Musings From A Therapist

5 Ways to Increase Libido in Your Sex Life: Tips from a Couples Therapist
MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW

5 Ways to Increase Libido in Your Sex Life: Tips from a Couples Therapist

Normalizing sex talk outside the relationship is extremely helpful in feeling comfortable talking about sex and reducing shame and stigma around sex! We also need to increase these talks in the home. How do you tell your partner you want sex? How do you tell them what you like or don’t like? Your experience might be like many others who just go with what they think their partner wants. You might feel uncomfortable stating your preferences and that’s OKAY. Again, we are all raised in a society where sex has a lot of shame around it. 

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Letting Go of the “Shoulds”: The Permission Moms Give Themselves to Say No
MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW

Letting Go of the “Shoulds”: The Permission Moms Give Themselves to Say No

As moms, we carry the weight of an endless to-do list. From the laundry pile that never seems to shrink to the emails flagged for "later" that haunt us, there’s a nagging pressure to keep pushing through, to handle it all, and to do it perfectly. But what happens when our energy runs dry? When the mental and emotional load feels insurmountable, yet our inner dialogue whispers, "You should just power through"?

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Part 2: Why It’s Vital to Take PTO as a Mom
MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW

Part 2: Why It’s Vital to Take PTO as a Mom

Whatever you want to call it, however you want to abbreviate it, taking days off of work is a multi-faceted topic in the world of working moms. There are many aspects of PTO, but for today we’re going to focus on the importance of these treasured hours.

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Part 1: Why It’s Vital to Take PTO as a Mom
MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW

Part 1: Why It’s Vital to Take PTO as a Mom

Whatever you want to call it, however you want to abbreviate it, taking days off of work is a multi-faceted topic in the world of working moms. There are many aspects of PTO, but for today we’re going to focus on the importance of these treasured hours.

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The Power of A Girl’s Weekend Getaway
MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW

The Power of A Girl’s Weekend Getaway

I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful it was to be away Sun-Tues this week. If anything good came from Covid, it was the start of Girl’s Weekend.

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Women Supporting Women: Let's All Get Along
MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW

Women Supporting Women: Let's All Get Along

In the vast landscape of life, where compassion and understanding form the foundation, it's disheartening to witness the emergence of unnecessary competition among women. Instead of fostering a supportive community, some individuals fall into the trap of negativity and rivalry. In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of women supporting each other and discuss how embracing unity can create a stronger, more positive collective environment.

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Having Courageous Conversations About Your Self-Care Needs: A Guide For Stressed Moms
MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW

Having Courageous Conversations About Your Self-Care Needs: A Guide For Stressed Moms

Asking for support is never easy, especially when you're asking your partner for something you know will add stress to their life. You care about your partner deeply, and as a wife and mother, your instinct is to be the pillar of strength, not to add more weight to their load. The challenge of expressing your own needs becomes an intimidating task; an unexplored territory in your daily role of providing support and care to others.

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(Re)Defining Self-Care in a World of Buzzwords
MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW

(Re)Defining Self-Care in a World of Buzzwords

Let's be real - self-care has become a buzzword, a trend, and often, an overused cliche. You can't scroll through social media, browse a lifestyle magazine, or have a casual conversation without encountering the term self-care. But beneath the glittering facade of scented candles, bubble baths, and social media hashtags, lies a deeper, more authentic conversation about what self-care truly means.

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How Can I Take My Kid To The Pumpkin Patch Without Losing My Shit?
MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW

How Can I Take My Kid To The Pumpkin Patch Without Losing My Shit?

Pumpkin patches, the quintessential fall adventure, can quickly turn into a whirlwind of chaos when you're a mom trying to keep your cool. The promise of idyllic family moments often collides with the reality of restless little ones, long lines, and the unexpected curveballs that parenting throws your way.

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Laughing Through the Tears: The Similarities Between Motherhood and Depression
MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW

Laughing Through the Tears: The Similarities Between Motherhood and Depression

At first glance, motherhood and depression might seem worlds apart. However, when you look closely, you'll find that both experiences share some commonalities. For instance, both can be incredibly isolating. As a new mother, it's easy to feel like you're alone in your struggles, just as a person battling depression often feels misunderstood and alone.

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The Mother Load
MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW

The Mother Load

As we were dishing out consequences for my daughter’s less than desirable behaviors at the table and the ticking by of the minutes, I made note to my husband (in private) that part of this was on him because he didn’t follow the schedule. This turned into a bit of a disagreement, in which my husband accused ME of being the issue, that things were just fine until I came home and he was only 9 minutes late getting her to bed. Well, pin a rose on your nose!

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Mom Guilt - The Teller Of Lies
MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW

Mom Guilt - The Teller Of Lies

Remember, just because you're having these thoughts does not make them true! Thoughts are just that...thoughts.

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#SorryNotSorry
MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW

#SorryNotSorry

There's a beautiful little word in the English language that packs a punch. If I had it my way, all women would practice this word and use it often.

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The Importance of Boundaries for Stressed and Overwhelmed Moms
MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW MacKenzie Bradke, LCSW

The Importance of Boundaries for Stressed and Overwhelmed Moms

If you really step back and think about your own boundaries as an employee, how do you rate? Are you bending over backward to help out or working extra without getting paid for it? Are you working late? Are you taking on extra projects or covering for those who aren't doing their share of the work?

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