With relationships come expectations. Having a partner or dating more casually sometimes creates a need for certain types of celebrations or recognition of your relationship, either publicly or privately. With the amount of time we spend on social media, our feeds become nothing but photos of flowers, cards, and gifts that people have received from their Valentine and just cannot wait to show off. No matter if you are single, dating, engaged, married, uncertain, or none of the above, Valentine’s Day can create unnecessary stress and anxiety. 

Oftentimes, when dealing with kids, teens and even some adults, anxiety doesn’t present itself as them saying “I feel worried” but, instead, as behaviors.  These behaviors may include yelling, hitting, crying, kicking, and shoving. They may refuse to do what they have been asked, attempt to control the situation, or ask questions. Physical symptoms may include headaches, stomach aches, difficulty sleeping and isolating themselves. When working with an anxious child, it is important to see these behaviors as what they are: a form of communication.  Something has happened that has made your child’s brain feel threatened or unsafe and now the amygdala has taken over. 

Your child needs therapy, and you aren’t sure what to expect. Maybe you’ve never personally been to therapy, or maybe you had a negative experience with it, and you’re not sure what it will be like for your child. You are understandably uncertain and may be apprehensive about bringing your child to a new therapist. You’re more familiar with the dynamics of parent-teacher conferences or sitting in on your child’s doctor’s appointments. Therapy is unique in a lot of ways, especially concerning the treatment of your child’s mental health. This post outlines some things you can expect to experience when you take your child to meet with a therapist.

As we enter 2025, resolution season is upon us (or happening). From social media, media ads, pop-ups, news reports, and people we engage with daily, we are sure to hear about resolutions. About half of adults in the US will make a New Year's resolution this January, but very few people will be able to see those resolutions through. One study found that only 4% of those people will achieve their goals. There is a lot to unpack here, but first, what are people's most common goals?

Therapy is a unique relationship. You share everything about yourself with your therapist, but they don’t share much, if anything, about themselves. Many therapists are open to answering certain questions about themselves or may share a little bit about themselves if it’s appropriate, but the relationship is not a friendship. Some therapists will not share any information about themselves with their clients, but this depends on the client, the therapist, and the relationship. A therapist’s goal is never to move away from the client's best interest, and talking about themselves can do that very quickly.

With the New Year upon us, you most likely have been reflecting on what you would like to accomplish this upcoming year. You may be thinking about different skills or habits that you want to add to your routine, like reading more books, being more physically active, or keeping your home and personal space more organized. Maybe you have a big goal in mind for yourself, like, "I will read 50 books this year," or "I will save $1,000 in an emergency fund." Goals can be great, however there is another way to increase productivity: setting up systems or routines. Let’s talk about the difference between goals and systems and which one might work best for you.

Support is crucial to getting through challenging times, and not being able to express how we are doing can lead to further mental health problems. Reaching out for help is hard, and not everyone feels capable or ready to do that when they need help. If we are not really listening when we ask people how they are doing, we are perpetuating a dangerous cycle.

As the seasons change, and the days seem to become shorter some people feel a little more sad or more tired than usual compared to the warmer months. This is called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD for short. It usually happens in the fall and winter when there is less sunlight, and the temperatures begin to shift. But don’t worry! There are ways to feel better and make the most of every season of life. Here are 10 tips and strategies to help you feel happier during the colder months.

Holiday anxiety can turn what’s often considered the most joyful time of year into a period of stress and dread. During the time of year marked by twinkling lights, cooler air, and the aroma of holiday scents, a silent struggle looms for many people: a holiday season marked by increased anxiety and mental health challenges. We are told that we should relax, savor the joy of the season, spend time with loved ones, and lean into all the season has to offer. And while all of that sounds great in theory, many people face a myriad of complex emotions that challenge the notion that the season is supposed to be marked with simplicity, relaxation, and joy.

Therapy is a common recommendation when someone discusses stress, anxiety, depression, or relationship issues. As therapists, we love to see therapy being recognized as a valid treatment option, as well as normalized to reduce stigma. We love hearing people talk about their experiences in therapy on social media and in casual conversation. But what about those of us who have never been to therapy before? What is it like? How do we know it’s a good fit? Is every session like the first session? What is going to happen?