Blog - Little Snippets and Advice for Everyday Challenges Many People Share - Hope+Wellness

One question that comes up often in therapy is, 'What does it mean to live authentically?' For many people, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community, that question isn't always simple to answer. Living authentically can feel deeply rewarding, but it can also involve complicated and difficult emotions. Authenticity can often mean allowing our outward life to fully reflect our values, beliefs,…

"You must be so excited!" Feels like the only thing you're allowed to feel when you're pregnant or just had a baby. And scared, overwhelmed, sad. And don't forget feeling guilty that you're not feeling pure excitement and awe. If this is you, please know you're not alone or broken. These complex emotions are especially difficult for people who have: experienced pregnancy loss, had difficult…

One of the areas I am most passionate about in my work is supporting neurodivergent women across the lifespan. For many of the women and girls I see, the process of undergoing neuropsychological testing is profoundly validating. Going through the process of testing is not about labeling what is “wrong” with them—it’s about illuminating how their brains work. Their brains simply work differen…

Many students feel pressure to “have it all figured out.” How does that pressure impact mental health?  “Pressure impacts mental health significantly. While having goals can be motivating, the  expectation can place a significant burden on students’ mental health. This could lead to them  comparing themselves to peers who “seem” more confident about their path, causing them to  question if …

I am just another woman diagnosed with ADHD much later in life. When I was younger, I blamed both the hyperactivity and the inattention on anxiety. Being unfocused was justified by an upcoming test. Racing thoughts clouded my mind, causing me to misplace just about everything. I got in trouble for tapping under my desk because… well… I’m a tap dancer. An anxious tap dancer.

I am just another woman diagnosed with ADHD much later in life. When I was younger, I blamed both the hyperactivity and the inattention on anxiety. Being unfocused was justified by an upcoming test. Racing thoughts clouded my mind, causing me to misplace just about everything. I got in trouble for tapping under my desk because… well… I’m a tap dancer. An anxious tap dancer.

What is attachment trauma, and how does it often show up in adult relationships? “Attachment trauma occurs in early childhood when our fundamental needs are unmet or inconsistently met. It manifests in adult relationships as a fear of abandonment, rejection, or being alone, feeling overwhelmed by our partner's emotional needs, or distrusting healthy love when it is presented.”

What made you passionate about specializing in mental health for women and girls? "I feel a deep sense of connection and community with other women by virtue of our shared experiences. Even though I work with women from all walks of life, who have experiences that differ from mine, there are certain things about which we have a shared understanding—something we don’t even need to speak to kn…

What originally drew you to becoming a therapist?   "This has always been one of my "fun facts" because of how far back my desire to be a therapist goes. I actually decided to become a therapist as a high school freshman - it all began in my art class with my childhood best friend. We both shared a love for art and decided to take this class together, and little did I know that our love for …