Articles

But What If It All Goes Right?: The Power of Imagination

June 17, 2021

anxiety counseling, anxiety therapy, coping patterns, depression, depression therapy, gender identity, self-image, sexuality, trauma, trauma therapy

When was the last time you thought about your imagination? If you’re anything like me, it may have been while playing pretend with your kids, or maybe laughing at the wild things they come up with while in imaginative play. The importance of imagination on a child’s development cannot be overemphasized. Children seem to have to play – it’s not a conscious decision they make,…

What Comes Next?: Finding Clarity in an Uncertain Time

May 15, 2021

I can’t count how many times I’ve read and heard the word “unprecedented” over the past fourteen months. The pandemic disrupted our routines, our jobs, the way we move about in the world, and for some, it may have disrupted our self-identities. Many of us may still be experiencing these disruptions, and feeling their after-effects. As the pandemic recedes, we may be wondering how to…

How Can I Make The World A Better Place?: Exploring the Power of Self-Reflection

April 15, 2021

Growing up, many of us were taught that we can, and should, try to make the world a better place. I remember after-school programs that cheered us on to dream big things and to change the world. I myself became a therapist because I desired to help others; that was how I thought I would change the world. However, while the world is often a…

Am I Growing or Staying the Same?: Embracing the Incremental Nature of Change

March 18, 2021

Unlike other cities, in Los Angeles, the transition between winter and spring is not drastic. All the seasons seem to stop and start a few times. Right now, we’ve had a few days of rain, followed by weeks of full sun, then back again, at seemingly random intervals. And while the tree in my yard has new leaves that are starting to sprout, there are…

Am I Codependent If I Enjoy Having My Needs Met & Meeting The Needs of Others?: Interdependence 101

February 17, 2021

communication challenges, coping patterns, family dynamics, relationship challenges, social support

What does it mean to “need” others (and to be needed in return) the exact right amount? Even though I’m a therapist myself, I’ve struggled with this in my own relationships. When I was younger, I sometimes relied on my romantic relationships for validation and sense of self, and was often crushed when I didn’t feel supported enough. Now, I’m in a different place: I’m…

Can I Move Towards My Goals While Resisting Perfectionism?: Getting Past the Inner Critic

January 16, 2021

anxiety therapy, coping patterns, depression therapy, relationship challenges, trauma therapy, work stress

This past fall, we moved some things around in our previously neglected backyard. We thought having a dedicated play space would help our kids, as well as afford us more breathing room during the pandemic. I began starting evenings with vision boards, shopping lists, and poring over Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace for deals. I wanted to make sure anything we bought fit the greater “vision.”…

How Do We Keep Going In Hard Times?: Recognizing Our Own Resilience May Help

December 16, 2020

coping patterns, depression, relationship challenges, social support

Our resilience increases as we recognize the magnitude of what we have already accomplished. -Patricia O’Gorman Do you remember last December? I do, but it feels like a million years away. This has been a year of many adjustments. Only a week ago, I felt like I was staring down the barrel of another lockdown. Today, I’m still reeling, but feel a glimmer of optimism…

How Can I Get Along With My Family This Holiday Season? Start With Acceptance

November 25, 2020

anxiety therapy, communication challenges, family dynamics, trauma

With the holidays right around the corner, and with the pandemic prompting us to recommit to social distancing, family has been on my mind a lot recently. And if your family is anything like mine, the polarization and stress of this year is making our relationships feel even more intense than usual. Everything feels heightened. It makes me think about the human proclivity towards black-and-white…

Do I Need To Go To Therapy Every Week?: 5 Reasons Why We Recommend Weekly Therapy

October 24, 2020

anxiety therapy, communication challenges, depression therapy, family dynamics, social support, trauma

My last session with a therapist was months ago. It wasn’t supposed to be months ago— at the end of our last session, I told him my schedule was tight the following week and he said, “Well, give me a call when you want to schedule something.” Even though I’m a therapist myself and I know the positive impact therapy has on my anxiety and…

Do You Worry That You’re A Burden?: 5 Tips for Learning How to Accept Help

September 18, 2020

communication challenges, family dynamics, relationship challenges, social support, work stress

“I don’t want to bother anybody.” “I don’t want to be a burden.” “I should be able to do it myself.” We are currently experiencing many layers of loss and overwhelm. For most of us, it’s a loss of normalcy in general: we don’t have the activities or the routines we’re used to. We may be feeling stretched by new work demands and remote school…

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