Therapy Archives - Blossom Counseling

Why Therapy Can Feel Exhausting—And Why That’s Completely Normal

Therapy is often painted as a relaxing escape—a space to unwind, unload your worries, and feel refreshed. While that’s true (therapy can be wonderfully restorative), it can also be surprisingly exhausting. But why? Aren’t you supposed to leave sessions feeling lighter, not drained? The truth is, therapy can feel tiring for a very good reason. […]

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Emotions, Getting Started, Mental Health, Therapy

Fortune Telling: How This Sneaky Cognitive Distortion Keeps You Stuck

Picture this: you’re lying in bed, unable to sleep, convinced tomorrow’s meeting is destined to be a disaster. You’ve imagined every possible way it could go wrong—your boss frowning, colleagues rolling their eyes, or your ideas being dismissed. Before you know it, you’ve already decided tomorrow is doomed, leaving you anxious and exhausted before the

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Connection, Mental Health, Mindfulness

Why Replacing Negative Thoughts Isn’t Working (And What to Try Instead)

We’ve all been there: your therapist or favorite Instagram self-help guru tells you to “just replace those negative thoughts!” So, you try swapping out “I’m terrible at this” for something like, “I’m amazing and totally unstoppable!” But for some reason, it feels fake, forced, or just plain ineffective. Here’s the truth: simply swapping negative thoughts

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Congitive Defusion, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Tips

When Depression Feels Overwhelming: Understanding the Weight and Finding Relief

Depression isn’t just feeling sad. It’s a deep, consuming fog that makes everything—getting out of bed, responding to a text, even brushing your teeth—feel like an impossible task. The world moves on, but you feel stuck. Maybe you’ve been told to “just push through,” or “think positive,” but those words land like bricks, heavy and

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Coping Skills, Depression, Therapy

What No One Tells You About Therapy: The Totally Normal Parts of the Process

Therapy can feel like a mystery if you’ve never been before. You sit down, spill your thoughts to a stranger, and somehow—through a mix of talking, reflecting, and probably some awkward silences—you’re supposed to feel better. But if you’re new to therapy, you might wonder: Is this normal? Am I doing this right? Spoiler alert:

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Getting Started, Therapy

The Hidden Side Effects of Gaslighting: How It Impacts Your Mental Health

Gaslighting isn’t just a trendy buzzword—it’s a subtle but powerful form of emotional manipulation that can leave deep psychological scars. Often, people who experience gaslighting don’t realize it’s happening until the effects are already woven into their mental and emotional well-being. It’s like living in a funhouse of distorted mirrors where your sense of reality

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Anxiety, Compassion, Depression, Gaslighting, Mental Health, Therapy

Inside the Therapy Room: Things Your Therapist Probably Says (And Why They Matter)

Ever wondered what goes on behind the closed doors of a therapy session? If you’ve been in therapy before, you’ve probably noticed certain phrases that seem to pop up again and again. It’s not because therapists have a secret script (though that would make our jobs easier). These statements are often rooted in research, psychology,

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Mental Health, Therapists, Therapy, Tips

The Hidden Costs of Avoiding Your Emotions (And Why They Add Up Fast)

Have you ever felt like emotions are an inconvenience—something to be ignored, stuffed down, or shoved to the side until you have time to deal with them (which, let’s be honest, is never)? Maybe you pride yourself on being logical, staying busy, or keeping things “under control.” The problem? Avoiding emotions doesn’t make them disappear—it

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Emotions, Therapy

Finding Your Wise Mind in a Crisis: A DBT Skill for Staying Grounded

When life throws us into crisis mode, our emotions can feel like a tidal wave—overwhelming, chaotic, and all-consuming. In moments like these, making decisions can feel impossible. Do we react with pure emotion, letting anger or panic take the wheel? Or do we try to shut it all down, pushing our feelings away and acting

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Coping Skills, DBT, How To

The Quiet Revolution: The Transformative Power of Spending Time in Silence

In our noisy, fast-paced world, silence is often overlooked, even avoided. We’re surrounded by the hum of technology, the chatter of daily life, and the constant ping of notifications. Silence, however, holds incredible power—it’s not just the absence of noise, but a gateway to clarity, connection, and calm. The Science of Silence Studies show that

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Detox, Mindfulness, Monday Motivation

Can AI Be Your Therapist? Exploring the Pros and Cons of Virtual Support

The idea of using artificial intelligence (AI) as a therapist might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but it’s becoming an increasingly common option in the world of mental health. AI-powered chatbots and apps offer a kind of “always-on” support system that promises to make mental health care more accessible, affordable, and stigma-free.

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Getting Started, Q&A, Therapists, Therapy, Tips

What to Talk About in Therapy: Finding Your Voice in the Room

Therapy often feels like a big question mark when you first walk in. You might think, What am I supposed to say? Do I need a plan? Should I talk about my childhood, my stress at work, or that fight I had with my partner? If these questions sound familiar, you’re not alone. Talking in

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Communication, Getting Started, Therapy

Understanding the Different Types of Depression: More Than Just Feeling Blue

Depression is one of the most common mental health challenges, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. When people think of depression, they often imagine someone who feels persistently sad or low. While that’s certainly one part of the picture, depression can take many forms, each with its own unique features and challenges. Knowing

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Depression, Emotions, Therapy

Navigating Post-Election Stress: The Role of Trauma-Informed Therapy

Presidential elections can stir up a whirlwind of emotions—hope, anxiety, anger, exhaustion, or even numbness. The campaign season, with its heated debates, relentless news cycles, and divisive rhetoric, often leaves us grappling with more than just political opinions. For many, these events can trigger deeper emotional responses rooted in past experiences, highlighting the importance of

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Stress, Therapy, Trauma

Understanding ACT and ERP for OCD: Effective Therapies for Real Change

When it comes to navigating the challenges of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), finding the right therapeutic approach can feel like untangling a complex web of thoughts and behaviors. Two evidence-based therapies, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), have emerged as powerful tools in helping individuals reclaim their lives from the grip

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OCD, Therapy, Treatments