In today’s world, love is a powerful force that transcends barriers—whether they are cultural, geographic, or even racial. Interracial dating, where individuals from different racial or ethnic backgrounds form romantic relationships, is becoming more common and accepted. While it has come a long way in terms of social acceptance, it’s important to understand the beauty, challenges, and depth of interracial relationships. This post will explore the positive aspects of interracial dating and provide insights on how we can embrace these relationships with respect and understanding.

Last month I focused on the unseen weight that mom’s carry and it felt suiting to follow that up with a look at what a fathers experience can be like. When we think about mental health, we often think about the challenges mothers face, or even the struggles of children. However, one of the most under-discussed areas of mental health is that of fathers. There tends to be an unspoken burden on dads to be strong; to be providers and protectors. But what happens when dad isn’t okay?

Fathers, like anyone else, experience mental health struggles.Yet, the emotional toll fatherhood can take is often left unrecognized and undiscussed. I would like to explore the reality of mental health challenges faced by fathers, the societal pressures they endure, and the importance of creating space for dads to seek help and care for themselves.

For many LGBTQ+ individuals, the holidays can be a time of mixed emotions. The idea of returning home to family is a universal one, but for those in the LGBTQ+ community, it sometimes comes with the heavy weight of potential rejection, fear, and anxiety. While some might find comfort and solace in being with their loved ones, for others, the journey home is riddled with emotional challenges. This post is an exploration of the complexities of being LGBTQ+ and navigating the experience of returning home to a family that might not understand or accept your identity.

Being a mom...one of the most rewarding roles AND a role that comes with many layers of responsibility, much of that responsibility going unseen to the outside world. From the moment a child is born, a mother begins a journey of giving, guiding and ensuring everything is running smoothly for the family. Whether she works outside the home or solely manages the household, a mom is often trying to balance a diverse mix of duties and demands. But what does it really mean to carry all this responsibility? And why is it so important to recognize the depth of what moms do, even when they don't ask for recognition?

Sexual health is a fundamental aspect of overall well-being, yet many individuals struggle with sexual dysfunction, often linked to past trauma. Understanding the relationship between trauma and sexual dysfunction can empower those affected and pave the way for healing, connection, and pleasure. No experience of traumatic events is undeserving of care and attention, especially when it has impacts on different areas of functioning.

In the fast-paced, and sometimes oppressive, world of corporate America, it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle. With deadlines looming and meetings stacked back-to-back, many professionals find themselves operating on autopilot, dimming their unique spark. However, maintaining your “main character energy” (MCE) is essential for not only your personal growth but also for creating a dynamic workplace culture. Here’s how to keep your energy vibrant and impactful in the corporate environment.

Letting people into the inner workings of your relationship style and identity can be helpful on the journey towards showing up as your authentic self in all aspects of life. For many, sharing with family and friends that you identify as non-monogamous—whether polyamorous, open, or exploring alternative relationship structures—can be a daunting but necessary step. Here’s how to navigate this journey with grace and authenticity.

When considering how to approach relational challenges, one area of exploration that may be helpful is identifying and processing past trauma, often stemming from early attachment experiences. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is commonly used for healing individual trauma, which in turn can heal attachment wounds that come from it.

In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the profound impact hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can have on the psychological well-being of transgender and non-binary (trans/NB+)  folx. While the physical changes brought about by HRT are often highlighted, the emotional and mental health benefits are equally significant and deserving of attention. HRT has a high potential to contribute to a more fulfilling and authentic life for many trans/NB+ people.

So, you’ve got the ring, the venue, and the guest list all set. But have you considered another helpful part of wedding preparation? Premarital therapy.

It's not just another line item on your wedding to-do list. It’s actually a powerful tool that can set you and your partner up for a lifetime of happiness, stability, and success. But how does premarital therapy impact relationships?

Complex and challenging relationships with parents are one of the many struggles adults today face and seek guidance and healing around in our therapy offices. These struggles are often born from experiences and dynamics of childhood that continue to influence the parent-child relationship in adulthood. Sometimes, these dynamics are very evident, and other times they may be more subtle and hard to correlate with current experience. Being able to identify and understand how childhood experiences have affected us and our relationships is often crucial to improve maladaptive patterns and cycles we may find ourselves in.

Social media, family culture, and our larger cultural contexts play significant roles in shaping our body image. For every gender, racial identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion, socioeconomic status, and so on, beauty standards can vary, which can create a very confusing, conflicting, and further unattainable goalpost to reach—one that seems to move with every passing year.  

The journey from pain to empowerment is neither easy nor straightforward, but for many BIPOC individuals, it is a profound testament to resilience and strength.