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Gender-affirming care focuses on an individual’s physical, mental and social health needs. This care is absolutely lifesaving for transgender, gender diverse, and nonbinary people. In order to fully understand what gender-affirming care is, we must first understand what it means to have a “gender identity crisis.” Gender crises happen when someone’s internal sense of gender […]
Gender-affirming care focuses on an individual’s physical, mental and social health needs. This care is absolutely lifesaving for transgender, gender diverse, and nonbinary people.
In order to fully understand what gender-affirming care is, we must first understand what it means to have a “gender identity crisis.” Gender crises happen when someone’s internal sense of gender is different from their sex or when they do not fit into the traditional expectations of gender identity or expression.
Historically, transgender, gender diverse and non-binary individuals typically experienced considerable health disparities due to discrimination and systemic biases, as well as less access to healthcare. But recently there has been a real push for gender-affirming healthcare, and in fact, research has strongly suggested that inhibiting individuals from receiving this form of healthcare can have immense negative health outcomes.
The following are just a few of the ways gender-affirming care can benefit transgender, gender diverse and non-binary individuals:
Improved Body Image and Self-Esteem
Gender-affirming care includes hormone therapy and surgery. These medical treatments help an individual’s physical attributes align more with their self-identified gender. This results in more self-esteem and a healthier body image.
Improved Mental Health
Gender-affirming care has the power to significantly improve a person’s mental health. This, in turn, results in a lower suicide rate, lower rates of depression and anxiety, as well as lower incidents of self-harm.
These benefits are now being reported in large-scale studies, such as the one in 2021 that illustrated a significant link between access to hormone therapy and lower rates of depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts among transgender youth un the US.
Virality
Improved access to gender-affirming care has a strong ripple effect throughout the trans community. When one individual has a positive experience with a particular treatment or provider, more individuals in the community are apt to seek the same care and receive the same benefits.
Gender-affirming care also means getting help from an ally in the mental health community. If you would like to seek treatment options, please get in touch with me.
SOURCES:
https://www.wired.com/story/gender-affirming-care-improves-mental-health-and-may-save-lives/
https://www.healthline.com/health/transgender/gender-affirming-healthcare-importance#benefits
Gender-affirming care improves mental health for transgender youth
There is a very old saying that says, “Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.” This is a warning to people to not act out in anger or resentment because you only end up harming yourself. Over time, these feelings of resentment can build until the individual develops feelings of depression or anxiety. […]
There is a very old saying that says, “Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.” This is a warning to people to not act out in anger or resentment because you only end up harming yourself. Over time, these feelings of resentment can build until the individual develops feelings of depression or anxiety.
While forgiving others who have hurt us isn’t always easy, in the end, it greatly benefits our mental health and overall well-being. To be clear, forgiving others does NOT mean you agree with or condor their poor behavior. And it doesn’t mean you are announcing that your feelings don’t matter. Forgiveness simply means letting go of the negative feelings that are holding you down and causing you prolonged distress.
Again, forgiving someone who has hurt you isn’t easy, but it will lead you to a sense of peace and joy. Here are some steps you can take to forgive others:
Process Your Pain
Have you really faced your pain and processed it? You’ll need to do this before you can let those feelings go. Give yourself permission to feel your feelings deeply and fully. Cry, yell, hit your pillow, do whatever it takes.
Forgive Yourself
It takes two to tango, as they say. While we can easily point to others and blame them for the breakup or ugly incident, the truth is, we were there also. We played some role. Even if it was to retaliate in the moment and to show our own ugliness. It’s time to forgive your own humanity and any wrongdoing to yourself or others.
Try to Understand
True forgiveness is impossible without a sense of understanding. You can try to forgive, claim you have forgiven, only to have those negative nagging feelings crop up again and again. When we try to understand why someone has acted the way they have, it can wipe out the negative feelings instantly, almost as if by magic.
A critical parent acts the way they act because they, too, were the victim of a critical parent. An overbearing boss is dealing with a personal tragedy at home. Our cheating spouse is self-sabotaging his or her life because they have incredibly low self-esteem and do not feel they deserve happiness. Life is complicated and human beings are even more so. Try and understand why someone has hurt you. You will be amazed at what this magical A-ha moment can do for you.
And if you’d like to speak to someone and get some guidance and much-needed perspective, please reach out to me.
