Trauma affects your mind in lasting ways, but it also impacts your body. Many people do not realize that the physical body holds onto physical and emotional pain just as strongly as the mind does. Learning about this connection can help you find the path toward healing. The Connection Between Mind and Body Both your ...

Everyone experiences shyness from time to time, and introversion is simply a preference for smaller social circles. However, social anxiety is an entirely different ballgame. It’s a diagnosable condition that can severely disrupt one’s ability to engage in social interactions. Affecting at least seven percent of Americans, the actual numbers are likely higher ...

The realm of therapy never stops evolving, expanding, and experimenting. In other words, there is so much more out there than the standard pop culture portrayals would imply. For example, did you know that psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) is a thing? What once might have been viewed as an artifact from the days of ...

Maybe you’ve been dealing with anxiety around racial profiling, and it’s hard to go about your daily routines with these fears hanging over your head. For BIPOC, you know that ignoring your intuition could carry real risks. But at the same time, you don’t want your anxiety to hold you back from living ...

In an era when political opinions significantly influence many of our daily interactions, it can be challenging to avoid the topic at home. For married couples, political disagreements can sour a partnership. When one partner’s views differ from the other’s, especially if one partner’s views are like their partner’s and endanger them or loved ...

Life has more than its share of stressors. Some of these moments can be potentially traumatic. How we respond to such experiences can dramatically impact our mindset and behavior. Consider, for example, the standard trauma responses. Most folks are familiar with fight, flight, and freeze. Unfortunately, the fawn response does not get enough ...

In a world where looks and appearance are often overemphasized — especially on social media, in advertising, and in pop culture — it’s easy to see why people might feel self-conscious about their appearance. But for some, these concerns go far beyond typical insecurities. Body dysmorphia, or body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), is a ...

Starting college is a major life transition. You’re probably feeling excited and hopeful about new opportunities. But it’s also normal to feel a fair amount of anxiety. Whether you’re leaving home for the first time, entering a new social environment, or facing academic pressure, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. Anxiety doesn’t mean you’re ...

Divorce rates have been on the rise, with first marriages falling somewhere between 40% and 50%. Yet the idea of divorce still tends to be a surprise factor and one of the most emotionally draining experiences. When you go through it, it can often feel like the rug is being pulled out from underneath ...

We know eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) mostly as a treatment for trauma and PTSD. But in recent years, EMDR has gained attention as a promising therapy for other mental health conditions, including depression. If you or someone you love is struggling with depression and searching for new paths to healing, you ...

We’ve reached a point where global and economic uncertainty is the new norm. Technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, changing the way we interact with the world. Social comparisons and pressures are relentless, causing somewhat unnecessary stress. Generation Z is in a unique position. This group of young adults consists of anyone ...

Even though emotions are a normal part of being a human, at times, they can feel overwhelming. Emotions like sadness, anxiety, anger, or even excitement can feel too intense at times. When you’re set up with the right tools for success, you can work towards regulating these emotions in real time, and it can ...

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in the world. Everyone experiences fear and worry from time to time, but anxious thoughts go far beyond that, and they can be both overwhelming and crippling. Unfortunately, anxiety is also often cyclical. The more you struggle with worrying thoughts, the worse they are likely to ...

We all encounter rough patches in life, moments when feeling down seems inevitable. Maybe it’s triggered by a challenging life event or a particularly bad day. However, major depressive disorder (MDD), or clinical depression, lingers far beyond any typical sadness. Unlike the fleeting nature of everyday blues, MDD is persistent, casting a shadow ...

Social skills are fundamental to a child’s overall development, enabling them to form healthy relationships, navigate complex social situations, express themselves effectively, and build confidence. These skills are not innate but are learned and refined through consistent practice and supportive interactions. As children grow, their social competencies evolve, impacting their success in school, ...

Have you ever felt like you don’t quite belong in a room full of people? Do you constantly feel like everyone is watching you and quietly judging your every move? You could be dealing with social anxiety. Social anxiety extends far beyond simple shyness. It is an anxiety disorder that is characterized by an ...

While medication is often a go-to for treating depression, exploring non-pharmacological approaches can be beneficial, particularly for mild to moderate depression. These methods serve as complementary strategies alongside medication for more severe cases. Always consult a healthcare professional before embarking on any treatment journey, as self-treating can be risky. Below are some widely recognized ...

