The new year is an ideal time to reboot our minds to embrace the challenges and joys of the next twelve months.
We checked in with Jackie Aston, a licensed therapist in Washington, DC and Maryland, for her ideas on getting our heads in shape. She says her clients, mostly millennial professionals, come to her with “difficulty adjusting to life situations and anxiety about having anxiety.” Aston explains that coping with anxiety requires accepting that it’s part of being human.
Jackie Aston
Therapist
Aston has been in the mental health field for over a decade. She earned her master’s degree at the University of Maryland Baltimore and trained by working with eating disorder clients, one of her specialties. She is also trained in Crucible Therapy, which is integrated treatment for relationship problems.
As principal of Clarity and Growth Therapy, she offers therapy to individuals, corporations, and couples dealing with relationship issues, difficulty with life transitions, and career stress.
Aston tells us that one of the issues individuals and couples face is conflict avoidance. “Counseling can help individuals or couples learn how to better collaborate, instead of being combative.”
A question Aston often hears around New Year: how do I change my unhealthy habits such as spending too much time on social media or overeating?
“Pleasurable activities such as eating food, watching T.V., sleeping, using social media, and having sex, aren’t bad,” Aston says “It’s about developing a healthy relationship with them and learning to tolerate our uncomfortable feelings.”
Therapy can help improve your mental health and strengthen your relationships.
This new year, Aston reminds us: "Dealing with your anxieties and relationship issues will help you gain more confidence and self-respect.”
