For as long as you can remember, you’ve handled things on your own. You take care of yourself, your responsibilities, and maybe even the people around you. You don’t ask for help—not because you don’t need it, but because it doesn’t even feel like an option. Relying on others? That’s never really been part of the plan.

If you’ve heard about EMDR therapy, you probably know it’s different from traditional talk therapy. Maybe you’ve seen people on social media share their experiences, or a therapist recommended it to help with trauma, anxiety, or even self-doubt that won’t seem to go away.

Trauma is often thought of as a single, life-altering event — an accident, a natural disaster, or an assault. But trauma isn’t always a single moment in time. Complex trauma is different. It doesn’t come from one isolated incident but rather from prolonged, repeated experiences of harm, neglect, or instability. It shapes how we see ourselves, others, and the world.

Have you ever felt that the emotional effort you put into your work or relationships weighs you down, even if you don’t always recognize it as work at all? I’ve been there, and I want to share some thoughts on what researchers call emotional labor and how we might gently manage it in our everyday lives.

Boundaries are essential for healthy relationships, right? They help us protect our energy, communicate our needs, and build mutual respect. But what happens when the boundaries we set aren’t actually about protecting ourselves but about controlling others? It’s a tricky line to walk, but it’s an important one to explore.

If you’ve ever been told to “just breathe” during a wave of anxiety, you know it’s not always comforting. You’re overwhelmed, your heart is racing, and your mind is in overdrive. Being told to focus on your breathing can feel like someone trying to fix a broken dam with a single piece of tape.

Feeling lonely in your 30s? It’s more common than you might think. It can be tough when you’re supposed to be “adulting” and have everything figured out, yet social connections seem to get harder to maintain. Life gets busy, priorities shift, and suddenly, you’re left wondering where your friends went or why you can’t seem to make new ones. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. There are ways to build real connections, even in this busy phase of life.

We see it everywhere—movies, TV shows, music, even Instagram. Depression has become a topic we’re finally talking about, which is a good thing. But sometimes, the way it’s shown in media makes me pause. Is it helping people understand what depression is really like, or is it making it look… almost desirable?

There’s a unique kind of heaviness that comes with questioning the purpose of life. For many, this feeling can lead to frustration, despair, or a deep sense of being stuck. You might find yourself asking: Why am I here? What’s the point of any of this?

Anxiety and depression are two of the most prevalent mental health challenges people face today. Despite being distinct conditions, they are often linked, with one frequently contributing to the development or worsening of the other. It’s not uncommon for individuals to experience both anxiety and depression simultaneously, and understanding why this happens can be the key to effective treatment and long-term recovery.

Imposter syndrome is a common experience, particularly among high-achieving men in professional environments. It’s the feeling that despite evidence of success, you’re somehow not deserving of your accomplishments, and that you’ll be “found out” as a fraud. If you’re a man who has ever wrestled with these feelings, you’re not alone—imposter syndrome can affect even the most accomplished individuals. The good news is that there are ways to manage and overcome these feelings, empowering you to thrive both professionally and personally.

When people think of therapy, they often envision traditional talk therapy, where they discuss their thoughts and feelings with a therapist to work through challenges. While this approach can be incredibly effective, it’s not the only path to healing. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy offers a different, research-backed approach to addressing emotional pain, especially for those struggling with trauma, anxiety, and other distressing experiences.

Gift-giving is often seen as a central part of the holiday season—a way to express love, appreciation, and thoughtfulness. But while giving and receiving gifts can bring joy, it can also carry emotional weight that often goes unnoticed. From financial stress to the pressure of finding the “perfect” gift, the act of giving can sometimes feel more like a burden than a blessing.

When we think about emotional healing, we often focus on addressing specific symptoms or behaviors—like reducing anxiety, overcoming self-doubt, or learning to cope with grief. While these efforts are crucial, they can sometimes feel like putting a bandage over a deeper wound. That’s where Internal Family Systems (IFS) comes in, offering a transformative approach to healing by addressing the underlying dynamics of our inner world.

Have you ever found yourself pulling away when a relationship gets too close or feeling uneasy with emotional intimacy? Maybe others have described you as “hard to get close to” or “distant.” If so, you might relate to avoidant attachment—a relational style rooted in self-protection and emotional distance.

Have you ever found yourself sabotaging something you care deeply about? Maybe you procrastinate on an important project, shy away from a promising opportunity, or push people away when relationships get too close. On the surface, this behavior seems baffling—why would we stand in the way of our own happiness or success?

Entering your mid-20s often brings a moment of reckoning, a point where the dreams you once held meet the complexities of real life. For many of us, this phase is colored by a sense of disillusionment as we confront the gap between our expectations and the world as it actually is. If you’re feeling disappointed, lost, or even disoriented, know that you’re not alone—this is a common and shared experience that’s simply part of growing up.

For decades, the “five stages of grief” model, developed by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, has shaped our understanding of loss. While this framework (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) offered a way to make sense of grief, recent research and personal experiences have shown that grief is much more complex than a predictable, step-by-step cycle. In reality, grief is as unique as the individual experiencing it, and it doesn’t follow a linear path.

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions worldwide, yet it’s often misunderstood. The myths surrounding depression not only contribute to stigma but also prevent people from seeking the support they need. In this post, we’ll break down some of the most common misconceptions about depression, offering clarity on what it really means to live with this condition.

Many of us carry the echoes of our past, often unaware of how deeply our childhood experiences shape our present lives. Inner child work in therapy invites us to reconnect with the younger parts of ourselves that still carry emotional wounds, unmet needs, and unexpressed feelings. But what does it really mean to meet your inner child? And how can this process bring healing and transformation?