ eat your feelings?” Well, yes. I like to cook. More importantly, I like to eat what I make. Even under shelter in place, I like to do both of these things. Why wouldnʼt I want to promote family fun time in the kitchen? There is a wonderful line from the Avengers Endgame movie said between a father and son “No amount of money ever bought a second of time.” Over the few months our world has radically changed-for better and for worse. As we shelter in place, we are all experiencing emotional upheavals and trying to find our way through this. I promote cooking together as a way to build families, homes and communities. It is an act of love to take the time to create something that others will hopefully enjoy. There is nothing like family bonding over a meal. So pretty please, with sugar on it, get in the kitchen, start cooking and have fun! Helpful hint: start with a scrambled egg. In real butter. Youʼll thank me later…. but I digest….

In my experience, there is one thing that unites us all. Every part of the world we have one common bond, our love of food. I have yet to meet a person who doesnʼt like food, especially good food. If itʼs not good, you wonʼt eat it. Ever try brussels sprouts? Those things are little green balls of death that smell like feet! No amount of cheese, salt or garlic will cover that! At a religious or family event where someone has brought homemade dishes, did you say “No thanks, I ate a hot dog at the gas station.” Hopefully you didnʼt. (If you did, please, make an appointment with us as soon as possible!). What I hope happened was you dug into the good stuff. The stuff that was homemade. The food that was gone in seconds. The stuff that made your tummy the happiest place on earth. Again…I digest…. (see what Iʼm doing there?).

What do we do while sheltered in place with some time on your hands? Get yourself and your family into the kitchen. Donʼt know where to start? If you are fortunate to have a family member who can help, call them and ask for help. Ask them to walk you through how they made your favorite meal. I still call my mom and ask her how she did “that thing, that time, you know… it was when dad said this and you said…” And she can tell me, then we argue about which way to do it best. If you donʼt have that, check out Youtube. There are many things that can be made with a couple of ingredients. It doesnʼt have to be perfect. Like me, you will make mistakes. You will burn things; it wonʼt taste good (no matter how much cheese you add). I promise it wonʼt looked like that photoshopped picture. It just has to taste good. If you have kids, learning to cook instills life lessons, enhances family connections and creates a home. Kids love putting their hands on everything, why not put that curiosity to good use- start with canned biscuits and work your way up to real dough. Cooking teaches them a life skill and invaluable memories. Their significant others will thank you in the future.

Lonely? Learn to cook. It takes practice and many, many mistakes. Sometimes those mistakes will be quite delicious. When you get good at it, people will start coming around. My mom taught me the value of sharing food from a sense of love and compassion. Everyone was welcomed in her home at dinner time. There was never a stranger in our home, if you were there you were family. All were welcome. If you werenʼt hungry, you got something to take with you. Iʼve been in the kitchen since I can remember. Food was the bond between our family and neighbors. Cooking helped me survive when I left home. When I went to college, my culinary skills certainly helped to procure many a date and the gratitude of various roommates, friends and co-workers. Being able to cook can also help you land a spouse. True story. Like I said, people know where to go for a good meal- it will help you not be lonely.

Last thing- I watch Food Network and cooking shows. Those folks are professionals. They have the best gadgets, ingredients and kitchens money can buy. Iʼm not rich. What I own are a couple of stock pots, now a few quality knives and three cast iron skillets that I have acquired over the course of 30 years. When I moved out on my own, I had one stock pot (still in use), one cast iron skillet (still in use) and the rest were added over the years. A few years ago, I was bequeathed my grandmotherʼs cast iron skillet. It has a place of honor in my kitchen. Please donʼt be intimidated because you donʼt have a whatchadoohickey that turn apples inside out. When I was a kid, I watched my mom cook a full meal with one burner until we could get a new stove. It took about six months. She did it. Always remember, it is all about having fun putting meals together and having a lifetime of great memories.

That said-please be mindful of social distancing. Donʼt put yourself in a position to get sick or expose others. Be safe- if you canʼt share a meal face to face, use technology to eat together. When we can join our families and friends, we will and in person.