SOURCES:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/complicated-love/202006/the-healing-power-forgiveness
https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/the-power-of-forgiveness
https://www.verywellmind.com/the-benefits-of-forgiveness-3144954
Oftentimes, when we think about what could harm our mental health, our minds go to major life events—the loss of a job, the end of a relationship, or the death of a loved one. But small habits that often go unnoticed can also play a major role. Below are three common habits that could be […]
Oftentimes, when we think about what could harm our mental health, our minds go to major life events—the loss of a job, the end of a relationship, or the death of a loved one. But small habits that often go unnoticed can also play a major role. Below are three common habits that could be negatively affecting your mental health:
Sleep impacts your mental health in numerous ways—it can affect your cognitive skills, mood, and behavior. As such, failing to get enough sleep can increase your risk of anxiety and depression and make it more difficult for you to focus, solve problems, make decisions, remember things, and control your emotions and impulses. Try sticking to the same sleep schedule, keeping your bedroom cool and dark, and performing a relaxing activity before bed (e.g., taking a warm bath or reading).
In today’s busy world, it can be difficult to find time to exercise, but it’s important to stay active. Not only can exercise improve your physical health, but it can also boost your mental health. In fact, studies have shown that regularly exercising could reduce your risk of depression.
Social media can be beneficial—it can help you stay connected to long-distance family and friends and keep up with current events—but research suggests that spending too much time on it can lead to anxiety and depression. To reduce your screen time, try setting a timer, turning off notifications, or deleting apps from your phone.
In addition to breaking the negative habits described above, one of the best things you can do to boost your mental health is speak to a therapist. Fortunately, you can entrust your care to the skilled team at our practice. Once we’ve learned more about you and any issues you may be experiencing, we’ll be able to provide you with customized advice for how to eliminate negative habits from your life and start implementing more positive ones. Contact us today to schedule your first appointment.
When searching for a therapist, you’ll come across different modalities they offer, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). These are evidence-based approaches that address different needs, and they can be used to guide your decision. By knowing a little about the types of therapy, you’ll […]
When searching for a therapist, you’ll come across different modalities they offer, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). These are evidence-based approaches that address different needs, and they can be used to guide your decision. By knowing a little about the types of therapy, you’ll be better equipped to seek out the one that best aligns with your needs.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps reframe negative thought patterns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) focuses on regulating emotions, while Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is highly effective for trauma recovery.
Choosing the right type of therapy depends on your goals. If you’re struggling with anxiety or depression, CBT may be a good starting point. DBT often benefits people experiencing intense emotions or borderline personality disorder. For those processing trauma, EMDR is a leading approach. You may need to try a few before discovering what works for you.
Practical Steps for Choosing Your Therapist
If you have insurance, you’ll want to search for in-network providers. This ensures that you’ll get financial assistance for your sessions. Whether you have insurance or are paying out of pocket, the next steps look like this:
Research the different types of therapy and how they align with your needs
Ask potential therapists about their specialty and training
Start with a consultation to explore the best fit
Finding the right type of therapy can feel overwhelming, but taking the time to understand different methods can give you confidence. Our practice offers a wide range of therapies for different conditions, and we’d be happy to match you to an appropriate therapist. Schedule a consultation today to explore your options
We’ve all had those days when the alarm goes off and we lie in bed, feeling depleted of our energy, and maybe even our good mood. We think to ourselves, “I’m not really sick, but I just need a break from real life today.” While taking a sick day is common when you are feeling […]
We’ve all had those days when the alarm goes off and we lie in bed, feeling depleted of our energy, and maybe even our good mood. We think to ourselves, “I’m not really sick, but I just need a break from real life today.” While taking a sick day is common when you are feeling physically unwell, what’s not as common – but perhaps should be – is taking a mental health day when you are feeling mentally and emotionally unwell.
Now many, if not most, companies do offer their employees personal days with no questions asked. But many people save these days for what seems like real-life emergencies. They feel guilty if they use one of these days to simply rest and relax their mind.
The truth is, taking a mental health day from work or school can be extremely important for your overall well-being. It can help you avoid burnout, improve your mood, help you get some much-needed rest, and rejuvenate you so you can tackle “real life” once again.
So how do you know when you are really in need of a mental health day and when you’re just feeling a bit lazy and unmotivated?
Stress
You’ve been feeling overwhelmed and irritable.
You Just Feel… Off
Sometimes we don’t feel like ourselves, but we can’t quite put our finger on what’s wrong. We know we feel anxious and like the world is a bit too much. This is a sure sign you need a break.
Getting Sick More Often
Are you dealing with a cold that “just won’t go away?” When we are stressed, our immune systems become compromised, and it’s harder for us to fight off the common cold.
The bottom line is you should never feel guilty for taking some time for your mental health. I encourage you to take a mental health day every once in a while. Sometimes it’s the absolute best thing we can do for ourselves.
