Welcome to the season 4 finale of Living Freely Podcast! Today Rachel Ann Dine, LPC is leaving you with some take action strategies for finding a sense of hope during stressful or troubling times plus reading three different inspiring stories of real life people who were able to increase their own mental health. Norfolk Public Library and Rachel Ann Dine thank you for joining in this season and we are SO grateful to you for tuning in. Be empowered to know that you matter, you can always...

A certain relational dynamic can present itself, and these two types of people can often end up finding themselves together. But why do codependency and narcissism often go hand in hand? Are there ways to break codependent patterns? Why does someone with Narcissistic Personality Disorder naturally gravitate towards someone who may be codependent? Listen in to Living Freely Podcast today as Licensed Professional Counselor, Rachel Ann Dine, breaks it all down + shares realistic ways you can...

Time and time again, research has shown how important gratitude practice is and the MAJOR benefits of cultivating gratitude in life! Today on Living Freely Podcast, Rachel Ann Dine, LPc breaks down what exactly the research says on how gratitude can change the brain (and many other physical and psychological aspects of a person) as well as how you can realistically start implementing these important practices. The best part about practicing gratitude?! It's ultimately something free and...

Have you ever wondered what exactly Borderline Personality Disorder is? Maybe you've heard this term but are unfamiliar with the diagnostic criteria and symptom presentation. Today on Living Freely Podcast, listen in as Rachel Ann Dine, LPC breaks down what exactly BPD is, symptoms, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual's clinical criteria, and the gold standard treatment approach (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy or DBT). While sometimes Borderline Personality Disorder can have a stigma attached...

When you think of the word cult, what comes to mind? With more and more media exposing certain high control cultic groups, today on Living Freely, Rachel Ann Dine, LPC shares what makes some people more susceptible to joining cultic groups than others, why in many ways-- anyone is susceptible, how these harmful groups form, and what you should look out for in certain groups. Interestingly enough, there are many parallels between cultic groups and abusive relationships. Listen in to learn...

What do you do if you suspect your loved one, family member, or friend has a substance use issue? This can be a difficult experience for all involved and today on Living Freely Podcast, Rachel Ann Dine, LPC is sharing exactly what substance use disorder is, the dysfunction that can occur, and how you can navigate the difficult situation of dealing with a loved one who has an addiction. Addiction to substances of any kind does not discriminate and there can be complex psychological dynamics at...

More and more we are learning about spiritual and religious abuse and seeing different signs of it. Research shows consistently that having spiritual and religious beliefs can help a person fair better in life--but unfortunately, sometimes leaders can abuse their place of power and or use fear/intimidation to control member's behaviors. Today on Living Freely Podcast, Rachel Ann Dine, LPC is sharing all about what exactly spiritual abuse is, how you can recognize high control or harmful...

Getting into a relationship with a controlling person can be confusing. Often times, the control is exhibited over time and can be hard to spot initially. Listen in to Living Freely today as Rachel Ann Dine, LPC and Certified Forensic Mental Health Evaluator shares some of the most common signs of a controlling relationship (romantic or platonic). You are deserving of a healthy, manipulative-free relationship dynamic!  Reach out for help at the Domestic Violence Hotline if you find you are...

Are you familiar with high functioning anxiety and depression (also sometimes called "Smiling Depression")?! The symptoms and manifestation may surprise you but these are all too common mental health issues. Listen in to Living Freely Podcast today and Rachel Ann Dine, LPC goes in depth to explain what high functioning anxiety, high functioning or smiling depression is, and how these two common mental health experiences can cause a person to not feel as if they're enough. And of course,...

Have you ever wondered why you think about worst case scenarios?! How about why it's hard for you to take a compliment? You may be getting into the territory of having a cognitive distortion (don't worry, you're not alone-it happens to all of us from time to time!). Today on Living Freely podcast, Rachel Ann Dine is explaining what CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is briefly, but then getting into what cognitive distortions are, why it matters to know, and how you can start to change your...

As a complement to Episode #55 Are they a Narcissist?! What is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?: Signs, Symptoms, Etiology, this week, listen in as Rachel Ann Dine, LPC talks all about what love bombing and gaslighting characteristics are. Listen in to Living Freely Podcast to also hear how ego comes into play in narcissism and the definable ways gaslighting and love bombing manifest themselves. Knowledge IS power and you deserve to be in a healthy relationship as well as recognize these...

It seems more and more we are hearing the words, "They are such a narcissist!" But what actually goes into the makings of Narcissistic Personality Disorder? Can anyone show traits of narcissism from time to time? And what are the signs of narcissism? Today on Living Freely, Rachel Ann Dine, LPC breaks down the symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder, how it develops/etiology, and describes the differences between overt and covert narcissism. Rachel Ann also shares the difficulties that...

