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Managing Election Anxiety: Strategies for Staying Grounded
If you're feeling on edge about the upcoming election, you're in good company. Elections can be a significant source of anxiety, especially when the stakes feel high. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the political climate and the uncertainty surrounding election outcomes, welcome. Here are some techniques to lower this specific kind of anxiety.
Deep, Meaningful Relationships Are The True Markers of Health and Success
We often measure success by our job titles, salaries, and material possessions. It's become too easy to prioritize external achievements and milestones. Yet, research consistently shows that the true cornerstone of happiness lies in the quality of our relationships. Whether it's with family, friends, or partners, these connections have a profound impact on our life satisfaction. Here's why, and how millennials can create more depth in our relationships.
Boundaries Are Over; Here’s What’s Next
When therapy terms like "boundaries" become widespread, they often get diluted and distorted. People invoke boundaries when making selfish or unkind decisions, using the term as a barrier instead of a helpful relationship tool. After years of helping people with trauma and relationship problems, we've seen the downsides of this distortion. It's sometimes used to gaslight and avoid responsibility. But we're not advising to abandon the concept of boundaries altogether. Here's the future of how we talk about boundaries.
The Most Important - And Often Overlooked - Part of EMDR Therapy
If you've looked into EMDR therapy, you've likely heard about the different phases involved. Phase 2 often flies under the radar. Yet this phase lays the groundwork for effective trauma processing. In fact, we would argue it can be the most important phase. Let's explore the benefits and necessity of Phase 2, see some case examples, and potential ways to build resources.
Millennial Financial Anxiety: Understanding and Overcoming It
Financial anxiety can feel overwhelming. Many millennials experience it, even when they have enough resources. It's a mix of fear and stress about money, often tied to the pressures and expectations unique to our generation. As professionals who offer therapy for millennials, we see this showing up quite a bit. Interestingly, it shows up equally across income levels.
The Inconvenient Mental Health Benefits of Exercise for Anxiety
It's inconvenient how much exercise really does help your mental health. Why does something so effective take so much darn effort? And why is it especially hard when your mental health isn't its best? While it's not the only solution, we think exercise is an important part of your holistic wellness plan. It isn't just about breaking a sweat and releasing those feel-good endorphins. Movement is a powerful tool that can work wonders for regulating your nervous system and boosting brain function.
Our 6 Favorite Myths About EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, has gained popularity in recent years for its effectiveness in treating various mental health conditions. With its rise in popularity, misconceptions about EMDR have increase. Here's our list of our six favorite myths about EMDR therapy, and the truths behind them.
More Problems with Therapy Apps: Another Close Look
You've probably seen a ton of ads for these venture-capital backed companies. They're convenient and affordable. However, there are significant issues associated with these platforms that often go unnoticed. We've explored some of the obvious ones in a previous article, but more have come to light. It's always best to look under the surface at what's actually going on and how it impacts the care you're receiving.
Reasons People Have A Bad Therapy Experience
Good therapy can be a transformative experience. But a bad therapy experience can leave you feeling disillusioned and hesitant to continue seeking support. Let's explore why people have bad therapy experiences and what to do about them.
Volunteering As Self Care: It's More Effective Than You Think
Research shows that most people who volunteer benefit more from the experience than the people or cause they are serving. Connection to something bigger than ourselves is important for our happiness. It's an avenue for personal growth and community enrichment. As therapists, we view community engagement and purpose as essential to your holistic wellness.
When Is The Right Time To Start EMDR Therapy?
You’ve heard the saying “the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is today.” But is this true of trauma therapy?
Reclaim Your Dating Life: 4 Steps To Overcome Dating App Burnout
If dating apps are leaving you feeling drained and disillusioned, you're in good company. Dating is more tiring than people outside the grind of it understand. Here are three reasons why dating apps can be exhausting and four steps to refresh your energy.
Why is Anxiety So Exhausting?
Anxiety has a way of leaving us feeling mentally, emotionally, and physically spent. But why does this persistent unease take such a toll on our energy levels? Let's explore the ways anxiety saps our energy and strategies to combat its exhausting effects.
Why Our Teen Therapists Love Working with Teenagers
We believe therapy for teenagers is an incredible gift. Learning how to cope in healthy ways while still living at home is a chance to try out new behaviors before the stakes are higher. Building self-esteem, lowering anxiety, and developing a strong sense of self are not optional. They're critical developmental stages. And believe it or not, our therapists have a lot of fun with teens along the way.
Healthy Relationships: How To Repair After a Rupture
If you've never learned the art of healthy repair, you're not alone. Many people don't have positive models for how to repair after a rupture. Rest assured, it's a skill that can be cultivated over time. Here's how to start repairing relationships after a rupture, whether it's with a partner, friend, colleague, or family member.
PTSD After a Car Accident: How EMDR Can Get You On The Road To Recovery
A car accident can leave you feeling emotionally stranded on the side of the road. You might find yourself reliving the accident through flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts. A car accident can disrupt your sense of safety and well-being, impacting various aspects of your life. It can be difficult to get back behind the wheel. But there is hope for healing, and EMDR therapy offers a proven path forward.
Managing Your Own Anxiety & Fear: A Guide for Parents of Trans Teenagers
It's natural to experience a range of emotions about your teen's identity. This is especially true if it feels unfamiliar or triggers anxiety. Ignoring or suppressing your emotions may hinder your ability to provide the support your teen needs. But it's also important that you process your feelings away from your child. Here’s what our teen therapists recommend.
Therapist Support for Gender Confirmation Procedures: What Everyone Should Know
For people who are considering gender confirmation surgery, the role of different professionals in the process can get confusing fast. We'd like to clarify the role of therapists in this process. Therapy during this journey not only supports you emotionally but also fulfills a role in the medical process itself. Letters from therapists are often required by medical providers and insurance companies. Here's what you should know.
Cozy San Francisco Bookstores That Celebrate Queer Literature
San Francisco has long been a hub of LGBT culture. As therapists who love to read, queer bookshops are a bit of weakness for us. These cozy corners offer a trove of queer literature and serve as hubs for connection, celebration, and belonging. The following bookstores invite readers to explore LGBT narratives.
Teen Identity: Is My Child Trans or Just Going Through a Phase?
Adolescence is a trying time time when your child is figuring out who they are and where they fit in. In recent years, gender has become a more common theme. You may wonder whether your teenager is experiencing a genuine exploration of identity or just going through a phase. Specifically, you may wonder, "Is my child trans, or is it just a phase?" Our teen therapists explain the research, the reality, and how you should proceed if your child is exploring their gender.
Our latest podcast guest episodes
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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!