Our Thoughts

Meet our new intern, Yesenia Velazquez

Okay, we all know that watering our garden helps those plants to grow. But when we “water” our thoughts, they grow too. What I mean is, the thoughts we give attention to grow and the thoughts we disengage from shrink.

The end of a marriage or a long-term relationship is more than just the loss of having a partner, but it’s also the loss of a shared identity, a rhythm you’ve lived inside of for months, years, or even decades. When two lives become so intertwined, it can be natural to lose sight of who you truly are. So when the relationship ends, many people find themselves asking: Who am I now?

Many might be on the fence about taking their children to a mental health professional because there are so many factors, questions, and what ifs. Oftentimes, it’s new to the person who is on the fence about therapy. Thankfully, there are so many reasons why therapy can be beneficial. To be honest there are way too many to count (and hopefully I’m not too biased about this “fact”).

Bullying is not just a childhood rite of passage, it's a deeply harmful experience that can leave lasting emotional, psychological, and social scars. For children and adolescents, being targeted by peers can reshape how they view themselves, how they trust others, and how they navigate the world around them.

Social isolation can begin subtly. Maybe you decline one social invitation. Then another. Perhaps you stop answering texts as often. Eventually, your world grows smaller, and while the quiet might feel comforting at first, it can start to echo in uncomfortable ways.

Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern where you doubt your accomplishments and fear being “found out” as a fraud, even when there’s plenty of evidence that isn’t true and that you are capable and deserving.

Nature can be a powerful partner in the process of healing. It is often incorporated in the therapy process by taking sessions outside and using nature-based mindfulness practices, or by serving as inspiration for reflection.

Sports can be a great place for youth to learn and build upon many different skills such as discipline, teamwork, resilience, and confidence. The experiences they have can shape not only how they perform on the field, but who they become off of it. At the same time, for every cheer and post game treat, there can also be pressure, anxiety, and burnout.

I totally understand that starting something new, such as therapy, can be nerve-racking. It takes a lot of courage to try something new for most kids (and I was definitely one of those kids). So I try to be as welcoming as I can- this includes being open to all types of questions.

There’s a certain rush that comes when you meet someone new. It’s the excitement, the butterflies, and the way your mind keeps circling back to them no matter what you’re doing. It can feel intoxicating, almost as if you’re tumbling headfirst into love after just a few months of knowing each other or even a handful of dates. But that feeling can also bring up questions, like “Am I really in love, or am I just caught up in the moment? How do I truly know the difference?”

Defensive reactions are a natural human response to feeling attacked, criticized, or misunderstood, even if those things are not the intention of the other person. But when they happen often, they tend to shut down more healthy communication and keep us from actually hearing and understanding each other.

There are ways, though, to stay connected, protect your emotional energy, and find a way to express yourself without shutting down. Let’s talk through some of those ways to better understand your partner’s feelings without losing yourself in the process.

How accurate are interpretations of abstract phenomena? Is there psychological, verifiable truth in finding symbols in indefinite shapes found in nature or art? How does the Roscharch Test reflect one’s inner reality?

Losing yourself could be a process that is done little by little throughout development in the face of rejection and feelings of inadequacy. It is perfectly innocent to feel like there were environments where your true self was not acceptable.

One of the most common questions I hear in therapy is: “How do I stop overthinking?” With countless decisions to make each day—what to wear, how to respond to a message, whether to switch careers—it’s easy to get caught in mental loops that feel impossible to escape.

Okay, we all know that watering our garden helps those plants to grow. But when we “water” our thoughts, they grow too. What I mean is, the thoughts we give attention to grow and the thoughts we disengage from shrink.

A common question that a lot of child therapists get is “well you just get to play games all day… how is that actually therapeutic?”. While we do love to play games like UNO, Monopoly, and Connect Four; we are actually utilizing evidence based therapeutic interventions while we do so!

Now that the weather is getting warmer and swimsuit season is here, many people may feel increased pressure to look a certain way. This pressure can lead to experiencing “negative body image”.

Rigid thinking creates a kind of mental tunnel vision that limits how we experience the world and respond to challenges. It’s not always obvious at first.

Many people feel ashamed for needing time alone, or for finding certain social settings exhausting, even if they care deeply about the people involved.However, it's important to keep in mind that everyone's social battery is a little different.

During the summer months there is usually an influx of teens and young adults trying to manage the heartache that often accompanies a break up. Did you know that statistically, breakups tend to occur more frequently during the summer months? So if you are currently in the thick of heartbreak, you are definitely not alone.

For many, summer is typically seen as a season of joy, filled with sunny skies, long days, vacations, and sometimes what can seem like endless social plans. The world seems to almost expect you to be outside, smiling, and carefree. But for some, summer can feel heavy, isolating, or even painful.

I will always stand behind the fact of books being a great resource for learning. There are lessons that kids can use with their imagination.