The Mental Health Blog
BOOK REVIEW: “Fight Right: How Successful Couples Turn Conflict into Connection”
When couples come to therapy for the first time and the counselor asks them what their goals are, improved communication typically tops the list. This is often a less vulnerable way to say, “I want us to stop fighting,” or, in some cases, “I just want them to stop...

Why Should I Have Friends?
Recently, many of the individuals that I see have been noticing how much of an impact social connections have on their mental health. In my own life I notice the effects of decreased or low quality social connection. According to the CDC, social connections have a...

Can it give color to your world?
*If you or someone you know is experiencing disordered eating or eating disorders, this blog post is not going to be a cure all, I would recommend reaching out to a therapist in your area to walk with you through this. I’ve been intrigued by the idea of body...

What to Throw in the Trash: Perfectionism and Comparison
It’s somewhat easy to have compassion for others (maybe it’s not, but that’s for another post), but many times it’s not as easy for us to have compassion on ourselves. For one reason or another, we are just so much harder on ourselves than others. Of course, we could...
Suffering in Silence: Understanding the Mental Health Stigma in South Asian Cultures Part 2
Part 2:- Codependency and People-pleasing The South Asian culture highlights the importance of sacrifice, helping others, and selflessness. Yet, when these values are turned into maladaptive behaviors, such as codependency and people-pleasing tendencies, individuals...
Suffering in Silence: Understanding the Mental Health Stigma in South Asian Cultures Part 1
Part 1- What is Intergenerational Trauma? Intergenerational trauma could be defined as trauma that has been passed on from trauma survivor to their descendants and can also be referred to as transgenerational or multigenerational trauma. In the South Asian community,...

My Marriage is on The Rocks, Should We Separate
You’ve made a lifelong promise to each other but one or both of you feel like something is unlivable. It is so hard to bring up the topic of separation because it scared even the person who wants the separation. Marital separation is a huge step towards divorce or...

Marriage: When to Call it Quits
Hopefully anyone you have asked about if you should call it quits in your marriage has responded with, “That is for you to decide,” because it is only for you to decide. Only you know the ins and outs of you and the dynamic between you and your partner. As you go...
What is Narrative Therapy?
There are so many different styles of therapy, it can be overwhelming to find a therapist you like and will utilize an approach that would be a good fit for you. A personal favorite of mine that I have come back to time and time again is Narrative Therapy. The basic...

The Dark Side of Some Religious Teachings
For some people, religion or spirituality is a deep source of comfort when hardship strikes. Perhaps you were led to believe in and follow a higher power who is all-loving and accepting, one who you can turn to in times of trouble for support, insight, and...