Sexual Consent in Relationships: Why Sex Is Never Assumed Sexual consent in relationships is one of the most important—and most misunderstood—parts of relationships. Many people grow up absorbing the message that once you’re married, partnered, or in a long-term relationship, sex is expected. That belief can quietly cause harm. The truth is simple but powerful:Sexual […]
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Grief is one of life’s most challenging experiences, yet it’s often misunderstood. Many people assume that grieving looks a certain way: silent, sorrowful, or withdrawn. Others feel pressured to announce their grief publicly, as if validation from others is necessary. The truth is, grief is deeply personal—and there is no “right” way to experience it.
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Introduction: Teen Consent Isn’t Optional You’ve probably heard “consent matters,” but teen consent is even more important. Adolescence is a time of huge emotional, social, and physical growth. Teens are still developing their sense of self, relationships, and boundaries. Unfortunately, some adults try to exploit this vulnerability. Ignoring teen consent can have serious, long-lasting consequences.
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Why Cutting Family Out Isn’t the Answer: Growth, Boundaries, and the Path to Self-Healing Family is complicated. The people who shaped our earliest experiences—our parents, siblings, or extended family—can simultaneously be our greatest support and our deepest source of pain. When conflicts become intense, the instinct to cut ties may feel like relief, even liberation.
Cutting Family Out? It’s Not Okay Read More »
When “Safety Drills” Hurt: How School Shooting Drills Are Fueling Anxiety in Kids In communities across the U.S., schools increasingly conduct active shooter and lockdown drills in an effort to prepare children for worst-case scenarios. The intention behind these drills—to keep students safe—is understandable. But emerging research suggests these drills may come at a heavy
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AI Is Not Therapy: Why Real Healing Requires a Real Therapist In today’s digital world, it’s tempting to turn to AI tools like ChatGPT for guidance, comfort, or advice. They can provide instant responses, ideas, or even a sense of support—but here’s the important truth: AI is not therapy. While AI can mimic conversation and
AI Is Not Therapy (sorry ChatGPT) Read More »
Poor Communication Through Texting: When Long Messages Go Too Far We’ve all been there: someone sends a long text message, venting about a situation. You start reading, thinking, “I’ll respond carefully,” and then another paragraph arrives. Before you know it, you’re trapped in endless texting back and forth—and it’s exhausting. This is more than just
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Holiday Stress and How EMDR Therapy Can Help You Find Peace The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy, warmth, and family connection—but for many people, it comes with a hidden cost: stress, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm. Between managing family expectations, attending social gatherings, and juggling work, finances, and personal obligations, it’s
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When Leaving Feels Like the Only Option: Understanding Relationship Accountability Relationship accountability and how to navigate a struggling relationship. When your partner says,“The only way this relationship will end is if you leave.”it can hit like a punch to the chest. At first, it might sound like devotion — a promise that they’ll never give
Who’s Really Responsible in a Struggling Relationship? Read More »
Why We Celebrate Holidays We Don’t Even Want to: The Psychology of Obligation and People Pleasing Every year, as the holiday season arrives, many people feel a familiar pressure bubbling under the surface. While we’re surrounded by images of joy, connection, and celebration, a surprising number of us quietly carry the opposite experience—holiday stress, people
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