Break the Habit: Regain Control Over Your Spending
Bilal Kosovac, LMHC Bilal Kosovac, LMHC

Break the Habit: Regain Control Over Your Spending

Impulsive spending often feels good in the moment, but the guilt, anxiety, and stress that follow are real. In this post, a therapist breaks down why we overspend (hint: it’s not just about money) and shares one simple, game-changing tool that can help you take back control of your spending habits - for good.

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Pills or Practices? Finding What Works for Your Mental Health
Bilal Kosovac, LMHC Bilal Kosovac, LMHC

Pills or Practices? Finding What Works for Your Mental Health

Do I really need medication to feel better?” It’s a question many people ask when struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges. In a world where prescriptions are common and therapy is trending, it’s easy to feel stuck between two paths: pills or practices. This post explores the role of psychiatric medication, what it can help with, what it can’t, and how lifestyle changes, therapy, and self-awareness also play a vital part in healing. Whether you're considering meds, already on them, or trying to avoid them, the goal isn't one-size-fits-all. It's about understanding your unique needs and finding a path that works for you.

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Toxic or Just Tough? How to Tell If Your Relationship Is Unhealthy
Bilal Kosovac, LMHC Bilal Kosovac, LMHC

Toxic or Just Tough? How to Tell If Your Relationship Is Unhealthy

A toxic relationship doesn’t always start with shouting or control - it can begin with subtle comments that chip away at your confidence. Over time, you might not even recognize yourself. In this post, we explore how toxic dynamics quietly diminish self-esteem and what to do when love starts hurting more than it heals.

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The Cost of Keeping Everyone Happy
Bilal Kosovac, LMHC Bilal Kosovac, LMHC

The Cost of Keeping Everyone Happy

Why do we crave validation, even as grown-ups? This blog explores the psychological roots of approval-seeking—from childhood conditioning to the brain’s reward system—and why it's so hard to stop. Learn how external validation shapes your self-worth, how to spot approval-seeking patterns, and how to start building confidence from within. A must-read for anyone trying to break free from people-pleasing and reconnect with their authentic self.

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From Fun to Fixation: How Gambling Hooks the Mind
Bilal Kosovac, LMHC Bilal Kosovac, LMHC

From Fun to Fixation: How Gambling Hooks the Mind

The Gambling Pandemic explores how casual gambling can escalate into a serious addiction, particularly with the rise of accessible betting apps offering enticing promotions. This article delves into the psychological mechanisms—like the brain's dopamine-driven reward system and variable reward schedules—that make gambling highly addictive. I will outline warning signs of problem gambling, such as increased tolerance, chasing losses, emotional dependence, and neglecting responsibilities. To combat gambling addiction, I highlighted six steps: accepting the problem, identifying triggers, limiting access through measures like using a flip phone, managing finances with cash-only strategies, practicing cognitive restructuring, and seeking professional treatment. This article emphasizes that recovery is possible and encourages those struggling to seek help.

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