Therapy Blog
Why Is ADHD on the Rise, and What Can You Do About It?
The diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has skyrocketed over the last few decades. Today, nearly one out of every ten youths in the United States is diagnosed with ADHD. As a school social worker, I frequently see families bringing in neuropsychological testing results in which their child has [...]
Relationship Management When Living with Bipolar Disorder
Navigating relationships can be challenging for anyone, but when bipolar disorder is part of the picture, those challenges can become more complex and, at times, overwhelming. The highs of mania and the lows of depression can influence communication, emotional regulation, trust, and consistency—core pillars of healthy relationships. However, with [...]
The Pursuer-Withdrawer Cycle: Why It Hurts and How to Break It
If you’ve ever felt like one person in a relationship is constantly pushing for connection while the other pulls away, you’re likely experiencing the pursuer–withdrawer cycle in action. It’s one of the most common, and most frustrating, patterns couples find themselves stuck in. At first glance, it can seem [...]
I am Tired of Meditating
Here we go again. I’ve just opened my eyes and need to think about starting the day. There are stretches to be done to prevent chronic lower back pain, lunches to be made for the kids, checking to make sure they have breakfast and all their school supplies packed. [...]
Why Your Mind Won’t Stop Wandering
You sit down to read a book or are driving somewhere and your mind starts wandering. You try to refocus and it wanders off again. The thoughts are becoming repetitive, intrusive, and negative. You replay the past, prepare for the future, and analyze every choice, thought, and emotion. You [...]
Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria
People with Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) experience an overwhelming, instantaneous, negative emotional reaction to even mild forms of rejection. Criticisms that other people might brush off or feel sad about for a short period feel catastrophic to a person with RSD. People with RSD are also prone to perceiving rejection [...]
Listening to the Body and the Path Toward Sexual Intimacy
Listening to the Body as a Path Toward Sexual Intimacy Sexual intimacy—what does the embodied experience feel like, and how does one define it? Exploring these questions is an important part of gaining a deeper understanding of human sexuality. The history of sexual intimacy has ebbed and flowed throughout [...]
Why Intuitive Eating Works Better than Dieting
Introduction: Why Diets Rarely Last Every January, many people resolve to start a new diet, but these efforts often fade quickly. If diets truly worked for the long term, there wouldn’t be a need to keep starting over. Before we talk about food, let’s try something simple. Stop blinking. Just [...]
Breaking Nervous Habits: Understanding Triggers and Building Healthier Coping Skills
Understanding Nervous Habits A nervous habit may form to help us deal with anxiety or other emotions, but sometimes it becomes automatic. These behaviors can happen out of habit or boredom, rather than in a stressful situation. Nervous habits can include biting your nails, pulling your hair, cracking your [...]
The Importance of Problem Solving Skills in Relationships and Everyday Life
Problem Solving Lessons in problem-solving skills can take on many different forms. We must develop these skills so that we understand how theories from past decades translate into our modern era. If we rely solely on singular advanced theories from the 1990s, we may make poor choices in our [...]
When Loving a Narcissist Breaks You: How Narcissistic Partners Impact Mental Health and Relationship Satisfaction
Introduction Being married to someone who is narcissistic can feel like living in a world where only one person exists—and it’s not you. Narcissism isn’t just about vanity or confidence; it’s a deeply rooted personality structure that demands admiration, control, and power, often at the expense of the people [...]
Learning to Trust Again: Recovering After Infidelity
Infidelity is one of the most painful experiences a couple can face. It shakes the foundation of a relationship, leaving behind hurt, confusion, anger, and a deep sense of betrayal. But while an affair can feel like the end, it doesn’t always have to be. Many couples do choose [...]
Social Rhythm Therapy (SRT) and Mood Disorders
What is Social Rhythm Therapy Social Rhythm Therapy (SRT) is a structured therapeutic approach designed to help people stabilize their daily routines and improve mood regulation—especially helpful for individuals with bipolar disorder, but also used for depression, anxiety, and general emotional regulation. SRT focuses on creating regularity in sleep [...]
