If you’re on TikTok or Instagram reels, there’s a good chance you’ve come across ‘MentalHealthTok’ and seen a video or two talking about the magic of EMDR therapy. With new research comes new therapeutic approaches and interventions, and while EMDR isn’t necessarily a new approach it is definitely becoming more popularly requested. However, despite popularizing EMDR, TikTok can also portray a variety of ‘sus’ misconceptions about therapy. So what is EMDR? Let’s spill the tea.
According to Google, resiliency is defined as a person being able to withstand shock, recover quickly from adversity, or returning to an original shape after being ‘bent,’ or ‘stretched’. Another easier way I like to look at the word is being able to “bounce back”. Now, you might wonder what are some things that can test our resiliency – the things is, everyone has a different capacity to resilience. Some examples you may have attempted to overcome through resiliency include experiencing grief or loss, struggling with anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem, moving across the country, facing a job loss, chronic illness or injury, financial instability (and the list can go on).
Therapy is a wonderful tool to help you cope with various stressors in your life, find solutions that are tailor-made for your unique personality, background, and current situation,. It provides emotional support and a safe space to process your thoughts and feelings without fear of judgement. Sometimes people may not be aware that they could benefit from therapy. They might think that therapy is only for people with deep, profound trauma, severe mental health issues, or addictions that have spiraled out of control. However, there are many common issues that everyone has experienced that would be beneficial to address in a therapeutic space.
Attachment theory is credited to John Bowlby, a researcher interested in the relationship and bonds between people, especially long-term relationships between parents and children and romantic partners. Before his research, behaviorists believed that attachment was a learned behavior based on our physical needs for food as babies who could not feed ourselves. Bowlby’s work demonstrated that attachment is an innate and primary motivating force for survival itself. Comfort and care were important driving factors to creating an attachment bond. He theorized that early bonds influenced future relationship patterns based on the internal working models developed about self and others. Positive attachment involves an inner working model that views self as loveable and competent and others as dependable and trustworthy. Throughout our lives, seeking and maintaining contact with others is essential for our survival and overall well-being.
The question comes up often: “What do I do if I feel my relationship can benefit from couple’s counseling but my partner refuses to go?” What a difficult position to be in when one person strongly sees how couple’s counseling can help, while the other refuses to entertain the idea.
Anger is a natural emotion Anger is a natural emotion, but it’s rarely the first one we feel. Typically it’s secondary. Most of the time, it’s a reaction to something deeper — often hurt, fear, or feeling threatened in some way. We may feel anger when we feel rejected, misunderstood, threatened, overwhelmed, or disappointed. In those moments, anger can feel easier to express than vulnerability. Continue reading “Understanding Anger: What’s Beneath It?”
Normalizing autism in therapy starts with a shift in perspective: autism is not a problem to be fixed, but a neurodevelopmental difference to be understood and supported. When therapists frame autism as a valid way of experiencing the world, clients are more likely to feel safe, respected, and open. This approach moves therapy away from
The first 90 days of sobriety are the most fragile, and potentially the most transformative, phase of recovery from alcohol or other substances. This period demands a structured, multi-dimensional approach that addresses physical withdrawal, emotional volatility, environmental triggers, social reconstruction, and long-term planning. The following article details evidence-based protocols you can apply from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and peer-reviewed outcome studies into five key sections:
Preparation & Detox, Weeks 1–4: Stabilization, Weeks 5–8: Habit Re-Engineering, Weeks 9–12: Identity Integration, and Conclusion with Actionable Takeaways.
Winter break often disrupts daily routines that help regulate mood, sleep, and stress, making it a high-risk period for increased anxiety, depressive symptoms, and emotional dysregulation. Reduced daylight, irregular sleep schedules, social isolation, and increased family or financial pressures can all contribute to worsening mental health. Individuals with pre-existing mood, anxiety, or trauma-related disorders may be particularly vulnerable during this time.
Maintaining structure is one of the most effective protective strategies. Consistent sleep and wake times, scheduled physical activity, and regular meals help stabilize the nervous system and circadian rhythm. Daily exposure to natural light, even on overcast days, supports serotonin regulation and reduces seasonal affective symptoms. Limiting alcohol use and keeping screen time boundaries are also clinically supported interventions for mood stability.
Finally, proactive emotional care is essential. This includes continuing therapy when possible, using evidence-based coping skills such as behavioral activation, diaphragmatic breathing, and cognitive reframing, and maintaining intentional social connection. Individuals should seek professional support if they experience persistent low mood, panic symptoms, suicidal ideation, or functional decline. Early intervention during the winter break can significantly reduce symptom severity and improve overall psychological resilience.
The holidays are approaching once again. This can mean a variety of things to people. Some people may feel excitement and joy at the thought celebrating and spending time with family members. They may love the idea of decorating their homes, watching those holiday movie classics, and baking holiday treats.
Others might feel anxiousness, stress, or loneliness; especially if they either have no family to celebrate with or find that their family members cause them stress. They may find it overwhelming going from home to home, and spending money on gifts. If you find yourself in the second group, just know that you are not alone. It is not uncommon for people to seek counseling during the holidays to process some of these thoughts and feelings. To help navigate the season, here are 6 tips to consider.
