Hello [subscriber.first_name] [subscriber.last_name]!

Welcome to Complete Counseling Solutions' First Newsletter

Most of you know me as Dr. Jennifer Baxt, but for those of you that don't, this will be my first introduction as Dr. Jennifer Lagrotte, DMFT. Yes, I officially changed my last name after being married for almost a year.

Now that I've been married for a while, my single friends have all abandoned me, emails from my college friends have become less frequent and I have not had the chance to make new married friends. So I started thinking how challenging it is to make friends.

Next surprise, I am almost 7 months pregnant and we are having a little girl. Yes very exciting times in my life but that leads to an all important question that needs to be answered.

How do you make friends?
by Dr. Jennifer Lagrotte, DMFT
I think we first need to define what a friend really is? Is it someone who we talk to in cyberspace or meet for lunch now and again? I define a friend as someone who you do not need to talk to everyday and still know that they are there for you when you need them. That being said, those people do not just grow on trees so where do you find them? I have always said there is a difference between being alone and being lonely. If you are lonely and looking for a purpose, then this is what you need to do in order to make friends.

What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies.
-- Aristotle

• Get off the computer and get out of your house. Yes, you can find friends on the computer but if you do, make plans with them and go enjoy yourself.
• If you do not know their real name, can you call them a friend? Online friends are okay and serve a purpose, but do not replace true friends.
• Do you have hobbies or passions? If so, then try out your hobby and you are bound to meet other people with the same interests as you.
• Join organizations or volunteer groups that will help you socialize. Meetup.com is a great way to meet others with common interests that you can relate to.
• Do you have an animal? If so, go to the park, eat outside with your animal and let your animal help you socialize.
• How about children? Do you go to the same park each day and never talk to anyone? Today is the day to strike up a conversation with just one person. Your kids can play nicely so why can't you?

In these tough economic times, it is even more important to socialize and remember that we can still laugh, have a good time and no you do not need to spend money to make friends. All you need is similar interests and the desire to go out there and do it. They will not come through your computer's screen so what are you waiting for, go out, make some friends and enjoy your day!!

A friend is one who knows us, but loves us anyway.
-- Jerome Cummings

All my best,
Dr. Jennifer B Lagrotte, DMFT