Breaking up is Hard to do: Why the Termination Session is Important
When we "think" We're Healed Therapy and therapeutic progress can sometimes be compared to taking antibiotics. When we feel sick, getting that medication and eliminating the uncomfortable symptoms is urgent. When we start to feel better we “think” we are healed and forget to take the rest of the [...]
Arousal
A part of the human experience includes being in different states of arousal. We define arousal in terms pertaining to both physical and psychological. Within the body there are processes that affect both the mind and body, we call this the mind and body connection. Pathways of communication on [...]
Want a More Fulfilling Life With Little Effort? Stop and Smell the Coffee
We live in a culture that prizes productivity. Between work, family, and the never-ending stream of notifications, “slow down” can sound like a luxury. Yet many of us are longing for something deeper—a sense of calm, purpose, and genuine contentment that can’t be achieved through doing more. Surprisingly, the [...]
Have Wee Ones? Become a Robot: Entering the World of Imaginative Play
Okay, maybe not literally—but what if joining your child’s imaginative world could be one of the most meaningful ways to support their development and strengthen your bond? For many parents, the idea of diving into pretend play can feel awkward or even exhausting. After all, life is already full—work, [...]
Acceptance and Mindfulness in Psychotherapy
Acceptance and mindfulness have emerged as core elements in many modern psychotherapies. While these concepts are rooted in ancient contemplative traditions, particularly Buddhism, their application in clinical settings is backed by robust scientific evidence. Together, acceptance and mindfulness offer powerful tools for helping individuals cope with emotional distress, develop [...]
Understanding the Process of Reducing Substance and Alcohol Use
When we think about recovery, we often assume it means completely stopping the use of substances and alcohol. However, this isn’t always the case. For some, a gradual reduction approach may be more effective and sustainable. Reducing alcohol use can involve slowly decreasing the amount consumed or transitioning to beverages [...]
How to Practice Self-Awareness
Understanding Self-Awareness A common definition of self-awareness is one’s capability to notice and understand in what ways behaviors, thoughts, and feelings come up in response to the surrounding environment. From the beginning we experience our environment. We feel or think something and this gives us insights into how we are [...]
Mindfulness in Therapy with Depression and Depressive Thinking
Understanding the Role of Mindfulness Mindfulness in Therapy with Depression and Depressive Thinking Understanding the Role of Mindfulness Mindfulness is now a catchy phrase and often a household idea. Mindfulness ideology has swept the world and is practiced in nearly every country and group of people. We all engage [...]
Becoming Us: Don’t Lose the Sense of We when Becoming Parents
The Unexpected Challenges of New Parenthood When we think of parenthood, we often envision the joys of snuggles and the excitement of watching our little ones reach milestones and discover a new world. However, this beautiful picture often comes with decreased time for ourselves as individuals and with our partners. [...]
Emotional Intelligence is the Key to Self-Awareness and Stronger Connections
Understanding Emotional Intelligence Emotional Intelligence (EI) is the ability to manage both your own emotions and understand the emotions of people around you. There are five key elements to EI: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. Individuals with high EI can identify how they are feeling, what those feelings [...]
Mindfulness for Technology
Introduction Technology use has become a daily routine for many individuals, offering positive experiences such as connections, support, and convienice that would not be possible without it. Awareness surrounding the negatives that come with this usage can help reduce side effects that lead to poor mental health. Finding a balance [...]
Why Recognizing Relationship Cycles Can Transform How We Love
Spring is a season of growth—we see it all around us in nature as seeds are planted, then bud and bloom. Relationships often mirror these cycles. Just like flowers and fruit need proper nourishment to thrive, relationships—whether familial, romantic, or platonic—require emotional nurturing to grow. In many cases, our interactions [...]