And if you find a mental health day didn’t quite do the trick, you may have more going on in your life that requires more hands-on treatment. If you like the idea of speaking with someone about whatever is bothering you, please get in touch with me so we can discuss treatment options.
SOURCES:
Healing from depression can feel overwhelming, especially if professional support isn’t accessible. While therapy is a powerful resource, not everyone has the time or money to dedicate to this form of healing. On the other hand, journaling is a free and effective tool to begin understanding and expressing your thoughts. Writing prompts around depression can […]
Healing from depression can feel overwhelming, especially if professional support isn’t accessible. While therapy is a powerful resource, not everyone has the time or money to dedicate to this form of healing. On the other hand, journaling is a free and effective tool to begin understanding and expressing your thoughts. Writing prompts around depression can help you bypass the mental fog you’re dealing with and focus on healing.
Do You Need to Be a Writer to Benefit From Journaling?
You don’t need to be a writer to benefit! Simply engaging with thoughtful journal prompts daily or weekly can start shifting your mindset and clarifying your emotions when things get tough. Here are a few prompts to help you get started:
“What would I say to a friend who felt like I do right now?”
“What does my depression need me to know today?”
“What used to bring me joy, and how might I reconnect with it?”
“What thoughts have been weighing on me the most this week?”
“How would I like to feel three months from now?”
Journaling can become an empowering routine that supports awareness and emotional release, especially during hard moments when connection feels distant. Use these prompts as a safe space to explore your inner world when bad feelings creep up.
Go a Step Further With Depression Therapy
Working with a mental health provider adds structure and insight to your healing journey. If you’re ready to go deeper, therapy can help uncover the root causes of your depression and offer you tools to create lasting change. Our team is here to support your comfort and growth—reach out to begin your path forward with depression therapy.
For many of us, college was absolutely the best time in our lives. The freedom and friendships made those four years incredibly special. But college isn’t all sparkles and unicorns. For others, college is a completely different and often negative experience. As fun as it can be, it’s also incredibly stressful, especially when it comes time to […]
For many of us, college was absolutely the best time in our lives. The freedom and friendships made those four years incredibly special. But college isn’t all sparkles and unicorns. For others, college is a completely different and often negative experience.
As fun as it can be, it’s also incredibly stressful, especially when it comes time to take an exam. The bigger and more important the exam is, the more we tend to suffer from anxiety, and the less likely we are to do our best.
If this scenario sounds all too familiar to you, then use the following tips and exercises to help lower your anxiety before the next big exam you take:
1. Breathe Deeply
When we feel fear, our body can go into an adrenaline-fueled panic mode. This chemical and physical reaction is how our ancestors survived numerous threats. But in this state, our minds do not function properly. In fact, they often go completely blank.
When we take slow, deep breaths, we help our bodies go from the survival response to a relaxed response. This helps the blood flow back into our brain and helps us focus on the task at hand.
2. Change Your Perspective
Most of us think of tests as something designed specifically to trick us. The truth is, if you have studied and are totally prepared, then the test is actually an opportunity for you to show off how much you know.
The other truth is your professors WANT you to pass. When you pass, they look good. So stop going into the exam with a negative attitude and go in feeling confident and knowing your teachers want you to do well.
3. Start Strong
To set the right tone for the test, scan it to find those questions you are 100% sure about and answer those first. This will help you feel confident and put your mind into a free-flow thinking state.
4. Be Realistic
What is your history of taking exams? Have you generally done well in the past? Are you a good student that makes an effort? If so, remind yourself of these facts. It’s easy to have dramatic and unrealistic ideas floating around in your head right before an exam. Thoughts like, “I’m gonna fail and then I won’t pass the class and I won’t get my degree and will end up working at Starbucks the rest of my life if I’m lucky.”
This likely won’t happen so don’t make an already stressful situation worse by being unrealistic.
5. Exercise
Exercise the morning before your exam. This will not only release built-up tension in your muscles (make sure to stretch after your workout), but it will also release “feel-good” endorphins that will put you in a better frame of mind.
If you would like some extra help handling the stressors of academic life, please reach out to me today to schedule an appointment.
Sources:
https://psychcentral.com/lib/9-ways-to-reduce-anxiety-right-here-right-now/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-practice/201502/test-anxiety-quick-tips
Between hormonal fluctuations and societal expectations, women and men have very different experiences with their mental health. Despite growing awareness, society is still working on addressing women’s issues with the nuance they require. Some institutes, hoping to improve the situation, have begun to offer women-centered care, such as specialized therapy for women’s issues. If you’re […]
Between hormonal fluctuations and societal expectations, women and men have very different experiences with their mental health. Despite growing awareness, society is still working on addressing women’s issues with the nuance they require. Some institutes, hoping to improve the situation, have begun to offer women-centered care, such as specialized therapy for women’s issues. If you’re tired of being dismissed or judged for seeking thoughtful mental health support, our office might be a good option for you.
