By Amy Berrafato, LMFT, CST Should I stay in tonight or should I go out? Do I take this job or wait for a different one? What if I go on this date and they don’t like me? What if they do? Why is this decision taking forever?! Indecision is a really common experience for some. It can feel downright paralyzing, sitting in the unknown of what ifs, yes’s/no’s, and pros/cons of daily life. You may spend minutes or hours or days wrestling with the weight of all sorts of decisions, from little to big ones. Schedules, plans, logistics can take up quite a bit of brain space, as can jobs, moves, relat ..read more

By Lily Sahaguian, LPC As I nestle into the depths of hibernation, I find myself nurturing the more introverted nooks of my being while paying attention to what and how my body is communicating to me through the winter months. Specifically, I have been reflecting on whether or not I am attuning to the messages my body sends. I have been asking myself: “…how can I build a more holistic and consensual relationship with my body to invite more softness amidst the harshness of winter?”  In my work with clients, we often focus on this idea of embodiment — the act of expanding one’s self awaren ..read more

We have some updates to share about our ongoing Pelvic Pain Support Group! Lily Sahaguian, LPC, is stepping into the role as lead facilitator of this amazing group in 2024. I’d like to introduce you to her, but first, in Lily’s words: As a clinical counselor and yoga instructor, I have always been interested in creating and facilitating healing spaces for individuals and communities. Specifically, I am a big advocate for how peer connection through sharing experiences can facilitate healing, enhance our mind-body connection, and connections to others. Facilitating this group and being a ..read more

By Lily Sahaguian, LPC I’ve mentioned in blogs past that there is something about seasons changing that ignites my interest in connecting with my environment (i.e., leaves changing colors, wardrobe changes, epic sunsets and sunrises). You know the gist. But what about connecting with what’s changing internally? What if I didn’t have to wait for seasons to change to notice internal shifts?  Maisie Hill’s Period Power offers insights on how to connect with your inner world through your menstruation cycle in a way that’s more present, mindful, and gentle. She highlights the importance of c ..read more

By Kari Moyer, LPC Boo!!! Fall is upon us, which has left many grieving those sunny skies and 90-degree days. Transitioning from sun-filled days to gray can feel like a daunting and draining reminder that winter/hibernation season is near. We tend to mourn the activities we WON’T be able to do, but what if we brainstormed what we CAN do to help promote physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing through the colder months instead? Staying active in the chillier months has always been difficult for me. I’ve often found myself counting down the days and obsessively checking my weather app to see w ..read more

By Amy Berrafato, LMFT, CST It's me, hi, I'm the problem, it's me At tea time, everybody agrees I'll stare directly at the sun but never in the mirror It must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero There is a common (often unspoken) expectation in egalitarian relationships to have a 50/50 split in responsibility for everything. From household chores to decisions to initiative to finances to parenting–we expect fairness in all domains. After all, we deserve to be treated fairly, right? Of course! And, if we expand our self-awareness a bit more, we might turn that elusive goal of ‘fai ..read more

By Rachel Zar, LMFT, CST I write to-do lists on Post-it notes. Tons of them. They’re scattered around my desk as reminders of shopping lists, emails to send, tasks to complete, upcoming plans, and what I’m working on in therapy. Lists work for me. It feels good to cross things off, and it feels great to see a completed Post-it. I used to crumple those up and satisfactorily toss them in the trash. Victory! But then it was gone—no evidence of all those little triumphs. Somewhere along the way, I picked up a completed note and folded it into a paper crane (a skill my hands never forgot from midd ..read more

By Lily Sahaguian While on a recent hike, I found myself immersed in the unique experience of feeling free, isolated, and yet connected. Shortly after an ankle injury at the peak of the mountain, I was pushed to think about the things that could threaten my life. Flooded with adrenaline, I felt threatened about nightfall, wildlife, and whether or not my partner and I would make it down safely.     In its many definitions, human life can be thought of as the capacity to which we can breathe (life), reproduce (sex), and pass on (death). Meanwhile, our ability to reason also gives ..read more

By Kari Moyer, LPC The big O! Widely misunderstood and HEAVILY affecting women’s pleasure in the bedroom. Have you been frustrated with an inability to orgasm with your partner? Or wondered why your vibrator does the trick? Have you found yourself faking an orgasm to please your partner? You are NOT alone. There’s a pleasure gap between men and women in heterosexual cisgender relationships, and it is a cultural problem. The number one issue: thinking orgasm will come from penetrative sex (intercourse) alone; which is the common way MEN reach orgasm, not women. Sadly this is a widespread myth ..read more

By Amy Berrafato, LMFT, CST The other day I greeted my nephew with, “Come over here, and give me a ‘hug’!” He laughed in my face and proceeded to give me a proper hug. Have you ever noticed moments when your memory seems to fail you? You have trouble focusing on the podcast you’re listening to? Words get jumbled when they come out of your mouth? You’re driving and don’t quite recall how you got from point A to point B? Before a collective freakout about potential diagnoses, chances are anxiety and mindlessness may have something to do with this. Anxiety always overrides cognition. It takes u ..read more