Family

How to Help Teens Navigate Depression Without Pushing Them Away

Teenagers are known for mood swings, late-night existential crises, and growing pains—so how do you know when it’s just a tough week versus something deeper like depression? And if your teen is struggling with depression, how do you support them without overwhelming them or making things worse? Here’s the hard part: depression in teens doesn’t […]

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Coping Skills, Depression, How To, Parenting, Teens

Supporting vs Enabling: How to Know the Difference and Why It Matters

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, Am I actually helping or am I making this worse, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common and confusing dynamics I see in relationships. On the surface, support and enabling can look almost identical. You care deeply about someone. You want to protect them from pain.

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Boundaries, Family, Friends, How To, Relationships

What Spoon Theory Really Means and Why It Matters for Your Mental Health

If you have ever heard someone say, “I am out of spoons today,” and felt confused, you are not alone. It has nothing to do with chores or dishes. It is a way many people describe something that is hard to put into words: limited energy. Spoon Theory is a concept that comes from disability

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Acceptance, Anxiety, Boundaries, Challenges, College/Students, Compassion, Coping Skills, Couples, Family, Friends, Mental Health, Relationships, Stress

5 Practical Ways to Help Kids Cope with Anxiety (That Actually Work)

Anxiety isn’t just an “adult thing.” Kids feel it too—sometimes just as intensely, but without the language or life experience to explain what’s going on. Whether it shows up as a stomachache before school, a meltdown over a seemingly small change, or a refusal to try something new, anxiety in kids can be sneaky and

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Anxiety, Children, Coping Skills, Parenting
Why "Letting Them" Might Be Your Best Mental Health Move Yet

Why “Letting Them” Might Be Your Best Mental Health Move Yet

If you’ve ever found yourself constantly stepping in to fix, manage, or smooth things over for everyone else, you’re in good company. It’s a habit that sneaks in quietly and stays for the long haul. And while it often comes from a caring place, it can leave you feeling exhausted and emotionally drained. What if

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Acceptance, Challenges, Family, Mental Health, Relationships
Why Young Adults Are Struggling More with Anxiety and Depression Than Ever Before

Why Young Adults Are Struggling More with Anxiety and Depression Than Ever Before

It’s no secret that anxiety and depression are rising, especially among young adults. If you’re in your twenties or thirties and feeling like life is heavier than it should be, you’re not alone. So many people are trying to make sense of a world that asks for constant productivity, endless optimism, and instant answers. It’s

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Anxiety, Children, College/Students, Depression, Parenting
Parenting in a Tech-Obsessed World: How to Raise Connected (Not Just Plugged-In) Kids

Parenting in a Tech-Obsessed World: How to Raise Connected (Not Just Plugged-In) Kids

Let’s be real—raising kids in today’s digital world can feel like trying to parent in the middle of a 24/7 light show. Between smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and whatever new gadget dropped last week, it’s easy to feel like you’re competing with screens for your child’s attention. And honestly? You kind of are. But before we

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Children, College/Students, Communication, Connection, Family, How To, Parenting
The Real Difference Between Requests and Boundaries in Relationships

The Real Difference Between Requests and Boundaries in Relationships

“Can you not do that?” “I need you to stop.” “That makes me uncomfortable.” These all sound like boundaries, but they are not always actual boundaries. In therapy and in everyday life, we talk about boundaries a lot. One of the biggest points of confusion is the difference between a request and a boundary. Both

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Boundaries, Couples, Family, Friends, Relationships
Why Offering Reassurance Feels Impossible for Avoidant Attachment Styles

Why Offering Reassurance Feels Impossible for Avoidant Attachment Styles

We all crave a little reassurance now and then. A quick “I love you,” a text that says, “Thinking about you,” or even a simple nod when we’re venting about our day—these tiny moments can be grounding and affirming. But if you’ve ever been in a relationship with someone who leans avoidant, you might have

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Attachment, Emotions, Family, Relationships
How to Stop Parenting Your Parents: Setting Healthy Boundaries with Aging Loved Ones

How to Stop Parenting Your Parents: Setting Healthy Boundaries with Aging Loved Ones

It can be a tricky dynamic: as our parents age, we might notice them needing more support, advice, or even care. Maybe they call you for help navigating technology or managing their finances, or perhaps they seem to rely on you for emotional reassurance more than you expected. It’s natural to want to help the

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Boundaries, Family, How To, Parenting
Assertiveness Training and How It Can Help You

Assertiveness Training and How It Can Help You

We all have the right to express ourselves as long as we do it in a respectful way. Assertiveness is a communication style that helps us express ourselves in a direct, honest manner while respecting the rights and dignity of others. Assertive people ask for what they want; they speak up to express their needs

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Anxiety, Couples, Depression, Family, Parenting, Professional/Work, Stress, Teens, Therapy, Treatments
Am I Ready for Therapy? When the Answer is Yes!

Am I Ready for Therapy? When the Answer is Yes!

The decision to come to therapy can be scary – scary AF, to be honest. It can be difficult to know what to expect, where to start, and whether you’re at a spot in your life where you would truly benefit from attending sessions. Most of us initially feel uncertain when we have the idea

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Anxiety, Children, Couples, Depression, Family, Getting Started, Grief, Parenting, Stress, Teens, Therapy, Wellness
5 Practical Ways to Combat Burnout and Reclaim Your Energy

5 Practical Ways to Combat Burnout and Reclaim Your Energy

Burnout is like a slow leak in your tire—by the time you realize something’s wrong, you’re already running on empty. It can sneak up on anyone, especially in today’s fast-paced world where we’re constantly juggling work, family, social obligations, and that never-ending list of things to do. If you’ve been feeling drained, unmotivated, or emotionally

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Boundaries, Connection, Family, Friends, Relationships, Therapy
AutPlay Therapy

AutPlay Therapy

Certified AutPlay providers treat children and families through a natural, play therapy-based approach that is both therapist-led and parent-led. This collaborative model combines play therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, and relationship development to assist children and adolescents in gaining needed skills and abilities. AutPlay Therapy Addresses Improvement in the Following Areas: Emotional Regulation Ability Social Skills

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Anxiety, Children, Depression, Family, Parenting, Stress, Teens, Therapy, Treatments
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