Blog

• posted: Apr. 29, 2025
• Old City Counseling,  OCC,  Philadelphia,  April,  Old City,  Sexual Assault Awareness Month,  Sexual Assault Awareness

Every year, on the last Wednesday of April, millions of people around the world wear denim with a purpose. Denim Day is more than just an outfit choice — it’s a statement of solidarity, a refusal to accept victim-blaming, and a bold reminder that what someone wears is never an invitation for harm. Read More

• posted: Apr. 07, 2025
• Old City Counseling,  Philadelphia,  Autism Awareness,  Autism Awareness Month,  Old City,  Autism Spectrum Disorder

During the month of April, we bring awareness to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a developmental condition that affects how a person communicates, interacts, and experiences the world around them. ASD is characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. According to the CDC, approximately 1 in 36 children and 1 in 45 adults are diagnosed with ASD. 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. 18, 2025
• Mental Health Awareness,  Old City Counseling,  Philadelphia,  Old City,  Mental Health Benefit,  Organized Space

Organizing your space can have a positive impact on mental health by reducing stress and promoting a peaceful environment. Personal space is not just a physical area to inhabit—it’s a 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: 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: Feb. 04, 2025
• Mental Health,  Mental Health Awareness,  Old City Counseling,  Philadelphia,  Old City,  Blog,  Challenges

Valentine’s Day can be tough, especially if you're feeling lonely, dealing with a breakup, or struggling with mental health challenges. This holiday can affect people differently, so taking care of yourself is important. Here are some ways to cope and take care of your mental health: Read More

• posted: Jan. 14, 2025
• Old City Counseling,  Philadelphia,  Mental Wellness,  Old City,  Mental Wellness Awareness Month,  Mental Wellness Awareness

The start of a new year is an ideal time to focus on mental wellness. January, designated as Mental Wellness Awareness Month, invites us to prioritize our mental health and embrace practices that enhance our overall well-being. While we often associate New Year’s resolutions with physical health, mental wellness is just as vital to leading a balanced and fulfilling life. Read More

• posted: Jan. 07, 2025
• Mental Health,  Old City Counseling,  Counseling,  Philadelphia,  Old City,  Blog,  2025,  New Year

As the New Year begins, it’s the perfect time to reflect on your mental well-being and set intentions to prioritize self-care. While resolutions often focus on physical health or professional goals, mental health is equally important. Here are five practical tips to help you nurture your mind and spirit in the year ahead: 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: Dec. 10, 2024
• Old City Counseling,  Philadelphia,  Universal Human Rights Month,  Human Rights,  Old City,  International Human Rights Month

December 2024 marks Universal Human Rights Month. Human Rights Day is celebrated on December 10th, yet the movement is recognized throughout the whole month of December. This month holds its importance as it is the month that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights document was brought into light, back in 1948. This landmark document shares the undeniable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being. This is regardless of any race, color, upbringing, social status, political views, language, etc. Read More

• posted: Dec. 03, 2024
• Old City Counseling,  Philadelphia,  Old City,  Gratitude,  Gratefulness,  Blog,  Thanksgiving

The holidays are hard sometimes and bring out the complexity of our human experience. We may be surrounded by family and still feel empty. We might be grieving and feel happy being with those who are here with us. We might feel grateful for all that we have in this life and sad for what we have never had. It is okay to feel grateful and other emotions like sadness, anger, loneliness, and grief at the same time. Our feelings can coexist and each be valid in their own separate experiences and stories. This concept is also known as “dialectics” coming from DBT, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, an evidence-based treatment, founded by Marsha Linehan. Dialectics means “the idea that opposing ideas, emotions, or experiences can coexist.” The DBT framework aims to teach us how to practice acceptance in our lives and also work towards changing behaviors that do not serve us. Read More

• posted: Oct. 29, 2024
• Mental Health,  Mental Health Awareness,  Old City Counseling,  Philadelphia,  Old City,  Mental Health Matters,  Journal,  Journaling

The Old City Counseling Team wishes you a fun and safe Halloween! As we approach the end of the month this week, here are some journal prompts to reflect back on your month and prepare for a new month. Journaling is a great way to practice mindfulness and allow yourself the space to check in on your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Read More

• posted: Oct. 22, 2024
• Mental Health,  Old City Counseling,  Counseling,  ADHD,  ADHD Awareness Month,  ADHD Awareness,  Philadelphia,  Old City

ADHD, or Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting both children and adults. It is described as a “persistent” or ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that gets in the way of daily life or typical development. Individuals with ADHD may also have difficulties with maintaining attention, executive function (or the brain’s ability to begin an activity, organize itself and manage tasks) and working memory. Read More