Discover the hidden risks of using corporate therapy platforms like BetterHelp, Rula, Talkspace, SonderMind, Headway, and Alma. Learn why working with a local therapist may offer better care, privacy, and long-term results. Serving Riverside and all of California.
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Feeling anxious, stuck, or weighed down by past trauma? Therapy can help you find clarity, build confidence, and heal from the inside out. In this post, we explore how working with a licensed therapist supports emotional growth, improves relationships, and provides tools to manage anxiety, depression, and stress. Whether you're new to therapy or returning, this guide will help you take the first step toward lasting change.
Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, offers a deeper understanding of how our nervous system influences our emotional and social experiences. At its core, it explains how the vagus nerve, which regulates our physiological responses, plays a key role in emotional regulation, trauma healing, and relationship building. By recognizing the three primary states of the autonomic nervous system—safety, stress, and shutdown—Polyvagal Theory empowers individuals to re-regulate their responses to stress and create more supportive environments for emotional health. Whether you're recovering from trauma or simply seeking to enhance emotional well-being, Polyvagal Theory provides valuable tools for healing and connection.
Read MoreStarting therapy can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. You might be wondering what to expect, how it works, or whether it’s even right for you. Whether you’re managing anxiety, recovering from trauma, or just seeking support during a tough time, therapy can be a transformative experience.
To help ease your mind, we’ve put together this helpful FAQ covering the most common questions new clients ask. We hope this guide gives you a sense of clarity, comfort, and confidence as you consider taking that first step toward better mental health.
Read MoreBrainspotting (BSP) is a powerful, neuroscience-informed therapy method designed to help people process and release trauma, anxiety, depression, and emotional pain. Discovered by Dr. David Grand in 2003, Brainspotting accesses the brain’s self-healing potential by using a simple, yet profound principle:
"Where you look affects how you feel."
Through specific eye positions called "brainspots," therapists help clients unlock deeply stored emotional experiences in the subcortical brain—where trauma often lives beyond the reach of talk therapy.
Read MoreThe use of tarot cards in therapy, when done thoughtfully and ethically, can offer several potential benefits for clients seeking personal growth, self-exploration, and insight. It's important to note that while some clients may find tarot cards to be a valuable tool in therapy, this approach might not be suitable for everyone.
Read MoreEmotional Support Animals (ESAs) play a vital role in providing comfort, companionship, and emotional assistance to individuals dealing with mental health challenges. If you're a Colorado resident considering an ESA, it's important to understand the state's specific requirements to ensure a smooth and supportive process.
Read MoreDo you want to live a healthier, peaceful, more balanced life? If so, you might consider starting a daily meditation practice.
Meditation is the practice of being fully aware of the present moment. You tune in to how you feel physically, emotionally, and possibly even spiritually. To do so, you use your breath to focus and redirect negative thoughts.
There are numerous health benefits to practicing meditation. A daily practice can reduce stress and health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, and anxiety. This means people often report sleeping better after starting their practice, as well as seeing a reduction in chronic pain.
But meditation doesn't just improve physical health. A consistent practice can also improve your self-image and encourage optimism and positivity. In turn, people who practice meditation also notice an improvement in conditions like depression.
Read MoreEver felt trapped inside your head? Lost in an internal world where you are deluged by your negative self-talk?
A small amount of self-talk is perfectly normal and helps us navigate through our busy lives. While getting ready in the morning, mumbling a verbal to-do list is a harmless but useful memory aid.
When your internal dialogue starts to become hyper-critical and cyclical, you may need to take action before you start believing in a distorted image of yourself. If you have an underlying mental health diagnosis, negative thoughts may exacerbate a low mood or intensify your secret fears.
If more than half of your internal thoughts stem from a place of pessimism, this may be a good indication that your negative thinking is getting out of control.
Read MoreEveryone has the occasional emotional wobble when they lack self-confidence. Sometimes, a lack of confidence can grow and become a real challenge. Whether you often feel powerless or have low self-esteem, these tips can help. They involve easy-to-use strategies that will gradually build your confidence each day.
