Many of us have automatic thoughts that pop up without warning—often negative, critical, or unhelpful. These thoughts can shape how we feel, how we react, and even the choices we make. But before we can change these patterns, we need to identify them clearly.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective approaches for managing anxiety, depression, stress, and a variety of mental health challenges. What makes CBT powerful are the specific skills and techniques that help you understand and change unhelpful thought and behavior patterns.

In therapy, we often talk about values—those deeply held beliefs and principles that guide how we live, decide, and relate to others. But what exactly makes values so important? And why does connecting to them matter for your mental and emotional health?

Parenting is hard enough on its own. But when two parents approach it differently, the challenge can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re co-parenting after a separation, blending families, or simply navigating your own differences, conflicting parenting styles can create tension and confusion—for parents and kids alike.

Blending families is a journey full of twists, turns, and learning curves. The NACHO method (“Not My Kid, Not My Problem”) is a popular approach stepparents use to manage discipline and relationships early on.

NACHO stands for:

You ask them to help with chores—and they roll their eyes.They demand more screen time, more snacks, more… everything.Gratitude feels absent. Patience is short. And you start wondering:“Did I raise an entitled kid?”

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “Why is this so hard?” when it comes to parenting—you're not alone, and you’re not wrong.

You’re the one who says yes even when you're exhausted.The one who avoids conflict, swallows needs, and keeps the peace—at any cost.The one everyone counts on, but who quietly wonders, "When is it my turn?"

Whether you found out through a conversation, a text message, or a gut feeling confirmed, discovering that your teenager is sexually active can be a jarring moment. It may spark panic, anger, sadness—or all three.

Being a single mom today can feel like carrying the weight of the world with no one to pass the load to. You’re the provider, the nurturer, the scheduler, the disciplinarian, the comforter, and the one who remembers to sign the field trip form and pick up the groceries—all while trying to hold yourself together.

You check your calendar, prep for your therapy session—and then you get the message: Your therapist had to cancel. Maybe it’s short notice, or maybe it's rescheduled for next week. Either way, it stirs something: frustration, concern, confusion.

Most people don't think about what it costs to sit in the therapist's chair day after day—holding trauma, soothing anxiety, confronting conflict, and trying to be a steady presence in someone else’s storm. But therapists are human, too. And when emotional labor meets chronic overextension, burnout isn't just possible—it’s probable.

Divorce is often seen as the ultimate failure in a relationship — a sign that love wasn’t enough or that two people simply gave up. But sometimes, divorce isn’t about failure at all. It can be the most honest, courageous, and healing choice a couple can make. In some situations, divorce is actually the healthiest way to fix the relationship — by ending the cycle of pain and making space for growth, peace, and new beginnings.

Working with Middle Eastern refugees has been one of the most meaningful and humbling experiences of my career. These individuals and families carry stories of profound resilience, loss, and hope — stories that shape their healing journeys and reveal the strength of the human spirit.

Immigration is one of those topics that can spark fierce debate and strong feelings. You often hear phrases like “the right way” versus “the wrong way” to immigrate—but what does that really mean? As a therapist, I want to explore this question with empathy and nuance because immigration isn’t just policy—it’s about people, families, and lives.

In today’s world, it feels like division is everywhere — politically, socially, culturally. As a therapist, I see how this widening gap between “us” and “them” affects not just the nation, but each of us on a deeply personal level. So, what exactly is division doing to us?

There were days when I didn’t want to be here anymore—not because I wanted to die, but because I didn’t know how to keep living like that. The pain, the exhaustion, the constant voice in my head that told me I was a burden. I looked fine on the outside, which made it even harder. No one knew. I felt ashamed. Isolated. Stuck in a loop I couldn’t see a way out of.