Blog

When families face the heart-wrenching complexities of child custody disputes, the primary concern is always the well-being and happiness of the children involved. Social Investigations, once known as custody evaluations, play a crucial role in ensuring these interests are prioritized in court decis...

In the journey of co-parenting, facing high-conflict situations can be profoundly challenging, especially when it involves a social investigation or custody evaluation. During these times, having a guiding light can make a significant difference in traversing the complexities of family dynamics and...

Managing the holiday season can be an exciting yet stress-filled time as we navigate the joys of celebrations and the challenges of connecting with our loved ones, especially when co-parenting and getting along with family members come into play. With a packed schedule and numerous commitments, it's...

With the summer coming to an end, it’s that time of year again – back to school season. For parents and children alike, the return to school can be a source of excitement, but it can also trigger anxiety and stress. Separation anxiety, fear of new situations, and concerns about academic performance...

Life is full of ups and downs. It is completely normal to go through tough times, but what is important is how you deal with them. Sometimes, the weight of our own struggles can seem too much to bear, and we find ourselves feeling alone, anxious, or depressed. But, it doesn't have to be that way. Fa...

Life can be daunting and overwhelming at times, and often we find ourselves struggling to cope with our personal hurdles. Whether it’s work-related stress, family issues, mental health disorders, or anything in between, it’s important to know that you don’t have to face these challenges alone....

When we think about grief, it’s natural to instinctively assume that it involves the loss of a loved one. And while losing a family member, friend, pet, or close associate is certainly something that we find ourselves grieving over, in no way is it limited to one’s passing. For some, it can be the l...

The word hypnotherapy instantly conjures up some rather interesting images, and just as many stereotypes. There’s the waving pocket watch, the spinning disk, and the complete trance-like state that leaves people powerless to the person conducting the session. And while humorous, these have nothing w...

When it comes to the many emotions that parallel the process of going through a divorce, it’s important to be mindful of how greatly they can vary during each of the various stages. What a person is feeling leading up to a divorce is never exactly the same as what one tends to feel while going throu...

Over the past two-plus years, just about every aspect of our lives has changed in one way or another, including the way individuals, couples, and families go about the process of seeing a therapist or counselor. For many, it’s just a far more convenient way of talking with an expert, while others fi...

If you’re like others who struggle with their weight, it’s safe to assume that you’ve tried your share of diets throughout the years. Some involve drastic lifestyle changes, some are centered around pills, and some go as far as to limit what you eat to only the meals they sell. But regardless of the...

When you take a moment to consider how drastically things have changed over the past two years, it comes as no surprise that many families have found themselves dealing with emotional issues and home struggles that would have seemed unimaginable just a short time ago.  Between the pandemic, changes...

It’s no big secret that each year millions of people make New Year’s resolutions that, sadly, are either short-lived, over ambitious, or seemingly destined to fail. And while there are countless reasons for this, one of the most common is an emotional block that somehow always seems to prevent peopl...

For many of life’s more common day-to-day challenges, personal and family counseling can help those struggling better understand and more effectively address what’s troubling them.  For many, just a few sessions of open, honest discussion and insight is all that’s needed to help overcome issues such...

If you’re among the countless individuals who developed or revisited some bad habits while dealing with the stress of the pandemic, you’re certainly not alone. There is extensive data to support the vast number of people who started smoking again, increased their alcohol consumption, became addicted...

Are you living life to its full potential? Are you making the most out of the life you are given? These are some of the questions that Dr. Tracy Riley addresses in her latest book, Make the Dash Meaningful: How to Live Before you Die. So many of us struggle to find meaning in our lives, and i...

As the world continues to deal with the ever-evolving challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, it comes as no surprise that many people are looking for ways to help make sense of the changes that now shape their day to day lives. Whether it’s the loss of employment, increased domestic tensi...

When it comes to grief no two minds are alike, whether you are grieving a loved one, a friend, a relationship or even a job.  When we are first struck with grief, our bodies and mind take over, the pain we are feeling or experiencing can be overwhelming at times. There are signs and symptoms includi...

Divorce is one of the most stressful life events that adults and children can go through. Couples do not imagine at the beginning of their marriage that it will end in divorce, but sometimes people reach the decision that it will be healthier to separate. At Tracy Riley Counseling and JAX Hypnosis o...

There is no specific training when it comes to dealing mentally with a global pandemic. When you add in the effects of racial trauma, the toll on your mental health can be detrimental. Tracy Riley Counseling and JAX Hypnosis is here to assist you on your journey to better mental health. Located in J...