Imagine your brain as a smoke detector. With OCD, that detector is hyper-sensitive, constantly buzzing with false alarms about perceived dangers. OCD acts as the fear network of the brain, sending out signals that something’s wrong and needs fixing right now. It’s like having an overzealous alarm system always on high alert for ...

Close to 50 million Americans over the age of 12 have struggled with some kind of substance abuse disorder in the past year. Attempting to calculate how many loved ones have also been impacted by this reality is virtually impossible. In other words, the odds are that you know someone dealing with addiction ...

Recently, we’ve been using the term neurodivergent more widely, and for good reason. As awareness around mental health and neurological differences grows, many people are beginning to wonder whether their unique ways of thinking, processing, and interacting with the world might actually be a form of neurodivergence. But what does that really mean? And ...

Setting boundaries in relationships is necessary for maintaining respect, trust, and emotional health. However, knowing how to set and enforce boundaries can be challenging. Group therapy is a great space to explore what healthy boundaries look like and how they play out in real time. The group setting allows participants to experience interpersonal ...

Medication is often recommended for people who are struggling with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. In fact, it’s one of the most common treatment options out there for ADHD. While it can be a powerful tool for managing ADHD, it’s not the only option out there. Not everyone can or wants to take ...

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a highly structured approach to treating trauma and other distressing life experiences. It works by helping the brain process “stuck” memories in a way similar to how the brain processes information during REM sleep. The therapy follows eight distinct phases, guiding the client through a ...

When your partner has ADHD, communication can sometimes feel like navigating a maze of misunderstandings and frustrations. While every relationship has its unique quirks, ADHD introduces specific challenges. People with ADHD may struggle with focus, time management, and impulse control. This can lead to forgotten anniversaries, interrupted conversations, or impulsive decisions that might ...

Even with summer in full swing, the start of a new school year is just around the corner. If you have a child heading to college for the first time, you’ve both undoubtedly already started to prepare. If they’re moving out for the first time to live in a dorm or apartment while ...

If you have a conflict with your romantic partner, friend, or family member, you might think it’s easier just to sweep things under the rug. No one likes conflict, and some people really don’t handle it well. So, ignoring it can sometimes feel like the right solution. It never is. In fact, trying to ignore ...

We’ve all said it: “I’m just tired.” It’s the go-to explanation for feeling off, wanting to withdraw from others, or like we’re not ourselves. Of course, sometimes it’s true. Life gets busy, and rest is the cure. But what if that tired feeling lingers? What if sleep doesn’t help, or the fatigue feels ...

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is not just a childhood issue. It often persists into adulthood, affecting work, relationships, and your mental health. Many adults with ADHD find it difficult to focus, stay organized, or manage time effectively. However, understanding ADHD and learning how to manage its symptoms can significantly improve quality of ...

Life is all about connection. As human beings, we crave connection and closeness with others. Whether you want to be a social butterfly with lots of friends or you would be more content with having a close inner circle, some kind of deep connection is important. Unfortunately, for those living with emotional disconnection, that ...

Ideally, every child would grow up with loving parents or caregivers. They would form secure, strong attachments with those parents and feel safe and provided for. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. Maybe your parents were abusive or neglectful. Maybe you experienced trauma as a child, or your parents couldn’t provide for your needs ...

It’s not uncommon for physical attributes to be the first thing we notice about someone. Whether you spot someone across a crowded room or you’re swiping on a dating app, we often “judge” by appearances first. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s a good thing to be physically attracted to your romantic partner. However, ...

Maybe you’ve lost a loved one recently. If your loss is fresh, it might feel like you’ll never be free of this heartache. Each day, you’re fighting just to keep your head above water. Part of you wishes you could feel better. But at the same time, fleeting moments of happiness are often ...

What comes to mind when you think of therapy? You may think of a person sitting on a chair or a couch, talking with a therapist. The therapist and client are working through various thoughts, emotions, and memories. But have you ever considered that healing can happen beyond talking on a couch—that it can ...

Sexuality can be confusing. Many people grow up hearing that wanting sex is normal and not wanting it means something is wrong. This is not always true. Asexuality is a real and valid orientation that more people are learning about today. Some think asexual means someone hates sex or cannot feel love. These ideas ...

