POV: You’re a parent or guardian and your kid is becoming curious about their gender or has already come out. Maybe you yourself haven’t had much exposure to queer and transgender communities, but you still want to be as supportive as possible as your kiddo navigates their gender identity. This blog post is for you! I am a nonbinary/trans therapist who’s here to support you as you support your kiddo.  Gender exploration is not a new trend. It is simply something that has existed throughout history and is coming to the forefront now because we now have the language to describe how we feel ..read more

It’s been nine years since Lindsay C. Gibson wrote Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting or Self-Involved Parents. Her book and this concept continue to resonate with people with varying childhood experiences, which is why I recommend it to many of my clients. In Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents, Gibson explains the four types of emotionally neglectful parents and the two ways in which their children process that experience. Four Types of Emotionally Immature Parents: 1.      Emotional parents: these parents are “run by ..read more

In successful therapy, you probably haven’t heard someone say, “I hate my therapist, but the therapy works.” I certainly haven’t. Usually, when I hear or read comments to the effect of “I disliked my therapist,” the story ends with the client having left therapy. At best, they leave feeling frustrated and misunderstood; at worst, they feel hopeless or disillusioned with therapy as a practice. It makes a lot of sense why some people who have had that experience don’t try therapy again. Who could blame them? On the other hand, when I do happen to meet the client in my practice who’s been burned ..read more

There have already been many, many posts, articles, and blogs written about mindfulness, so I won’t keep you long. As some of you may already know, though it is perfectly okay if you don’t, mindfulness is the practice of being focused, non-judgmental, and in the present moment. Mindfulness can be practiced in meditation or in day-to-day life.  Now, why am I telling you this when there have already been many posts written about mindfulness? I believe I have a unique perspective that may not be often discussed (though maybe it is, I’m not entirely sure). The perspective is simply this: I su ..read more

A friend recently asked me, ‘does family therapy work for adults?” I laughed, as I regularly work with adult families. However, that question made me realize that many people aren’t aware it’s an option. The short answer is yes, it’s a viable option. Adult Family Therapy can offer significant help to families facing various challenges, including: Family estrangement: When one family member begins to stop communicating with the family as a whole or with another member. Cultural/religious differences: Between parents and children, among siblings, or even with in-laws or grandparents. Financial ..read more

In my work in the family counseling setting, I have learned some valuable tips in helping children navigate divorce. Sharing the news with children is never easy. Most parents have shared with me that it is one of the most difficult days of their lives. I often meet with parents who are looking for extra support for their children in this challenging time. Depending on age, there are different ways to support young children during this transition.  Play Therapy I have found play therapy to be quite helpful with younger children. The sand tray is a great way to help children express themse ..read more

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) specializing in premarital counseling, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of asking the right questions before making a lifelong commitment. It’s helpful for couples to approach their union with open eyes and honest communication, which is why I frequently suggest the SYMBIS (Save Your Marriage Before it Starts) assessment as a valuable tool for those contemplating premarital counseling. Premarital counseling is designed to help couples explore important aspects of their relationship and identify potential areas of strength and growth. Through ..read more

Hello friends! I am passionate about working with children of all ages, but I find that preteens especially experience many complex transitions that serve as catalysts for their future growth. In particular, most children ages 9-12 begin puberty and therefore begin exploring their sexuality*. I wish to provide a helpful framework for parents in preparation of their child potentially “Coming Out” as a member of the LGBTQ+ population so that they may best support their child with compassion. Try to remember the 3 L’s when your child opens up to you: Listen, Learn, and above all Love. *NOTE: In ..read more

In the realm of emotions, anger often carries a negative connotation. It’s frequently viewed as a destructive force, a feeling that should be suppressed or avoided at all costs. However, within the context of psychotherapy, it’s crucial to debunk these misconceptions and recognize the value of embracing anger as a normal and even beneficial aspect of the human experience. One common misconception about anger is that it is always harmful, leading to regrettable actions and damaged relationships. While unchecked and unexpressed, anger can indeed have detrimental effects, it is essential to under ..read more

Do you or your child experience high sensitivity or high empathy? Sometimes people with these traits identify as “Highly Sensitive People, “Empaths” or “HSPs.” Here’s some common traits or experiences of people with high sensitivity and high empathy: -Highly intuitive -Very aware of incongruences in other’s energy versus their behavior -Deep thinker, and deep inner life -Nurturing/compassionate -Strongly feel other’s emotions -Deep connection to nature and animals -Need a lot of stillness and solitude -Easily overstimulated -Feel drained in crowded places -Easily overwhelmed by violence or n ..read more