ccotten@www.thewillowcenter.com

If your depression is preventing you from even leaving the house today, there is hope for you. If your anxiety is crippling you with irrational fears today, there is hope for you. If your drinking [...]

We’ve all gotten that text before… “Hey, I really need to talk to someone right now.” Then, your heart beat speeds up a bit as your mind races in anticipation of whatever your loved one [...]

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the two most commonly diagnosed mental health struggles in the USA are depression and anxiety. More than 40 million adults in the USA experience symptoms of [...]

Imagine this scenario: you have a cold and it’s time to go to the doctor. As you pull in, you notice folks in the lot across the road from the office leering at you as [...]

As the Spring season of growth begins to bloom, I like to reflect on what areas in my life-garden may need tending. We often think about personal growth as something that just “happens” to us. [...]

"What do you want to be when you grow up, little guy?” I asked my friend’s son. “I want to be an astronaut! Or, or a baseball player. Or a scientist!!!” My friend’s son replied. [...]

When it comes to our mental health and recovery journeys, many of the transitions we make in our lives are positive changes: incorporating mindfulness practices into daily living; choosing sobriety from alcohol or other drugs; building [...]

In one of my favorite songs, “Thrive” by the band Switchfoot, the bandleader sings, “I wanna thrive not just survive.” This sentiment resonates with me. At different points in my life, whether due to internal [...]

Imagine you are playing a video game or board game with a friend, and the instructions clearly give each of you a role to play in the game: your friend is the proverbial “good guy”, and [...]

I don’t like the way my belly looks in the mirror when I’m getting dressed in the morning. I hate it when I speak too quickly during conflict and say something stupid. I can’t stand [...]

First things first, please know that you are not alone! One of my own new year’s resolutions was to exercise more. So far, I am averaging only 3 times per week or so. It’s better [...]

I’ve been accused a time or two of being unrealistically optimistic. My accusers may be right! However, my optimism comes not from a place of vanity or blissful ignorance, but rather from a deeper place [...]

‘Tis the season to be jolly! Or, so they sing. Many of us, however, do not feel so jolly as we prepare for the upcoming holiday season. In fact, we may feel downright depressed or [...]

I love the late Autumn and early Winter. It brings us cooler wind, warmer drinks, more colorful trees, and fonder get-togethers with family. It truly is one of my favorite times of year, perhaps even [...]