
BLOG
Trauma-Informed Approaches to Eating Disorder Treatment
Eating disorders are rarely just about food. Beneath the surface, they often reflect deep struggles with safety, control, and identity—many of which are rooted in early or unresolved trauma. A trauma-informed approach to eating disorder treatment acknowledges the complex interplay between past experiences and present symptoms.
DBT for Treating Dysregulation & Self-Harming Behaviors in Adolescents
Adolescence is a time of intense emotional growth, but for some teens, the intensity becomes overwhelming. Many struggle with mood swings, impulsivity, and, in some cases, self-harming behaviors that signal deep emotional dysregulation. For families, these moments can feel frightening and confusing, especially when traditional strategies don’t seem to help.
Parenting Tips for Managing Screen Time with Teens
Managing screen time with teens often feels like an endless negotiation. Between schoolwork, social media, and entertainment, technology is deeply woven into their daily lives—and, truthfully, ours too. Rather than aiming for total control, many families benefit from shifting the goal: building a balanced, respectful relationship with technology.
Embracing Neurodiversity in Adolescent Therapy
Working with neurodivergent adolescents invites us to stretch beyond traditional therapeutic frameworks and engage with difference—not as disorder, but as variation. In a world that often misunderstands or pathologizes neurodivergent ways of thinking, feeling, and relating, therapy can become a vital space of affirmation, curiosity, and support.
Myths About Mindfulness
I want to dispel a few of the most common myths about mindfulness below in the hopes that you, too, will give it a try!
Understanding the Highly Sensitive Person: A Guide for Assessment and Self-Care
The term "Highly Sensitive Person" (HSP) was coined in the 1990s by psychologist Dr. Elaine Aron, marking the formal recognition of a trait that affects millions worldwide. While several popular psychology books have explored this topic over the years, many remain unaware that high sensitivity is not just a self-help concept but an extensively studied trait with substantial research evidence backing it.
Unpacking the Role of Values in Therapy
When clients enter therapy, they often seek clarity about their emotions, relationships, or life direction. One of the most powerful tools in this process is identifying and understanding core values. Our values shape our decisions, influence our emotions, and serve as an internal compass during times of uncertainty.
Navigating Grief and Loss with Young Clients
Grief is a deeply personal experience, and for children, it can be particularly confusing and overwhelming. Unlike adults, young clients may not have the language or cognitive ability to fully understand or express their emotions, often showing their grief through behavior rather than words.
Helping Families Build Resilience Together
Life’s challenges—whether big or small—can test a family’s strength and connection. From financial stress to major life transitions, adversity can strain relationships and create emotional distance.
Understanding the Dynamics of Post-Traumatic Growth
When we think about trauma, we often focus on its painful and disruptive effects. But for some individuals, adversity can also lead to profound personal transformation. This process, known as post-traumatic growth (PTG), describes the positive psychological changes that can emerge in the aftermath of hardship.
Creating Strength-Based Frameworks for Anxiety Treatment
Anxiety can feel overwhelming, often leading individuals to focus on their struggles rather than their strengths. Traditional treatment models tend to emphasize symptom reduction, which, while important, can sometimes reinforce a sense of helplessness.
Therapeutic Insights on Executive Functioning Coaching
Executive functioning skills are the mental processes that help us plan, organize, manage time, and regulate emotions—essential abilities for success in school, work, and daily life. However, for many individuals, particularly those with ADHD, anxiety, or high-stress roles, executive functioning challenges can make even simple tasks feel overwhelming.
PANDAS Syndrome: What is it and How We Can Help?
When a child suddenly develops obsessive-compulsive behaviors, anxiety, or motor tics seemingly overnight, it can be both confusing and alarming for parents. In some cases, these symptoms may be linked to PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections)—a condition where the body’s immune response to a strep infection mistakenly attacks the brain, leading to dramatic behavioral and neurological changes.
Navigating Attachment Wounds in Adulthood
Our earliest relationships shape the way we connect with others, trust, and feel safe in the world. When those early bonds are inconsistent, neglectful, or painful, they can leave lasting attachment wounds that follow us into adulthood. These wounds often surface in patterns of insecurity, fear of abandonment, or struggles with intimacy. But healing is possible.
Psychological Safety in Group Therapy Settings
In group therapy, creating an environment where individuals feel safe to share their thoughts and emotions is essential for meaningful progress. Psychological safety—the sense of being able to express oneself without fear of judgment or reprisal—lays the foundation for trust, openness, and vulnerability within the group.
Compassionate Care for Caregivers of Neurodivergent Children
Caring for a neurodivergent child is a journey filled with love, resilience, and unique challenges. While parents and caregivers often prioritize their child’s well-being, their own emotional and physical health can sometimes take a backseat.
Supporting Teens in Identity Formation
Adolescence is a transformative period marked by the search for identity—a journey where teens grapple with questions about who they are and who they want to become. This exploration is influenced by a complex interplay of personal values, peer relationships, family dynamics, and societal expectations. While this process can be empowering, it is often accompanied by confusion and self-doubt.
The Journey of Emotional Healing Through Therapy
Life often brings us challenges that leave emotional marks—grief, anxiety, heartbreak, or past trauma. These experiences, while universal, can feel isolating and overwhelming. Therapy offers a pathway to healing, providing a safe space to explore emotions, uncover insights, and build resilience.
Addressing School Anxiety in Early Childhood
Starting school is an exciting milestone, but for many young children, it can also be a source of significant anxiety.
Understanding Emotional Vulnerability in Therapy
Emotional vulnerability often feels like standing in the middle of a storm without an umbrella—exposed, raw, and at times overwhelming. Yet, within therapy, vulnerability is not a sign of weakness but a crucial step toward growth and healing. It’s through exploring these tender emotions that clients uncover deeper self-awareness and build resilience.