Understanding Avoidant Attachment Human beings are innately social creatures. We thrive on connection and relationships, and these connections are deeply ingrained in our biology. Attachment theory, initially developed by psychologist Mary Ainsworth, offers valuable insights into how our early relationships with caregivers shape our adult attachment styles. These attachment styles can significantly impact our ability […]

How to Develop Secure Attachment: Overcoming Avoidant Attachment Style

When it comes to dating and marriage, we often hear about the butterflies and the fireworks, but rarely do we hear about the ick in a long term relationship. But what about the moments when something feels off? Something inexplicable that sends shivers down your spine and makes you question everything? Ah yes, I’m talking […]

The Ick in a Long Term Relationship: What is it and How to Overcome

This past weekend I attended an incredibly joyous wedding. The happy couple was surrounded by family and friends. The rain had held off while the sun shined, and laughter, and smiles filled the wedding hall. The most heart-warming moment, was easily when the brides exchanged vows. The newlyweds did something that was incredibly thoughtful, and […]

Noticing The Heart Of Security: Healthy Attachment

By: Del Thompson There are many skills that almost everyone finds themselves working on at some point in our lives, such as boundaries. But what are boundaries? Why do we struggle with creating and responding to boundaries? There is nothing inherently wrong with a boundary, in fact, boundaries are often the tool we need in […]

The Joys Of Boundaries

Many people have heard of post-traumatic stress disorder, a mental health condition that is the result of an acute traumatic event taking place. Common examples of traumas that can result in PTSD include military service, sexual or physical assault, a car accident or an extreme natural disaster. In most cases, PTSD stems from a single […]

What is Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, How is it Different From PTSD and How Can It Affect Your Relationships?

When I notice the content of what much of our world suggests for self care, we don’t usually discuss either the political self or the possible therapeutic benefits of political action. These topics often include exercise, nutrition, unplugging from technology, engaging in spirituality, and spending time with loved ones. Often, self-care can involve disengaging from […]

The Political Self: The Possible Therapeutic Benefits of Political Action

Anxious attachment can be painful–fear of rejection and loss, constant worry about your partner’s emotions, and low self-esteem. However, while attachment is about our relationships, it is absolutely possible to learn how to self-soothe anxious attachment. Read on for tips from a therapist.   What is anxious attachment? Anxious attachment is one of four attachment […]

How To Self-Soothe and Heal Anxious Attachment

Is relational happiness reality minus expectations? Have you ever watched that seen from the the movie, 500 Days Of Summer, where Joseph Gordon Levitt, can’t wait to meet his ex, Zoey Deschanel at a party she’s hosting? He thinks that the meeting will go one way; they will immediately reconnect and realize that they are […]

Is Relational Happiness Reality Minus Expectations?

As a clinical social worker and therapist, I spend a lot of time speaking with individuals and couples teaching them how to feel their feelings. They are a critical piece of how we make positive change and move through life’s challenges. Emotions also offer us critical information about our needs, boundaries, relationships, and the world […]

This 3-Step Process Will Help You Feel Your Feelings

This time of year can be stressful for so many of us. We are tested on knowing what our boundaries are and how to stay true to our needs. Some of us are not partnered and that’s okay; even though as humans living in a modern society, we are bombarded with images and messages which […]

How To Get Through The Holidays Single

As a relationship therapist, I often find my clients feel a sense of responsibility for their partner, or family members’ feelings.  My clients feel entangled in the emotions of their loved ones which causes them to develop people pleaser tendencies. They don’t know how to self validate and they try to anticipate, adjust or control their […]

How to Self Validate and Stop Being A People Pleaser

How To Cope With Your Anxiety These last few years, Covid-19 has taken it’s toll on all of us. We have been trapped in our homes, shielded our faces behind masks, and distanced from our loved ones. We have felt a plethora of emotions including fear and loneliness. It’s not a secret that now more […]

How To Cope With Your Anxiety