Mental Health And Counseling Blog

This is where you will find all kinds of information related to counseling, therapy, and mental health. I generally use this as a place to write about anything that comes up in therapy and I often refer my clients to posts that seem relevant to the content of our sessions. I like to try to include media in all of my posts, so if you're not much of a reader, or you're looking for something quick, you can peruse the clips in my posts and still get something good out of them.

I primarily write about the issues I work with most, which are:

-Teens
-Couples
-Addiction
-Codependency
-LGBTQ issues
-Trans and gender non-conforming issues
-Sex positive therapy

*From 2018 to 2023 I created a website called SacWellness.com, which helped people find mental health resources in the greater Sacramento area. Sacwellness was home to lots of blog posts written by other therapists in the greater Sacramento area. You can still find all of those in the SacWellness blog archive

The content found in this blog is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to take the place of counseling, therapy, or advice from a professional. If you are in need of counseling and/or help with psychological problems please contact a mental health professional.

Addiction and Attachment.

Addiction and Substance Abuse / 5 minutes of reading

In recent years mental health practitioners have increasingly began to recognize the role of attachment and healthy relationships in the formation and maintenance of addiction. As social creatures we need healthy relationships in our lives. We need to have the internalized sense that we are loved, cared for, and supported by those we love. We are designed to cope with stress and difficulty through these healthy relationships. When things happen to negatively affect our attachment in those relationships things can go awry. In this way, addiction can be an attempt by the individual to fill the holes left by unmet relational needs.

Addiction and Attachment. Read More »

Anxiety and Decision Fatigue

Anxiety Therapy / 3 minutes of reading

On a daily basis we are constantly confronted with numerous decisions to make. Sometimes this decision making can lead to “decision fatigue”. For those who suffer from anxiety, small decisions can quickly become big ones and decision fatigue can have a quicker onset than for those who do not struggle with anxiety. Visit my blog to read more.

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The Negativity Bias, the News, and Pessimism.

Depression Counseling / 3 minutes of reading

We tend to invest more emotional energy into negative experiences than we do positive experiences. In psychology this is known as the negativity bias. We have evolved the negativity bias as a way to keep us safe from harm, but sometimes it can get us into trouble, leading to pessimism, depression, and PTSD. News outlets capitalize on the negativity bias by primarily reporting on negative events in the world. Contrary to popular belief, in many ways the world is getting better, not worse.

The Negativity Bias, the News, and Pessimism. Read More »

Lucid Dreaming

Mental Health / 3 minutes of reading

Do you dream vividly? Have you heard of lucid dreaming: The state of being in a dream and being aware of the fact that one is dreaming? When lucid dreaming, dreamers are able to control their dreams. This blog post is all about lucid dreaming and some strategies dreamers can use to achieve lucid dreaming.

Lucid Dreaming Read More »

A thumbnail of a youtube video tutorial for how to fold origami stars. Used as a demonstration for controlling ADHD and anxiety through structured fidgeting.

How to Harness Your Fidgeting to Control ADHD and Anxiety

Coping Skills/Self Care, Teen Counseling / 4 minutes of reading

Do you or someone you love struggle with ADHD? In the past people have typically looked at fidgeting as an annoying distraction for those with ADHD, but recent studies have found that structured fidgeting can actually help those with ADHD to focus. If you or someone you love is struggling with paying attention to reading, or lectures, maybe you should try some fidgeting?

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The Price of Admission

Couples Therapy / Relationship Counseling / 4 minutes of reading

Have you ever been in a situation where you have gotten annoyed and really angry with your partner over something that you would normally think is small and unimportant? Maybe there is something more to it and previous relationships are affecting you in a way that is making you fearful and insecure in your relationship. Everyone has a need to be loved, supported, understood, and cared for by their partners and/or parents. When something happens to threaten that safety and security, we can become sensitive to things that might indicate that we could be hurt again. Sometimes it is important to evaluate whether or not the things that are hard in your relationship are real “deal breakers” or if they are worth “the price of admission”.

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The Effects of Stress and Anxiety on the Body

Anxiety Therapy / 2 minutes of reading

Chronic stress can have serious negative effects on the body. When we stress, our bodies are in fight/flight mode, preparing to deal with perceived danger. Often times the things that make us stressed cannot be fought (fight) or immediately escaped from (flight). The chemicals that are released into our systems at these times can be damaging if the stress is ongoing. This is why it is so important to engage in self care and have techniques and plans in place for handling stress.

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