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Confessions of a Couple’s Therapist : “Do we really need counseling?”
One of the most common questions that one partner will ask me in the first session of couple’s therapy is whether I think they need therapy. This one-sided skepticism is something I have grown used to as a therapist. Unless there is a major crisis or betrayal threatening the stability of a relationship, one partner […]
jenai309
Feb 114 min read
5 Ways to Boost Your Self Esteem and Build Self Confidence
Self-esteem can feel like a rollercoaster—some days you’re on top of the world, and other days, self-doubt creeps in like an unexpected Texas storm. If you’ve ever felt like you’re not good enough, comparing yourself to others on social media, or struggling to shake that inner critic, you’re not alone. Here in Houston, where everything […]
jenai309
Feb 44 min read
Time Confetti Mindfulness without Spending Money
In 2014, Brigid Shulte introduced the concept of “time confetti” to describe the splintering of our days into smaller and smaller bits of time that we feel compelled to utilize and optimize at all costs. Time confetti impacts our work, our leisure, our relationships, and our own self-care in ways that are both insidious and […]
jenai309
Jan 245 min read
Why It’s Okay to Say No: Tips on Assertiveness and Boundaries
Today’s American society no longer values leisure time, relaxation, and connecting with others face-to-face as it did a few decades ago. Instead, it exalts self-sacrifice, constant availability, and technological connections. Many of us struggle with the ability to manage all the “shoulds” that are imposed upon us. We have not found aa way to say […]
jenai309
Jan 153 min read
Reflect, Reset, Renew: How Therapy Can Guide Your Year-End Reflection and Fresh
As the year begins a new, many of us find ourselves in reflection mode, replaying the highs, lows, and everything in between. The end of the year is like the credits rolling on a movie—you remember the dramatic twists, the surprising wins, and the lessons you’ve learned. But unlike a movie, you have the power […]
jenai309
Jan 83 min read
Why Therapy Can Help You Start the Year with Clarity
The new year feels like a blank slate—an opportunity to hit reset, set new goals, and refocus. But let’s be honest: January often comes with a mix of excitement and pressure. Resolutions can feel overwhelming, lingering challenges from the previous year may still weigh on you, and the stress of navigating life transitions can make […]
jenai309
Dec 30, 20242 min read
Leave the Past in 2024: The Importance of Forgiveness for Your Mental Health
As you take stock of the past year, have you noticed the emotional baggage that has been weighing you down- old hurts, anger, unresolved conflicts, long held resentments, and thoughts of revenge? Do you need to forgive someone for the hurt they caused or perhaps yourself? Forgiveness is a two-way street; it benefits the forgiver […]
jenai309
Dec 27, 20242 min read
Navigating Grief at the Hap-Happiest Time of the Year
Grief is hard. During the holidays, when it seems like all the world is in a state of joy and celebration, it can also feel like an unfair burden that you are expected to carry quietly and discretely to preserve others’ comfort, traditions, and normalcy. The pressure to be both in the celebration and […]
jenai309
Dec 10, 20245 min read
How to Cope with Seasonal Affective Disorder in Winter Months
Do the winter months get you down and leave you wondering where all your energy went? Do you feel tired and unmotivated, wanting to lay on the couch or in bed all day? Are you like Maggie, a wife and mom, who works remotely from home? In late fall, Maggie’s mood begins to change with […]
jenai309
Dec 3, 20242 min read
The Caregiver’s Guide: Self Care Tips for Therapist to Prevent Burnout
As therapists, we are often the ones holding space for others, listening deeply, and helping clients process their most challenging emotions. It’s meaningful and rewarding work, but it can also be emotionally demanding. Many therapists pour so much into their clients that they leave little room to care for themselves. Over time, this can lead […]
jenai309
Nov 26, 20245 min read
Family Feels: How to Handle Tricky Interactions with Empathy and Grace
Family gatherings can be a blend of heartwarming moments and emotional landmines. Whether you’re sharing a meal around the table or hopping on a video call with a patchy connection, family dynamics have a way of stirring up everything from joy and nostalgia to frustration and discomfort. The good news? You don’t have to let […]
jenai309
Nov 24, 20243 min read
Tips for Setting Boundaries with Family During the Holidays
The holidays give families the opportunity to gather and practice their unique cultural traditions, eat delicious meals at the dinner table, and create lifelong memories. Many look forward to the beautiful moments with our families with hopes of connection and joy. On the other hand, this can also be a time when people find the […]
jenai309
Nov 13, 20243 min read
The Four Faces of Fear: Navigating Crisis Responses
Think back to a moment when you felt scared, maybe you were walking outside and noticed a dog without a leash, or you were on the way to work when a car moved too close to yours. How did you react? How did your body respond? What were some thoughts coming up at that moment? […]
jenai309
Oct 31, 20244 min read
Trauma Bonds and Attachment Styles: Why We Keep Going Back
Relationships can be tricky, even under the best of circumstances. But when we throw trauma into the mix, things can get really complicated. Have you ever found yourself in a relationship—whether it’s romantic, platonic, or familial—where you feel stuck, even though you know it’s harmful? Maybe you’ve tried to leave, but something pulls you back. […]
jenai309
Oct 24, 20244 min read
Breaking the Cycle of Codependency
How many times have you found yourself bending over backward to make someone else happy, even when you’re running on empty? Now, there’s nothing wrong with being a caring and supportive person. Still, when you’re giving more than you’re receiving and constantly putting someone else’s needs above your own, this could be codependency. What Is […]
jenai309
Oct 17, 20244 min read
Myths about Depression
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 18.5% of U.S. adults aged 18 and over have been diagnosed with depression. Despite its prevalence, depression is often misunderstood and mischaracterized by the media and popular culture, and the medical establishment has failed to counter these myths and misperceptions, leaving those diagnosed with the disorder […]
jenai309
Oct 10, 20246 min read
5 Common Reason’s Couples Split Up
Ever wondered why couples who seem to have it all together sometimes end up parting ways? It’s not always about the big dramatic moments often, it’s the little things that pile up. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I’ve seen how even the strongest relationships can hit rough patches. The good news? Many of these issues […]
jenai309
Sep 19, 20243 min read
The Facts about Suicide in America
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a designation made in 2008 to help raise awareness and acknowledge those who have been impacted by suicide and help honor those who have been lost. Since its inception, suicide rates in the United States have hovered between 10 and 14 per 100,000 residents, reaching 14.21 per 100,000 residents […]
jenai309
Sep 11, 20244 min read
Narcissism: Separating Pop Culture Myths from Clinical Reality
Think about the last time you were scrolling through social media and stumbled across a post labeling someone a “narcissist.” Or maybe during a conversation with a friend or family member, they casually dropped the term to describe an ex or their significant other. With the internet at our fingertips and words like “narcissist” going […]
jenai309
Aug 22, 20244 min read
Is Anger the Only Mental Health Check Engine Light?
I was listening to one of my can’t-miss weekly podcasts recently where the host was interviewing a mental health professional speaking about her own experiences with postpartum depression as she struggled with parenting three children in the months after giving birth to her youngest. She was describing a particularly horrifying incident involving her minivan getting […]
jenai309
Aug 14, 20243 min read
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