As things are increasingly uncertain, anxiety can go up exponentially. Here are a few tips on ways to cope with isolation, uncertainty and finding a new norm.

1. Connect with others. Make it a goal to call/FaceTime/Skype at least one person every day.

2. Focus on one day at a time. No one knows what this will look like, so donʼt try to guess or forecast months ahead.

3. Give yourself grace. Your child will be fine if they miss a few days of math this month. Your partner will be fine if they eat ravioli for a week. You donʼt have to do everything perfectly. You have just taken on a lot of new roles, which require an adjustment period.

4. Set a goal to do that thing you have always wanted to do but didnʼt have time. Focusing on what you are missing can be exhausting. Shift your focus to what you now have, which is a little more time to do those things you wanted to do. Take guitar lessons. Write a book. Draw. Learn to knit. Find one thing to give you a sense of mastery and commit to practicing it a little each week.

5. Remember that itʼs okay to not be okay. Itʼs okay to be scared. It is okay to be uncertain. Thereʼs not a “good” way to do this. Thereʼs no right or wrong. Just be. Just breathe. You will get through this.

6. Ask for what you need. If you need help making ends meet, ask. If you need socialization, reach out. And if you feel you need professional help, many therapists are offering telehealth counseling now, easily accessible from your home. Your insurance will cover telehealth in the same manner it would an in-office visit. If you need help finding a counselor, call Innova Recovery Center today at 210-254-3618 to speak with our team and start your journey to healing.

If youʼre experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder, you are not alone. According to Mayo Clinic, PTSD is “a disorder in which a person has difficulty recovering after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event”. It is a very common condition, with over 3 million cases in the United States every year. When dealing with PTSD, having support from others who are experiencing similar symptoms can be extremely beneficial. If youʼre looking for a PTSD support group in San Antonio, TX, you have the right idea, and youʼre in the right place.

Innova Recovery offers a unique, flexible, and beneficial therapy model. Our vision is to make therapy accessible to individuals who need it, no matter where they are or what their schedules look like. It has never been easier to join a PTSD support group in San Antonio, TX— or anywhere else in the state. We know that youʼre in need of individualized, comprehensive treatment. During your Innova experience, you will not only meet with licensed therapists and attend groups, youʼll also have access to a plethora of resources— all at the tips of your fingers.

At Innova, you will be connected with individuals who are on the same path as yourself. Since this PTSD support group in San Antonio, TX is virtual, it is available 24/7, so you never have to worry about feeling alone in your journey to recovery. There will always be someone experiencing something similar to what youʼre going through, and with Innova, itʼs easier than ever to find that person.

Again, if youʼre looking for a PTSD support group in San Antonio, TX, weʼre glad you found us. Experience unparalleled support from the comfort of your own home with Innova. Contact us today for more information at (210) 254-3618, or, if itʼs more convenient, visit us in person. We are located at 1842 Lockhill Selma Suite 102, San Antonio, TX, 78213.

Mental health—a topic that is more and more frequently being brought up in conversation. While this increased awareness is most definitely a step in the right direction, there are still a ton of people who struggle with mental health in TX and arenʼt sure where to turn. Why is this? In todayʼs society, productivity often seems to be of more importance to individuals than their mental health. Itʼs easy to become distracted by work, school, family, and friends, and lose sight of your own mental health in the process.

Here at Innova, we want to prioritize healing while keeping your busy schedule in mind. Our vision is to ensure that our clients are able to focus on their mental health in TX, no matter what their lifestyles look like, so we decided to offer online treatments, along with in-office. Treatments are tailored to each clientʼs personal needs so that each client can experience Innova excellence, which is “comprehensive and individualized treatment plans, compassionate and supportive care, the highest privacy standards, and a proven range of evidence-based and complementary therapies”.

