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Mental healthcare is a fundamental right, not a luxury. As a private practice owner, I’ve dedicated my career to breaking down the financial barriers that too often prevent individuals from accessing the support they desperately need. It’s a passion that stems from a deep-seated belief: money should never be the obstacle to taking care of […]

Back in my previous life as a college professor, I had to teach a course titled “Fundamentals of Quantitative Data Analysis”. This is a fancy way of saying “statistics”. I was teaching statistics. To social science majors. The first day of class, I was usually met with a crowd of faces displaying the kind of […]

Prior to the pandemic, most of us had the same relationship to telehealth that we had to driving a Lamborghini. We knew it was an option, but most of us hadn’t had the opportunity to try it. Over a few weeks, that changed suddenly, and we found ourselves relying on telehealth for everything from routine […]

Alright, settle in folks, Jenai Tidwell, LPC-S is about to climb onto her soapbox – a very comfortable, plush soapbox, mind you, because we prioritize comfort in these parts. I’ve been in this mental health game for nearly twenty years. Two whole decades wading through the beautiful, messy, and utterly human landscape of the mind. […]

Have you ever wondered why hugging a baby, snuggling your pet, or laughing at a really funny video can make you feel so good? That warm, happy feeling isn’t accidental-it’s your brain doing what it does best! Your brain has a powerful reward system that depends on natural chemicals, neurotransmitters, to make you feel good, […]

I have been hearing the word “burnout” a lot in sessions lately. Clients are burnt out at work. They are burnt out by media and digital overload. They are burning out on the constant lack of certainty that seems to be the new normal. They are scared of feeling burnt out by parenting and caregiving. […]

Most of us know that stress is bad for us. We have been told continuously, from childhood on, that controlling stress is an important part of maintaining physical and mental health over the course of a lifetime. This is due to allostatic load, or the cumulative impact of chronic stress on our bodies […]

Bipolar disorder isn’t just one thing; it’s a spectrum of experiences, marked by those dramatic mood swings we often hear about. Let’s break it down, focusing on how it shows up in adults and kids, because it’s surprisingly different. First, the types: Bipolar I Disorder: Think of this as the “classic” version. It’s defined by […]

I think of sleep as the salt of mental health. Without proper seasoning, food tastes bland, and that lack of nuance, texture, and flavor immediately becomes all we notice when it is not there. Without proper sleep, our brains fixate on the lack of resilience, focus, and flexibility that results when we are not properly […]

From scrolling through TikTok to binge-watching Netflix, screen time is an inevitable part of modern life. We use screens for everything—work, entertainment, social connections, and even relaxation. But how much is too much? At what point does screen time stop being a harmless distraction and start affecting our mental health and well-being?

In a world where social media filters and airbrushed magazine covers define beauty, the pressure to achieve a “perfect” body is everywhere. From Hollywood celebrities to influencers on TikTok, we’re constantly bombarded with images of unattainable beauty standards. But behind the curated feeds and flawless selfies, many people are silently battling eating disorders, particularly anorexia […]

Have you ever had a thought that sticks in your mind? It was always there, in the forefront of your mind or even lingering in the background, no matter what you were doing. Maybe the thought was about something embarrassing that you did, a regret of the past, or concerns about a current situation that […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]