Blog

• posted: Apr. 15, 2025
• Therapy,  Old City Counseling,  OCC,  Counseling,  Old City,  Celebrating Counseling Awareness Month,  Counseling Awareness Month

Happy Counseling Awareness Month (CAM)! Each April in the United States, we recognize and celebrate the important role that counseling plays in people’s lives. This is a time to honor the dedication of counselors working across various settings and to raise awareness of the services they provide. Read More

• posted: Apr. 01, 2025
• Therapy,  Old City Counseling,  Philadelphia,  Old City,  Stress,  Stress Awareness Month,  Stress Awareness,  Manage Stress

April is Stress Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about chronic stress and its impact on mental and physical health. Stress has become a standard part of daily Read More

• posted: Mar. 25, 2025
• Mental Health,  Therapy,  Old City Counseling,  Philadelphia,  Old City,  Endometriosis Awareness Month,  Endometriosis

As we wrap up Endometriosis Awareness Month, it's important to reflect on the profound impact this condition has on so many individuals, both physically and emotionally. While strides have been made in raising awareness about the physical symptoms, it’s just as crucial to highlight the emotional toll it takes on those affected. The battle with endometriosis extends beyond physical pain and limitations—mental health challenges can run deep. At Old City Counseling, we recognize the unique emotional and psychological struggles that come with managing a chronic illness like endometriosis. While physical pain is often visible, the mental health impact is frequently invisible but just as significant. As we take this moment to reflect, we want to shed light on how endometriosis affects emotional well-being and emphasize the importance of seeking support. Read More

• posted: Mar. 11, 2025
• Mental Health,  Mental Health Awareness,  Therapy,  Old City Counseling,  OCC,  Counseling,  Philadelphia,  Old City,  International Women's Day,  IWD

International Women's Day (IWD) is more than a celebration—it's a powerful reminder of the challenges women face, including the stigma surrounding mental health. Despite progress, women's mental health concerns are often dismissed, minimized, or overshadowed by societal expectations, gender-based discrimination, and the emotional and physical toll of caregiving. Read More

• posted: Mar. 04, 2025
• Mental Health,  Mental Health Awareness,  Therapy,  Old City Counseling,  Counseling,  Old City,  Philadephia,  Sleep Hygiene,  National Sleep Awareness Day,  Sleep Awareness

Maintaining healthy sleep habits is essential for mental well-being. National Sleep Awareness Day on March 14th serves as a reminder to prioritize rest and practice good sleep hygiene. As the seasons shift and clocks change, many people experience sleep disruptions that affect both physical and mental health. Poor sleep can increase stress, mood swings, and difficulty concentrating while also weakening the immune system and raising the risk of chronic conditions. Read More

• posted: Feb. 18, 2025
• Therapy,  Old City Counseling,  Counseling,  Philadelphia,  Old City,  Self Esteem,  International Boost Self-Esteem Month

February is International Boost Self-Esteem Month, a time to focus on building confidence and self-worth. Many people struggle with self-esteem daily, but small, intentional actions can make a big difference. Read More

• posted: Feb. 11, 2025
• Mental Health,  Mental Health Awareness,  Therapy,  Old City Counseling,  Counseling,  Philadelphia,  Old City,  Random Acts of Kindness,  Random Acts of Kindness Week

Random Act of Kindness week is this month from Sunday, February 9, to Saturday, February 15. This includes Random Act of Kindness Day which falls on Monday, February 17. Here are 15 activities you can engage in to celebrate and be kind! Read More

• posted: Jan. 28, 2025
• Therapy,  Old City Counseling,  Counseling,  Anxiety,  Old City,  Anxiety Tips,  Dealing with Anxiety

Anxiety is a natural response to stress, but when it becomes overwhelming, it can interfere with daily life. Understanding how to manage anxiety is essential for maintaining mental health and overall well-being. Below are practical strategies to help you navigate and cope with anxiety effectively. Read More

• posted: Jan. 21, 2025
• Therapy,  Old City Counseling,  Counseling,  Old City,  Philidelphia

