I often find myself slipping into a state of depression when others do not want to really be with me. Numerous thoughts flow through my mind as I think to myself why anyone would not want to be with me. I feel that I am a very likeable person who can never cause harm to others. Sometimes I feel the need to converse with people to allow their true feeling about me to emerge. I often look at facial expressions while talking to others. Once I find out that a person does not want to be with me, I will walk around my home feeling very depressed. I am usually in my room playing music and will not ta ..read more

Transgenerational or intergenerational trauma, the transmission of trauma experiences across generations, has gathered growing interest over the last several years. While the psychological and sociological aspects have been studied, recent attention has turned toward the intricate role of epigenetics. Epigenetics refers to changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations in the DNA sequence itself. Instead, these changes are influenced by environmental factors, including experiences of trauma. Researchers and experts posit that trauma can leave molecular marks on DNA, modifying gene ..read more

Rejection, trauma, lack of self-worth and confidence are just a few of many experiences that many people have which causes them to minimize themselves and silence their voice. A lot of things we experience in our childhood shape who and what we become. No one should ever make themselves feel uncomfortable to make others feel comfortable. TAKE UP SPACE! What does this look like? It looks like knowing you are worth filling the gaps in your life that you have been afraid to occupy. It looks like allowing yourself to be seen and heard. It looks like expressing your feelings, thoughts, and ideals w ..read more

In our fast-paced and frequently demanding world, we often forget to be kind to ourselves. We push ourselves to do more, be more, and achieve more, often at the expense of our own well-being. However, self-compassion offers a powerful antidote to this cycle of self-criticism and self-judgment. Self-compassion is the practice of treating ourselves with the same kindness, care, and understanding that we would offer to a good friend. It involves acknowledging our own suffering, recognizing that it is a part of the human experience, and responding to ourselves with empathy and compassion. One of t ..read more

Infertility can feel like riding a rollercoaster, with its twists, turns, and unexpected drops. There are highs of hope and anticipation, followed by lows of disappointment and despair. Like passengers on a rollercoaster, individuals facing infertility must hold on tight during the turbulent moments and trust that eventually, the ride will smooth out. Bringing a child into the world is often considered one of life’s greatest joys, but for many, the journey to parenthood can be stressful and uncertain. Fertility issues affect millions of individuals and couples worldwide, presenting not only ph ..read more

Some topics can be difficult to talk about and explain to our children. Topics such as mental health, body acceptance, bodily autonomy and racism can be complicated and hard for children to understand and for parents to explain. Despite this, research shows that discussing these topics in age appropriate ways can be vital to children’s mental health and social development, as well as in developing a diverse and inclusive mindset. Children’s books can be a helpful way to broach these topics with our children and give us some guidance as to how to open dialogue on these topics. I have developed ..read more

Mental health has a great impact on your life as it affects the way you think and behave which affects your decision making, relationships as well as how you deal with stressors. Fortunately, making small lifestyle changes have a large impact on your quality of life, especially for those who struggle with mental health, and it minimizes the risk for other health conditions. Here are some health lifestyle tips to improving your mental health: Engage in Movement (Regularly) Recommendations: Walking, jogging, cycling, gardening, dancing, yoga, Zumba, Pilates This helps to reduce anxiety and dep ..read more

Bringing a new life into the world can be a transformative and magical experience, but this is not always the case. Pregnancy and the postpartum period come with a set of unique challenges. It is important to know you can ask for help when challenges arise during this journey. Often, the birthing parent and their partner are fearful to ask for help because there is worry about being judged by others (e.g., “you’re pregnant, I was so happy pregnant”, “you’re so lucky! Look at this bundle of joy”, “It’s normal, it will go away.”) These comments can be perceived as invalidating and lead to indivi ..read more

Danielle Kowach LCSW Understanding Boundaries In a world where constant connectivity and accessibility seem to be the norm, setting boundaries has become more crucial than ever. Whether it’s in personal relationships, professional environments, or even with ourselves, knowing when to say “enough” is essential for maintaining mental, emotional and physical well-being.  Boundaries are the invisible lines we draw around ourselves to protect our values, emotions and time. They define what is acceptable and what is not, shaping the dynamics of our interactions with others. Without clear bounda ..read more

“Carol” came to therapy describing increased worry, stress and irregular sleep affecting her work performance and family interactions.  She recognized that she “did too much” and overcommitted herself and her time to other people’s needs and requests. It was rare for her to tell another person “no” and she struggled to set boundaries with herself and others.  “Carol” would often feel bad, experiencing guilt, if she thought she caused disappointment for another person, or worse, she would become distressed if she thought saying no would lead to confrontation or conflict. So, she would ..read more