Holidays

There are a lot of things happening during the holiday season - the parties, the kids Christmas preformances, a million gifts to buy (in this economy??) .... But beneath that, because the holidays are usually very nostalgic for people, it’s almost like our brains are primed to remember all our childhood trauma. Right when you least want to deal with it. Right when everything is supposed to be festive and joyful and peaceful. Add in some dysfunctional dynamics from your own fa

Thanksgiving is supposed to be about gratitude, family, food, and togetherness. But let's be honest: sometimes it is also about crowded kitchens, noisy children, competing conversations, unexpected family drama, and approximately 47 things happening at once. Between the smell of turkey baking, the television playing football, someone asking when dinner will be ready, and three different conversations happening across the table, the holidays can become surprisingly overwhelmin

You can love your family and still decide that some family traditions need to change. Breaking Generational Cycles: Creating New Holiday Traditions The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy, connection, and making memories. But for some people, the holiday season brings more stress than excitement. Maybe you grew up feeling anxious about family gatherings. Maybe disagreements were swept under the rug, certain topics were off-limits, or you learned that keeping everyone el

Things You Don't Owe Anyone at Thanksgiving Dinner: A Mental Health Guide to Holiday Boundaries Thanksgiving is supposed to be about gratitude, connection, and spending time with the people we love. But let's be honest: sometimes, family gatherings come with a side of unsolicited advice, uncomfortable questions, and enough emotional tension to rival the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Maybe someone wants to know when you're getting married. Maybe a relative has opinions about

The Pressure to Make Christmas Magical: When Holiday Perfectionism Takes Over The perfectly decorated Christmas tree. The matching family pajamas. The homemade cookies, beautifully wrapped gifts, coordinated outfits, elaborate traditions, and smiling family photos. And somewhere in the middle of all of it, you're exhausted. You're trying to make Christmas special for your children, meaningful for your family, and memorable for everyone you love. You want the traditions to fee

Thanksgiving can be especially difficult when someone you love is missing. Learn how to navigate holiday grief, honor cherished memories, set boundaries, and give yourself permission to experience the holidays in your own way.

Thanksgiving is supposed to be about gratitude, family, good food, and togetherness. So why does it sometimes feel more like an emotional obstacle course? Maybe it's the relative who always asks when you're getting married. The family member who comments on your parenting. The person who brings up politics at dinner. The relative who doesn't understand why you don't want to talk about your divorce, your job, your weight, your children, or approximately 47 other personal topic

Thanksgiving Anxiety: Why You’re Dreading a Day Everyone Says Should Be Happy Everyone keeps talking about Thanksgiving. The food. The family. The traditions. The football. The gratitude. And you're thinking: “Honestly? I kind of want to hide in my bedroom.” If Thanksgiving makes you feel anxious, overwhelmed, irritable, or even sad, you're not alone. There can be a lot of pressure surrounding the holidays to feel happy and grateful. But the reality is that Thanksgiving can b

Halloween is upon us! Halloween is such a fun, nostalgic time. And, I'm all about some good holiday themed puns, so here are some Halloween themed affirmations! Let me know your fave! •I am Fab-BOO-lous! •I am capable of SPOOK-tacular things! •I make every day a bit more magical •There's nothing spooky about being me. •No tricks - I'm awesome! •You are sweeter than Halloween candy. •I am a treat to be around. •I am brave & face my fears. With a pumpkin spice latte in hand! •I

Little Monsters, Big Feelings: Helping Kids Manage Big Emotions Big feelings. Little bodies. Still-developing brains.Parenting can be a little scary sometimes, and not just because it's Halloween! One minute, your child is happily playing. The next, they're screaming because their sibling touched their toy, crying because their costume feels wrong, or melting down because you gave them the *wrong* cup. If you've ever wondered how something so small could lead to such a big re

Ah, the holidays. A time for gratitude, togetherness, traditions, good food… …and negotiating which family gets you for Thanksgiving. If you're married or in a long-term relationship, you may know the conversation well: “What are we doing for Thanksgiving?” “I thought we were going to my family's house.” “But we went to your family's house last year.” “Well, my mom already bought the turkey.” And suddenly, what started as a conversation about mashed potatoes has become a full

When Your Past Haunts You: Understanding Trauma Triggers and How to Cope Halloween is the season of haunted houses, spooky stories, and things that go bump in the night. But for some people, the scariest things aren't hiding in a haunted house. They're memories, sensations, and emotional reactions connected to experiences they've already lived through. Have you ever had a reaction that felt much bigger than the situation called for? Maybe someone's tone of voice made your hea

The Christmas music is playing. The lights are twinkling. Stores are filled with festive decorations, and your social media feed is full of matching pajamas, beautifully decorated trees, and families making memories. Everywhere you turn, the message seems to be the same: It's the most wonderful time of the year! But what if it doesn't feel that way to you? What if you're grieving someone you wish were still here? What if your family relationships are complicated, your finance

How to recognize anxiety-driven thoughts, understand hypervigilance, and learn to trust yourself without letting fear make every decision. Have you ever had a feeling that something was wrong, even when you couldn't explain why? Maybe someone didn't respond to your text, and suddenly you're convinced they're upset with you. Maybe your partner seems quieter than usual, and your mind starts searching for everything you might have done wrong. Or perhaps life is finally going wel

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When we think about mental health, we often turn to therapists, researchers, and wellness experts—but powerful insights about emotional resilience and inner strength can also be found in the words of world leaders. Throughout history, U.S. presidents from all political parties have spoken about courage, fear, perseverance, and the human spirit in ways that deeply align with modern mental health principles. For therapists, clients, and anyone on a healing journey, these presid

Valentine’s Day Journal Prompts for Deeper Connection (With Yourself and Others) Valentine’s Day often comes with a lot of noise—pressure to feel a certain way, expectations around romance, and comparison that can leave many people feeling disconnected or “behind.” Whether you’re partnered, single, newly dating, or married for years, Valentine’s Day can be a meaningful opportunity to pause and reflect. Journaling is one of the simplest, most powerful forms of self-care. It cr

Please note, as always, that this blog is not written by a licensed therapist. Therefore, the contents of this blog should be taken as educational and not as therapeutic or medical advice. If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, please call 988 or 911 for immediate assistance. The holidays don't have to interrupt your connection with your partner! It's the most wonderful time of the year! Thanksgiving has passed, and the holidays are next up. Butt the "most wonderf

Kwanzaa is a week long cultural (not religious) celebration honoring African culture. There are 7 principles that coincide with the 7 days of Kwanzaa. We themed our journal prompts to go along with each principle. Even if you do not celebrate Kwanzaa, we think these prompts will be helpful in your journaling! 1. Umoja — Unity What does “unity” mean to you, and where do you see it in your family or community? Write about a time when people came together to support you. Who mak

Chag Urim Sameach! Happy Hanukkah! I know Hanukkah does not start for another week, but as you prepare your celebrations and think over the holiday, here are some journal prompts to consider: What does the story of Hanukkah mean to your personally? How do you connect with the theme of light overcoming darkness in your own life? Reflect on a time you felt your (metaphorical) "oil" was running out, but you kept going anyway. What miracles - big or small - have you experienced t