Our vision allows individuals to ensure that quality care can be received by everyone in need, regardless of their location. Each of our clinicians have years of experience and are committed to helping individuals improve their mental health in TX. We only employ proven techniques, so you know that rest assured, youʼre getting the best care. Further, access to group interaction is important in recovery, and weʼve made it easy to connect with encouraging individuals 24/7—virtually.

Youʼve found the most innovative and flexible outlet to improve your mental health in TX. We look forward to getting to know, understand, and help you. Contact us today for more information at (210) 254-3618, or visit us in person. We are located at 1842 Lockhill Selma Suite 102, San Antonio, TX, 78213.

Life is wonderful, yet often complicated. Many of us may need help in working through our problems, whatever they may be. Whether your challenge is an abusive boss, a rebellious teenager, or an inattentive spouse, online therapy in Texas can provide an effective means of coping to reduce the stress and negativity in your life.

The board-certified therapists at Innova Recovery can help you find your way out of an overwhelming situation by getting to the root cause of your distress. Whether you are having difficulty dealing with a previous trauma from the past or struggling with a current conflict, you will receive the highest quality care from our friendly and compassionate professionals.

Although traditional therapy is very helpful, it is not convenient for everyone. Working or going to school full-time, along with the burden of family or household obligations, leaves little time for traveling to a therapistʼs office. With online therapy in Texas, the travel time to therapy is eliminated. Once that obstacle is removed, you have much more time to work on what is actually troubling you! Here at Innova Recovery, we can help you discover life changing solutions in less time. And what better way to receive treatment than from the comfort of your own home? You will be able to attend individual or group therapy sessions by accessing live, secure video software. We will also be able to match you with the best counselor after getting to know you through confidential questions about your specific issues.

We are in network with most major insurance companies. And offer payment plans so that personal finances donʼt stand in the way of getting much needed online therapy in Texas. Your mental health is very important to us and you can trust in our excellence. Innova Recovery has received the prestigious Joint Commissionʼs National Quality Approval award and has been recognized as a leader in the healthcare industry.

Now is the time to contact Innova Recovery for online therapy in Texas! Our specialty trained therapists look forward to helping you make the necessary changes to live your happiest and healthiest life yet!

Everyone knows that life can be a very complicated matter. It has its wonderful sides, but it comes with a lot of tragedy and trauma. When the latter builds up and goes unaddressed, it can lead to pathological ways of living, and make it hard to see the positive sides of life. Many of us need assistance from an outside source to help us cope with the negative aspects of living so we can learn to see the brighter path. If this sounds like you, then you may wish to pursue teletherapy in Texas from Innova Recovery Center.

Now, you may have attempted to seek help in the past, but there wasnʼt a therapist within a convenient distance of your location. Perhaps youʼre not comfortable with the thought of yourself confiding in a stranger about your personal problems. This are all understandable concerns. Innova Recovery Centerʼs business model works around these problems with teletherapy in Texas so you can still receive the treatment you deserve.

Hereʼs how it works. First, when you call us weʼll go over an initial consultation. This call wonʼt delve into your life deeply, it is merely to go over what problems you are currently facing so we can pair you up with a specialist suited to your problems. We take into account your coping skills, your current circumstances, and what treatment plan would be most effective in helping you.

After that, we can start your teletherapy in Texas. We offer a wide range of treatment plans that are all based on empirical research, and each of our counselors are licensed therapists so you can be sure youʼre receiving professional treatment. If you would like an in-depth explanation of our treatment plans, feel free to go over them on our website.

And donʼt forget, this is all done from the comfort of your home. Thatʼs the takeaway we want you to understand about the potential of teletherapy in Texas. If youʼre ready to take the first step on the path to a better you, then contact Innova Recovery Center today.

Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the United States lives with some form of mental illness. Approximately 1 in 25 adults in the United States lives with a serious form of mental illness that substantially impacts their living activities. Despite those staggering numbers, there are only a fraction of those impacted by mental illnesses that go see a therapist. The reasons for receiving are varied and complex. Some do not wish to be labeled as “crazy”. Some are too anxious to try to talk to a stranger about their problems. Some do not have psychologists that are accessible to them, due to location or some other limiting factor. That is why Innova Recovery Center offers the services of an online psychologist in Texas. Our goal is to provide treatment to as many people as possible.

