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Easing Back-to-School Anxiety: 5 Tips for Parents and Caregivers
It’s that time of year again—new backpacks, sharpened pencils, and the familiar shift from the slower pace of summer back into the routine of school. For some kids, this transition is exciting. For others, it can stir up a wave of anxiety that shows up in big feelings, resistance, or physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches. Back-to-school anxiety is incredibly common. Change, even positive change, can feel overwhelming to a child’s developing brain. New teachers, unfamiliar classrooms, shifting schedules, and social dynamics all combine to create uncertainty. And uncertainty is where anxiety likes to hang out. So, how can we as parents and caregivers support children through this season? 5…
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Unpacking Your Core Beliefs: What ‘Inside Out’ Can Teach You
One of the most important things to consider when addressing mental health challenges is focusing on what’s within your control—namely, you. You may not be able to control how your parents, siblings, or others behave in your relationships, but you can take steps to better understand yourself and your thought patterns. A great place to start is by exploring your core beliefs—the ideas you hold about yourself, others, and the world. Inside Riley’s Mind: How Childhood Experiences Shape Our Core Beliefs If you’ve ever seen the movie Inside Out (and if you haven’t, you should!), you might remember the main character, Riley, and her collection of core memories—glowing glass orbs…
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The Beautiful Complexity of Being Human: A Therapist Reflection
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it really means to be human. It’s such a unique experience—messy, meaningful, and sometimes mystifying. We each start our journey at birth, thrust into a world we didn’t choose, and then spend the rest of our lives trying to figure it out. Along the way, we learn, grow, struggle, celebrate, and keep evolving. But have you ever paused to ask yourself: Who am I really? Not the roles you play or the titles you hold—but the real you, beneath it all. Being human means living in that question, constantly discovering pieces of yourself as life unfolds. In the spirit of reflection, I…
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Navigating Caregiver Burnout with Compassion and Strength
Being a caregiver is often described as a labor of love, but it’s also one of the most emotionally, physically, and mentally exhausting roles a person can take on—an invisible weight that can quietly lead to burnout. Whether you’re caring for an elderly parent, a child with special needs, or a spouse with chronic illness, the responsibility can feel never-ending. Add in a full-time job, raising children, or managing a household, and it’s no wonder so many caregivers find themselves overwhelmed, exhausted, and sometimes hopeless. If you’re reading this and thinking, “That’s me”, know that you’re not alone—and what you’re feeling is valid. The Unseen Challenges of Caregiving Caregiving often…
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Parenting with Pride: Navigating Your Teen’s Journey with Love & Understanding
Parenting a teenager is a journey full of growth—for them and for you. When your teen begins exploring or questioning their sexuality or gender identity, it can bring both beautiful moments and complex emotions. Whether you fully embrace your teen’s identity, or find yourself struggling to understand it, remember this: your love and support can be life-saving. So, let’s explore helpful tips and resources to support you in walking alongside your teen—and parenting with Pride. The Risks Are Real — But So Is the Power of Support According to The Trevor Project’s 2023 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, 41% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the…
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“I Cried Today”: A Therapist’s Reflection on Singleness
Today, as I sat at my kitchen table catching up on some work, the sound of children’s playful laughter drifted into my home, and bubbles from my neighbor’s backyard floated gently into mine. It was a delight to see the kids out enjoying their school break, without a care in the world. — And then, I cried. Because in that moment, I was reminded of what I don’t have. There’s no giggles filling my home. No one to share meals with or to tell about my day. There’s just me and the silence. As a therapist, I often sit with people in their pain, helping them process it without shame…
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Supporting Teen Girls with Level 1 Autism in a Challenging World
In a world that often expects conformity, teen girls with Level 1 Autism are navigating a uniquely complex path—one filled with hidden challenges, unspoken anxiety, and the pressure to “fit in” at the expense of their well-being. While many may appear to be coping or even thriving externally, the truth is that these girls are often masking their struggles to avoid standing out. Underneath this mask, many are battling social exhaustion, sensory overload, emotional dysregulation, and intense anxiety that can quietly derail their mental health. The Silent Struggles of Teen Girls with Level 1 Autism Level 1 Autism—sometimes referred to as “high-functioning autism”—includes individuals who do not need substantial support…
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Life Transitions: 5 Ways to Rediscover Yourself in Times of Change
I’ll never forget the moment I transitioned into a new role in my career in 2018. For so long, I had been responsible for others—leading a team, guiding a program, carrying the weight of decisions and outcomes. And then, one day, I found myself in a position where my responsibility was only to myself and the people I served. It was a shift I didn’t fully anticipate. At first, it felt like a loss—an identity I had built for so long was no longer there. I had spent almost 5 years shaping the direction of others, and now, I had more time to breathe, more space to think. It felt…
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What Is the Connection Between Sleep and Mental Health?
In our pursuit of mental wellness, we often prioritize therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes, yet we frequently overlook a cornerstone of mental health: sleep. Insufficient or poor-quality sleep can have profound effects on our psychological well-being, impacting mood, cognitive performance, and overall mental health. Understanding the importance of sleep and recognizing lesser-known sleep disorders can pave the way to a healthier mind. The Importance of Sleep According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults require 7-9 hours of sleep per night to function optimally. Lack of sleep can lead to anxiety, irritability, and a decreased ability to manage stress. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation can exacerbate conditions such as depression…
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How to Find Yourself: 3 Ways to Reclaim What Makes You Happy
There are lots of reasons why we may have lost ourselves: grief, trauma, parenthood, co-dependency, etc. This is why some of the most common goals I hear from my clients are “I want to find myself again,” “I want to figure out who I am,” and “I want to find what makes me happy.” It’s such an uneasy feeling not to feel connected to who you are, so let’s talk about ways to re-establish that connection. 3 Ways to Help You Find Yourself Again 1. Time Alone It can be difficult to hear our own inner voice when there is so much stimulus happening around us. Take time to be…
