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Each week, we post the latest articles and new blog content across a variety of categories. Browse our latest.
Becoming Wired for Optimism
Optimism is frequently highlighted as crucial for a fulfilling and successful life, evidenced by numerous accounts of individuals surmounting challenges through positive thinking. What inherent power does optimism possess? Is it possible to cultivate greater optimism, and if so, what are the neural implications? Additionally, are there potential drawbacks to excessive optimism? Optimism, defined as the general expectation that good things will unfold in the future, transcends a simple [...]
Signs You’re Emotionally Dependent and Ways to Grow Independence
Emotional dependence happens when you rely too much on someone like a friend, partner, or family member to feel happy or secure. You may think this is normal or even loving, but when emotional dependence takes over, it can hurt your well‑being. At Stenzel Clinical, serving Wheaton, Naperville, and surrounding communities, we help people recognize these signs and build healthy emotional independence through proven techniques and caring support.What Is Emotional [...]
What Is Play Therapy and How It Helps Children Heal
Every child deserves a safe place to express themselves, especially when they face difficult emotions or experiences. That’s exactly what play therapy provides. Let's explore what play therapy is, how it works, and why it’s an effective way to help children heal with insight from Stenzel Clinical. Understanding Play Therapy Play therapy is a type of psychological treatment designed especially for children. Instead of using words to talk through feelings, [...]
Setting Boundaries in Marriage and Family Relationships
Establishing clear, healthy boundaries is an essential skill for nurturing strong, respectful marriage and family relationships. Boundaries define where one person ends and another begins, helping everyone involved understand expectations, protect personal well‑being, and foster genuine connection. In this article, we’ll explore why boundaries matter, common obstacles to setting them, practical steps for establishing boundaries in marriage and family life, and how Stenzel Clinical Services can support your journey [...]
Moving Past Performance Anxiety
Think back to those classroom presentations. Most of us felt a familiar surge of anxiety, a knot in the stomach fueled by more than just our performance. We worried about everything from how we would be judged by our peers to whether we would get a good grade. But the real challenge was often the "anxiety within anxiety"—the relentless stream of internal questions that played on a loop: "What [...]
Identifying Emotional Dependence
It's impossible to meet every expectation others have of us. Sometimes, external circumstances get in the way, or we simply lack the capacity. Other times, the expectations themselves are unrealistic or too demanding. The Burden of Unmet Expectations in Dependent Personalities People with dependent personalities often shoulder all the blame when they fall short of others' expectations, regardless of how grand those expectations may be. They internalize these expectations [...]