A Case of No Contact Yvette’s daughter, Gabriela, used to call her non-stop. Recently, Yvette sensed her daughter pulling away. When she brought this up with Gabriela, her daughter pushed back, sharing that she had been processing some hurtful things that Yvette had said and done over the years. Yvette was taken by surprise. WhatContinue reading Your Adult Child Has Gone No-Contact: Now What?
AI Therapy: What You Need to Know
About AI Therapy Millions of adolescents and adults are turning to AI therapists to navigate stressors, cope with concerns, and address mental health symptoms. Whether they’re using large language models (LLMs) (e.g., Chat GPT, Claude, or Gemini), specific mental health applications (e.g., Wysa or Abby), or companion/role play platforms (e.g., character.ai or Replika), one thingContinue reading AI Therapy: What You Need to Know
ADHD in Women
Diagnosing ADHD in Girls and Women It used to be that when we thought of ADHD, we pictured school-aged boys, unable to sit still, unfocused, and disruptive in class. Over time, we’ve learned more about how this neurotype presents in girls and women, which has expanded our understanding of this neurotype. Let’s take a lookContinue reading ADHD in Women
The Case for Rest
To Rest or Not to Rest? You’re struggling to complete a paper for school or project for work. You notice you’re judging yourself for needing a break, thinking you’re “lazy” or lack drive. And because of this, you have difficulty listening to your body, even when it’s signaling for a break. Of course, our cultureContinue reading The Case for Rest
Window of Tolerance
What Is the Window of Tolerance? The window of tolerance is a psychological concept introduced by renowned psychiatrist, Dr. Dan Siegel. When in our window of tolerance, we can think and act clearly, responding to stressors and life’s demands with balance and control. Here, we feel present and engaged and can function mindfully and effectively.Continue reading Window of Tolerance
Suicide Prevention is a Community Effort
Every year, September’s National Suicide Prevention Month gives us the opportunity to shine a light on an issue that touches countless lives. Suicide does not just affect one person; it impact families, friends, and entire communities. Even though this topic can feel heavy and we might want to avoid talking about it, this month servesContinue reading Suicide Prevention is a Community Effort
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
Toxic Parenting: Problems and Fixes
When we think of “toxic parenting,” our minds often go to more obvious offenses – various forms of abuse or neglect. And while these behaviors are undoubtedly toxic, harm can come from a variety of behaviors. Below are some specific actions that can cause emotional difficulties for our children. If you find any of theseContinue reading Toxic Parenting: Problems and Fixes
10 Free Holiday Gifts for Your Kids
As the holidays approach, parents are often strapped to come up with affordable gifts for their kids. Keep this in mind – our kids want presents, but they also want our presence. Below are 10 gifts you can give your children that don’t cost a cent but that can have a significant impact on them,Continue reading 10 Free Holiday Gifts for Your Kids
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
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
Polyvagal Theory
Polyvagal theory is an approach to understanding the mind and body that highlights the autonomic nervous system. As background, our autonomic nervous systems are composed of two parts, the sympathetic nervous system (responsible for our fight-or-flight response) and the parasympathetic nervous system (responsible for calming us/slowing us down, or in life-threatening situations, the freeze response).Continue reading Polyvagal Theory
