Stress and anxiety are often unavoidable—especially for healthcare workers and caregivers. But when stress becomes chronic, it can slide...

Have you ever been told to “just move on” after something really hard happened? Maybe someone said, “It’s in the past,” or, “You should be over that by now.” If you’ve heard that before, you’re not alone. But the truth is, trauma doesn’t just go away because we want it to. If something painful has happened in your life, like an accident, a scary experience, or someone hurting you, your brain and body may hold onto that memory. Even if time passes, the effects of trauma can st

Many people think they already know their partner, yet often, there is much more to learn.  There are many searchable questionnaires one can find on the internet to discover aspects of each partner’s childhood, as well as job, travel, love, and even food preferences. Knowing these can help reduce friction in the relationship.  However, in my experience as a couples therapist , people come believing that they already know their partner. When in reality they are just assuming t

Have you been feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck lately? Maybe you’re trying to manage work, school, or relationships. Maybe you’re going through a big life change. Or maybe things just feel off and you’re not sure why. You’ve thought about therapy, but the cost holds you back . We get it. Therapy can feel out of reach when money is tight. But it shouldn’t have to be. That’s where we come in. We believe everyone deserves access to mental health care—regardless of financia

Over the past few years, we’ve all become a bit more comfortable talking about mental health.  The COVID-19 pandemic brought widespread attention to the importance of mental health as many of us started feeling the effects of isolation, uncertainty, and grief. It became more normal and necessary to talk about how we were doing and we saw how important mental health care is. However, there’s one part of the conversation that doesn’t get enough attention: women’s mental health

In my last blog on trauma  I discussed different ways trauma can manifest and how you can recognize the impact of trauma on your system. Another challenging aspect of navigating trauma is that it can be cumulative. Particularly if you’ve experienced (or continue to experience) trauma across multiple dimensions. Folks with LGBTQIA+ identities may already be facing these dynamics. But additional marginalized identities can increase the impact of discrimination. We refer to thi

When you’re in a committed relationship, it can sometimes feel like your personal goals are competing with your partner’s—or even with the relationship itself. Maybe one of you wants to buy a house, while the other dreams of quitting work to travel the world. Or one of you is laser-focused on career growth, while the other craves slowing down and starting a family. These aren’t signs that your relationship is doomed. They’re actually common reasons why couples seek out therap

Let’s face it—every couple argues. It’s not a matter of if, but when, how, and whether you both survive it without needing to apologize for things said and  unsaid. The truth is, arguing well is a skill. A really grown-up, emotionally mature, high-level relationship skill. And like any good skill, it can be learned. You can’t escape conflict. But you can absolutely learn to fight fair, connect more deeply, and actually feel closer after an argument. (Yes, seriously.) Let’s b

Living with ADHD can look different for everyone, and it’s important to understand what it really means beyond the common stereotypes. As a therapist, group facilitator, and human diagnosed with ADHD, I’m here to shed some light! When you hear the term "ADHD," you might picture a child bouncing off the walls or someone who can’t sit still. But ADHD—short for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder—is so much more than that. There are many myths about ADHD that don’t tell th

Living with a chronic illness brings many challenges, not only for the individual diagnosed but also for their relationships . Whether...

The 2024 film Inside Out 2  introduced several new emotional characters, including Anxiety , who played a significant role in Riley’s...

Parenting while pursuing a career can be both fulfilling and exhausting and often requires that you balance multiple roles with very little time to rest. Balancing the demands of work, family responsibilities, and your own well-being can quickly feel overwhelming. Stress can quickly build up leading to feelings of burnout, anxiety , and strained relationships with those you care most about.  In this blog, we’ll explore 5 different effective and practical strategies for workin

As a trauma-informed therapist, I’ve often encountered folks who aren’t sure whether their experiences “count” as traumatic. Many of us are familiar with “ hard trauma ” that is acute, intense, and somewhat ‘contained’ like a car accident, medical procedure, or natural disaster. But “ soft trauma ” can have just as much of an impact on your nervous system. Soft trauma relates to experiences where there is repeated exposure that is often prolonged such as childhood neglect, bu

Trust is the foundation of happy relationships and forms the emotional backdrop in forming intimacy, as well as a sense of security and unity with another. In the beginning of a relationship , you may be consumed with the sense of attraction and elation of connecting with someone special.   You spend time together, share, and do things all with the aim of earning and sharing trust. Over time, you evaluate whether you have common interests and values with the other, weighing t

Depression can take many forms as how it can show up in our day-to-day lives. It can look like a lack of interest in daily activities...

Embracing your LGBTQIA+ identity is a journey that can bring both joy and challenges… sometimes a lot of challenges! Whether you are questioning, coming out, or working through feelings about your identity, individual therapy can be a great support. For us queer folks, the journey is so incredibly unique – having a safe space to explore your feelings can make a big difference. Understanding Your Identity in a Safe Space Therapy gives you a place to talk openly about your thou

Stress is a normal part of life, but when it starts to feel overwhelming, it can affect both your mental and physical health. Whether...

As Greek philosopher Heraclitus famously said, “The only constant (in life) is change”. On the surface, this seems like a pretty logical...

Now that the new year is upon us, many of us have left the stressors from the holiday season behind us and have started craving a desire to focus on ourselves. The holidays can bring a lot of positives into our lives including connection with family and friends, receiving meaningful gifts from those we love, and time off from our regular responsibilities. However, the holidays can leave many of us feeling drained, burned out, and ready to feel different. This feeling of “dif

One of the hardest parts about learning to build thriving relationships is that we need other people to practice with! Getting comfortable with vulnerability, setting healthy boundaries, practicing communication skills, engaging in productive conflict, overcoming social anxiety, etc. all tend to work best in a space where there is safety, trust, and understanding between people (which can be hard to find in the wild).    So, how can we learn, practice, and implement these sk