AI Therapy: Risks, Benefits and How to Choose an AI Therapist Wisely
“Is AI therapy safe and can AI replace a therapist?” AI is now woven into nearly every corner of life. One example is the rise of AI therapists, mental health apps and chatbots that promise quick, cheap and 24/7 support. But when it comes to your mental health, the stakes are too high to take these claims at face value. Before diving into the benefits,...
Emetophobia: Understanding and Treating the Fear of Vomiting
Trigger Warning: For those struggling with emetophobia, this may be uncomfortable to read Emetophobia, the intense fear of vomiting affects more people than many realize. A study in European Psychiatry found while severe cases can affect approximately 0.1% of the population, milder cases of vomit phobia can affect between 3.1% to 8% of the population. Despite these...
Unhook from Overthinking: ACT Therapy Tools to Live with Purpose
Key Takeaways Getting “hooked” means letting thoughts or feelings control your actions. ACT therapy techniques like defusion, acceptance and mindfulness help you create space from mental noise. You can feel anxiety or doubt and still act according to your values. Living with purpose means choosing intentional, value-driven action, even when emotions are intense....
Navigating Life’s Crossroads: Making Choices That Align with Your Values and Bring You Joy
Life is a series of choices and each decision shape the path towards the person you want to become. From the moment you wake up to the time you go to bed, you are making decisions. Some choices are small, like what to eat for breakfast, whether to get out of bed early and others are life changing, shaping your relationships, career and personal growth. Every choice matters....
Why Your Comfort Zone is Holding You Back
Have you every stayed in a job, relationship or routine even though you knew it wasn’t good for you? That pull toward the familiar is powerful but it often keeps us stuck in unhealthy patterns. Comfort zones may feel safe but they can block growth, reinforce anxiety and stop us from creating the life we want. In this post, we’ll explore why people stay...
Mental Health Privacy and Insurance: What You Need to Know Before Using Benefits
Key Takeaways: Using insurance for therapy requires a mental health diagnosis based on the DSM, which becomes part of your permanent medical record. Insurance companies may access therapy notes through audits, treatment reviews or data processing, even when using a Superbill. HIPAA offers some protection, but doesn’t fully shield your records from...
Running on Empty: Essential Self Care Tips to Recharge Your Mind and Body
In today’s fast-paced world, we are constantly bombarded with responsibilities, information and demands. Between taking care of others and meeting work deadlines, it’s easy to forget the most important person in your life: yourself. Without intentional self-care, your mental, emotional and physical energy can run dangerously low. Key Takeaways Self-Care is Essential:...
Life Transitions and Coping with Change
TL;DR Life transitions are a normal part of life but can feel stressful, even for high-functioning professionals. Coping with change through routines, mindfulness, self-care and therapy can reduce anxiety and build resilience. Therapy for life transitions provides tools to process emotions, clarify values and turn challenges into opportunities for growth. What Are Life...
Taming Your Inner Critic: Strategies to Quiet Negative Self-Talk
We all have an inner critic, that voice inside our heads that judges, criticizes and questions our worth. While it may have started as a way to motivate or protect us, it can easily become a source of anxiety, self-doubt and depression. Learning to recognize, challenge and manage your negative self-talk is key to building self-compassion and improving mental well-being. Key...
Breaking the Cycle of People Pleasing
You might be asking yourself, “Why should I stop people pleasing? Isn’t it just being kind and helpful?” Being generous and caring for others is a wonderful trait, but when it comes at the cost of your well-being, it is no longer kindness—it is self-sacrifice. The constant need to accommodate others can leave you feeling exhausted, undervalued and over time,...
What is a People Pleaser? Hidden Signs, Costs and How to Break the Cycle
Have you ever said yes when deep down you wanted to say no? If so, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too, more times than I’d like to admit. It’s a natural response for many of us who value harmony, want to avoid conflict or feel a deep desire to be liked. Yet, while being a people pleaser can seem harmless or even positive, it often comes with hidden costs to your...
Are You Looking at Me? Overcoming Social Anxiety
Do you feel your heart race when attending a social gathering? Do you avoid social situations because you fear being judged or scrutinized? You are not alone. Social anxiety affects millions of people and can make everyday interactions feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to control your life. With the right strategies, you can manage your anxiety and enjoy...
Parental Anxiety: Understanding and Managing Your Worries as a Parent
Key Takeaways Parental anxiety is more than everyday worry. Signs of parental anxiety include overprotectiveness, rumination, exhaustion and a harsh inner critic. Parental well-being directly influences a child’s emotional development and coping skills. Practicing self-care, setting realistic expectations and find balance can reduce anxiety and improve your...
Perfectionism and Embracing Imperfection
Perfectionism and Signs of Perfectionism Perfectionism is the tendency to set unrealistic standards and demands on yourself and others. This can lead to harsh self-criticism for perceived failures and shortcomings which negatively impact your mental health. The negative impact includes but isn’t limited to stress, anxiety, self-doubt and low self-esteem. Some signs of...
Three Mindsets to Get Paid What You’re Worth
I recently stumbled upon the book Financial Feminist by Tori Dunlap. I would recommend anybody who is interested about money to invest in a copy of her book. Ms. Dunlap had a lot of good insights and scripts to offer. What I found most interesting is how stressful it can be for people to negotiate their salary or raises. Women especially seem to suffer anxiety about asking...
Anxiety in Romantic Relationships
Anxiety can influence every corner of life, especially our relationships. While some anxiety is natural, particularly at the start of a romantic connection, persistent, overwhelming worry can strain even the strongest bond. Anxiety in romantic relationships often intertwines with people pleasing behaviors, creating a cycle of self-doubt, overthinking and emotional...
Are You a Ruminator?
Do you ever find yourself replaying a conversation from years ago, wishing you’d said something different? Or lying awake at night, endlessly dissecting a small mistake? If so, you might be a ruminator. And guess what? You’re not alone. Key Takeaways: Rumination is more than deep thinking. It’s a repetitive, unhelpful pattern often linked to anxiety and people-pleasing....
How to Find a Therapist for Your Child
Key Takeaways Finding the right therapist for your child is a process but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Here are the essential points to remember: Identify Your Child’s Needs: Notice changes in behavior, emotions or social interactions that may indicate therapy could help. REVIEWUnderstand Therapy Types: Explore approaches like play therapy,...