If you’ve caught yourself thinking, “I should be further along by now,” you’re not alone. Many adults are quietly carrying the belief that they’re behind in life. Behind in career. Behind in relationships. Behind financially. Behind emotionally. Behind compared to everyone else. This feeling often creeps in subtly. You scroll social media and see engagements, […]
Anxiety
Why “Self-Care” Isn’t Working Anymore (And What Actually Helps)
Written by Alicia Murray. The term “self-care” has become a go-to prescription for nearly every mental health struggle — especially for burnout, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion. But if you’ve ever followed all the self-care advice, only to still feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or numb… you’re not broken. You’re human — and the problem isn’t you. It’s […]
The Friendship Recession: Why Making Friends as an Adult Feels Impossible
Written by Alicia Murray. You’re not imagining it — making and keeping friendships as an adult is hard. Maybe you moved to a new city, had kids, changed jobs, or simply drifted apart from the people you used to be close to. And now? You find yourself scrolling social media, seeing others with close-knit friend […]
Doomscrolling Isn’t Just a Habit, It’s a Signal
What Your Doomscrolling Habit Is Actually Telling You You don’t need to explain it — you’re just going to check one more headline, refresh one more feed, scan one more article before bed. Suddenly it’s 1am and your chest is tight, your mind is racing, and you feel even less in control than when you […]
Why Constant Productivity Is Quietly Burning You Out
Written by Alicia Murray. We live in a world that glorifies busyness. From “rise and grind” mantras to late-night laptop sessions praised as dedication, hustle culture has convinced many of us that our worth is measured by our output. But beneath the highlight reels of productivity lies a mental health crisis that’s hard to spot […]
The Connection Between Anxiety and Chronic Uncertainty
Most people can tolerate a little uncertainty now and then — a delayed email, a surprise change of plans, a brief unknown. But when uncertainty becomes constant, your nervous system starts to sound the alarm in ways that are hard to ignore. If you’ve been feeling on edge, overwhelmed, or stuck in a loop of […]
Processing Unmet Expectations at the End of the Year
December has a way of stirring up reflection — whether we’re ready or not. Social media starts buzzing with “year in review” highlights. People talk about wins, transformations, and “best year yet” energy. And while some part of you may feel happy for them, another part might whisper: I didn’t get what I hoped for […]
Fresh Perspectives: How Interns Bring New Clinical Tools and Insights to Therapy
In the evolving field of mental health care, one of the most exciting aspects of integrating interns into clinical practice is the fresh perspective they bring. If you think therapy should be dynamic, evidence‑informed, and responsive to the complexity of modern life, interns can often excel in ways that complement seasoned clinicians. Current Training Meets […]
Fear Isn’t the Enemy: What Anxiety Therapy Helps You Understand
Most people think anxiety therapy is about eliminating fear. But here’s the truth: fear isn’t always the problem — our relationship to it is. Fear is a natural, protective emotion. It’s your nervous system doing its job to keep you safe. But when fear becomes chronic, exaggerated, or disconnected from actual threat, it stops being […]
How the 2025 Economy Is Affecting Our Mental Health (And What to Do About It)
We’re almost through 2025, and the economy has certainly shaped how many of us feel about ourselves, our futures, and our relationships. As therapists, we’re seeing this ripple effect in session every day—clients who once came in for anxiety or relationship support are now bringing in new layers of stress around job insecurity, financial pressure, […]
The 30s Reckoning: Why Success Doesn’t Look Like the Picture You Were Sold
You hit thirty, and somewhere in the back of your mind, you expected things to click into place. You’d feel like a real adult. You’d have the career, the relationship, the home, the confidence. You’d look at your life and feel satisfied with how it’s all turned out. Instead, you might feel confused. Maybe you […]
Aging Parents, Young Kids, Demanding Career: Navigating the Sandwich Generation
You’re on a work call when your dad’s assisted living facility calls on the other line. Your toddler needs to be picked up from daycare in forty-five minutes. Your teenager needs help with college applications tonight. Your mother’s doctor appointment was rescheduled—again—and you’re the only one who can take her. Your boss needs that report […]
My Partner Won’t Go to Therapy: How to Navigate Individual Growth in Relationships
You’ve been going to therapy. Maybe for months, maybe for years. You’re doing the work—examining patterns, processing emotions, developing new coping skills, challenging old beliefs. You’re growing, changing, becoming more self-aware. And your partner isn’t. Maybe they think therapy is unnecessary, self-indulgent, or “just complaining to someone for money.” Maybe they’re uncomfortable with the vulnerability […]
Navigating Friendship Breakups in the Age of Social Media Silence
Nobody prepares you for how much it hurts to lose a friend. We have entire cultural scripts for romantic breakups—songs, movies, rituals for healing, friends who rally around you with ice cream and solidarity. But when a friendship ends? You’re supposed to just move on quietly, as if the person who knew your daily life […]
AI Friends, Chatbots, and Therapy: A Mental Health Professional’s Take on Digital Companionship
Something new is happening in the landscape of human connection, and as a therapist, I’m paying attention. People are forming relationships with AI. Not in a distant, science-fiction way—but right now, on their phones. They’re texting AI companions about their day, seeking advice from chatbots, and in some cases, developing what feels like genuine emotional […]
