Family, Mental Health Topics, Relationships Is your family too close? Understanding enmeshment and how to heal by Kate Rope on May 5, 2025 Does your mom depend on you for her emotional well-being? Does your partner prioritize a parent’s needs over yours—or your kids’? Do you feel like your parent’s expectations dictate your decisions—or that you’re “letting them down” when you do things your way? If any of this sounds familiar, you might…
Mental Health Topics, Research The State of Mental Health in North Carolina by Hannah DeWitt on May 5, 2025 A recent survey of people in North Carolina commissioned by Thriveworks reveals interesting patterns surrounding residents’ emotional state and what they do to improve their mental health. Check out the insights below, including which factors impact mental health most, who they turn to for support, and more. North Carolina’s Mental…
Depression, Mental Health Topics What is high-functioning depression? Key differences (and similarities) you should know by Kate Hanselman, PMHNP-BC on Apr 30, 2025 Imagine this: You wake up, get out of bed, get dressed, make yourself breakfast, and head to work. You go through your daily routine, but something feels off. Activities that once brought you joy no longer spark the same happiness. Everyday chores like washing dishes, laundry, or watering your plants…
Mental Health Topics, Relationships The relationship advice therapists give their clients on repeat—and why it works by Hannah DeWitt on Apr 28, 2025 No matter how “perfectly matched” you are, no two people are exactly the same. We all bring our own unique wants, needs, and beliefs into a relationship. That’s a good thing—our differences are what make relationships exciting and meaningful. But it also means figuring out how to truly care for…
Ask a Therapist, Depression, Mental Health Topics I’m worried my partner is depressed but won’t talk about it. What should I do? by Kate Hanselman, PMHNP-BC on Apr 21, 2025 I want to start by acknowledging how tough this situation is. Depression is hard not just for the person experiencing it, but also for their partner and the relationship. I’m sure a lot of people can relate to what you’re going through. First, kudos to you for noticing that your…
Mental Health Topics, Self-Care The real guide to dopamine detox: pros, cons, and practical ways to try it by Sunny Sea Gold on Apr 16, 2025 Dopamine detoxes are all over social media, with many influencers talking about doing a “five-day dopamine detox” in which they stay away from social media, podcasts, TV, processed food, and other things that feel unhealthy or take up too much of their free time. The practice, sometimes called dopamine fasting,…
Mental Health Topics, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Is OCD genetic? Causes and treatments for OCD by Christine Ridley, LCSW on Apr 12, 2025 Everyone can have intrusive thoughts from time to time, but when you have obsessive-compulsive disorder, intrusive thoughts can go from being a nuisance to something anxiety-ridden, single-minded, and uncontrollable. OCD can be extremely difficult to control, affecting how one lives and has to move throughout the world. However, with proper…
Mental Health Topics, Parenting What are daddy issues? Understanding the impact of negative father-child relationships on adults by Hannah DeWitt on Apr 10, 2025 Parent-child relationships play a crucial role in shaping a child’s development and can influence their lives well into adulthood—sometimes positively, sometimes negatively. While most parents strive to do their best, they are human, and the challenges of raising children often lead to mistakes. As a result, conflicts and unresolved issues…
Ask a Therapist, Beginning Therapy, Mental Health Topics How do I know therapy is working? by Kate Hanselman, PMHNP-BC on Apr 9, 2025 Congratulations on starting therapy! Making this choice is a big step. You invest time, energy, and sometimes money into your well-being, and just like if you had a physical illness, you want to know if the treatment is making a difference. I completely understand. It’s important to remember that therapy…
ADHD, Mental Health Topics Rejection sensitivity dysphoria: Understanding the pain of rejection and how to cope by Erin Strout on Apr 7, 2025 As you’re getting ready for a big night out with your best group of friends, you start hearing the texts come through. One person is sick. The other forgot about a school function. It’s just not a good night. Can we reschedule? If your first instinct is to spiral into…
Anxiety, Mental Health Topics Fear of germs: mysophobia symptoms and treatment options, explained by Hannah DeWitt on Apr 4, 2025 In the post-COVID era, many of us instinctively reach for a disinfecting wipe to clean the grocery cart handle before shopping. While a healthy awareness of germs can protect us, excessive fear can disrupt daily life and well-being. Mysophobia, an intense anxiety about dirt, pathogens (germs), and contaminated objects, can…
Medication, Mental Health Topics Understanding Lexapro: How long does Lexapro take to work? by Tamiqua Jackson, PMHNP on Apr 3, 2025 Though therapy is often seen at the forefront of mental health care, medication is another important part of treatment for many mental health conditions. From ADHD to depression, medication can help make symptoms manageable in day-to-day life, allow people with mental health conditions some relief, and support coping and problem-solving…