Women are more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and certain trauma-related disorders. Yet their symptoms are also more likely to be misdiagnosed or minimized. As a result, too many women deal with delayed or negligent care. Some of the conditions that disproportionally affect women include:
Postpartum depression – Affects 1 in 7 women after childbirth
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) – A severe form of PMS with intense emotional and physical symptoms
Anxiety and depression – Often tied to hormonal, social, and home life stressors
Eating disorders and body image concerns – Influenced by unrealistic beauty standards and early conditioning
These issues are compounded by an imbalance in caregiving roles, unequal access to healthcare, and a history of being underrepresented in clinical research.
Women’s issues therapists provide a safe space for the fairer sex to work through challenges, from hormonal shifts and relationship struggles to workplace discrimination or burnout. Therapy can include cognitive-behavioral work, trauma-informed care, or emotional support around major life transitions like motherhood or menopause.
If you feel overlooked or misunderstood in your mental health journey, you’re not alone—and you’re not imagining it. We offer therapy for women’s issues because of people like you! Reach out today to speak with a therapist who prioritizes women’s mental health
High-functioning anxiety can be difficult to recognize, even for those living with it. On the outside, a person may appear driven, punctual, organized, and calm under pressure. Internally, though, they are battling constant self-doubt, chronic stress, and a mind that never shuts off. Because their achievements mask the distress, many people with high-functioning anxiety go […]
High-functioning anxiety can be difficult to recognize, even for those living with it. On the outside, a person may appear driven, punctual, organized, and calm under pressure. Internally, though, they are battling constant self-doubt, chronic stress, and a mind that never shuts off. Because their achievements mask the distress, many people with high-functioning anxiety go undiagnosed and untreated.
Common Signs of High-Functioning Anxiety
Signs of high-functioning anxiety may include:
Overthinking and over-preparing for every situation
A persistent fear of failure despite accomplishments
Difficulty relaxing or feeling guilt when not being productive
Perfectionism and the need to always “do more”
Irritability or internal restlessness
Many people with high-functioning anxiety are successful students, professionals, or caregivers. Their anxiety fuels achievement, but at a high cost.
How Anxiety Therapy Can Help
Anxiety therapy can be a powerful resource for managing this condition. A licensed therapist can help you identify negative thought patterns and build healthier ways to respond to stress. Therapists can also help you set boundaries, process underlying trauma, and reconnect with your values beyond productivity. Evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) are especially effective. These methods focus on building awareness of anxiety triggers, developing coping strategies, and reframing internal narratives.
You Deserve to Be More Than Just “Functioning”
High-functioning anxiety is a real thing, but you don’t have to live in this constant state of mental overdrive. Reach out today to speak with a therapist who specializes in anxiety therapy and discover what life feels like when peace becomes part of your success story.
Have you ever thought about how your environment contributes to your mood? The relationships we maintain, communities we engage with, news we read about, and even workplace culture all influence emotional wellbeing. If we want to be better people, it’s our responsibility to surround ourselves with uplifting things and seek out resources—like therapy—when we need […]
Have you ever thought about how your environment contributes to your mood? The relationships we maintain, communities we engage with, news we read about, and even workplace culture all influence emotional wellbeing. If we want to be better people, it’s our responsibility to surround ourselves with uplifting things and seek out resources—like therapy—when we need them. In the end, our mental health is in our hands.
So, you aspire to be a happy, well-adjusted individual. Perhaps start here:
Surround yourself with what makes you feel good. Having supportive relationships protects against depression and anxiety, so that’s a good place to focus on. Friends and family provide encouragement during stressful times and give you people to lean on.
Address whatever causes unnecessary stress. A toxic workplace, strained family dynamics, or social isolation are all issues that can be solved. Perhaps spending too much time on social media is causing you to focus on negative things instead of what’s going well. Over time, these factors raise the risk of developing mental health disorders.
This won’t happen overnight, but try to:
Build supportive networks through friends, family, or community groups
Limit exposure to toxic environments when possible
Seek therapy if social stressors begin to feel overwhelming
By understanding the impact of your social environment, you can take proactive steps toward building a healthier life.
If you could use a little guidance as you work on your ideal environment, our team is always available! We provide individual therapy for a range of issues, including life transitions and personal growth. Book a session today to get personalized support.