Finding the right therapist can feel like a daunting task, especially if you’re already navigating emotional challenges. However, the right therapeutic relationship can be transformative, so it’s worth taking the time to find someone who fits your needs. Here are some steps to help you find the right therapist for you: Read More

• posted: Dec. 18, 2024
• Therapy,  Old City Counseling,  Counseling,  Philadelphia,  Old City,  Stress Management,  Stress,  Holidays

The holidays often bring joy, connection, and celebration, but they can also come with unique challenges that impact mental health. Whether it's financial stress, family dynamics, or feelings of loneliness, this time of year affects everyone differently. Here are strategies to navigate the season while prioritizing your mental well-being. Read More

• posted: Nov. 19, 2024
• Therapy,  Old City Counseling,  Seasonal Affective Disorder,  SAD,  Old City,  Philadephia

As we approach holiday time, many are experiencing joy and togetherness, while others may be struggling most. Winter brings shorter and darker days, colder weather, grief of missing loved ones, and holiday stress. It is very important, during this time, that we take proper care of ourselves and our mental health. During the winter, many people can experience SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder. SAD is a type of depression that can occur at the same time every year, mainly in places where there is less sunlight during that specific time of year. Usually these feelings will persist for about 4 months out of the year and start in fall, continuing through the winter. Symptoms of SAD include fatigue, depression, isolation, hopelessness, and more related symptoms. When you experience SAD, you often have low energy and feel moody. Symptoms specific to fall/winter SAD include oversleeping, changes in appetite, weight gain and tiredness. Check in with yourself and your loved ones this winter, and we can get through SAD together. Reach out to us at Old City Counseling if you are interested in counseling services! Read More

• posted: Oct. 15, 2024
• Therapy,  Old City Counseling,  Counseling,  Philadelphia,  Therapist,  Old City

Have you ever felt super awkward in a therapy session when it is silent and your therapist isn’t starting to talk? It’s not you, it’s them! There are many therapeutic reasons why therapists intentionally use silence in sessions. Just know, nothing has gone wrong! Embrace and lean into the discomfort. Read More

• posted: Oct. 09, 2024
• Mental Health,  Mental Health Awareness,  Therapy,  Old City Counseling,  Old City,  Intuitive Eating

Intuitive Eating (IE) is an evidence based, self-care, and mind-body health approach to food, body, movement. The founders of IE, Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch created this weight neutral and inclusive framework as an attempt to guide individuals out of the never ending cycle of dieting and weight loss. The foundation of intuitive eating is interoceptive awareness; the ability to perceive physical sensations that arise from within your body. There are over 90 different studies on Intuitive Eating to date and a validated assessment scale. Intuitive Eating is a very personal and mindful journey, where individuals are able to explore their psychological and physical needs as a direct response to their body's cues, while also honoring their health. IE can provide happiness and satisfaction around food, less stress about food, body acceptance, and just overall freedom! You deserve this. Read More

• posted: Sep. 10, 2024
• Therapy,  Old City Counseling,  Counseling,  Old City,  Suicide Awareness,  Suicide Awareness Prevention Day,  Suicide Prevention

September 10 marks World Suicide Prevention Day, a time to raise awareness and encourage conversations about mental health. Suicide prevention is a collective effort, and we can all make a difference. Read More

• posted: Aug. 06, 2024
• End The Stigma,  Therapy,  Old City Counseling,  Counseling,  Philadelphia,  Self Care,  Therapist,  Old City,  Mental Health Matters,  National Wellness Month,  Mental health

August is National Wellness Month, a perfect time to focus on self-care, managing stress, and promoting healthy routines. This month-long observance encourages us to prioritize our well-being and cultivate habits that lead to a healthier, happier life. Read More

• posted: Jul. 22, 2024
• Mental Health,  Mental Health Awareness,  Therapy,  Old City Counseling,  Counseling,  Anxiety,  Therapist,  Old City,  Mental Health Matters,  Stress,  Coping with Stess,  Stress Mechanisms,  Philadelpia

In our fast-paced world, stress has become a common companion for many of us. While some stress is normal and even beneficial, chronic stress can take a toll on your mental and physical health. Here are seven healthy ways to de-stress and enhance your mental well-being. Read More