The Blog
at The Avalon Center for Integrative Therapies
Women+’s Wellness
Financial Wellness
Somatic Psychotherapy
Women+’s Wellness
How Do You Define Wellness?
When we explore our wellness goals through this lens, we can make sure that our wellness practices are truly aligned with our values and truly serve us, rather than our wellness practice serving our fears.
Why Anti-Diet Dietitians Are A “Thing”
There are many reasons women seek dietitian services. Increasingly, dietitians are embracing an "anti-diet approach." These dietitians are moving away from a focus on weight loss and thinness as an ideal, or even healthy, goal. If this surprises you, you can thank...
Want to Make Changes? Instead of Browbeating Yourself, Do This…
Many of us where raised with guilt and shame as tactics for getting us to give adults the behavior they wanted from us. No wonder I see so many people who speak so harshly to themselves in an effort to motivate themselves to change! This is the thing: Shame and guilt...
Ten Ways to Crush Your Wellness Goals
Wellness is holistic. This means that wellness is practiced across domains (or aspects) of our lives. We can practice physical wellness, mental wellness, interpersonal wellness, financial wellness, work wellness, parenting wellness, etc. When we over-focus on one...
How to Cope With Weight Gain When You Stop Restricting
During the 80s and 90s, diets ruled. Losing weight, no matter how, was considered a good thing. I did my first real diet when I was 18, the summer after high school. I lost 25 lbs, easily, and I finally looked like the dancer I wanted to be. I received all kinds of...
5 Ways to Win at Blending Families
It’s OK for things to be messy. How it is right now is not how it will always be. You won’t go wrong by focusing on relationship and connection over behavior.
Financial Wellness
5 Hacks to Shop Less and Be Fulfilled More
Honestly, I love shopping. Online. Not in stores. Today, I go to the mall only if I absolutely must (which isn't a thing) and I hate every minute of it. My 90s gen x self rolls her eyes at this. But, online shopping? Yes, please! Online shopping is the total...
Understanding Financial Abuse in Relationships
When we talk about intimate partner violence, and even toxic family relationships, we talk about physical and emotional abuse. Often, the financial and economic aspects of this abuse is given as a side note, if at all. Yet, it is finances that often keep us tied to...
“I’m Too Scared to Find Out What My Financial Situation Really Is!”
It is completely normal to be afraid to see what's in a box when you're pretty sure it's going to be a big, scary mess. Behind these fears is a belief that it will be so bad that it isn't fixable. Or, that fixing it is going to be a long, arduous process that we...
Why We Can’t Stick to a Budget
Do you know you should have a budget, but also know you won't stick to one? Do you believe that other people magically manage their money effectively, but there is something wrong with you that you don't? Most people know they should live by a budget, but we don't...
What is “Financial Wellness”
There is a lot of talk about budgeting, financial management, and things we should do to be "good, responsible" people with our money. Unfortunately, there is a lot of shame built into conversations about money and we know that shame shuts down, it doesn't motivate....
How to Practice Financial Boundaries During the Holidays
You'd be surprised how often personal finances come up in therapy. We think of money as a practical matter, but it is deeply emotional with complex psychology driving our financial decisions. The end-of-year holidays are especially fraught. Did you know Americans...