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You are not alone in your struggles. Whether you're caught in cycles of overthinking, feeling lost in anxiety or depression, or wrestling with big questions about your purpose, there are many psychological models that can help you make sense of what you're going through. Each model—whether it's Buddhist Psychology, Psychoanalysis, Psychodynamic Therapy, ACT, CBT, or Internal Family Systems—offers a unique lens. In this guide, you'll learn how each approach understands six common concerns and discover insights to support your healing journey. 1. RUMINATION : "Why can’t I stop thinking about…

It's not uncommon for people living with persistent pain to be reluctant about seeking help from a therapist. For some, it feels like admitting that their pain isn't real and that it is "all in their head." Others don't see how a mental health provider could help with something they see as a physical issue. This blog explores what we know about pain and how therapy can help. What do we get wrong about pain? We tend to misunderstand pain as a symptom of tissue damage. But we didn't just make this idea up. It dates back to nineteenth-century medical textbooks, which stated either that pain had…

Narcissistic abuse can leave deep emotional scars that are not always visible, but profoundly impact your sense of self-worth, trust, and emotional well-being. Whether it occurs in romantic relationships, family dynamics, or even in the workplace, this form of abuse often leads to feelings of confusion, isolation, and self-doubt. Recognizing the Abuse One of the hardest parts of recovering from narcissistic abuse is acknowledging that it happened. Narcissists are often skilled at manipulation, leaving you to question your own reality. Gaslighting, blame-shifting, and emotional invalidation can…

Navigating life after experiencing narcissistic abuse can be an incredibly challenging journey. For many survivors, having others believe their circumstances is crucial as they often question their own reality and are learning to trust themselves again. Whether it was in a personal relationship, family dynamic, or even in a professional setting, the effects of narcissistic abuse can leave deep emotional scars. Understanding what narcissistic abuse is and how to heal from it is crucial for reclaiming your sense of self-worth and moving forward in a positive direction. What is Narcissistic Abuse…

Being in pain, emotionally or relationally, is what draws many people to find a therapist. Currently, therapy is enjoying a cultural moment of popularity. You may have heard a version of “everyone needs therapy” or “therapy is for you if you have experienced childhood.” While mostly light-hearted, these prompts speak to those who notice pain in themselves and those around them. The Purpose Of A Process Group A process group is an unstructured, collaborative therapy. By joining a process group, you commit to bringing up what is going on for you and being present with others who are doing the…

Even the mention of shame brings up a desire to avoid even talking about it. It is the worst feeling and experience. It can be experienced as a constant dull ache lurking to erupt if we give it any attention, to a sudden flash of heat and intense feeling of needing to disappear. Shame is a relational experience. In other words, we are shamed by others and we develop internal shaming to prevent further experiences of shame, including shaming others. This cycle of shame is hard to break. It can be useful to understand how this develops to find a way out and heal. Here are the steps: A bad thing…

Loneliness is a universal emotion experienced by individuals in various situations and at different times. Despite being in the company of others, this emotion can persist, causing internal distress. There are moments when this sense of isolation intensifies, leaving us in solitude and affecting various aspects of our lives. To overcome the grip of loneliness, it is essential to understand what can be done and how we can liberate ourselves from its clutches. Many of us have distanced ourselves from our true selves, contributing to the profound sense of isolation. Let's honestly acknowledge our…

October is breast cancer awareness month. Having worked with breast cancer patients since 2017, I have heard from so many patients about how this disease has impacted them. I thought I would share a few themes that I have noticed over the years (in no particular order): Navigating the medical system can be confusing and/or stressful – With a diagnosis of breast cancer, patients can find themselves with multiple doctors and medical professionals involved in their care. It is typical to have a surgeon/specialist, a medical oncologist (a doctor who prescribes chemotherapy if needed and monitors…

If you or a loved one are suffering from grief, it’s helpful to have an understanding of what to expect. Having understood grief better, it is helpful to have some ways of coping with it or supporting another to cope with it as best as you can. What experiences does grief involve? First of all grief is not just sadness or sorrow. It is normal to have a range of experiences in response to a loss. Normal experiences of grief include rumination, anxiety, anger, guilt, self-doubt and self-blame. It can also include feeling numb, feeling disconnected, feeling forgetful and not being able to think…