To begin a discussion about attachment trauma, it’s essential to have a basic understanding of attachment theory. We learn how to form our attachments precisely when we are most dependent on others. These lessons can play a role in our lives well into adulthood when it comes to creating relationships, friendships, and any ...

There’s no denying that we’re living in a busy world. People are on the go more often, you might have a demanding work schedule, or even social obligations that take up a lot of your time. While there’s nothing wrong with being busy, it can sometimes take a toll on your relationship, especially if ...

Our culture praises perfectionism. It’s framed as ambition, drive, and a “strong work ethic.” But beneath the surface, it’s something much more complex and at times, quite damaging. Women are disproportionately affected by perfectionism, and it’s no coincidence. For many women, perfectionism stems from the fear of not being enough. Societal pressures, gender norms, ...

When you were younger, you might have believed there were monsters in your closet. Maybe now you sometimes feel like the real monster is you. Hiding parts of yourself in a dark, quiet space can sometimes feel safer than letting the world see you for who you really are. It could be your identity, ...

Anxiety can strike at any moment. Unfortunately, this often includes even the most inconvenient times and places, like when you’re commuting to and from work, involved in a meeting, or attending a social event. When anxiety kicks in, your heart rate quickens, your breathing gets a little more shallow, and your chest tightens. ...

It’s estimated that about a one-fourth of children who have ADHD also deal with anxiety. As a parent or caregiver, that statistic might alarm you. One condition is enough for a little one to have to deal with, but trying to help your child navigate anxiety and ADHD at once sounds overwhelming. Thankfully, it ...

While most people have heard of anxiety attacks, there are plenty of common misconceptions surrounding them. Until you have actually experienced one, you can’t fully understand how they impact your mind and body. Then again, experiencing one without really knowing what to “expect” can cause even more fear and uncertainty. Everything from extreme stress to ...

Growing up is an exciting time, but it doesn’t come without its challenges. Teenagers have to deal with many different internal and external changes that can cause added layers of stress and anxiety. They’re going through bodily changes like skin problems, height spurts, voice changes, hair growth, and more. They may even be changing ...

We’re living in a time of rapid technological advancements and shifting social and cultural norms. The face of these changes is Generation Z. For those born between 1997 and 2012, they’re experiencing the world unlike any generation before them. They have emerged as a highly influential group, commanding unprecedented changes. Gen Z has made it ...

Maybe you’ve always had trouble setting boundaries in relationships. You say “Yes” to everything, regardless of what you really want, and you stretch yourself thin trying to keep everyone else happy. You’re so accustomed to bending over backwards for the sake of other people that you don’t really know what you want out ...

Grief is something that almost all of us experience at some point in our lives. Although it’s a universal experience, navigating a loss and the grieving process isn’t easy for anyone. The thing about grief is that there isn’t a right or wrong way to do it. You can’t follow a guide with specific ...

Far from being an “adult brain in training,” the teenage brain boasts distinct characteristics. The prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making and impulse control, is still maturing. Meanwhile, the amygdala, which processes emotions, is highly active. These differences shape everything from behavior to decision-making and emotional responses. They help explain why teenagers often exhibit risk-taking, ...

Grief is one of the few things in life that is universally felt by everyone. Whenever we experience a significant loss, grief tends to follow. It comes in waves, feels like a roller coaster, follows no timeline, and encompasses a complex blend of emotions. For some people, a different level of grief starts long ...

High-conflict behaviour carries an intensity that does more than grab your attention; it can feel like a physical blow, whether figurative or literal. It manifests in various forms, such as fierce blame or a dramatic ultimatum, and is often accompanied by extreme emotions. Sometimes, it escalates to extreme behaviours: hiding possessions, spreading damaging ...

Many people understand that directly experiencing a traumatic event or situation can have a direct impact on their lives. But, what if you didn’t experience the event yourself but are still dealing with the repercussions? If that sounds familiar, you might be struggling with generational trauma. This occurs when trauma-related experiences are passed down ...

When you spend the majority of your time at your job, you want things to run smoothly. Your job is your livelihood. It’s how you provide for yourself, your loved ones, and pay for life’s necessities. No matter how much you love your job, when you have to deal with difficult coworkers, it can ...