Welcome to Season 4 of Norfolk Public Library's Podcast, Living Freely! Host, Rachel Ann Dine, LPC is happy to be back and kicking off this season with realistic tips you can implement to increase positive mental health. Listen in to hear what exactly it means to have optimal mental health, how to achieve your own sense of emotional and mental well-being, and how to increase happiness. After a very stressful few years, be encouraged to know you're not alone if you've been feel anxious or...

Imposter syndrome is an extremely common phenomenon that affects almost each one of us at any given time in life. What is this phenomenon, why does insecurity happen, and most importantly, what are ways to overcome it?! Today on Living Freely Podcast, Rachel Ann Dine, LPC is breaking down what imposter syndrome is as well as providing realistic ways you can combat feelings of insecurity.  Resources for individual counseling are www.psychologytoday.com, goodtherapy.org,...

Are you an introvert, extrovert, or ambivert? Listen in to Living Freely podcast today as Rachel Ann Dine, LPC dives into the nuances of each type of energy level/personality type are plus tells you why it matters to know! No matter which type you may be, there is strength in all and we empower you to embrace who you and what your specific needs are. Resources for individual counseling are www.psychologytoday.com, goodtherapy.org, https://openpathcollective.org/ Want to know more about what...

What a past few years we have had. Here at Living Freely, we hope there have been some joyous moments, but also can only imagine there may have been some hardships and difficulties. Listen in to Living Freely Podcast today as Rachel Ann Dine, LPC shares encouragement for the New Year. Rachel Ann specifically wanted to end this season on an encouraging note with realistic strategies for finding meaning in your life, holding onto hope, and ways to foster resilience. Thank you so much for being...

Do you consistently put your own needs aside for the sake of other's happiness? Do you struggle with saying no? Or do you feel guilty for practicing self care?! Yes? You are in the right spot today. Listen in to Living Freely today as Rachel Ann Dine, LPC shares the full overview of what people pleasing behaviors and tendencies are, signs, causes, and ways to cope and let go! People pleasing is so common BUT there are realistic ways to combat it. Be empowered to recognize and own your needs...

We as humans all have basic emotional, mental, and physical needs. These needs can fall on a spectrum and manifest themselves differently, but at the end of the day, we all have these needs! Tune into Living Freely Podcast today as Rachel Ann Dine, LPC breaks down Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, 10 emotional needs we ALL have, and shares tips + a self-assessment to start the process of understanding whether or not your needs are being met in life. This is a great episode of encouragement and...

Have you ever been told, "You're too sensitive!" Ever wondered why you feel overstimulated and greatly affected by noisy crowds and or easily pick up on the energy of others? You may be a Highly Sensitive Person. Listen in to Living Freely Podcast today as Rachel Ann Dine, LPC talks all about what being a highly sensitive person means, how you can embrace your sensitivity, and ways to recognize these traits within yourself. There is nothing wrong with being sensitive and in fact, there can be...

Romantic relationships can take work and often are complex and multilayered. But, there are several research based strategies that can HELP a romantic relationship and increase positive interactions. Today on Living Freely, listen in as Rachel Ann Dine, LPC shares all about the Gottman Method and practical ways to strengthen your romantic relationship! This episode is a MUST listen to for all things romantic relationships and marriage. Rachel Ann shares the 7 principles for making marriage...

Toxic traits and toxic relationships can come in many forms from family, to friendships, to your romantic partner. Understanding toxic traits and being able to recognize toxic traits is vital for helping you to know when to set healthy boundaries or end a toxic relationship. Toxic traits and toxic relationships can come in many different forms/have many different manifestations (emotional, behavioral, physical) and today on Living Freely, Rachel Ann Dine, LPC is outlining toxic traits to...

It may not be a surprise to you to know that how you were raised has an impact on who you are in the here and now. But did you know that there are certain attachment styles that can come to be based upon how your caregiver treated you as an infant? Today on Living Freely Podcast, Rachel Ann Dine, LPC is breaking down what the four attachment styles are, providing information on the experiments that led Bowlby and Ainsworth to their conclusions, and letting you know how these caregiver...

With Veterans Day coming up, this episode seeks to break down some of the unique mental health struggles our military servicemembers (past and present) may face. Hampton Roads is a highly populated military area, but no matter where you live, there's a good chance you know someone who is active duty military or a veteran. Listen in to Living Freely Podcast today as Rachel Ann Dine, LPC talks about military and mental health, discusses reintegration after deployment, and explores in depth what...

There are currently a range of treatment options available for depression and anxiety symptoms, and taking medication is one of them. Maybe you've wondered whether or not you or someone you know would benefit from taking medication for anxiety or depression. Maybe you believe it would be helpful, but feel nervous about starting a medication! Today on Living Freely Podcast, Rachel Ann Dine, LPC is breaking down some of the most common pro's and con's of taking medication for anxiety and...