The Stories I Told to Survive I was 11 years old, explaining to my friends at school why my dad couldn’t make it to the school function — again. A business trip, I said. He was always so busy. So early in my childhood I struggled with “daddy issues.”...
“She Was a Good Mom” But Something Still Feels Missing Mom always kept me clean, fed me, and took me wherever I needed to go. The house was always clean, food was always ready. She was a good mom. This is the story I hear often from clients who come to me wanting to...
Your Partner’s Anger Is Wearing You Down — And You’re Not Alone One of the most difficult things in a relationship is dealing with your partner’s uncalled anger. Maybe it happens when you express a difficult emotion, share feedback, or ask an...
Most couples’ coversations turn into fights because they take their partner’s emotions personally. Instead of seeing a partner’s pain, we see a critique of ourselves. To break the cycle, you must learn to validate the emotion while questioning your own...
Understanding the Link Between Past Pain and Present Conflict in Couples How childhood trauma affects your adult romantic relationship isn’t always obvious. But those sudden mood shifts we experience in relationships—when we become reactive or feel like a...
You feel constantly worried and overwhelmed by thoughts of “what ifs.” Sometimes, your heart races—even when you’re just sitting still. It’s like your body is on high alert, but there’s no obvious reason. You used to distract yourself. Scrolling through your phone or...
Why we feel empty, mistrustful, and drawn to unhealthy relationships I remember being at my friend’s house when I was about 12. We were working on a school project when her mom suggested making cookies together. As we all went into the kitchen, her mom asked me, “Have...
Overthinking—also known as rumination—is something we’ve all experienced. It often happens at night, just as you’re ready to sleep.. Your mind suddenly focuses on a thought, replaying a situation from earlier in the day. You analyze it from every angle, imagining...
Have you ever shared a TikTok video you found funny with your partner, only for them to dismiss it as silly or not funny at all? How did you feel in that moment? Or maybe you came home stressed after a long day at work and shared your struggles with your partner....
How to embrace family holidays and find joy during this season? Fall! My favorite season. I love the feeling in the air, pumpkin season, and the start of the family holidays. But let’s be honest… For many of us, the holidays are complex. While they can bring joy, they...
