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Play Therapy for Teens: Why Teens Need a Different Approach When you hear the term play therapy, you probably picture a colorful room filled with dolls, blocks, and a sand tray, tools perfectly suited for a six-year-old. So, what happens when an adolescent, often struggling with identity, peer pressure, and intense emotions, is told they might benefit from "play"? The common response is eye-rolling skepticism: "I'm too old for that." Yet, adolescents are notoriously difficult

The Lingering Shadow of Trauma: When Weekly EMDR Isn't Enough Trauma is stored in the body and mind in complex ways. When you're dealing with the constant distress of PTSD, anxiety, or the residue of past difficult experiences, the standard pace of treatment can feel agonizingly slow. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a highly effective, evidence-based approach for helping the brain process traumatic memories. However, many clients find that the

Are You Tired of the Weekly Grind? Why Traditional Therapy Falls Short For years, the standard approach to mental health care has been the weekly 50-minute session. While traditional therapy is a valuable and necessary resource for many, if you've been in it, you likely know the frustration of gaining momentum or hitting a crucial point of insight, as the timer goes off. In reality, a typical 50-minute session rarely offers 50 minutes of focused work. You spend the first 5-10

When Worries are Too Big for Little Words Bedtime battles, frequent stomach aches, refusal to go to school, or constant need for reassurance... Yup, these are common signs that your child's anxiety has moved beyond typical worries into overwhelming distress. When a child is caught in the grip of anxiety, their emotional brain is in overdrive. Asking them to simply "talk about it" often fails because their body and brain are in a state of high alert (the fight, flight, or free

The Language of Childhood: When Words Aren't Enough As adults, we often process our feelings and experiences by talking about them. We can verbalize stress, label anxiety, and explain our sadness. But go back to being a child with a complex emotional world and a still-developing vocabulary and brain. How do children express the overwhelming feelings of a new school, a family change, or a scary experience? Children express themselves through their behaviors, including play. Fo

Have you ever found yourself in a heated conflict with your partner and, despite the obvious pain, felt a strange sense of temporary relief? For many people with anxious attachment, their self-doubt can lead them to believe they are not connected with their partner or that their relationship is at risk. This self-doubt then manifests in a behavior that ironically guarantees a moment of connection: a conflict.   An anxious partner may subconsciously initiate high conflict with

You want to be known. You want to be understood and accepted for who you are, without judgment. Yet, you may find yourself holding back, withdrawing, and isolating. You tell yourself you’re just "taking time for yourself," that you're "too busy," or that you're "just tired." These can all be true, but when they become a consistent pattern, they are a form of self-sabotage.   This is the painful paradox of self-sabotage: out of a deep-seated fear of a negative outcome, we guar

When you are an anxious partner, your self-doubt doesn't just stay in your head. It can project outward, leading you to misread your partner's behaviors and make accusations that stem from fear, rather than reality. A simple silence, an unmet expectation, or a gesture can be misinterpreted, and before you know it, you are running with a thought that fuels a painful accusation.   This kind of behavior can be incredibly hard on a relationship. When one partner is accused of som

People-pleasing is often seen as a virtue—being agreeable, helpful, and easy to get along with. But the truth is, the most painful and impactful parts of people-pleasing aren't found in the things you say, but rather in all the things you don’t say. It's the silent compromises, the feelings you suppress, and the parts of yourself you hide, all out of a deep-seated fear that your authentic self might be a burden to others.   When you find yourself tolerating a behavior that ne

Have you ever felt like you were running on empty, while still trying to give your all to everyone around you? People are a lot like cars—we can only go so many miles before we need to pause and refuel. You can't operate from a deficit; you want to pour into yourself so that others can get the "overflow" of your energy. But in a marriage, this can become a silent and painful struggle, especially for the people-pleaser.   Couples often struggle to set realistic boundaries arou

When you experience high anxiety, your mind is often the first thing you notice—the racing thoughts, the endless "what ifs," the difficulty concentrating. But if you were to check in with your body, what would you find? For many, the mental noise is accompanied by physical symptoms like a racing heart, shallow breathing, or a constant state of tension in the jaw, shoulders, or stomach. This can make it difficult to sleep and can lead to a profound feeling of fatigue, all of w

Have you ever found yourself in a moment of quiet with your partner, and their silence feels like a personal rejection? Or perhaps they express a simple desire, and a voice in your head immediately says, "I'm not good enough"? When the inner critic is active, even the most mundane comments, feedback, or gestures from our partner can be misinterpreted and feel like a direct attack.   A lack of affection can be misinterpreted as "I'm unwanted," a quiet moment can be seen as "th

Think for a moment about the people you care about most—a close friend, a family member, or a partner. Now, imagine them making a mistake or facing a setback. Would you tell them they’re a failure? Would you call them lazy, stupid, or not good enough? Of course not. You would offer them kindness, support, and compassion.   So, why do we speak to ourselves in a way we would never dare to talk to another living soul?   This is the jarring realization that so many of my clients

In a relationship, there's nothing more unsettling than a feeling of instability. One day, you feel connected and secure; the next, everything seems unpredictable and fraught with tension. When chronic self-doubt enters a partnership, it rarely stays in the background. It becomes a central player, manifesting in behaviors that create distance and misunderstanding.   You may be experiencing this as a cycle of extreme behavior. One partner may become completely withdrawn, emoti

Do you ever feel caught in a silent conflict—a battle between who you authentically are and who you think you need to be for others? You want to maintain your connections and relationships, but it often feels like you have to sacrifice a part of yourself to do so. This is the exhausting cycle of chronic self-doubt and the anxious behaviors that stem from it. It’s a deep-seated feeling of not being quite right, and it often leads us to live outside of our values, ignoring our

Depression isn't just feeling sad—it's like carrying a heavy backpack all the time, weighing you down mentally, emotionally, and physically. It makes even simple tasks feel like an uphill struggle. But just like you wouldn’t carry a heavy load without a break, you don’t have to face depression alone.   Understanding Depression?   Depression is a mood disorder that affects how you feel, think, and handle daily activities. It's more than just feeling low or sad for a few days.

Anxiety is something many of us face at one point or another. Whether it’s that nervous feeling before a big presentation or constant worry that feels overwhelming, anxiety can affect us all. But have you ever wondered what’s actually happening in your brain when you feel anxious? Understanding the science behind it can help you take control.   What is Happening in the Brain When You Feel Anxious?  Anxiety is your brain’s natural response to stress, but it can sometimes feel

What Can EMDR Help With? EMDR therapy is widely recognized for its effectiveness in treating trauma, but it can also be beneficial for other mental health challenges, such as:   PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)   Anxiety and panic disorders   Depression   Grief and loss   Phobias   Chronic pain   Addictions   Whether you’re dealing with past trauma or present stress, EMDR helps you heal by unlocking the emotional and physical responses tied to painful memories, allowing

There is nothing more frustrating than feeling misunderstood or unheard. It seems obvious to us, but when we express ourselves to others, it's like they're not even trying to get it. Communication can make or break a relationship. Effective communication can strengthen a relationship and deepen the connection. Ineffective communication can build resentment, increase conflict, and widen emotional distance. This blog will highlight strategies for improving communication skills

Tending to your mental health should be prioritized. There are so many avenues for accessing care that make starting therapy a little easier. However, starting therapy should not be done haphazardly. Making smart decisions around your mental healthcare can make all the difference in your experience and the results. This blog will focus on exploring the benefits of private pay therapy to help determine if this is a good option for you.     Understanding Private Pay Therapy?  P