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Balancing Commitment, Friendship, and Passion: A Guide for Couples
A long term relationship should have three elements: commitment, friendship, and passion. When these elements are in equilibrium, relationships thrive. But when they're not, people feel unsatisfied and anxious. Let's explore what each part means, the challenges that arise when they go missing, and how couples therapy can help restore balance.

Navigating Upsetting Global News: Self-Care Strategies
The research is clear: hearing about upsetting things can trigger vicarious trauma. The effects of vicarious trauma can be especially acute during times of disaster or conflict. While it's admirable to be informed and passionate about issues that matter to you, self-compassion is also vital.

Therapeutic Book Review: Fair Play by Eve Rodsky
Eve Rodsky's "Fair Play" is a guide for changing the way we handle domestic and emotional labor. While it excels in providing structure and clarity, there is room for improvement in handling conflicts and disagreements. The language of the book also fails to be inclusive of LGBT and same-sex couples.

Self-Care For Bipolar 2: How To Nurture Yourself Through Ups & Downs
Self-care isn't a one-size-fits-all practice. It's not even a one-size-fits-you practice. This is especially true for people with cyclical mood disorders like bipolar 2. Just as the seasons change, so do our external and internal landscapes. The way we care for ourselves should adapt accordingly.

Navigating Virtual Codependency: Balancing Online and Offline Love
The way we connect with our partners has changed drastically with technology. While technology has enriched our lives in many ways, it has also given rise to virtual codependency. Virtual codependency happens when a couple becomes too intertwined with their phones and social media.

10 Reasons Why EMDR Trauma Therapy Doesn't Work
EMDR is a hot treatment right now. Many people have cited it as a game-changer for their mental health. But like any therapeutic method, its effectiveness can vary from person to person. If you've tried EMDR therapy without experiencing the expected results, you're not alone. Here are some of the most common reasons people don’t get results from EMDR and what to do about them.

Choosing the Right Approach: Gottman Method Couples Therapy, EFT, and Imago Therapy
When couples seek therapy, they have various approaches to choose from. But how do you know which one to choose? Without special training in therapy, it can feel overwhelming. It's okay if you don't know where to start. Three popular approaches are Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Imago Couples Therapy. Let's explore the differences between these approaches and how they can help couples.

How To Plan Your Wedding Without Losing Your Mind: Tips From A Therapist
Amidst all the joy and anticipation, wedding planning can unexpectedly become a source of stress. So, why is it that something meant to celebrate your love can end up feeling so overwhelming?

Not Just Anxiety: What Is Pure-O OCD?
A lesser-known form of OCD is called "Pure-O" or Pure Obsessional OCD. It's often misunderstood and confused with anxiety. Let’s clarify Pure-O OCD and provide a better understanding of its unique traits. We'll also explain why it doesn't respond to conventional anxiety treatments.

4 Ways To Discover Your Enneagram Type for Therapy
The Enneagram has gained recent popularity for its ability to provide deep insights into our motivations and fears. But how do you set about determining your Enneagram type to use in therapy? Here are four ways our enneagram therapists recommend.

Is There Such a Thing as Unconditional Love? A Therapist Weighs In
The concept of unconditional love is often depicted as the purest, most noble form of love. It knows no bounds or limitations. The thought of it feels good. But is unconditional love truly attainable?

5 Daily Habits For Lasting Love From Couples Therapists
Every couple encounters challenges on their journey together. The key to a thriving relationship often lies in the daily habits you cultivate. As couples therapists serving major cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, we understand the importance of research in this area. In this article, we'll explore Gottman's Small Daily Habits and how they can improve your relationship.

Toxic Positivity: The Bright Side That Can Be Dark
How does a seemingly sunny attitude affect mental health, both for those who embrace it and those on the receiving end? Let's uncover the nuances of toxic positivity, spot its telltale signs, and learn how to respond to it.

10 Practical, Affordable Self-Care Ideas For Stressed Out Millennials
Self-care is often reduced to images of extravagant spa days and lavish vacations. But true self-care goes much deeper than indulgent treats. It's about something far more essential: prioritizing yourself and setting boundaries. In a world that constantly demands your time and energy, that can be harder than it sounds.

18 Ways To Escape the Hustle Culture Trap in San Francisco
Whether you're coding your way through the night or crunching numbers in the Financial District, the pressure to excel is constant. While ambition and hard work are commendable, it's crucial to avoid falling prey to hustle culture. Let’s chat about how you can balance productivity and self-preservation in the City by the Bay.

EMDR For Teenagers: A Powerful Trauma Therapy Option
As a parent, you want the best for your teenager – to see them thrive, grow, and overcome challenges. You don't want to see them struggle. And you certainly don't want to be in conflict with them. EMDR can help overcome these challenges.

The Mental Health Stressors Of Female Lawyers
Whether you're a single female lawyer managing it all or a lawyer mom juggling career and family, the mental toll can be heavy. In this article, we'll talk about how these challenges impact your mental health and well-being. We'll also provide you with some practical self-care tips to help you navigate this demanding terrain.

Four Horsemen of the Relationship Apocalypse: Resolving Conflict in Couples Therapy
It’s a scene you know too well: You and your partner are having a conversation, and before you know it, it escalates into a heated argument. You both leave the conversation feeling upset and more distant than before. Sometimes it feels like an emotional apocalypse within our relationships. Here’s what’s actually going on and what to do about it.

Does Online EMDR Really Work? Here’s What The Research Says
The pandemic was more than just chaos; it acted as a catalyst for change. Remote access became a necessity, igniting a fire in the EMDR therapy realm. Many therapists were unsure whether EMDR could work effectively and safely online. So let’s figure out once and for all: is online EMDR effective?

Attachment and Emotional Intimacy: Understanding Trauma Dumping
There's a fine line between opening up and oversharing. We've all been in an awkward situation with that, right? Those moments when you're just getting to know someone, and suddenly they unleash their deepest traumas on you. It's like emotional TMI, and it's called "trauma dumping."
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Our Teletherapy Services In California & Florida
We offer individualized teletherapy for a wide range of mental health and relational issues. Our San Francisco & Los Angeles teletherapists can help with anxiety, trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, LGBT issues, holistic therapy, enneagram therapy, therapy for lawyers, couples therapy, and therapy for teenagers. We serve many people in San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Los Angeles, as well as throughout California and Florida. Our team is anti-racist, body positive, LGBT and trans affirming and sex positive. You deserve to feel good!