Sunstone Counseling’s compassionate team is committed to reducing barriers that may prevent clients from getting the counseling they deserve, which is why they’ve expanded their services to Loudoun County. The new state-of-the-art office features nine counseling offices, two of which are dedicated to children’s play therapy, three for couples and family counseling, and one large… Read more »
When we fall in love with our spouses or partners, we never imagine that someday the honeymoon phase might end. The truth is, all couples have their fair share of ups and downs. Healthy relationships require a lot of work. But sometimes it can be difficult to do this work when communication has completely broken down and/or there is a blatant lack of trust and respect. Enter the Gottman Method.
Sunstone Counseling is pleased to announce we were selected as the winner of the “Professional Services” category in the Best of Falls Church contest. Residents of Falls Church recognized Sunstone for helping its clients create a brighter tomorrow one counseling session at a time. Sunstone is so humbled to be recognized by the community.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is broken up into four modules: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal skills. Individuals who benefit from DBT often have difficulty controlling their emotions, want to improve their impulse control, may find themselves stuck in a pattern of rocky relationships, and/or want to be more grounded in the present.
Whether it’s physical or sexual abuse, emotional neglect, homelessness, or the sudden loss of a loved one, childhood trauma leaves a lasting impact on the child and even the adult they grow into. Here are 3 therapeutic approaches to help children – and adults – process and heal from trauma.
Living an authentic and fully expressed life is one of the best ways to feel happy, healthy, and fulfilled. If you are contemplating coming out to the people in your life, know that you’re making a courageous and healthy choice for yourself. But coming out can be intimidating and downright terrifying for some. How will people react? Will your friends and family accept you? Will you face consequences at work or your place of worship? It’s perfectly normal to have these fears and worries, but there are tangible steps you can take to make your landing softer.
A play therapist uses a unique skill set to connect with children through a child’s symbolic language of self-expression: play. For young children. play is developmentally and fundamentally their language to articulate and process through feelings and difficulties. It allows them to connect and achieve growth in a profound way that classic talk therapy would not be able to provide. Children communicate through play in such an amazing way; it allows and welcomes a self-healing process in which they can engage.
Going through a divorce is often an overwhelming, scary, and lonely experience. The process of divorce is different for everyone – from circumstances that contributed to the marriage starting to dissolve, to whether you are the leaver, the one who was left, or if divorce was a mutually agreed on decision. Regardless, divorce causes a relational rupture between two people who once committed to each other for life, which requires substantial emotional repair and self-care.
By Cassie Keim, Graduate Counseling Intern Family rituals are simple, fun ways to help your family to slow down and develop moments of connection and belonging. Shown to help provide stability during times of transition, family rituals not only create simple opportunities to connect, but also provide children and teens with opportunities to develop a… Read more »
The holidays are a time for connection and celebration, but if you struggle with an eating disorder, they are also a time of anxiety. Many hurdles can arise throughout the holiday season – such as comments from others on eating and appearance, inconsistent timing of meals, unfamiliar food choices, and stress around loss of routine. If you are feeling a sense of overwhelm and dread over the upcoming holiday, you are not alone.
By Amy Clay, LPC, co-owner of Sunstone Counseling* Humans have long used seasonal changes to mark life’s transitions and often view them as a time to start fresh. In fact, the “fresh start effect” is a recognized phenomenon that suggests that people are more likely to focus on important goals following “temporal landmarks,” such as… Read more »
“Hi, my name is Jami and I use she/her/hers pronouns.” Not going to lie — it was incredibly awkward the first time I said this out loud. Honestly, as a cisgender (a person whose sense of personal identity and gender correspond with their birth sex) female, it felt unnecessary for me to state my pronouns. But, you know what? Stating my pronouns isn’t about my awkward feelings; it is about creating a safer and more comfortable space for everyone in the room. Basically, it helps normalize introductions that include pronouns.
