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TODAY, RELATIONSHIPS ARE UNDER REAL PRESSURE.
Many couples are trying to build lasting connections in a world that asks a lot of them—emotionally, financially, and socially. There’s a moment in many relationships that doesn’t look dramatic from the outside like we think it may. There aren't always slammed doors or shouting matches, sometimes just silence in the kitchen, or conversations that feel like they’re happening through glass. Something feels off. Couples counseling is often misunderstood as something you do when
Julie Shaw
3 days ago3 min read
TIRED, OVERWHELMED, AND STILL PUSHING? READ THIS…
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, but let’s be honest…awareness isn’t the issue anymore. Most people know mental health matters, but what many people are still struggling with is admitting when their own mental health needs attention. Too many people are walking around exhausted, anxious, numb, overwhelmed, angry, disconnected, or barely functioning while telling themselves things like: “I’m fine.” “Other people have it way worse.” “I should be able to handle this.” “I do
Julie Shaw
Apr 272 min read
FRIENDSHIP CHECK: ARE THEY LIFTING YOU UP OR DRAINING YOU?
Relationships are a huge part of being a teen. Friends, crushes, family relationships, yes, they can be exciting, confusing, overwhelming, and sometimes… totally draining. Yup, all at once too. If you’ve ever felt like you’re trying to keep everyone else happy while quietly feeling exhausted, you’re not alone. That’s where boundaries come in. So… What Are Boundaries? Boundaries are not about shutting people out. They’re about protecting your energy, your feelings, and your se
Julie Shaw
Mar 272 min read
HOLDING SPACE FOR THE HELPERS
I’m not quite sure how it is already March, but here we are. As the months continue to move quickly, March offers a meaningful opportunity to pause and reflect on several important observances. This month we recognize Women’s History Month, Social Work Month, and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, all of which emphasize advocacy, compassion, and the importance of supporting individuals and communities. These observances highlight the dedication of those who work to u
Julie Shaw
Mar 72 min read
YOUR EMOTIONAL BLUEPRINT: Attachment Styles
Have you ever wondered why some people feel comfortable getting close to others, while some pull away the moment things get serious? Or how about why some of us overthink a text that hasn’t been answered, feel uncomfortable relying on someone, or want closeness but also feel afraid of it? A lot of this can come down to something called attachment style. Your attachment style is basically the emotional blueprint for how you connect in relationships and most of us didn’t even r
Julie Shaw
Feb 213 min read
UNDERSTANDING OCD: Why It’s Not Just About Liking Things a Certain Way
After more than a decade in the mental health field, one phrase I continue to hear, often casually and without ill intent is: “I think I may be a little OCD.” While this statement is commonly used to describe being organized or detail-oriented, it opens the door to an important clinical conversation. There is a meaningful difference between routines that support daily functioning and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) rituals that are driven by anxiety and distress. As clin
Julie Shaw
Jan 273 min read
THE SILENT BATTLE
When you hear the word “pressure,” what comes to mind? For a lot of people, it’s that heavy weight of expectations from family, friends, partners, or even work, each person with their own goals or demands. But while we can’t avoid external pressure, have you ever stopped to think about the pressure you put on yourself? This kind of pressure isn’t obvious, it’s more like that quiet, nagging voice in your head that just doesn’t shut up. The one that critiques everything you do
Julie Shaw
Jan 53 min read
SOMATIC HEALING: take control & take care
Trauma isn’t just the obvious, intense moments, it’s in the quiet stuff too. Trauma can also be the moments no one sees, the times you get through alone, trying so damn hard to power through without anyone noticing how much you were actually carrying. The thing with trauma is that even when your mind thinks it’s over or tries so hard to take care of your needs, your body keeps carrying it. That’s somatic trauma, plain and simple. Your body holds onto everything. I’m fortunate
Julie Shaw
Dec 2, 20254 min read
WHEN REST FEELS WRONG
Ever have those days when your body is practically begging you to slow down, but your mind jumps in saying, “You should be doing something.” Maybe that voice isn’t occasional for you. Maybe it’s a daily noise. No judgment here. I literally have a plaque that says, “Sometimes it’s OK if the only thing you did today was breathe.” It’s not just décor…it’s a personal reminder I need to see every day. Somewhere along the way, your brain learned that staying busy is necessary—tha
Julie Shaw
Nov 11, 20252 min read
LIFE IS HEAVY.
There’s something about this world lately that feels... heavier. Like we’re all quietly carrying more than we can name — juggling...
Julie Shaw
Oct 6, 20251 min read
EXPECTATIONS
Societal Norm We live in a society full of expectations—spoken and unspoken. Some are placed on us by others, while many we silently...
Julie Shaw
Sep 5, 20252 min read
THE BALANCING ACT
Let’s talk about that weird pressure to always be doing something. You know the feeling—when you sit down for five minutes and your brain...
Julie Shaw
Aug 4, 20252 min read
LET ME HEAR YOU
I had the privilege of attending an incredible conference recently focused entirely on Perinatal Mood Disorders and Care—a powerful and...
Julie Shaw
Jul 1, 20252 min read
SPILL YOUR TEA
Have you ever heard the phrase “spilling the tea”? It’s all about sharing the juicy, sometimes messy truth—usually about gossip or...
Julie Shaw
Jun 5, 20252 min read
CAREGIVERS: DON'T FORGET ABOUT YOUR OWN MENTAL HEALTH
Being a caregiver is no joke. You’re constantly juggling a million things, giving all your time and energy to someone else—and let’s be...
Julie Shaw
May 4, 20252 min read
EMBRACING THE JOURNEY
Acknowledging your goal to improve your wellbeing and seeking help for your mental health is an essential and courageous step towards...
Julie Shaw
Mar 31, 20252 min read
SETTING LIMITS, LIVING FULLY
“A boundary is not something that separates us; it's something that helps us stay connected to ourselves. ”-unknown. Boundaries serve an...
Julie Shaw
Mar 2, 20253 min read
REWIRE
What do you tell yourself? I mean the silent stuff in your brain that you don’t share out loud. It can be the loudest and most constant...
Julie Shaw
Feb 3, 20252 min read
RISE UP
FRESH START With each new year, a new opportunity presents for change. Truly, this happens with each new day but often we embark on new...
Julie Shaw
Jan 7, 20251 min read
UNLOCK YOUR HEALING
I think we can agree that as humans we are all navigating our own unique challenges, with the goal to get through these challenging paths...
Julie Shaw
Dec 3, 20244 min read
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