
Breaking the Myth: Therapy Intensives Are for Everyone, Not Just in Crisis
When you hear the phrase ‘therapy intensive,’ you might imagine someone in the middle of a breakdown. But that’s only part of the picture. Therapy intensives aren’t just for emergencies—they’re for anyone who’s ready for a reset. More and more, clients are using them proactively—for clarity, momentum, and deeper healing — on their own timeline!
Avoidance And Activation
When it comes to our mental health struggles, many of us have perfected the art of the dodge. We're talking about a deep-rooted pattern that keeps us haunted by the same painful themes or issues, never quite breaking free. Avoidance is the mind's automatic self-protection system. It's what happens when our brain decides, "This feeling is too scary, this memory too painful—let's go anywhere else, immediately!" And in the short term, it works brilliantly. That’s the problem.
Grief: The Dark Side of All Growth Work
When we embark on a journey of personal growth—whether through therapy, self-help, spiritual practice, or simple life experience—we're often sold the sunny side: transformation, liberation, authenticity, and wholeness. The glossy promises of becoming our "best selves" fill bookshelves and social media feeds.
What rarely makes the marketing materials is the unavoidable companion to all meaningful growth: grief.
Devotion Over Discipline, Or Why Motivation Ain’t Shit
Motivation is a thrilling spark, a burst of energy that propels us into action. It’s that intoxicating moment of inspiration when we feel like we can conquer anything—a new fitness goal, a creative project, a career move. It arrives in an almost magical and captivating way, often unbidden, pushing us forward with enthusiasm and excitement. But inevitably, it fades. And we are left wondering why we don’t feel quite as excited as we did before. Soon enough, if we rely solely on motivation, we cycle through disappointment several times before we may feel our our goals beginning to slip away, gathering dust alongside abandoned resolutions and forgotten ambitions.
Relational Trauma and the Narcissistic Parent
Narcissistic parenting isn’t about a diagnosis. Let me repeat. It isn’t about a diagnosis, it is instead about the traits that are so frequently discussed in popular culture recently and frequently taken out of context. That said, these traits leave a very strong impression because they are not just about having a difficult parent; it’s about growing up in an environment where love is given only under certain conditions and your sense of self is shaped around someone else’s expectations. This kind of upbringing can leave deep, lasting wounds, but understanding the dynamics is the first step separating yourself from it and creating a path toward healing.
When the World is on Fire: How to Cope in a Harsh Reality
Life is overwhelming when it seems like the world is quite literally on fire. So how do we keep our center amid the pressure cooker of climate change, social upheavals, an endless political circus, and the sheer pace of modern life? Whether its mindfulness, community, humor, or collective action, you can keep your inner flame alive without being decimated by the blaze. And if all else fails, some dark humor, a good snack, and a good cry might be just what you need.
Intersectionality, Mental Health, and Seeking Care
Intersectionality as a concept has become more widely known in recent years. It is a vital concept in contemporary discourse on social justice, identity, and inclusivity. Yet it has not yet reached the wider field of treatment and care in mental health. Coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989, it acknowledges that individuals experience multiple layers of discrimination or privilege due to their intersecting identities, such as race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and socioeconomic status. When applied to mental health, intersectionality offers a crucial framework for understanding how these diverse facets of identity shape individuals' well-being, how they experience the world at large, and with support and mental health care.
Narcissistic Abuse: Tactics, Impacts, and Healing
Narcissism has been a hot topic recently. Narcissistic abuse is a form of emotional and psychological manipulation that aims to execute control over one person in effort to reduce insecurity in another. It can range from obvious to subtle and insidious but it uniformly leaves invisible scars that can take years to identify and heal. In this post, we’ll explore the tactics commonly used in narcissistic abuse, the mental health impacts survivors may experience, and how treatment can help facilitate healing and recovery.
Trans in America, Part 2: Gender Affirming Healthcare in the New Era
In recent years, the conversation surrounding gender-affirming healthcare has shifted dramatically, driven by both increasing visibility of transgender and nonbinary individuals and a surge in political attention and stigma. This era of heightened focus has brought both progress and challenges. Policies and legislation from the last five years have profoundly impacted access to care, shaping the experiences of many gender-diverse individuals seeking care.
Values: Your Guide for Returning to Center
Trauma has a sneaky way of pulling us off course, creating distance not just from others but also from ourselves. It can leave us feeling unmoored, disconnected from the internal compass that helps us navigate life—our values. Reconnecting with these values is not just healing; it’s transformative. They provide a path back to center, helping us establish boundaries, recognize safety, and uncover meaning in our relationships with others and ourselves. They remind you of who you are beyond the survival strategies, helping you build a life rooted in authenticity, safety, and meaning—a life that feels like your own again.
Trans in America, Part 1: The Rise of LGBTQ+ Hate Crimes and Anti-Trans Legislation Since 2020
There’s a significant rise in anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes and anti-transgender laws in recent years, which has sparked alarm among advocacy groups, mental health professionals, and the broader public. Studies show that individuals who experience hate-based violence or discrimination experience more mental health issues and PTSD. For transgender individuals, this trauma is compounded by unique social and medical stressors, like discrimination in healthcare, employment, and social settings. In this blog, we’ll explore the key data, trends, and implications of these developments, as well as the potential impact on the broader LGBTQ+ community.
Brainspotting and Its Many Uses
Brainspotting is a versatile and powerful therapeutic tool that offers profound healing for a wide range of issues. Whether it's trauma, anxiety, depression, performance enhancement, chronic pain, or substance abuse, Brainspotting provides a unique and effective approach to therapy. The journey to healing and self-discovery can begin with a simple shift in where you look.
Uncovering Calm: How Brainspotting Helps Heal Anxiety
In a world where anxiety can often feel like an unwelcome yet constant companion, finding effective, innovative approaches to healing is more important than ever. One such approach is Brainspotting (BSP), a relatively new but profoundly impactful therapy that is proving to be a powerful tool in the battle against anxiety, often leaving clients with an accelerated sense of lasting relief.
Boundaries and Relational Trauma
Boundaries are essential for maintaining a strong sense of self and healthy, balanced relationships. However, for individuals who have experienced complex or relational trauma, establishing and maintaining boundaries can be particularly challenging. This post explores the intricate relationship between boundaries and trauma, shedding light on why boundaries are crucial for healing and how trauma can impact them.
What’s the difference between EMDR and Brainspotting?
Brainspotting and EMDR have been making waves for their powerful ability to help people heal from traumatic experiences, dysfunctional and abusive relationships, and to level up their goals. While both have similar components and orientations, they also have unique approaches and mechanisms. This helps explain which might be the better fit for you and your therapeutic situation.
Embracing Your Authentic Self: A Journey Through Trauma, Transition, and Triumph
Embracing our most authentic selves may come with many challenges like trauma, gender transition, and the LGBTQIA+ experience. But challenge is also where we learn to champion over our trials and tribulations in order to build and thrive in a better fitting, more aligned, and more meaningful life.