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Many people come to therapy with a familiar but hard-to-name experience: “I’m exhausted, but I don’t know why.” This kind of depletion is not always about sleep, workload, or physical health. Often, it’s the result of emotional, relational, and environmental forces that quietly drain our internal resources over time. Understanding where our energy goes—and why—can be a powerful first step toward restoring it. How Energy Drain Shows Up Emotional exhaustion doesn’t always arriv

In recent years, the rise of social media has transformed how we learn about ourselves and our mental health. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Reddit, and YouTube are filled with personal stories, symptom lists, and mental-health content that can sometimes feel “spot on.” For many people, this content offers a language that was previously missing and helps them feel seen. But it also raises important questions — When does self-diagnosis help, and when can it get in the way?

Holding more than one truth at the same time can feel confusing or even uncomfortable. Yet, this ability—known as dialectical thinking—can transform how we relate to others and ourselves. It helps ease anxiety, deepen connections, and create a more balanced mood. This article explores what dialectics means, how to practice it, and why it matters for emotional health and relationships. What Dialectics Means in Everyday Life Dialectics is the idea that two seemingly opposite tr

Therapy can feel uncomfortable at times. You might find yourself facing difficult emotions, awkward silences, or challenging topics that push you beyond your comfort zone. While this discomfort can feel unsettling, it often signals that you are making progress. Learning to recognize and express these feelings within therapy not only strengthens your relationship with your therapist but also builds communication skills that benefit other areas of your life. Building a therapy

As a new year begins, many people feel a familiar mix of hope, pressure, and reflection. There is often an unspoken expectation that January marks a clean slate—a chance to become a “better” version of ourselves. While goal-setting can be motivating, it can also increase self-criticism, comparison, or unrealistic expectations. From a therapeutic perspective, the new year is less about reinventing yourself and more about turning toward yourself with intention, curiosity, and c

The end of the year often brings a mix of emotions. For many, it is a time filled with deadlines, social obligations, and reflection on the past months. This combination can lead to significant stress, leaving people feeling overwhelmed and disconnected. Starting therapy during this period might seem counterintuitive, but it can be one of the most effective ways to manage stress, restore hope, and improve relationships as the new year begins. Understanding Year-End Stress Yea

Notice your emotional cues Observe moments where you feel drained, resentful, anxious, or obligated. These reactions often point to a boundary that needs attention. Such as: Feeling overwhelmed before visiting family or friends → may need time limits or fewer events. Feeling obligated to spend money → may need financial boundaries. Feeling criticized or dismissed → may need conversational boundaries of what topics feel comfortable for you. Reflect on past experiences Look at

The holiday season is often presented as a time of effortless joy—families gathering harmoniously, traditions unfolding smoothly, and gratitude taking center stage. But for many people, this picture-perfect narrative doesn’t reflect reality. Family dynamics can be complicated. Loneliness can feel sharper. Social expectations can become overwhelming. And the pressure to be cheerful can leave us feeling misunderstood, depleted, or disconnected. As a therapist, I want to offer a

When you experience chronic stress—whether from work, relationships, or internal pressures—your body activates a physiological cascade often referred to as “fight-or-flight.”Cortisol rises, heart rate increases, and muscles tense. A little stress can be adaptive while chronic stress is not. Over time, it can contribute physical health difficulties. Many clients are surprised to learn that the source of their physical pain sometimes isn’t purely physical—it’s their nervous sys

Heightened stress, pressure & expectations The holidays often come with social pressure: to create “perfect” celebrations, to spend on gifts, to connect with family, or to reflect on the past year. That pressure can trigger anxiety, feelings of inadequacy, and overwhelm. Economic strain is a component that can add to this: from gift-giving to travel and hosting holiday meals — all require funds. That financial burden can induce fear, stress, shame, or guilt. Loneliness, grie

Click on the image to hear Kristin Neff's talk on Self Compassion In a world that constantly tells us to do more, be more, and achieve more, it’s easy to become our own harshest critic. Many of us extend kindness and understanding to others but struggle to offer the same care to ourselves. That’s where self-compassion  comes in — a powerful, evidence-based practice that can transform the way we relate to our own suffering. What Is Self-Compassion? Self-compassion, a concept p

One of the most liberating — and challenging — skills I help clients develop is the ability to hold more than one truth at once . This idea comes from dialectics , a concept at the heart of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). In essence, dialectics invites us to recognize that two seemingly opposing things can both be true. You can love someone deeply and  feel hurt by them. You can be doing your very best and  still need to grow. You can feel grateful for what you have and  

We’ve all had moments when we find ourselves standing in the way of our own success—missing deadlines, pulling away from people who care about us, or doubting our ability to achieve something we’ve worked hard for. These patterns of self-sabotage often appear subtle at first, but over time, they can erode our confidence, strain relationships, and block us from living the life we want. As a psychotherapist, I often see clients frustrated by the question: “Why do I keep doing t

The transition from college to the “real world” is often portrayed as a time of excitement, new beginnings, and personal growth. While that’s true, it’s also a period marked by uncertainty, pressure, and the overwhelming task of defining your identity outside the academic bubble. Whether it’s landing your first job, moving to a new city, managing finances, or simply figuring out what adulthood means to you, the leap into independence can feel daunting. That’s where therapy ca

Self-esteem is a core aspect of our mental health that often goes unnoticed. It shapes how we see ourselves, influences our interactions with others, and significantly impacts our overall happiness. Recognizing the importance of self-esteem can empower you to take charge of your mental health journey, especially if you are grappling with anxiety or depression. What is Self-Esteem? Self-esteem is how you value and perceive yourself. It reflects your beliefs about your worth, a

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As a psychotherapist, I often remind my clients that emotions are not problems to be solved — they are waves to be ridden. Like the...