When I listen to therapists I feel like we are often divided into extreme camps that won't talk to each other. In parenting there's the positive parenting approach which says your kid just needs love and encouragement and there's the structured discipline approach which says do steps 1-6 and that will solve the problem. Don't we need both loving encouragement and structured expectations to help kids thrive? We have body positive therapists that encourage fat acceptance and th

Therapists routinely engage in conversations about how to best support their clients. This means keeping up with research, consulting with peers, and paying attention to what our clients stated needs are. I recently attended training about unpublished research that highlighted complex issues for those who have chosen to detransition. A significant piece of this work focused on unpublished research MacKinnon, K.R., Khan, N., Newman, K. Exposito-Campos, P., Marshall, G, Gould,

Many of my clients come to me years after their child has come out as "trans." Parents often describe thinking it was initially a phase, then they took their child to a gender affirming therapist who encouraged the parents to affirm and the mental health concerns the parents had got worse instead of better. Then the parents go on a rabbit hole of trying to understand what's going on and what is going to help their child who is often struggling with social anxiety, unmanageabl

Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Traditional Therapy vs. Gender Affirming Care Gender dysphoria is a condition where an individual experiences significant discomfort or distress due to a mismatch between their gender identity and their biological sex. As society's understanding of gender has evolved, so too have the approaches to treating gender dysphoria. This blog post explores the differences between traditional therapy for gender dysphoria and gender affirming care. While

Why Networking Matters for People on the Autism Spectrum Networking is one of the most valuable skills for personal and professional development — yet for many people with autism, it can feel uncomfortable or confusing. Still, the benefits are worth the effort. Effective networking helps you: Open doors to new opportunities.  Many jobs, collaborations, and community roles come from personal connections rather than applications. Develop social and communication skills.  Networ

Therapy often sparks curiosity and doubt. Many people think that therapy doesn’t work because of personal experiences, societal stigma, or a lack of knowledge about what actually happens during sessions. Yet, therapy is a powerful tool that can lead to deep personal growth, healing, and transformation. This blog post will shed light on why some might believe therapy doesn’t work, present evidence supporting its effectiveness, and guide you on how to start your own therapeutic

Getting started when you have ADHD can be a real challenge. Learning how to create motivation can create the fuel you need to be productive and avoid distraction.

Is Your Anxiety Helpful or Unhelpful? Anxiety is a normal human response designed to protect us. It alerts us to potential threats and helps us prepare for challenges. But not all anxiety serves the same purpose — sometimes it helps, and sometimes it hinders. Understanding the difference between helpful  and unhelpful  anxiety can guide us toward healthier coping strategies. Each emotion we experience serves a function that is trying to help us. Anxiety (and stress) are inten

Understanding Emotions: Focus on Resolution, Not Obsession In today’s fast-paced world, emotions can often feel overwhelming. While it’s essential to acknowledge and understand our feelings, it’s equally important to avoid getting lost in them. Paying just enough attention to your emotions to resolve them can lead to a healthier mental state and a more balanced life. Why You Shouldn’t Dwell on Emotions Focusing excessively on emotions can lead to rumination, which may exace

I work with many clients who have perfectionist tendencies. They have learned to do well in life by seeking to do things perfectly. There...

In the aftermath of tragedies like the recent mass shooting by Robin Westman, many people are left feeling shaken, hopeless, or uncertain...

I constantly hear other therapists talking about how we need to be careful with how you phrase things so that we don't cause clients to...

Understanding Gaming Addiction: Key Concepts and Treatment Approaches Gaming addiction is a behavioral condition where individuals lose...

Part of my work includes providing text based therapy. Increasingly I get asked the question "Are you AI?" I typically provide a brief...

Background Treatment for any clinical issue can be difficult. The first stage of therapy usually focuses on improving awareness. As...

Victims of physical violence are often hesitant to report a family member or loved one for hitting, punching, slapping or any type of...

Below is the handout I used for a presentation on Developing a Positive Outlook. It covers some concepts and terms that are relevant and...

In 10 tips for turning conflicts into conversations I focused on tips that help couples address common areas of conflict. These tips were...

I have heard a variety of approaches to how to resolve issues for life’s problems based on whether they are mental health problems or if...

Despite sex often being a topic of public discussion many myths about sex still persist. Let's delve into each of these myths about male...