Our relationship to plants is primal and emotional. Our relationship to the beautiful rose flower is unparalleled. The flower's gorgeous scent, its lush flowers have a profound effect on our brain's emotional centers - the limbic system. Because of this intense emotional effect, the rose has been written about in poetry and song for centuries and red roses are universally known as symbols of enduring romantic love and sexual passion.

Aromatherapy is used here as part of an integrated approach to sleep support, alongside nervous-system regulation, behavioral strategies, such as CBT-I and mind–body practices . Sleep, the Nervous System and Scent Sleep begins when the body senses safety. Sleep is best understood as a state that emerges when the nervous system feels settled enough to let go . It isn't a cognitive decision. Before the body can drift into sleep, the nervous system constantly scans the environm

Sleep and anxiety have a close, circular relationship. Anxiety can make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep, and poor sleep can increase anxiety the next day. Over time, this cycle can leave people feeling exhausted, wired, and frustrated — especially when they are “doing everything right” and still not sleeping well. Understanding how sleep and anxiety interact is an important first step toward breaking the cycle. How Anxiety Disrupts Sleep Anxiety activates the nervo

When awareness itself becomes overwhelming What you’re seeing isn’t just “politics.” It is psychological destabilization at scale . And the fact that mainstream media continues to frame what is unfolding as scandal-of-the-week or partisan noise is part of the injury itself. When reality shifts and no one helps people orient to that shift, the nervous system pays the price. This is not simply about information. It is about psychological impact . Moral Pain and Moral Injury Mo

I get alot of questions about friendship in my psychotherapy practice. What does research say about friendship?

Trauma-Informed Support During the Perinatal Period Content note: This article discusses childhood sexual abuse and its impact on mental health during pregnancy and postpartum. Childhood sexual abuse can have long-lasting effects on a woman’s emotional and physical well-being, sometimes resurfacing during pregnancy, childbirth, or the postpartum period. This article explores how early trauma may influence perinatal mental health and offers supportive, non-judgmental guidance

After learning about narcissistic manipulation, betrayal, or trust erosion, many people expect clarity about the relationship to feel relieving.

After narcissistic relational harm, clarity returns through understanding, boundaries, trust, and nervous system regulation.

The early days of motherhood are filled with new experiences, emotions, and responsibilities. Amidst the busyness, finding small moments for mindfulness can help you feel more grounded, present, and connected to yourself and your baby.

After learning about unhealthy relational patterns, many people learning about boundaries assume boundaries mean confrontation, distance, or cutting someone off. These dynamics are often described as narcissistic or relationally abusive relationships.

Here we explore explore various complementary therapies, how they can be woven into the fabric of psychotherapeutic practices, and the overall benefits of this integrative approach for your healing journey.

The Check the Facts exercise forces you to slow down and consider other interpretations of a situation that is causing you distress. You take a step back before reacting, then review your own thougths and feelings about the situation, consider other interpretations about the situation, and then consider more useful and skillful thoughts and feelings about the situation.

Learning to communicate needs clearly while maintaining self-respect in relationships. Relationships are one of the most common sources of emotional distress. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Interpersonal Effectiveness skills help people communicate more clearly, set boundaries, and navigate conflict while emphasizing that you maintain your self-respect and attempt to maintain connection. These skills are especially helpful when emotions are strong and relationships feel s

The DBT House is a simple, body-based way to understand how DBT skills work together. By organizing skills as parts of a house—beginning with safety and regulation and building upward toward choice, perspective, and balance—this model offers a practical map for using DBT skills in everyday life.

"Future faking" refers to the act of making promises about the future that are not going to be fulfilled. The promises are often used to influence or control others.

Sexual assault survivors face a second wave of trauma when they become targets of online smear campaigns and smear books. Smear campaigns and smear books aim to discredit survivors, distort the truth, and influence public perception. The smears shame and silence victims and protect perpetrators. In order to get the truth out, Chanel Miller and Christine Blasey Ford wrote their own books about the personal impact of sexual assault and also the devastating effects of the trauma

Connecting with your future self can be accessed via your lived experience in your body. This expressive arts somatic exercise invites you to meet your future self through gentle movement, creative expression, and embodied awareness. By engaging sensation, imagination, and art-making together, this practice supports nervous system regulation, self-trust, and emotional integration in a way that feels grounded, accessible, and trauma-informed.

Sleep deprivation is a common challenge for new mothers, often leaving you feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and emotionally drained. While it may not be possible to get a full night’s rest, practicing mindfulness can help you restore your energy, find moments of calm, and nurture your well-being even during sleepless nights.

Here are some research based tips for managing your own anxiety and communicating more effectively, With awareness and investing some thought into your self-care, you can improve your mood, keep things peaceful and truly enjoy all the magic this season has to offer.

Mornings with a newborn can feel unpredictable and tiring, but starting your day with intention and mindfulness can set a positive tone for both you and your baby. A mindful morning routine doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Even small, consistent practices can help you feel more centered, present, and connected.

Parasocial relationships, where individuals form one-sided emotional bonds with public figures such as celebrities and politicians, have become increasingly common in modern society. These connections often feel real and meaningful to the individual, despite lacking direct interaction. Understanding the benefits and drawbacks of these relationships is essential as they influence public opinion, mental health, and social behavior.

Feeling lonely during the holidays is a real challenge, but there are effective strategies to help manage these emotions. Research in psychology and mental health provides guidance on how to cope and find moments of connection and peace.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, trapped or angry or trapped by constant notifications and endless scrolling, it's time to detox from the cyber world. This post explores why social media can be harmful and offers five practical ways to disconnect and regain control over your digital life.

The holiday season is a time for celebration, warmth, and togetherness. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy skills teaches us to use our senses to self soothe, to keep grounded in the here and now, in order to manage feelings of anxiety.