Mary Jo Rapini, LPC - Articles

Articles by Mary Jo

Relationships, Parenting, and Emotional Wellness

6 Great Dates You Can Create at Home

6 Great Dates You Can Create at Home

Most of us are practicing social distancing and staying at home. It’s normal to feel stressed out from the uncertainty, a tight budget, or small children, but it’s important to keep nourishing and prioritizing your relationship. Creating a date night you can both enjoy at home will help you feel connected and loved by your partner. Here are my personal favorites: Eat take-out by candlelight. Nothing is more romantic then turning out the lights, lighting candles, choosing roma

Practicing Optimism When Uncertainty Strikes

Practicing Optimism When Uncertainty Strikes

Was it two weeks ago or three that we noticed more people talking about the novel coronavirus and taking precautions? It seems like we’re living in another world as stores are stripped clean of hand sanitizer, toilet paper, and daily living essentials. Coughs and sneezes are now suspect even though it’s spring with pollen, ragweed, and every other possible allergen in the air. If you develop a cough or sore throat overnight, you may panic. People are worried, and it seems the

Avoiding a Downward Spiral with Depression While Social Distancing

Avoiding a Downward Spiral with Depression While Social Distancing

If you’ve felt alienated and as if you were living an alternative existence you’re not alone. Experts are warning people with underlying anxiety, depression and other mental health disorders that although social distancing is important to prevent the spread of Covid-19, it can have dire effects on your mental health especially those who are most sensitive to feeling abandoned and alone. Humans need connection and with the closing of bars, restaurants and social events that ma

Surviving Quarantine with Your Partner

Surviving Quarantine with Your Partner

It almost sounds glamorous when you envision being stuck inside with the one you love and not having to go to work or worry about school schedules, and it would be if we had planned it and had control over the plans. However, while Covid-19 keeps us home with those we love, it also brought unprecedented changes and fears most of us never thought possible. Being confined to a small space together can be stressful for any couple. Adding in the stress of kids being home from sch

Preparing for a pandemic with an overly anxious partner

Preparing for a pandemic with an overly anxious partner

It would have seemed impossible for a virus that began in China to eventually spread throughout the world, pushing cities everywhere to adjust to a new normal. It’s been surreal for many of us to watch the cancellation of the Houston Rodeo, travel bans to Europe, and the plummeting of the stock market. Yet, here we are, and families are struggling to find a balance between becoming overly anxious and hopeful for the best. Couples are arguing more about how much to purchase. D

For Your Family’s Health, Consider a Spring Break Staycation

For Your Family’s Health, Consider a Spring Break Staycation

It’s Spring Break and, even if you can’t get off from work, afford a trip, or your trip has been cancelled, don’t let that discourage you from taking a break with your children. A week with the children at home is an opportunity for families to improve communication, teamwork, and unity. The family is the first and most important place to learn compassion, confidence, responsibility, and trust. Taking time away from your busy life to focus on your family is an investment in t

Search By Category

Follow Us

Archive