Many people who struggle with OCD symptoms do not know where to turn for help, and common therapeutic practices like talk therapy can sometimes cause symptoms like hyperfixation to worsen. My hope for the last part of this series is for people with OCD symptoms to find and connect with therapists who can provide quality, affirming treatment. These therapists will most often be trained in Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), mindfulness, and somatic practices, and they specialize in helping clients break free from persistent thought patterns and compulsive behaviors.

Grief is most commonly associated with tangible events such as the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or the loss of a job. But what about the grief that comes from the quiet, daily absences? The conversation that never happened, the celebration no one showed up for, the hug that never came? These are the invisible bruises we carry, often without realizing their weight.

Unrecognized grief slips under the radar. It isn't socially validated or publicly mourned, but it's completely real.

True emotional healing involves undoing the mechanisms that keep us stuck in the patterns of negative self belief. This process often uncovers deeply buried emotions held in the body such as sadness, anger, and/or grief. It is not simply a matter of recognizing our negative beliefs; it requires a deliberate and compassionate journey toward transformation.

These emotions become embedded in both psychological patterns and physical sensations, and requires a healing approach that addressses the whole person, mind and body.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is substantially misdiagnosed, leading to improper treatment, worsening of symptoms, and suicidality. Many providers are not trained on the intricacies of OCD and therefore usually misdiagnose clients with another type of anxiety disorder, depression, or psychosis. Too many clients spend years feeling even more distant or disgusted by themselves because they do not know why their obsessions and compulsions won’t leave, even with consistent therapy.

It’s important for both providers and clients to understand how OCD can present itself so they can catch it in its tracks and start OCD-specific treatment like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure Response Prevention (ERP).

At its heart, somatic therapy acknowledges that our physical and emotional experiences are deeply intertwined. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the mind-body connection as a key to therapeutic healing. By paying attention to how emotions manifest in the body, from tension in the shoulders to that fluttery feeling in the gut, we can unlock pathways to profound relief and self-awareness.

Somatic therapy is a type of psychotherapy that believes your body has its own language, and one that we need to listen to. Traditional talk therapy often focuses on your thoughts and feelings, but somatic therapy asks, "What’s your body trying to say?"

Managing symptoms is an essential part of therapy, but the deeper, transformative work involves identifying and healing the wound at its source. In psychology, there is frequent discussion about the “root cause” of distress. In this article, we explore where negative beliefs about ourselves and our symptoms might originate.

Healing emotional wounds requires understanding their origins and addressing the unmet needs that shaped negative beliefs about ourselves. By meeting these wounds with compassion and using evidence-based therapeutic approaches, it’s possible to create lasting change.

OCD is not just the need to be tidy or clean, worrying about germs or needing to do something the same amount of times, every time. For many people with OCD, their bodies and brains feel like a war zone. Like they can never escape from the worst parts of them and are terrified of people finding out who they really are. 

In reality, these thoughts and feelings are not defining characteristics of the individual - they are OCD.

All families have their quirks, but sometimes those quirks run deeper than awkward traditions or embarrassing stories.

Many of us grow up in homes where emotional immaturity plays a role, shaping how we handle emotions, relationships, and even our sense of self. These effects aren’t always obvious to see as they tend to be subtle and ingrained in everyday interactions, all while leaving a lasting imprint.

Music isn’t just about your tastes; it’s about who you really are under the surface. What if the songs you hold close are not just reflections of your tastes but windows into your identity, values, and even your hidden desires?

The record pull works because it engages our memories, emotions, and identities all at once. It doesn’t just tell us what to think; it makes us feel.  We’re not passive listeners; we’re participants in a dialogue, using music to explore our inner landscapes and those of others.

Perimenopause is one of life’s most profound transitions, yet it often arrives unannounced, leaving us to make sense of the changes it brings on our own. Between the hot flashes, mood swings, and shifts in identity, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

But here’s the truth: perimenopause is not only physical symptoms; it is an emotional journey that deserves attention, care, and support.

Creativity is a fundamental aspect of our human experience. There is no healing without imagination. Imagination and creativity are not only essential elements to birthing our goals, but they are necessary for humans to be able to express themselves in the world. Unfortunately, when we have experienced wounding events, we may internalize the message that creativity and expression are to be suppressed. In fact, for some people, creative practices may feel quite scary and unobtainable. In this article we are going to focus on the benefits of creativity, the obstacles to expression, and the small creative moments one can engage with to enhance their overall well-being. 

While the number of trans youth who are able to come out has recently skyrocketed, the care and support has not. In this Letter to Trans Kids, our queer affirming therapist Mac Wilson explains how to identify your innate colors and shapes, find somewhere to lean as you grow, and learn how to blossom in front of others.

Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be a profoundly challenging and life-altering experience. This blog will help you navigate the physical, psychological, interpersonal, and existential struggles that come with a cancer diagnosis, and provide resources to help you navigate your cancer journey.

Learn about the power of outdoor experiences to change your pattern thinking and gain new knowledge into yourself and the world around you.

Our therapist who specializes in queer identity issues has seen first-hand how powerful a parent’s response can be when a transgender child comes out. They’ve composed steps that you can take as a parent to support and guide your child, while encouraging their autonomy and self-actualization. You love your child, and you want the best for your child; you can make that happen together.

In this blog, we'll explore two nature meditations that offer a deeper connection to the transpersonal and impermanent elements of nature. Join us as we celebrate the arrival of spring and embark on a journey to connect with the natural world.

The body is the container and vessel in which we experience all things, from beginning to end. Incorporating the body into the therapeutic process is not only incredibly beneficial but essential to health and wellness. Learn about somatic therapy and the deep connection between mind and body.

Six ways to prioritize your mental health during the hustle and bustle this holiday season.

Grief is an inevitable part of the human experience, but it's often misunderstood and surrounded by myths that can hinder the healing process. It’s natural to crave a concrete guide to navigate the tremendous impact of loss, but this is where the perpetuation of myth often begins. While understanding “stages and strategies” can be helpful, I invite you to consider that hidden in the pain of grief, inside your own body and knowing, is a beautifully unique pathway to healing and personal growth.

Self-compassion helps us to move toward self-regulation and healing. Self-compassion has been documented in hundreds of studies as a practice that can build resilience and combat depression, anxiety, stress, and shame. Self-compassion differentiates from self-esteem in that it is not a type of self-judgment, as in, “I just got a promotion at work–I am so amazing!” It is a way of treating ourselves with loving kindness and acceptance in light of the organic ups and downs of everyday life. Whereas self-esteem is dependent on how we perform in the world and whether or not we judge that performance to be acceptable,  self-compassion enhances our ability to fully accept ourselves and treat ourselves with kindness and respect in all types of weather.