Blog
When Holidays Don’t Feel Safe: Healing After Family-Based Trauma
For many, the holidays are painted as a time of warmth, connection, and homecoming. But for those who experienced trauma or distressing events within their family; this season can stir up something very different. The idea of “going home” can feel like stepping back...
The Bermuda Triangle: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years
In 12-step programs there is a lot of talk this time of year about the “Bermuda Triangle”- Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. The Bermuda Triangle, also known as the Devil’s Triangle, holds a mystical legend of people getting lost and disappearing. The triad of...
The Price of Being Good vs. The Freedom of Being Whole
So many of us have been taught—quietly, subtly, and sometimes outright, that the highest compliment we can earn is to be good. Good daughter. Good partner. Good employee. Good mother. Good = quiet, easy, accommodating, likable. Elise Loehnen, in her powerful book “On...
How to Talk to Your Teen About Therapy (Without Pushing Them Away)
As a therapist who works closely with teens and families, one of the most common questions I hear from parents is: “How do I talk to my teen about therapy without making them shut down or get defensive?” It’s a tough spot to be in. You see your child struggling,...
When Slip-Ups Happen in OCD Recovery: Why They’re Not the End of the Road
If you’re in the process of healing from OCD, you’re already doing incredibly hard and brave work. Facing fears, resisting compulsions, and sitting with discomfort day after day is no small task and it deserves to be honored. But before we talk about what happens...
The Invisible Load: Mental Health & Motherhood
Motherhood is often celebrated in visible ways—birthday parties, milestone moments, back-to-school photos. But behind the smiles and schedules lies something much harder to see: the mental and emotional labor that many mothers carry daily. This invisible load includes...
Understanding the Impact of Anxiety on Teens: A Guide for Parents and Educators
Today’s teens face a complex world filled with academic, social, and personal pressures, making anxiety one of the most common mental health challenges they encounter. As an adult who has been out of high school for over a decade, I can confidently say that the...
Handling Family Conflict with Confidence: EMDR in Action
By Emma Allocco Family relationships can be complicated, especially when they involve challenging or unsafe dynamics. Whether it's an overly critical parent, a manipulative sibling, or a relative who constantly pushes boundaries, these interactions can trigger intense...
Time Does NOT Heal All Wounds
We’ve all heard the saying, “Time heals all wounds,” and we want to believe it. Move on. Let the past be the past. But if that were true, why do so many people feel stuck, weighed down by emotional pain or reactivity long after a difficult event? Our brains are...
The 4th F: fawning
Like the name Oprah, most households know who “fight/flight/freeze” is even if they struggle to recognize it in themselves. Fight/Flight/Freeze is, of course, the well known physiological response to anything we perceive as threatening to our existence. Animals of all...
EMDR Therapy: More Than Talk Therapy, Healing Beyond Words
In our fast-paced, ever-evolving world, the effects of trauma and stress often echo in our minds long after the event. Unresolved distressing experiences can lead to symptoms that may disrupt daily life, relationships, and our sense of well-being. If you or someone...