Empathy is the ability to understand, feel, and share the emotions or experiences of another person. It’s more than just sympathy, which involves feeling for someone; empathy involves stepping into their shoes and feeling with them. It’s about recognizing their emotional state, understanding their perspective, and responding in a compassionate and supportive way.

Relationships can be one of the most fulfilling aspects of our lives, but they can also be one of the greatest sources of fear and potential for pain. 

Entering a committed relationship inherently requires taking a risk — we risk changing familiar habits and routines, we risk not knowing if the relationship will pan out, we risk the possibility of rejection or abandonment, and the ultimately the possibility of experiencing significant emotional pain if we invest in the relationship and it doesn’t work out. 

It is natural to periodically have doubts or reevaluate your relationship. Is this relationship healthy? Is this dynamic sustainable? 

For many, these types of questions can provide insight and guidance, allowing us to evaluate our relationship and take the necessary recourse to improve it, change it, or leave it.

The holiday season is over. The decorations are starting to be packed away, many holiday celebrations have passed, and the excitement of the new year is starting to settle into regular life again. But for many of us, there’s a lingering feeling after the holidays: a little more pressure to “bounce back” or “make up for” the variety of delicious foods we’ve enjoyed over the past few weeks. Whether it’s from the extra treats, the comfy holiday clothes, or the pressure of common new year’s resolutions, it’s easy to feel like you need to change something about your body.

As winter fully sets in, many of us feel the effects of shorter days and colder nights. For some, this time of year can bring about more than just a yearning to cozy up on the couch with your favorite show or book—it can also trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression related to changes in the seasons. While SAD can affect anyone, it's more common in areas with long winters and little sunlight.

The beginning of a New Year is often a time to reflect on the past year and think about the year ahead. For many, it’s a time to set resolutions and make goals, and sometimes this may feel a little overwhelming. Creating a vision board can be a way to help you visualize your dreams, and enjoy the process instead of feeling the sense of pressure that can come with setting goals.

Honestly, it is an unfortunate reality that I am writing this, but a necessity. Recently, I attended an event that was meant to be a joyous celebration, but instead, I was left feeling angry and minimized. As I continued to process my anger, it transformed into a sense of empowerment, and eventually, I felt motivated and slightly unstoppable. The spike in motivation that I felt spurred on this post.

In a world where microaggressions and macroaggressions are sadly common, individuals from BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities frequently face a barrage of subtle and overt discrimination. These experiences of bias, whether a seemingly “playful” comment or a systemic issue, can weigh heavily on one's mental and physical health. However, many BIPOC individuals have found remarkable ways to transform this pain and anger into powerful motivation, driving them to fully engage in their personal growth and relationships.

Body image refers to how we perceive our physical selves and how we think others perceive us. It’s a complex interplay of self-esteem, societal standards, and personal experiences. For many, this perception can be strongly influenced by external forces, such as social media and the larger cultural context, as well as internal insecurities. Beauty standards are often unattainable and unhealthy, which can place us in a double bind of striving for external appearances different than our own, or feeling like we are unattractive or outcasted from others.

Social media, family culture, and our larger cultural contexts play significant roles in shaping our body image. For every gender, racial identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion, socioeconomic status, and so on, beauty standards can vary, which can create a very confusing, conflicting, and further unattainable goalpost to reach—one that seems to move with every passing year.  

Complex and challenging relationships with parents are one of the many struggles adults today face and seek guidance and healing around in our therapy offices. These struggles are often born from experiences and dynamics of childhood that continue to influence the parent-child relationship in adulthood. Sometimes, these dynamics are very evident, and other times they may be more subtle and hard to correlate with current experience. Being able to identify and understand how childhood experiences have affected us and our relationships is often crucial to improve maladaptive patterns and cycles we may find ourselves in. Below are a few ways early childhood dynamics can create problems and some tips for navigating them.

A Few of the Many Benefits of HRT for Trans/NB+ Folx

In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the profound impact hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can have on the psychological well-being of transgender and non-binary (trans/NB+)  folx. While the physical changes brought about by HRT are often highlighted, the emotional and mental health benefits are equally significant and deserving of attention. HRT has a high potential to contribute to a more fulfilling and authentic life for many trans/NB+ people.

Alignment with Gender Identity

One of the most profound psychological benefits of HRT is the alignment it may foster between an individual’s physical body and their gender identity. For some trans/NB+ folx, gender dysphoria—the discomfort or distress arising from a mismatch between gender identity and assigned sex at birth—can lead to significant psychological distress. HRT helps alleviate this dysphoria, enabling individuals to feel more comfortable in their own skin. This alignment can lead to increased self-esteem and a greater sense of self-acceptance. It is important to note, however, that not all trans/NB+ people experience gender dysphoria. Of these folx who do not experience gender dysphoria, some still choose to receive HRT as a means to affirm their identity and live more authentically to their specific experience.

Reduction in Emotional Discomfort

Numerous studies have shown that trans/NB+ folx who receive HRT often experience a reduction in anxiety, depression, thoughts of self-harm or suicide, and disordered eating behaviors. The emotional relief that comes from feeling more congruent with one’s gender identity can be transformative. For many, the physical changes—such as breast development, voice changes, body hair changes, or body fat redistribution—can provide a sense of relief and happiness that improves overall mental health and quality of life. This often leads to increased participation in everyday activities, pursuing their interests and goals, and engaging with their communities.

Overview

For many trans/NB+ folx, choosing to receive HRT is an act of empowerment and self-love. It fosters a sense of agency that can be incredibly affirming. The psychological benefits of HRT for trans/NB+ folx extend far beyond physical changes. HRT can significantly improve mental health by alleviating gender and body dysphoria, enhancing one’s relationship with their gender, and fostering a sense of empowerment and self-love. As society continues to grow in its understanding of trans/NB+ identities, recognizing the holistic benefits of HRT will be essential in supporting the well-being of trans/NB+ folx. Embracing and affirming one’s identity is a powerful journey, and HRT plays a vital role in helping many navigate this path toward empowerment in one’s identity.

In the fast-paced, and sometimes oppressive, world of corporate America, it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle. With deadlines looming and meetings stacked back-to-back, many professionals find themselves operating on autopilot, dimming their unique spark. However, maintaining your “main character energy” (MCE) is essential for not only your personal growth but also for creating a dynamic workplace culture. Here’s how to keep your energy vibrant and impactful in the corporate environment.

Being a mom...one of the most rewarding roles AND a role that comes with many layers of responsibility, much of that responsibility going unseen to the outside world. From the moment a child is born, a mother begins a journey of giving, guiding and ensuring everything is running smoothly for the family. Whether she works outside the home or solely manages the household, a mom is often trying to balance a diverse mix of duties and demands. But what does it really mean to carry all this responsibility? And why is it so important to recognize the depth of what moms do, even when they don't ask for recognition?

Last month I focused on the unseen weight that mom’s carry and it felt suiting to follow that up with a look at what a fathers experience can be like. When we think about mental health, we often think about the challenges mothers face, or even the struggles of children. However, one of the most under-discussed areas of mental health is that of fathers. There tends to be an unspoken burden on dads to be strong; to be providers and protectors. But what happens when dad isn’t okay?

Fathers, like anyone else, experience mental health struggles.Yet, the emotional toll fatherhood can take is often left unrecognized and undiscussed. I would like to explore the reality of mental health challenges faced by fathers, the societal pressures they endure, and the importance of creating space for dads to seek help and care for themselves.