Blog
Do Bullies Need Punishment—or Understanding?
I was chatting recently with an educator about the rising problem of bullying in schools, and I have to admit, her suggestion caught me off guard: she thought public shaming might be a good way to punish bullies—giving them a taste of their own medicine. As a...
Parental Emotional Regulation: Why It Matters
In my role as a mental health professional, I often encounter concerns from clients about their children's struggles with emotional regulation. It's a challenge that many families face, but what does it really mean, and how can we address it from both a parental and...
How to Talk to Your Kids About Starting Therapy
Congratulations! You’ve taken the first brave step in your child’s mental health journey by scheduling their first therapy session! But wait! Does your child know what to expect out of their first session or do you know how to tell your kids they will start therapy?...
Zoom Into Therapy- 10 Reasons to Consider Virtual Counseling
If I asked you to picture in your mind what a therapy session looks like, you would probably imagine a client laying down or sitting on a couch and a therapist sitting next to them taking notes. Up until a few years ago, this was what most talk-therapy looked like....
My Teen Might Be Transgender. What Do I Do Next?
POV: You’re a parent or guardian and your kid is becoming curious about their gender or has already come out. Maybe you yourself haven’t had much exposure to queer and transgender communities, but you still want to be as supportive as possible as your kiddo navigates...
Childhood Emotional Neglect Part 1: I Had a Difficult Childhood, Especially Lately.
It’s been nine years since Lindsay C. Gibson wrote Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting or Self-Involved Parents. Her book and this concept of childhood emotional neglect continue to resonate with people with varying...
Meeting Your Therapist Match: Tips for Starting a Successful Therapy Journey
In successful therapy, you probably haven’t heard someone say, “I hate my therapist, but the therapy works.” I certainly haven’t. Usually, when I hear or read comments to the effect of “I disliked my therapist,” the story ends with the client having left therapy. At...
In The Here and Now: How to Practice Mindfulness When You Don’t Like Meditation
There have already been many, many posts, articles, and blogs written about mindfulness, so I won’t keep you long. As some of you may already know, though it is perfectly okay if you don’t, mindfulness is the practice of being focused, non-judgmental, and in the...
Family Therapy for Adults
A friend recently asked me, ‘does family therapy work for adults?” I laughed, as I regularly work with adult families. However, that question made me realize that many people aren’t aware it's an option. The short answer is yes, it's a viable option. Adult Family...
Supporting Young Children During Divorce
In my work in the family counseling setting, I have learned some valuable tips in helping children navigate divorce. Sharing the news with children is never easy. Most parents have shared with me that it is one of the most difficult days of their lives. I often meet...
Fostering Lifelong Commitment – Key Questions to Ask Before Marriage
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) specializing in premarital counseling, I've seen firsthand the importance of asking the right questions before making a lifelong commitment. It’s helpful for couples to approach their union with open eyes and honest...