Gender dysphoria, formerly known as gender identity disorder, describes intense and persistent feelings of identifying with another gender. Individuals with gender dysphoria often take measures to live in harmony with their internal gender identity. This may include dressing and using mannerisms associated with the gender they identify with. In order to be officially diagnosed with gender dysphoria, a person must experience significant distress.

More and more people are opting to work from home. While this has its advantages, it definitely has its challenges as well. Particularly when your partner also works from home.

When you build a fire, whether to warm your home or to add a bit of ambience on a cold, winter’s night, you know you’ve got to tend to the fire to keep it going. Relationships are no different. They, too, begin with that initial spark, but you both have to tend to the relationship to keep the heat!

Since the 1970s, LGBTQ people in this country have been fighting; fighting for equal rights and fighting to dismantle the stereotype that their relationships have no intrinsic value.

The truth is, LGBTQ relationships can be just as loving and committed as heterosexual ones. And they can also have similar challenges to heterosexual relationships as far as finances, parenting, household chores and so on.

There are, however, certain conflicts and interests that are unique to same-sex couples.

Whether it’s across town or across country, moving is one of the most stressful experiences a person can go through. Everything takes longer and weighs more than you initially thought, and the internet provider never seems to have any openings to come out to your new place and get you hooked up!

It’s no wonder people absolutely dread moving.

As licensed therapists that specialize in helping clients cultivate healthier relationships, particularly with themselves, we understand the multifaceted challenges many black women face. Among these challenges are anxiety, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome—three interconnected adversaries that can hinder personal growth and well-being. In this article, we aim to provide insight, support, and actionable strategies for navigating these obstacles on your journey towards self-empowerment and fulfillment.

Regardless of how Black women actually show up, in US workplaces (and other settings) Black women are more often demonized and written off as ‘Angry Black Women’, when compared to others who express the same level of (or more) emotion. This implicit bias has severe adverse implications for the health, careers, and economic potential of Black women. This blog explores the role that depression, namely irritable depression, may play in these dynamics and how irritable depression goes unnoticed and unaddressed in Black women.

When we enter into a relationship, we do so trusting the other person has our best interests at heart. Sadly, many people can eventually find themselves in an abusive relationship. The abuse can be emotional, verbal, and physical.

Whether you’ve just started at a new job or you’ve been employed for a while but are still finding your footing at the company, here are some steps you can take to build healthy relationships with coworkers:

Have you heard about the concept of mindfulness? It involves being aware of the thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations that you’re experiencing at any given time (this is commonly referred to as “present moment awareness”).

Key Points:

• Neurobiological involvement is key to the success of Brainspotting for many people. 

• Your relationship with your provider may make or break your Brainspotting session.

• Brainspotting targets symptoms and behaviors, not specific diagnoses. 

One claim at the forefront of this method is that ‘Brainspotting works for everyone’. Everyone? Everyone. Since when was there a therapeutic tool that could work for everyone? I am just as curious as you are! Join me in taking a step back to analyze the ins and outs of this method, which may allow for greater insight into what makes Brainspotting so unique and cutting-edge. 

Whether your child is an infant, a preteen, or a full-fledged adult, you may be overwhelmed and in need of parenting tips.

There is a very old saying that says, “Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.” This is a warning to people to not act out in anger or resentment because you only end up harming yourself. Over time, these feelings of resentment can build until the individual develops feelings of depression or anxiety.

Therapy is a wonderful way to explore your inner world, process your feelings, and inspire transformation. But what our clients often tell us is that a day or so after our session, they begin to feel a little lost and anxious again.

It’s important to support the progress you’ve made with your therapist in between your sessions. Here is what we advise our own clients to do in between our sessions:

Into each life a little rain must fall is a way of saying every one of us will experience sadness in our lifetime. It is completely normal and natural. But there are some people who feel something deeper and darker than sadness, and they may feel this way despite there being no triggering event such as the loss of a loved one.

So how can we tell the difference between sadness and depression?

When the pandemic hit, many people began to work with their therapists online. But there were many skeptics who did not believe the benefits of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, also known as EMDR therapy, which is traditionally a hands-on therapy, could translate to online platforms. But as the pandemic unfolded and more and more therapists began using EMDR therapy online, it became clear that this protocol was just as effective used virtually as it was in-person.

Finding a therapist that you feel totally safe and comfortable with is very important for your healing journey. Because of this, some people wonder whether it’s important for your therapist to be a certain gender.

Some have theorized over the years that the gender of a therapist should not matter. After all if they have both been trained and licensed and have a solid track record of helping clients, why should it matter?

Every family deals with challenges. But those families with either a parent or child who identifies as LGBTQ face particularly unique ones. Here are some of the most common challenges faced by LGBTQ families.

Conflict is natural, and every couple will experience it at some point in their relationship. The difference between a couple who can navigate this conflict and those who allow conflict to break their bond comes down to proven conflict resolution strategies.

Emotional abuse is not as easy to spot as physical abuse, but oftentimes its effects can be just as traumatic. Emotional abuse can involve a wide range of tactics, including gaslighting, shaming and manipulation. All of these are intended to leave the victim feeling confused, powerless and hopeless.

Typically people suffer from long-term or short-term emotional abuse, and depending on the length of time, there can be varying mental health effects.