Is CBT the best choice?
Healing comes from integrating the thinking, the sensations, the experience, the emotions, the belonging, all held in a growth-fostering relationship.
Showing up for connection
The first group therapy I participated in was the result of a bargain with my therapist. I was in individual therapy for a while, circling the same themes, feeling stuck in patterns I couldn’t quite shift. Wishing for a little more insight. My therapist gently suggested group therapy, and I… Read More »Showing up for connection
CARE-ing for your mental health
As the world becomes increasingly complex—social upheaval, political strife, and personal stress—it’s tempting to withdraw and attempt to manage alone. However, Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT) emphasizes that connection is not just beneficial, it’s essential. Relationships provide the structure for healing, resilience, and sustainable well-being. The CARE Assessment, developed by Dr. Amy… Read More »CARE-ing for your mental health
Getting in the MUD
Growth-fostering relationships require a willingness to step into the unknown together. RCT provides tools and support to help couples lean into this messiness, understanding that vulnerability is a pathway to deeper connection.
Relational Parenting TGNC Kids
Avoiding a “Model Me” Disconnect In Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT), Maureen Walker’s concepts of “Model Me” and “Not Me” describe the internalized narratives we carry about who we believe we should be and who we believe we must never be. They are more about how we are perceived than how we… Read More »Relational Parenting TGNC Kids
Neuroscience and Relational Wisdom
Countering Fear-Based Narratives with Relational Wisdom Fear is a powerful motivator. It fuels defensiveness, reinforces hierarchies, and creates division with ease. In a rapidly changing world, fear-based narratives like those promoted by figures such as Jordan Peterson, can seem appealing. These narratives often offer a sense of order and certainty… Read More »Neuroscience and Relational Wisdom
Neuroscience for Connection
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
Neuroscience and Therapy
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 and the Myth of Self-Reliance
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.
Therapy Without Diagnosis
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