Don't worry, "remember they choose you" isn't on the list, because “they chose you” doesn't magically turn off insecurity, comparison, or the intrusive thought spiral that happens when you suddenly wonder what your partner's ex looked like, what their relationship was like, or whether they did certain things together. Have you ever found yourself scrolling through your partner’s ex’s social media? Maybe you wonder what they looked like, what their relationship was like, or wh

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

Understanding Attachment Styles in Relationships—Anxious Attachment Signs You may have heard the term “attachment style” or “anxious attachment relationships” and wondering what it has to do with your partner and your relationship. In fact, understanding your attachment style can help you explain how you connect with your partner, how you handle conflict, and why you may feel secure—or insecure— in love. Keep reading to learn more about what causes anxious attachments and wha

The Scariest Thing About Halloween? Social Anxiety. Why social situations can feel terrifying, what happens in your brain when you fear being judged, and how to stop letting anxiety run the show. Halloween is supposed to be scary. There's the haunted house. The creepy decorations. The jump scares. The neighbor who goes a little too hard with the fake cemetery in their front yard. But for some people, the scariest part of Halloween has absolutely nothing to do with ghosts. It'

As election day draws nearer, it’s not unusual to feel overwhelmed by politics, especially when the election climate is contentious. You may be inundated with texts and mail from political candidates. You may see more TV and online ads from candidates imploring voters for support while critically outlining how a political opponent falls short. In the course of looking for information to help you to decide who to vote for, you may find yourself awash with large amounts of info

Teenagers often have worries and intrusive thoughts that can lead to ongoing anxiety. One of the most common types is Generalized Anxiety. The DSM-V explains Generalized Anxiety Disorder as, “excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months, about a number of events or activities such as work or school performance.” Anxiety can have physical and emotional effects that can feel like an endless burden. As adult mentors, educators, and caregivers, h

Why Do I Like Murder Documentaries So Much? The Psychology Behind Our True Crime Obsession Why are we so fascinated by murder documentaries, serial killers, and true crime podcasts? The answer might have more to do with your brain than you think. It's 11:30 p.m. You've finished your favorite show, brushed your teeth, and promised yourself you were going to bed early tonight. But then Netflix recommends a documentary about a decades-old murder case, and suddenly you're three e

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

Perfectionism and Anxiety: Why Nothing Ever Feels Good Enough Have you ever finished a project, checked every detail, and still walked away wondering what you could have done better? Do you replay conversations in your head, worry about disappointing people, or feel guilty when you take a break? Maybe you hold yourself to impossibly high standards. Maybe you struggle to delegate because you worry someone else won't do things the "right" way. Or perhaps you spend so much time

Conspiracy Theories and Anxiety: Why Our Brains Search for Answers When We Feel Afraid Have you ever fallen down an internet rabbit hole? You start by watching one video. Then another. Before you know it, you're reading 47 comment threads, watching documentaries, searching for evidence, and wondering whether everything you thought you knew might be wrong and maybe the world really is run by the Illuminati. Hold up before we go any further. Y'all. I love conspiracy theories. M

Anxiety has a way of pulling us out of the present moment. Instead of focusing on what is happening right now, our minds jump ahead to worst-case scenarios, replay uncomfortable conversations, or get stuck worrying about things we cannot control. Overthinking often keeps us trapped in cycles of self-doubt, worry, and mental spiraling that make it difficult to feel grounded in the present. If you've ever found yourself mentally living in the future or dwelling on the past, you

When people think about attachment styles, they often think about dating and romantic relationships - and they absolutely do show up there. But attachment styles can show up in friendships, too. In fact, friendships are often one of the first places where our attachment wounds, fears, and relationship patterns begin to appear. Our early experiences with caregivers and relationships often shape how we connect with others throughout life, not just romantic partners, but friends

Have you ever sent a text and immediately thought... hmm, maybe I shouldn’t have said that, or maybe I said something wrong? Maybe a friend seems quieter than usual, your partner responds with a short message, or your boss doesn't smile when you walk into work. Within seconds, your mind starts racing. "Are they upset with me?" "Did I do something wrong?" "Should I apologize?" If this sounds familiar, trust me, you're not alone. One of the most common experiences people bring

Anxiety doesn't have to control your life. If you’ve been asking yourself, “Can a therapist help with anxiety?” you’re not alone. Just like many people, you could be wondering whether online therapy can actually make a difference, especially if you’ve been feeling anxious for a long time. The short answer is yes. Online therapy is one of the most effective treatments for anxiety, and you can experience significant improvement with the right support. Can a Therapist Help With

You don't have to wait until you're falling apart to start putting yourself back together.

Do you find yourself drawn to unavailable partners or feeling anxious when relationships begin to deepen? Do you struggle to trust others or feel unsettled when someone gets emotionally close? These patterns may be signs you have attachment issues, emotional patterns that often begin in early childhood and continue shaping how you connect with others as an adult. Many people carry attachment patterns without realizing it. They repeat relationship dynamics that leave them feel

Ah, yes. It's Sunday afternoon. You've just returned home from church, brunch, the farmer's market, or wherever your Sunday has taken you. You're hanging out with your family, catching up on laundry, and then. Suddenly. "Out of nowhere", it starts. The dread. Remembering the emails you didn't answer on Friday. Mentally reviewing your schedule for the week. Wishing for another day or two or three of weekend (or retirement). Sound familiar? You're not alone. You may be experi

If anxiety has started affecting your sleep, relationships, work, school, or ability to enjoy everyday life, you may have reached the point where you're considering therapy. But finding a therapist can feel overwhelming in itself. There are psychologists, licensed professional counselors, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and other mental health professionals. Then there are different therapy approaches, specialties, insurance plans, appointment formats

Somehow, summer flew by. One minute we're staying up a little too late, eating popsicles for breakfast, and enjoying slower mornings. The next, we're searching for school supplies, figuring out bus schedules, adjusting bedtime, and realizing that the first day of school is *really* happening. For some kids, that transition is exciting. For others, it is really, really hard. Maybe your child suddenly has a stomachache every morning. Maybe they're asking approximately 47 questi

Move-in day is supposed to be exciting. You've bought the dorm supplies. You've packed approximately 47 times. You've labeled things that have never needed labels before. You're trying to figure out how a person who somehow managed to lose three water bottles in one week is now going to keep track of their laundry, assignments, medication, meals, and entire life. And somewhere between loading the car and saying goodbye, you may find yourself wondering: What if my child isn't