Have you ever paused mid-conversation and wondered if you’re using a mental health term correctly? Maybe you’ve described feeling “triggered” by something at work, or found yourself questioning whether a situation was really “toxic” or just frustrating. These moments of uncertainty have become part of a cultural shift where mental…
If you’ve succumbed to a full-blown temper tantrum as an adult, you’ve likely come face-to-face with your inner child (even if you didn’t realize it mid-meltdown). Your inner child isn’t a mere flashback to your past self—it’s a piece of who you are now. “There’s a space inside of us…
In a world where self-help books flood the market—more than 15,000 titles published annually—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of advice claiming to be the “best” or “only” way to transform your life. With so many options available, separating truly meaningful guidance from superficial fluff can seem…
Picture a jar full of marbles: Each marble represents a difficult feeling or emotion—grief, anger, or guilt, to name a few. Now, imagine the last person who upset or hurt you: They knock the jar over, the glass shatters, and the marbles spill out all over the floor. They quickly…
Sometimes, a relationship with a parent reaches a breaking point. Maybe your mom just doesn’t seem to hear you, no matter how many times you try to explain. Maybe your dad’s constant political remarks leave you feeling frustrated or unheard every time you talk. Or perhaps you’ve tried to open…
Creative outlets can be a helpful way to channel and process inner thoughts. Whether through music, drawing, painting, writing, or other artistic mediums, art can provide focus, improve clarity, and inspire honesty—valuable tools in the context of psychotherapy. Art can be used to advance cognitive functions, boost self-esteem, confront emotions,…
Childhood trauma can cast a long shadow over a person’s life, affecting how you connect with others well into adulthood. It can make it difficult to navigate conflict, develop an effective communication style, build trust, and overcome fears of vulnerability. If early traumatic experiences are affecting your adult relationships, it’s…
Young children show the effects of trauma in many ways. They may seem anxious, sad, afraid, act out, become aggressive, or even shut down emotionally. When difficult situations break or stress the all-important bond between children and parents, the symptoms of trauma can persist or worsen. Children need to know…
Have you ever startled awake, wondering, “Why are my dreams so violent?” Maybe you had a dream about a creepy clown chasing you, insisting on giving you a shot. Maybe you dreamt about getting in a violent fight with someone you know. Whatever it might be, a scary or violent…
If you are in therapy, or trying therapy for the first time, you might wonder if you can tell your therapist everything, or if there are certain things you should never tell your therapist. It can be especially difficult to know what to say and not to say in therapy…
Depression is one of the most well-known and studied mental health conditions. It’s characterized by feelings of sadness or emptiness, low energy, lack of concentration, and sleep and appetite changes, among a myriad of other symptoms, with episodes recurring over months or years. The different forms of depression are complex…
Have you noticed negative mental dialogue going on in your own head, calling yourself names and incessantly chattering? This thought pattern is called self-criticism, which is the act of evaluating, judging, or scrutinizing oneself, often in a negative or harsh manner. This critical voice can manifest in various ways, such…
