One of the hardest things about talking about childhood experiences is that many people feel like they have to prove they were “bad enough.” They’ll say things like, “Nothing terrible happened.” “Other people had it much worse.” “My parents did…
Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I’m an adult now.”“Why does this still bother me?”“Shouldn’t I be over this by now?” It’s a question I hear surprisingly often. Especially from people who don’t think they had a “bad” childhood. They’ll…
Maybe you’ve caught yourself thinking: “This happened years ago.” “I know it’s irrational.” “Why am I still reacting like this?” “Why can’t I just get over it?” It’s one of the questions I hear most often. Usually it’s asked with…
Most of us have ways of getting through hard things. We all develop strategies that help us manage stress, difficult emotions, or experiences that once felt overwhelming. Sometimes those strategies continue to serve us. Other times, they begin to leave…
If you’ve been looking for mental health support, you’ve probably noticed the words counseling and therapy used almost interchangeably. That can make it hard to know whether there’s actually a difference or if you’re supposed to choose one over the…
Opening up emotionally can feel overwhelming, especially when past experiences, communication struggles, or fear of vulnerability get in the way. I’ve worked with many individuals and couples here in Massachusetts, and I’ve seen firsthand how therapy can help you gently…
A few years ago, I bought my kids a pillow with an emotional wheel printed on it. At the time, I would hand it to them and say, “Tell me five things you felt today.” They would look, scan the…
Sometimes insight comes ten years later. This is a longer story than usual, but stay with me — because it illustrates something important about what I call intergenerational legacy. Not trauma. Legacy. There is a difference. The Christmas That Changed…
Have you ever noticed that your sense of worth shifts depending on who you’re with?Maybe you feel confident and comfortable with one person, but suddenly small or invisible around others. If that sounds familiar, you might be operating from what…
If you’ve been with me for a while, you’ve probably heard me talk about self-esteem—and how we often learn to base it on external factors: achievements, others’ approval, how we look, or what we own. But I want to add…