MEGAN BOWLING, M.A., LMFT #100409
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Understanding Triggers: Identifying and Managing Relapse Risks

5/22/2025

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Two people holding each other’s hands
Relapse is a common and often painful part of the recovery process. Many individuals find themselves surprised by how quickly progress can unravel. As a result, identifying and managing relapse risks is a critical step in long-term recovery. Recognizing what leads to a slip and learning how to de-escalate can make the difference between staying on track and starting over. With the right tools and mindset,triggers become signals, not setbacks.

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Addressing Co-Occurring Disorders: Mental Health and Substance Abuse

3/28/2025

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Alt.tag: A woman hugging her legs while sitting on the bed
Mental health challenges and substance abuse frequently intertwine, forming a complicated web for those caught in its grip. Anxiety, depression, and trauma push us toward substances as a way to cope. On the other hand, frequent substance use can trigger or intensify existing mental health struggles. This cycle makes it harder to break free, as each issue fuels the other, creating deeper emotional and physical distress. Recognizing the connection between mental health and substance abuse is the first step toward lasting recovery and finding effective treatment. This article explores why these disorders are so closely linked, the challenges of dual diagnosis, and the best strategies for treatment. It offers clear steps toward healing, making recovery a realistic goal.

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Planting Healthy Habits This Spring

3/18/2025

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Plants growing
My clients know that one of the common examples I use in my sessions is how we need to pull weeds out of the garden we tend to.  Looking and growing beautiful flowers is wonderful but having healthy soil is imperative for overall success. The same is true for our mental health and the growth mindset that we can encourage within.

Spring is often associated with renewal, fresh start, and progress. When we can focus our energy and growth toward our minds an bodies we are more likely to feel positive effects with our emotional well-being and growth. With spring starting this week, we will discuss and review a few healthy tips to tend to your own mental health garden. 

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What Is A Marriage and Family Therapist and How Can They Help Me Feel Better?

1/27/2025

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woman in glasses sitting in chair
Professionals in the mental health field may have different areas of focus.  Psychiatrists often times focus on medication management and at risk concerns.  Case managers will often serve at the hub of connection between different therapeutic team members.  School based counselors will often be available at school to help reduce symptoms in a school based setting. Social Workers can provide resources and often provide therapeutic services as well. While there are many different titles that therapeutic professionals may possess, in this post we are going to focus on Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT)

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Coping with Grief and Loss Without Substances

1/17/2025

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A woman coping with grief and loss
Grief and loss are deeply personal experiences that affect everyone differently. They often bring overwhelming emotions, including sadness, anger, or guilt. While it’s natural to want relief from this pain, turning to substances for coping can lead to long-term harm. Coping with grief and loss in a healthy way is essential for healing and reclaiming balance in life. So, here, I'll explore practical, substance-free approaches to managing grief, helping you
navigate the journey with resilience and clarity. By prioritizing healthier coping mechanisms, you can honor your emotions, embrace healing, and move forward with purpose and hope.

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5 Strategic Ways To Help Your 2025 New Year’s Resolutions Stick

12/26/2024

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Woman celebrating the new year
With the start of 2025 right around the corner, this time can be a time of self reflection and processing. Maybe you've been spending more time on social media envious of others' posts. Maybe you have been reflecting on your progress in 2024 and want to make changes to reflect a goal.  Maybe you've had recurrent thoughts about wanting to change, but feeling lost on how to get started.

Ongoing questions remain.  What would I like to see over the next year? What are my yearly goals? Can I celebrate the wins along the way?
How do I plan to follow through on these goals? In this post, we will talk about 5 strategic ways to help your 2025 new year's resolutions stick.



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Techniques for Managing Anger and Frustration

11/21/2024

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A person with long hair and arms crossed.
​Anger and frustration are common emotions that everyone experiences at times. Whether it’s due to work stress, personal relationships, or unexpected challenges, these feelings can become overwhelming. It is important to understand that feeling angry or frustrated is completely normal. However, unmanaged emotions can lead to negative consequences for mental health. Learning effective techniques for managing anger and frustration can significantly improve overall well-being. For those struggling with addiction, mastering these techniques can provide vital support during recovery. When you learn to manage your emotions, you can handle triggers more effectively. This promotes healthier relationships and a greater sense of peace in daily life. Embracing these skills empowers individuals to navigate life's challenges more smoothly. By taking the time to understand your emotions, you can create a more balanced and fulfilling life, free from the burdens that unmanaged anger and frustration can impose.

