• Honoring My Own Grief: A Therapists Reflection on 21 Years Since the Surviving a School Shooting

    Trigger Warning: This post discusses school shootings and the emotional impact of trauma.
    After 21 years, I’m finally allowing myself to grieve the school shooting I survived as a freshman. For so long, I believed my trauma didn’t “count” because I wasn’t directly in harm’s way. In this post, I reflect on the journey of accepting myself as a survivor and the importance of honoring our pain, no matter how small it may seem.

  • Beyond Sadness: Embracing the Complex Spectrum of Grief

    Grief is often oversimplified, focusing only on sadness, but it encompasses a wide range of emotions. Beyond sadness, it includes shock, numbness, loneliness, anger, relief, regret, guilt, hopelessness, envy, and fear. Understanding this complex spectrum of feelings helps us navigate the grieving process with greater compassion and empathy for ourselves and others.

  • Love’s Encore: The EFT Guide to Emotional Revival

    Rekindling emotional connections is a dance of understanding and vulnerability. Delve into how Emotion-Focused Therapy paves the way for deeper emotional reengagement, reinvigorating bonds and bringing couples closer than ever

  • When the Stakes are High: EFT for Gambling Challenges

    Gambling addiction is a complex issue that affects both the individual and their partner. Emotion-Focused Therapy offers a compassionate and structured approach to navigate the emotional and relational challenges it presents. With commitment, understanding, and therapeutic guidance, couples can find a path to recovery and reconnection.

  • Distinguishing Single Episode vs. Recurrent Major Depressive Disorder: Diagnosis and Implications

    Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a prevalent mental health issue that affects millions of people worldwide. It can manifest as either a single episode or a recurrent condition. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and better patient outcomes. In this blog article, we will discuss the key factors that differentiate single episode MDD from recurrent MDD and explore their implications for treatment and prognosis. Single Episode vs. Recurrent Major Depressive Disorder: Understandi…

  • Embracing Interdependence: How Secure Attachment Can Protect Our Mental Health

    We've all heard the popular saying, "no man is an island." But, have you ever stopped to think about what it truly means? Interdependence, or the idea that we rely on others for support, connection, and growth, is a crucial aspect of our lives. From an attachment perspective, interdependence can serve as a powerful protective factor for our mental health. Let's dive into this fascinating topic together and explore how secure attachment can help us build stronger, more resilient relationships and…

  • Unraveling the Prevalence of Recurrent Major Depressive Disorder: Why Single Episodes Are Less Common

    Introduction Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a widespread mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Although MDD can manifest as a single episode, recurrent episodes are more common. In this blog article, we will delve into the factors contributing to the higher prevalence of recurrent MDD and explore the implications of this trend for patients, clinicians, and researchers. The Prevalence of Recurrent Major Depressive Disorder: A Closer Look Recurrent MDD: A More Comm…

  • A Tale of Two Therapies: CBT and Psychoanalytic Therapy Compared

    As a psychotherapist, I'm often asked about the difference between cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychoanalytic therapy. While both approaches have their strengths, it's important to understand how they differ in their approach to therapy and the underlying principles that guide their techniques. CBT is a structured, short-term therapy that focuses on identifying and changing negative thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. The therapist works with the patient to develop strategies to challe…

  • We Love the Way we Want to be Loved

    We may assume that our partner wants the same things that we do, and we may express our love in the ways that feel most natural and authentic to us. However, this approach can lead to misunderstandings and unfulfilled needs in our relationship. That’s why it’s important to understand the concept of love languages. The idea behind love languages is that we all have different ways of expressing and receiving love. There are five primary love languages: words of affirmation, quality time, acts of s…

  • The love language of physical touch: beyond sex

    Physical touch is a powerful love language that can be expressed in many different ways. While sex is often seen as the primary way to express physical touch in a romantic relationship, it’s important to recognize that there are many other ways to honor this love language. Here are some ways to honor the love language of physical touch other than intercourse: Holding hands: Holding hands is a simple yet powerful way to express physical touch. It’s a way to feel connected to your partner and to s…