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As summer winds down, many families are preparing for one of life’s biggest transitions: sending a child off to college. Dorm rooms are being packed, family dinners feel a little more bittersweet, and parents may quietly wonder, How many more of these moments do we have before the house feels different? Alongside the excitement and pride can come something unexpected: grief. And if you’re feeling it, you’re not alone. When the House Feels Different For nearly two decades, your life may have revolved around your child—their first steps, first day of school, late-night conversations, activities, celebrations, and all the little moments in between. Then suddenly, they’re making decisions about college, roommates, careers, and their future. You’re not just saying goodbye to your child living at home. You’re saying goodbye to […]
Read PostKeywords: healthy boundaries, protecting your peace, self-care, emotional well-being, boundary setting, mental health, motherhood, work-life balance, emotional burnout Dinner meals, snacks, gas, online bills, a phone call to my daughter’s teacher… As I twirled my fingers through my curly hair, I mentally ran through everything I needed to accomplish before my two-year-old daughter woke up with her endless energy. And, of course, I couldn’t forget the most important item on the list: get coffee. Lately, I’ve been going to bed every night with one goal—to wake up before my children. I wanted a quiet moment to write my to-do list, get dressed, eat breakfast, meditate, and prepare myself before the beautiful chaos of motherhood began. That morning, I finally did it. I woke up early, wrote my list, and started […]
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There’s something sacred that happens when women gather. When we create a space that allows us to let go of performance and perfection and just be. Maya Angelou once said, “We live longer and better lives when we have sisters we love, not necessarily born in our bloodline or of our race.” The alchemy of sisterhood is real and this month, at The WOC House, we didn’t just celebrate history; we lived inside of it. We created space for reflection, for truth-telling, for rest, for joy… and for the kind of conversations that don’t always have smooth edges, but still deserve to be held. That’s exactly what this space was built for. Fresh Look: A Conversation About Hope and Perseverance Our first gathering, Fresh Look, in collaboration with Tal Navarro […]
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Making sense of political stress without losing yourself As a therapist, politics are already in the room before anyone names them. It has been a heavy and unsettling time politically in the U.S., to say the least. People are living inside nonstop polarization, constant breaking news, public grief, protest, fear, and a deep sense of uncertainty about what comes next. Even on days when nothing “new” happens, there’s still a background hum of stress that never fully turns off. It feels like the ground keeps shifting and like staying oriented now takes more effort than it used to. I hear it in the way clients talk about the future with despair and existential dread. I notice it in how often people describe feeling chronically on edge, emotionally tired, or overwhelmed. […]
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Can we talk about something real? There’s a phrase that’s become so common we barely question it anymore: “Just stay positive.” I know people mean well. I know they’re trying to offer comfort or keep things moving when things get tough. But sometimes, those three little words hit differently, especially when you’re hurting. They imply that your sadness is a choice you’re making, or that your struggle is something you can simply think your way out of. For many of us, especially BIPOC women, that kind of forced positivity doesn’t just miss the mark it can feel dismissive or patronizing. We’re living in a time that asks a lot from us emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. We carry the weight of our families, our work, and our communities, all while navigating […]
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Systemic homophobia permeates many facets of society, casting long shadows over the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals. This deep-seated prejudice is not confined to overt acts of discrimination; it infiltrates institutions, cultural norms, and social interactions, creating an environment where being gay is often fraught with fear and anxiety. In this blog post, we will explore the detrimental effects of systemic homophobia on mental health, particularly focusing on its manifestations in the military, its entanglement with rape culture, and its broader roots in patriarchal structures. We will also delve into the transformative potential of therapy and the interplay between queering and decolonization as pathways to healing.
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