What is Internal Family Systems therapy?

The idea that we all have many parts, or aspects, of ourselves may seem familiar to you. In fact, many of us naturally use the language of parts when we say something like “a part of me wants to…” or “one part…

Why is talk therapy not “fixing” my trauma?

You’ve talked about it. No matter how hard it was, you talked about it. You may have shared your story, for better or worse. You have described the incident, put words to the pain. Talking about it is hard and you’ve done…

Effects of Emotionally Abusive Relationships

When you think of abuse in relationships, what comes to mind? For many of us, the first thoughts that show up depict loud, violent, and aggressive words or actions.  Emotional abuse is often a quieter form of abuse that involves tactics such…

Weathering the Storm Together: When the Winter Blues Impact Relationships

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a specific type of depression that follows a pattern corresponding to the seasons. This form of depression usually emerges during fall and winter when daylight hours are shorter. Those affected might experience symptoms like a low mood,…

Catastrophic Thinking

”What’s the worst that can happen?” This is a question we probably all have heard at some point in our lives, and may have given a lot of thought to, or maybe not much at all. While evaluating the consequences of events…

Supporting Fathers: Navigating Postpartum Depression Together

Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a mental health condition that is most commonly talked about in association with new mothers, but it is important to recognize that fathers can also experience this condition. The period following the birth or adoption of a child…

Pain & Purpose

Pain is an inevitable and natural part of life.  No human being goes through life without experiencing loss, disappointment or other difficult emotions.  When we encounter painful circumstances and feelings, we think of them as something negative and want to get rid…

New Year, New Me?

Talking about New Year’s resolutions becomes quite a hot topic in the last few weeks of the year. After reflecting on the highs and lows of the past 365 days, it’s common to feel motivated by the blank slate of a new…

Surviving the Holiday

The weather is cooling down, the days are shorter, and the holidays are right around the corner.  Inevitably, the holiday season brings new challenges to my clients as they navigate family conflicts, scheduling issues, and financial stressors that always come with this…

How to do therapy. A therapist’s take on a client’s role in therapy

So, I’d like to start off by prefacing that what I’m presenting in this blog is from my own professional experience and what I have learned from other clinicians. It is likely slightly different for each therapist’s style and structure.  Well, it…

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