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Overstimulated and Kinda Annoyed: A Guide for Humans
What Does “Overstimulated” Even Mean? The word overstimulated has made its way into pop culture. I hear it from neurodivergent folks, stay-at-home moms, and teens who are annoyed at their parents. But what does it actually mean? And how do we get less stimulated? At its core, overstimulated means your nervous system is overloaded. Our brains are constantly sorting input—sights, sounds, smells, emotions, chemical dumps, perceived danger, and more. When the brain gets more input than it can handle, it can trigger anxiety, irritability, or overwhelm. Being overstimulated often feels like: Why Do We Get Overstimulated? 1. Some Brains Are More Sensitive Some of us are more sensitive to daily…
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ADHD in Children: Practical Tips Every Parent Should Know
Welcome to the wild, wonderful, and occasionally wacky world of parenting children with ADHD. If you’ve ever found your child attempting to construct a rocket ship out of cereal boxes at 7 a.m. or noticed they’ve become an expert at turning every household chore into an Olympic sport, you’re not alone. ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary, often with a dash of chaos and creativity. Real-Life Adventures in ADHD Does your child have an uncanny ability to forget where they put their backpack… while it’s still on their back? Or perhaps they’ve managed to lose a shoe somewhere between the car and the front door?…
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No More Broken Resolutions: Setting Goals That Actually Support Your Mental Health
The start of a new year often arrives wrapped in pressure. Everywhere we look, we’re told this is the moment to reinvent ourselves—to be more productive, more disciplined, more “together.” New Year’s resolutions sound inspiring in theory, but in practice, they often become rigid, all-or-nothing promises that quietly fade by February, leaving behind guilt and self-criticism. What if this year, we did something different? Let’s explore how to move away from broken resolutions and build intentional goals that truly support your mental health. New Year’s Resolutions vs Intentional Goals Instead of resolutions, consider setting intentional, mental-health-centered goals—goals that honor where you are, not just where you think you should be.…
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What Do I Tell My Kids About Santa? Tips for Tough Conversations
With Christmas right around the corner, I have found myself having this conversation with multiple clients recently. “How do I explain Santa to my literal child with Autism?” “I don’t want to lie to my child who has experienced trauma, but I also want to keep the magic of Christmas alive for them.” “My child is afraid of Santa, how do I navigate that in my house where other children still believe?” There are no hard rules when it comes to Christmas “magic,” and I encourage everyone to think about what is best for the children in their household, even if it doesn’t look like the Hallmark movies. Below are…
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Rediscovering Joy When the Holidays Feel Hard
Driving through town the other evening, I noticed the first wave of holiday lights making their appearance. Wreaths on doors. Inflatable snowmen staked proudly into front yards. And on one home, tall, wooden letters spelling out the word JOY lit up in bright white bulbs. It was beautiful. Cheerful. Festive. And yet, as I kept driving, something inside me sank a little. Because earlier that same day, in conversations I had and stories I heard, like so many of us do in the mental health field, the theme was heavy. Someone grieving their first holiday without a loved one. A parent facing financial strain that makes gift-giving stressful. People navigating…
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Peace Over Perfect: A Different Way to Do the Holidays
The holidays are, for many, “the most wonderful time of the year,” but for many people, they are also the most stressful. Money worries, family tension, crowded schedules, and high expectations can all pile up. If you feel anxious, overwhelmed, or even a little numb during the holidays, you are not alone—and it does not mean something is wrong with you. Here are some simple, realistic ways to manage stress and find a little more peace during the holidays. 5 Ways to Bring More Peace Into Your Holidays This Year 1. Lower the Bar A lot of holiday stress comes from trying to make everything “perfect.” Perfect gifts, perfect house,…
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The Art of Pondering: How Slowing Down Helps You Find Clarity
Last week, I had the honor of joining a group of leaders from across Louisiana at the Edward Lowe Foundation headquarters. The experience reminded me of something we often overlook in our busy lives — the power of slowing down. It was one of those rare opportunities that pulled me out of my usual routine and gave me the space to pause, breathe, and reflect on what really matters. If you’re not familiar with Ed Lowe, he was the creator of one of the first-ever kitty litters, now known as Tidy Cat. But what I love most about his story is that his vision extended far beyond a product. He…
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Don’t Wait Until It’s Broken: Why Early Couples Therapy Makes All the Difference
When couples first start to feel distance or frustration in their relationship, it’s easy to hope things will just get better on their own. Maybe you tell yourself, “It’s just a rough patch,” or “We’ll talk about it later.” But what often happens is that “later” becomes months or even years, and by that time, small problems have turned into deep wounds. Couples therapy is most effective when you seek it early—before resentment builds up and communication shuts down. Just like going to a doctor at the first sign of pain, early intervention in a relationship can prevent much bigger problems down the road. The Myth of “We Don’t Need…
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️Holding Compassion When the World Feels Divided: A Therapist’s Reflection
When the world feels divided, it takes real courage to stay compassionate. Every day, we’re surrounded by headlines, opinions, and social media posts that pull us toward sides, slogans, or silence. Beneath all the noise, many people simply want to stay human — to still care, even when caring feels complicated, confusing, or hurtful. From a therapeutic posture, I see this tension often. Clients come in carrying grief, frustration, or pain about the world around them. As therapists, we hold space for that pain while gently reminding each person that compassion doesn’t mean weakness or conformity — it means staying grounded in our shared humanity. Compassion and Accountability Can Coexist …
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Parenting Teens in Today’s World: How to Build Trust & Connection
Raising a teenager is tricky. Today’s parents face new challenges. Teenagers experience more stress than ever. Social media, academic pressure, and global uncertainty add to this tension. Supporting their mental health is now a key responsibility of modern parenting. The good news is that parents can make a real difference. Staying connected and creating safe spaces for conversation can help teens. Modeling healthy behaviors also supports their growth during this important time. Let’s explore some key parenting tips to support teens as they navigate today’s world. Understanding the Teen Landscape Teenagers today grow up in a very different world from their parents. Seeing these challenges helps your teen feel understood.…
