Blossom Team, Author at Blossom Counseling

How to Recognize Emotional Unavailability in Relationships

Emotional unavailability is one of those relationship roadblocks that can leave you feeling frustrated, unseen, and exhausted. Maybe you’ve been in a dynamic where you keep trying to get closer, only to hit an invisible wall. Or perhaps someone in your life gives mixed signals—warm one moment, distant the next. Whatever the case, emotional unavailability […]

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Couples, Emotions, Family, How To, Parenting, Relationships

How Body Doubling Can Help ADHD Brains Stay on Task

If you have ADHD, you’ve probably had this experience: You sit down to do something important—maybe answering emails, cleaning your space, or working on a project—but somehow, your brain refuses to cooperate. Suddenly, everything else feels more interesting. That snack in the fridge? Needs your attention. That random Wikipedia rabbit hole? Can’t wait. Before you

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ADHD, Coping Skills

Fighting Dirty in Relationships: What It Is and Why It Matters

Conflict is a natural part of any relationship. In fact, disagreements can strengthen connections when handled with respect and understanding. But sometimes, fights escalate into something far less productive—what’s often referred to as “fighting dirty.” Recognizing the signs of dirty fighting is crucial for maintaining a healthy, loving relationship and avoiding long-term emotional damage. What

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Communication, Family, Relationships

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

Food Allergy Anxiety: When Every Bite Feels Like a Risk

Imagine this: You’re at a restaurant with friends, scanning the menu for something safe to eat. You ask about ingredients, double-check with the server, and still, there’s a voice in your head whispering, What if they got it wrong? That’s food allergy anxiety in action—a constant loop of caution, worry, and hyper-vigilance that can turn

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Anxiety, Challenges, Nutrition

Understanding the Many Faces of Loss: Grieving Beyond Death

Loss is a universal human experience, but when we think of grief, our minds often go straight to the loss of a loved one. While mourning the death of someone we care about is undoubtedly profound, it’s important to recognize that grief extends far beyond the boundaries of death. There are many types of losses

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Grief

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

7 Things Secure People Do Differently in Relationships (and Why It Matters)

Have you ever met someone who just gets relationships? They don’t overthink every text message, they don’t panic when their partner needs space, and they don’t seem to get caught in the same emotional loops that others do. These people aren’t perfect, but they do have one thing in common: secure attachment.Securely attached people experience

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Couples, Relationships

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

How to Use Affirmations to Cultivate Self-Love (Even If They Feel Weird at First)

Affirmations have a bit of a reputation. Maybe you’ve seen those overly cheerful morning routine videos where someone stares into a mirror, declaring, “I am powerful! I am unstoppable!”—and you’ve thought, Yeah, okay, but I don’t feel that way. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. A lot of people struggle with affirmations, especially when

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Affirmations, Compassion, How To

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

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

Teaching Kids to Apologize: Helping Children Say “I’m Sorry” (and Mean It)

Apologies are tricky—even for adults. We’ve all heard (or given) those half-hearted “I’m sorry you feel that way” non-apologies that don’t actually mend relationships. So, if saying sorry is hard for grown-ups, it’s no surprise that kids struggle too. Teaching children to apologize isn’t just about getting them to say the words—it’s about helping them

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Children, Parenting, Tips

Subtle Relationship Red Flags You Shouldn’t Ignore

In the early stages of a relationship, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement. That’s part of what makes dating fun! But while you’re getting to know someone, it’s also important to stay aware of the dynamics forming between you. Some relationship red flags aren’t as obvious as constant arguing or controlling behavior—they

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Couples, Relationships

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