I'm making a case for why context matters—because without it, we miss the full story. Through three personal and professional examples, I explore how mental health isn’t just a diagnosis or a behavior; it’s shaped by what people carry, what they’ve survived, and what they’ve learned to expect. I can't live in the black-and-white. I live in the why. And when we take time to understand the why, we begin to see people differently—with empathy, depth, and humanity.

I’ve always felt a deep connection with the misunderstood. It’s part of the reason I love grief work. Because grief is misunderstood all...

In this post, I explore why shame, guilt, self-hate, and blame have no place in the therapy room—or in your self-concept. Using an Internal Family Systems (IFS) lens, I unpack how these parts often mask as self-awareness but actually block healing. Real growth comes from curiosity, accountability, and compassion—not punishment. You can’t heal what you still hate. And you don’t have to earn your worth by tearing yourself down first.

Let's talk about the mental load of modern motherhood—when you’re not just “mom,” but also the cook, cleaner, scheduler, business owner, and emotional regulator, all rolled into one. It’s not ADHD. It’s not depression. It’s being maxed out. Through real-life reflection and a Bluey episode that nails it, this post challenges how we pathologize moms instead of supporting them. You’re not a failure. You’re just doing so much.

Grief goes beyond sadness—it’s a full-body reckoning with meaning, identity, and love after loss. This post explores the Meaning Reconstruction Model, a grief theory that rejects clichés and honors the depth of what’s broken. From shattered beliefs to evolving identity and continuing bonds, it offers a grounded look at how we don’t “move on”—we rebuild, carry forward, and redefine who we are in a world that’s been rearranged.

Candid truth: you don’t get to decide how your words land. Even if it was a joke. Even if you “didn’t mean it like that.” Intent doesn’t erase impact. If someone tells you they’re hurt, the only appropriate response is empathy—not defense. Real connection starts when we care more about how we affect others than how justified we feel. The ripple effect is real—even if you didn’t see it. Let's talk about what that means.

We’re told to forgive and forget, to let go and move on—for our own peace. But what happens when the apology never comes? When no one names the harm, and you're left holding the weight of something they won’t even acknowledge? This post dives into the real reason so many of us stay angry—and why healing often begins with the apology we deserved, even if we never get it.

We’ve all heard it—maybe from a parent, a partner, a coworker, or even ourselves, echoing someone else’s voice in our head: “You’re...

I learned a fundamental truth about behavior early on in my journey towards becoming a mental health therapist—one that I still carry with me in my work today. I learned there’s no such thing as a bad kid—only behaviors trying to send a message. This post explores how behavior is communication, how insecure attachments shape challenges, and why struggling doesn’t equal failing. Every child—and every parent—deserves a chance to be understood.

This post explores personal growth through the lens of Positive Psychology, including flow, meaning, engagement, and wellbeing. It’s about honoring discomfort, noticing the symbols around us, and letting growth unfold in its own time. Because sometimes, that’s how the grass gets greener.

Some days, survival looks like staying in bed. Other days, it’s eating toast or listening to the birds through the kitchen window. Healing isn’t scripted. It’s not neat or pretty or even always visible. And you don’t have to pretend you’re okay just to make other people comfortable. You can be in pain and still find small moments of peace. This isn’t about staying positive—it’s about staying human. And that is more than enough.

There is a weird, quiet truth about adult friendships and adult loneliness—there is no social script for saying "Hey I'm 33 and I'm lonely".

Some things in life you choose. Other things just happen to you. Without warning or your permission. You don’t get to opt out - you’re in it

When "certainty" feels impossible, let your values lead. You don’t need to be sure—you just need to be true to yourself.

When others subtly undermine you, it chips away at your worth. But their perception isn’t fact—reclaim your story and own your value.

What if resistance isn’t proof of failure? What if it’s a signal? A psychological defense built to shield us from discomfort & uncertainty?

Relationships. They are the foundation of our lives. From the bonds we form in childhood to the connections we build as adults, our...

The simple act of validating someone’s feelings or experience conveys love & care. It’s such a small act and yet so frequently overlooked.

The DSM is no stranger to controversy. At this point in my career, I question the DSM’s role in the therapeutic process.

When we stop labeling emotions as right or wrong, we free ourselves from the need to “fix” how we feel.