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Election Stress - A Letter

11/15/2024

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Person in jean jacket wearing voting pin
About a week after elections have concluded, I’m hearing from many that they are worried. People are sharing concerns for the future and processing the possible outcomes of change. Feelings are high, anxiety may be through the roof, and the stress may be affecting many areas of your life. Let’s explore together 5 tools that may help the change feel a little lighter.

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Building a Support System and Strengthening Relationships During Sobriety

9/13/2024

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The path to sobriety is demanding, requiring personal commitment and external support. Individuals may face emotional hurdles, stress, and the temptation to return to old habits. Therefore, surrounding yourself with people who genuinely care about your well-being can make a significant difference in maintaining sobriety. Support networks provide encouragement, accountability, and practical help for sustained recovery. Strengthening relationships during sobriety, rebuilding trust, and fostering deeper connections with loved ones can enhance your sense of belonging and reinforce your commitment to staying sober. This blog focuses on the importance of building a reliable support system and nurturing relationships that will help you stay sober while enriching your life in the long term.

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Why Is Change So Hard? A Look At Dynamics And How To Make It Easier

8/23/2024

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Have you found that you’re experiencing similar weeks and are stressing about the variables? Or perhaps you notice difficulties completing similar tasks. Whether we’re starting change, in the midst of it, or waiting on it, adjustments can have a huge impact on our mood, daily dynamics, and overall mental health. In this post we will discuss the algorithm and explore some tips on helping with a smoother transition.

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Strategies For Successfully Embracing Sobriety In The Workplace

8/9/2024

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Colleagues shaking hands at a meeting.
​Embracing sobriety in the workplace is crucial for maintaining a productive and positive environment. Substance abuse can severely impact job performance. This leads to decreased efficiency, errors, and a toxic atmosphere. Not to mention, it can jeopardize the safety and well-being of all employees. In this article, we aim to highlight how impactful sobriety at work is while offering strategies to support employees in their efforts to stay sober. We will explore ways to create a supportive environment and develop a personalized sobriety plan. All of these strategies can make a significant difference and save a life. Also, we don't want to keep it just on an individual, personal level: companies that take these topics seriously and follow advice can foster a healthier, more productive workplace.

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​Breastfeeding Grief: A letter For The Postpartum Mother

8/2/2024

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baby playing with mom's nose
The postpartum journey is filled with new experiences.  Even with multiples, every newborn experience can be hectic and unique.  From getting to know our body again, healing, and trying to connect with your most precious little baby. Mix all of these changes in with hormones, body pains, and fresh emotions, the feeding experience may be a high form of stress for you. 

​Trying to exclusively breastfeed, there could be high pressure to be constantly needed but touched out and tired. Anxiety, fear, loneliness, and sadness may be especially high if the expectation and reality of feeding your new baby is not what you expected.

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Unbalanced Grief: Coping With Terminal Cancer

8/1/2024

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Grieving couple sitting together
Grief is a feeling that many know,  although it's likely we wish we didn't. Bereavement after end stage cancer is so difficult and the loss of a loved one is immeasurable. Together, it may feel that it would be impossible to heal. In this blog, I will explore some strategies to help you, your family, and the cancer community to process and grieve. Know that as you start and continue this journey of healing that there is more than one "right" way to grieve a loss. The overall goal is not to forget but to balance our feelings in remembering the love and the light and not the illness.  To live in the pain without breaks would be unbearable. To try to only ignore and hide would likely lead to unhealthy tendencies. Let's explore finding a balance for you.

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Big Feelings Overload: The Art of Co-regulation and De-escalation

7/24/2024

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During our lifelong goal of growth and learning, we spend a lot of time trying to understand ourselves and people around us. Emotional intelligence is crucial in development, social norms, and our relationships. And yet, it can be hard for many to understand their tendencies, their habits, and their calming strategies. So just what is emotional regulation and how do we help our youth with it when we as adults are still learning?

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Welcome to Summer: The Season Of Change

5/17/2024

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With the warming temperatures and school bells on mute, summer is often a major time of change for most. Individuals are likely to experience mental health changes, physical changes, and life changes in the next few months. Sound like you or a loved one? Here’s what we can keep in mind for a smoother transition.

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    Author

    Megan Bowling, M.A., LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has been in the mental health field for more than ten years and is passionate to share mental health wellness strategies.

    Megan Bowling LMFT is located in Orange CA 92868.  She specializes in individual and couples therapy.
Megan Bowling, M.A., LMFT 
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist | CA #100409
P: 714.519.6041  |  e:[email protected]
22600 Savi Ranch Pky Ste A28 Yorba Linda, CA, 92887
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