Mental health support for LGBTQ+ adolescents is not just beneficial—it is essential.

Caregiving is an act of love and responsibility—one that often unfolds slowly, accumulating layers of emotional complexity and logistical burden.

Many people associate identity development with adolescence or young adulthood, when we’re encouraged to ask: Who am I? What do I want from life?

Understanding trauma often means looking backward—toward childhood, early relationships, and the emotional environments that shaped our development.

In today’s competitive academic and social environments, many high-achieving teens are quietly burning out. On the surface, they appear motivated, disciplined, and successful—but underneath, they may be exhausted, anxious, and disconnected from themselves.

Failure is often viewed as a stopping point—evidence that something has gone wrong or that progress has unraveled. In therapy, clients may carry this mindset into the room, interpreting setbacks as personal flaws or signs of regression. But what if failure wasn’t the end of the story, but rather a meaningful chapter in it?

Adolescence is a powerful yet vulnerable period of development, marked by emotional turbulence, social shifts, and a search for identity. In the midst of this complexity, one of the most protective skills a young person can develop is reflective function: the ability to make sense of their own and others’ thoughts, feelings, and motivations.

Emotional intimacy is the heartbeat of a healthy relationship. It’s what allows partners to feel seen, known, and deeply connected—even during moments of conflict or stress. Yet for many couples, sustaining that sense of closeness can be challenging, especially amid the demands of daily life or in the wake of relational ruptures.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.