Read MoreFrom White Christmas to Miracle on 34th Street, there's nothing like kicking back and watching a nostalgic movie during the holidays. But while the families in those movies celebrate the season with sublime shows, fancy dinners, and an understanding of the true meaning of Christmas, your holiday season might feel anything but picture perfect.
From family drama to awkward social situations and even gift-giving woes, the holidays can be a breeding ground for stress and anxiety. If you already struggle with keeping your calm, you might even dread the month of December. But there's no reason to hide out and binge-watch while your family celebrates: knowing how to manage your anxiety is the first step to surviving the season-even if it's not Hollywood-perfect.
Read MoreIt's not always easy to tell when someone is in a mental health crisis. Sometimes, people might seem perfectly fine on the outside, but they're struggling inside. That's why it's essential to be aware of the warning signs of a mental health emergency and know what to do if you encounter someone who is in crisis.
This post will highlight some signs to watch for and provide tips to help you care for a friend who is struggling. It will also provide contact information on where to get help with mental health services.
Read MoreYouth across the nation have struggled to endure the loss of normalcy throughout the pandemic, from Zoom classes to navigating the hallways wearing a mask. Mentally, COVID has done a number on children and adults alike, but school-aged kids have suffered a lot of loss, from graduation ceremonies, first days of school, and an overall disruption to their learning and social development.
Read MoreDeath is not really something anyone wants to talk about, or even really think about. Unfortunately, it's an unavoidable fact that you will die. It could happen later today, or 70 years from now, but you will, in fact, die at some point. Because death could come at any minute, regardless of how old or young you are, it is important to prepare those you love for your death. Here are some things you need to discuss with your trusted loved ones before death comes calling.
Read MoreIf letting go of feelings of shame, guilt, or past mistakes is difficult for you, you're not alone. Letting go of disappointments or what you see as a failure is a common struggle for many. The process takes time, self-forgiveness, and a great deal of self-compassion, which isn't easy. The road is a long one that requires much more than simply deciding it's time to move on, and there are no shortcuts. For many, it's much simpler to forgive others than to forgive themselves.
Read MoreSeasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a form of depression that usually begins in the fall and lasts throughout the winter months, though there are also less common occurrences of SAD in the spring and summer. Many people who are affective by SAD simply shrug it off or do not seek treatment, but the truth is that it's possible to deal with the symptoms and keep moods elevated year-round. Below are some of the common symptoms, risk factors, and treatments associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Read MoreAdopting a child is a rewarding experience, but it also comes with certain challenges. One of these is explaining the process to friends and family members. You may find that the people in your life have certain misconceptions about adoption. They may ask questions that seem strange or even offensive. Try to have patience and give people the benefit of the doubt. In most cases, they simply need some time and guidance to better understand your situation. Here are some tips to help you educate your friends and family about adoption.
Read MoreHallucinations and Delusions are the hallmark symptoms of psychosis. A person in psychosis experiences reality very differently from the general population. The juxtaposition of a person in psychosis and a person not in psychosis often leads to feelings of great discomfort, fear, confusion, and stress for both parties. Whether from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, brain injury, or the increased use of drugs such as crystal methamphetamine, experiencing these symptoms in some form is not entirely uncommon.
Read MoreBorderline personality disorder (BPD), also known as an emotionally unstable personality disorder, is one of the most difficult mental health conditions to identify, and even highly trained professionals sometimes misdiagnose it. According to the DSM-5, the publication that specifies diagnostic criteria for mental disorders, there are nine things to look out for. If you or someone you know exhibits five or more of the signs listed below, you may want to consult a mental health professional.
Read MoreDependent personality disorder involves excessive clinginess, neediness, submissive behavior, and fear of abandonment, stemming from factors like low self-esteem and negative experiences early in life. People with a dependent personality disorder often have trouble making decisions on their own. It doesn't matter whether the decision is important or insignificant; in both cases, they require help and reassurance from another person.
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