person leaning against a wall appearing to be in distress

Childhood Trauma and the Body: Pain, Autoimmune Functioning, and More

Have you ever wondered why people who were exposed to extreme stress early in life tend to suffer from physical ailments more than the general population? The ACEs study, a large-scale research endeavor, showed that those who were subjected to childhood trauma were, as expected, significantly more likely to develop mental health symptoms, such asContinue reading Childhood Trauma and the Body: Pain, Autoimmune Functioning, and More

sunlit, tall trees in the woods

Ecopsychology: Theory and Practice

Ecopsychology is a multidisciplinary field that explores the connection between human psychology and the natural environment. The study of ecopsychology emphasizes the benefits of engaging with nature, with research supporting both physiological and psychological benefits. As knowledge within this field continues to grow, we can see how ecopsychology can have a large impact on mentalContinue reading Ecopsychology: Theory and Practice

Protest with sign that reads "Immigrants are great"

Extreme Hardship Waivers

Yìchén is a 33-year-old man from China who came to the U.S. four years ago. He studied English growing up and immigrated to the States to explore the benefits of living in a democracy. In addition to more autonomy, Yìchén found love. He met his wife, Li, soon after his arrival. Li is a UnitedContinue reading Extreme Hardship Waivers

the word "no" lit up in yellow lights

Saying No With Confidence

If, like many of us, you were socialized to accommodate others, saying no can be an uncomfortable – even radical – act. But people-pleasing can lead to resentment and burnout and often interferes with us getting our own needs met. Like any other skill, learning how to say no is a practice we can developContinue reading Saying No With Confidence

woman with her head bent down, holding the top of her head

Somatic Therapy

Have you ever had a thought that made your cheeks flush or your palms sweaty? Maybe you did something that caused your stomach to tighten or made your heart beat a little faster? If you have, then you’ve experienced “somatization,”  the mind-body connection.  For many years we, as a community, have embraced the concept ofContinue reading Somatic Therapy

woman with her hands placed on top of her heart

Cultivating Self-Compassion

One of the things that comes up consistently in therapy, regardless of demographics or diagnoses, is difficulties with self-compassion. Let’s take a look at this concept here, as well as how folks can cultivate this important way of being in their lives. The word “compassion” is derived from the Latin com (with) passion (suffering). Self-compassionContinue reading Cultivating Self-Compassion

a woman asleep in bed

Sleep Hacks

According to the Center for Disease Control, about one in three adults in the U.S. reports struggling to get enough sleep. Millions of Americans struggle with sleep disorders, with about a third of adults reporting experiencing insomnia. And yet, we know that sleep is so important for our minds and bodies. Getting a good night’sContinue reading Sleep Hacks

two people sitting at a table drinking coffee

Non-Violent Communication

Many of the ways in which humans communicate can cause harm. We can be critical, judgmental, defensive, blaming, and attacking. And while this might not be our intention, we tend to be overly focused on our desires at the expense of others’ wants and needs. The good news is, we’re able to shift this focus,Continue reading Non-Violent Communication