Blog
OCD is not just the need to be tidy or clean, worrying about germs or needing to do something the same amount of times, every time. For many people with OCD, their bodies and brains feel like a war zone. Like they can never escape from the worst parts of them and are terrified of people finding out who they really are.
In reality, these thoughts and feelings are not defining characteristics of the individual - they are OCD.
All families have their quirks, but sometimes those quirks run deeper than awkward traditions or embarrassing stories.
Many of us grow up in homes where emotional immaturity plays a role, shaping how we handle emotions, relationships, and even our sense of self. These effects aren’t always obvious to see as they tend to be subtle and ingrained in everyday interactions, all while leaving a lasting imprint.
Music isn’t just about your tastes; it’s about who you really are under the surface. What if the songs you hold close are not just reflections of your tastes but windows into your identity, values, and even your hidden desires?
The record pull works because it engages our memories, emotions, and identities all at once. It doesn’t just tell us what to think; it makes us feel. We’re not passive listeners; we’re participants in a dialogue, using music to explore our inner landscapes and those of others.
Perimenopause is one of life’s most profound transitions, yet it often arrives unannounced, leaving us to make sense of the changes it brings on our own. Between the hot flashes, mood swings, and shifts in identity, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
But here’s the truth: perimenopause is not only physical symptoms; it is an emotional journey that deserves attention, care, and support.
Creativity is a fundamental aspect of our human experience. There is no healing without imagination. Imagination and creativity are not only essential elements to birthing our goals, but they are necessary for humans to be able to express themselves in the world. Unfortunately, when we have experienced wounding events, we may internalize the message that creativity and expression are to be suppressed. In fact, for some people, creative practices may feel quite scary and unobtainable. In this article we are going to focus on the benefits of creativity, the obstacles to expression, and the small creative moments one can engage with to enhance their overall well-being.
While the number of trans youth who are able to come out has recently skyrocketed, the care and support has not. In this Letter to Trans Kids, our queer affirming therapist Mac Wilson explains how to identify your innate colors and shapes, find somewhere to lean as you grow, and learn how to blossom in front of others.
Our therapist who specializes in queer identity issues has seen first-hand how powerful a parent’s response can be when a transgender child comes out. They’ve composed steps that you can take as a parent to support and guide your child, while encouraging their autonomy and self-actualization. You love your child, and you want the best for your child; you can make that happen together.
Grief is an inevitable part of the human experience, but it's often misunderstood and surrounded by myths that can hinder the healing process. It’s natural to crave a concrete guide to navigate the tremendous impact of loss, but this is where the perpetuation of myth often begins. While understanding “stages and strategies” can be helpful, I invite you to consider that hidden in the pain of grief, inside your own body and knowing, is a beautifully unique pathway to healing and personal growth.
Self-compassion helps us to move toward self-regulation and healing. Self-compassion has been documented in hundreds of studies as a practice that can build resilience and combat depression, anxiety, stress, and shame. Self-compassion differentiates from self-esteem in that it is not a type of self-judgment, as in, “I just got a promotion at work–I am so amazing!” It is a way of treating ourselves with loving kindness and acceptance in light of the organic ups and downs of everyday life. Whereas self-esteem is dependent on how we perform in the world and whether or not we judge that performance to be acceptable, self-compassion enhances our ability to fully accept ourselves and treat ourselves with kindness and respect in all types of weather.
Depression is complex, and for some it is an ongoing mental health condition that affects individuals regardless of gender. However, it is increasingly recognized that depression can manifest differently in men compared to other genders. Let’s explore the ways in which depression shows up in men and the challenges associated with identifying and addressing it.
The confusing experience of being loved and feeling invisible at the same time has a long-term impact on a person’s fundamental belief about themselves in the world. This might look like low self-esteem, struggles with self-worth, or a sense of incompleteness. We all need to be deeply known. Attunement goes beyond empathy, creating a reciprocal, unbroken, resonant connectedness. Attunement is the act of listening, deeper than a simple dialectic or exchange of words or ideas. Just like listening to music, it is deep hearing, holding, and feeling into another’s experience with our entire being.
Understanding how your attachment style affects your intimate relationships can help you understand your own behavior, how you react and respond to intimacy, as well as your partner’s attachment style. Let’s explore anxious attachment: how it is formed, how it shows up in your life, and how to heal.
