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...

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...

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...

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...

Many people are searching for paths to happiness these days. Our world is heavy, and we are all navigating a lot, so of course that...

October is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month! There are so many things we could highlight to discuss the importance of raising...

I want to talk about mindset. I am not going to type a bunch about positive thinking or affirmations, but rather supportively challenge...

Grief. The word alone feels so heavy, doesn’t it?  Grief itself is a natural response to loss, our nervous system is doing what we want...

Coping with Chronic Illness Chronic illness is going to be unique to each individual, but one thing we can often find common ground on is...