As a therapist that works primarily with children and youth, I am often asked by caregivers if their children “talked” to me about their problems during our sessions. While I will always welcome any conversation a client wants to have, talking is actually totally unnecessary for a child to work through their thoughts, feelings, and experiences! Play is actually the language of children and far more effective than talk therapy most of the time. While it may look like we are “j

It’s not uncommon for someone to walk into therapy wondering: Is this ADHD... or is this trauma? The truth? Sometimes it’s one. Sometimes it’s both. And sometimes trauma can look so much like ADHD that it’s easy to confuse the two. Understanding the overlap matters — because treatment looks different depending on the root cause. What Is ADHD? Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that typically begins in childhood. It affects execut

Becoming a parent is supposed to be one of the most joyful, fulfilling experiences in life, right? For many people, it is, but it can also be disorienting, exhausting, and emotionally overwhelming. Both experiences can be true at the same time. Many postpartum parents feel pressure to present as happy or “put together.” There is also pressure around bonding and the expected positive emotions. When this doesn’t match your lived experience, this can easily lead to masking. Mask

Sometimes life feels like all too much. Trying to balance aspects of wellness in addition to following through on our necessary responsibilities can leave people feeling spread too thin. For many, this can result in the body and mind “shutting down”. Things don’t feel enjoyable anymore, it’s difficult to get out of bed, and tasks start to feel even more daunting as they continue to build up while motivation becomes more scarce. In this article, we will review practical strate

When winter rolls around, it’s not unusual to feel a little more sluggish or down than usual. The winter blues  is a term people often use to describe the mild mood changes that can pop up when daylight hours shrink and colder weather keeps us indoors more often. You might notice feeling less energized, less motivated, or just not quite yourself. For many people, this shift has a lot to do with reduced sunlight, holiday stress, or the emotional weight that winter can bring. T

After the business of the holiday season, we can experience significant stress when facing the demands of daily life. Increased stress leads to negative health changes, such as increased heart rates, blood pressure, and cortisol levels, and affects the quality of our sleep (Chung et al., 2019). This can leave us feeling exhausted, immobilized, and stressed. The buildup of stress over time can become toxic, and lead to poorer immune system function and numerous negative mental

Resolutions and a new year go hand in hand. “New beginnings,” “fresh starts,” and “new year, new you” frequently find their way into commercials, promotional materials, and our collective mindset as we consider a more ideal life. To a certain extent, this approach can be helpful. We identify a goal and have a start date. And yet, the messaging feels laced with the idea that the current  you must be discarded for the better  you. “Out with the old, in with the new!” Why “New

It seems almost everywhere you look, pets have invaded our lives: we see places you can take your pets, advertisements for putting your pet’s face on custom merchandise, or read about the magic of animal-assisted therapy. Is this just a trendy fad, or is there more to the captivating nature of the human-animal bond? There are numerous benefits to pet ownership that can support our health (including both our mental and physical health). Humans benefit in various ways from bein

It’s more common than people know - person-to-person violence or relational trauma. Many people avoid discussing violence because it either feels too heavy, too heady, or too dark. But when we turn to our inner bravery, we can transform the trauma of violence into many things that benefit ourselves and others; you may be able to help yourself and others identify the problem and heal. The healing process for trauma like this takes a lot of learning, and feeling, and confrontin

Grief is one of the most powerful emotional experiences we can go through. It affects not just our hearts, but our minds — disrupting sleep, concentration, decision-making, and even memory. When someone we care about is grieving, it’s natural to want to help, but often our instinctive responses, though well-intentioned, can unintentionally deepen their pain or isolation. Here ’s what not to say or do when supporting someone who’s grieving — and how to offer real, trauma-info

Have you ever felt stuck trying to find a hobby as an adult? You’re not alone. Many of us struggle to discover activities that bring us joy and fulfillment outside of work and daily responsibilities. But why is it so hard? The good news—it doesn’t have to be. If you’re feeling lost in the search for a hobby, consider this: What would your inner child love to do? It might sound silly at first, but revisiting the activities that once brought you joy can spark a deep sense of re

Conflict is a part of life. Whether it is a disagreement at work, tension with a friend, or a recurring issue with a partner, the...

And why shouldn’t it be? Life can feel overwhelming. The demands of work, family, health, and the internal battles we fight—it’s no...

Yoga, an ancient practice originating in Indian philosophy, has long been celebrated for its profound impact on the body and mind. While...

In part one of this series, we took a look at the ADHD brain, dismantled some of the stigma around it, and talked about some resources...

You push your mental shopping cart down the Someday Aisle of your brain where every shelf gleams with promises: Someday I’ll have a...

Have you ever walked into a room and felt like you could truly be yourself? That’s the magic of an affirming space. These environments go...

As a Clinician working predominantly with clients on the neurodivergent spectrum, I often get asked why it seems like the rate of autism...

You’re having that argument again. Maybe it’s about the dishes, how much time you spend on your phone, or who forgot to text back. But if...

"No pride for some of us without liberation for all of us." - Marsha P. Johnson Pride Month is a time of celebration for the LGBTQIA+...