Connection, not control Neuroscience is a great tool for understanding human meaning-making. It helps us map our inner workings, offering insight into how our brains respond to stress, relationships, to exclusion, and more. But like the saying goes, neuroscience can be used to hammer when really what’s needed is a… Read More »Neuroscience for Connection
Therapy isn’t about proving the validity of connection through science; it’s about creating growth-fostering relationships that honor our shared humanity. Neuroscience, when used thoughtfully, can help illuminate the path forward without overshadowing the relational wisdom that guides us.
Burnout, then, is not simply an individual failing or a byproduct of working too hard. It is a signal that something in our relational ecosystem needs attention.
When we think about therapy, we often associate it with mental health diagnoses like anxiety or depression. But what if you’re struggling in ways that don’t fit into a diagnostic box? Job stress, loneliness, relationship difficulties, a big loss, or a sense of being stuck—these challenges don’t always come with… Read More »Therapy Without Diagnosis
How To Keep Going On Monday evenings I’m lucky enough to get and talk with one of my best friends about whatever comes up. We record it, and sometimes it turns out to be something worth sharing with the world. Sometimes it’s an in-depth discussion about Dick Van Dyke being… Read More »Love Needs Fighters
Relational care isn’t just about individual relationships—it’s about creating a cultural shift. In a society that often prizes independence above all else, relational care values interdependence. It challenges the notion that we must carry our burdens alone and instead reminds us that we thrive together.
Boundaries: A Place of Meeting, Not Separation In the framework of Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT), boundaries are reimagined. No longer something that you might “set” on someone, they become a matter of stating your own limits. Instead of rigid lines that separate us, boundaries are places of meeting—flexible, responsive spaces where… Read More »Relational Boundaries
Navigating shame and cultural barriers with Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT) In a society where rigid gender norms and misinformation about trans identities persist, families often face cultural pressure that can lead to feelings of shame or uncertainty about their role. Yet, for trans and gender non-conforming youth, family acceptance is crucial… Read More »Supporting Transgender Youth
What a week. A platform that endangers transgender youth and adults, decimates reproductive freedom, and glorifies violence has been elevated to leadership in all branches of our federal government. Where do we even start (other than pragmatic preparations to keep our loved ones safe)? How we navigate this period isn’t… Read More »Disruptive Empathy
Relational-Cultural Theory’s take on mutuality is what we need right now. The overwhelm of politics makes it easy to disconnect—not only from others but from the broader currents of culture that shape our lives. Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT), which emphasizes that people grow through and toward connection, suggests a powerful antidote:… Read More »The Practice Of Mutuality