Grief does not care how much time has passed. It does not matter if it has been 21 years, 12 months, 2 days, 12 hours, or 2 minutes — grief is grief. It is a pain that does not follow a calendar. It does not check the date, look at the clock, or ask permission before showing up. It can sit quietly in the background for months or years and then suddenly crash into you out of nowhere. I was reminded of that myself this weekend. A song. A smell. A place. A memory. And there it w

Research keeps showing us that practicing kindness can do things like reduce stress and anxiety, increase feelings of happiness, strengthen relationships, improve self-esteem and create a greater sense of belonging and security. Our brains are constantly responding to the way we interact with others and how we silently talk to ourselves too. Let's take a sneak peek into some our brain chemicals: Dopamine> gives us that “feel good” response when we accomplish something or rece

One thing I love about this work is that no two clients are the same. I have the privilege of working with so many individuals throughout my practice, including men, and there seems to be a stereotype that men don't talk about their feelings, don't participate in therapy, or aren't interested in self-improvement. That honestly has not been my experience at all! What I've found is that most men have plenty to say once they're in a space that they know they can trust. How coul

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There’s something about this world lately that feels... heavier. Like we’re all quietly carrying more than we can name — juggling...

Societal Norm We live in a society full of expectations—spoken and unspoken. Some are placed on us by others, while many we silently...

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...

I had the privilege of attending an incredible conference recently focused entirely on Perinatal Mood Disorders and Care—a powerful and...

Have you ever heard the phrase “spilling the tea”? It’s all about sharing the juicy, sometimes messy truth—usually about gossip or...

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...

Acknowledging your goal to improve your wellbeing and seeking help for your mental health is an essential and courageous step towards...

“A boundary is not something that separates us; it's something that helps us stay connected to ourselves. ”-unknown. Boundaries serve an...