Hereʼs how the process works. It begins with a stress-free confidential phone call with no charge to one of our advisors. We will not pry too deeply into the details of your problems but will seek to understand the struggles youʼre facing in life at the moment. Once admitted, we will work to pair you up with a matching qualified online psychologist in Texas that specializes in treating your issue. Most insurance companies cover our programs, so finances will not be an issue.

From there, we will use a variety of empirically-proven treatments with specific techniques and structures as a guideline and then customize it accordingly to your individual needs. Each of our online psychologists are licensed specialists in a variety of fields, from depression and anxiety to eating disorders and substance abuse, to post-traumatic stress disorder. Each meeting is done from your computer or smartphone, so you will have access to treatment from any location.

If you would like to start your road to recovery today, then please give Innova Recovery Center a call at (210) 254-3618. We would love to help you come to terms with your mental illness and allow you to start living the life you deserve.

Struggling with mental health is normal; 1 in 5 Americans suffer through them in a given year. Many of these people donʼt go out to seek the help they deserve because theyʼre afraid of the stigma that surrounds mental illnesses. More simply donʼt even know how to begin seeking out treatment. Thatʼs why the people here at Innova offer online counseling in Texas; to help them make that first step towards recovery.

We understand that going to see a therapist in-person is not always an option, whether itʼs because there are not clinics that are close by, or that they simply do not feel comfortable speaking to someone face-to-face about personal issues they are undergoing. These are all valid reasons for choosing not to seek out a therapist face-to-face. Here at Innova, in addition to our physical clinic, we offer online counseling in Texas so that you may receive treatment with ease from the comfort of your home. We do this because we believe in delivering quality, exceptional treatment to everyone regardless of their location or schedule. We have a variety of treatment plans that will be tailored specifically to your individual needs, and we understand the importance of a connection during treatment. We work to ensure that your struggles are understood, and offer you the chance to interact with others who have undergone the same trials as you have, something that is made more convenient through online counseling in Texas .

Our online counseling in Texas consists of only empirically-proven techniques, meaning these treatments have been proven to help people. We are committed to excellence, and we are passionate about seeing people get better. If youʼre interested in receiving the help you deserve, give Innova Recovery Center a call, because we want treatment to be accessible to everyone, and that includes you.

Anxiety can be a crippling disorder that makes you feel as if you arenʼt in control of your own body or mind. It is an extremely common problem that affects up to 40 million adults in the United States every year. Thatʼs approximately 18.1% of the population, meaning 1 in 5 adults experience this disorder. Despite it being highly treatable, only 36.9% of those suffering seek help in curing this ailment. Thatʼs why here at Innova Recovery, our mission is to provide treatment to anyone who may be suffering, regardless of their location in the state. We can provide anxiety therapy in Texas from the comfort of your own home.

We understand that while the source of anxieties can stem from similar situations and stimulus, the treatment for each person has to be an individual process. We can provide anxiety therapy in Texas through many treatment plans such as Traumatic Stress Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and many more. Regardless of the treatment plan chosen, we will make sure to take into account your own story and make your journey a unique one.

We know that now your anxiety may seem unconquerable, but if youʼre seeking anxiety therapy in Texas, then youʼve already taken that first brave, and courageous step. At Innova we want to make that first step transition into recovery as easy and stress-free as possible. When you call us, we start with an admission process that begins with a confidential phone call to one of our advisors. We will not force you to discuss your issues right of the bat, but rather seek to understand the struggles you are facing now. After that, we will get a specialized therapist to get you on-track to an individualized treatment plan, right from the comfort of your own home.

If youʼre ready to take back your life from your anxiety, then please call Innova Recovery today and get your confidential assessment. We will make sure your anxiety therapy in Texas as pain-free and comfortable as possible.