We all have thoughts that pop into our heads automatically. Sometimes these thoughts are encouraging, but we’re not immune to self-critical or fear-based thoughts. For people struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges, these negative thought patterns can feel like a constant cycle…
Everyone has random, strange, or even unsettling thoughts from time to time. But for people with anxiety disorders or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), these “intrusive thoughts” can become sticky and overwhelming, leading to cycles of fear and compulsive behaviors. At our practice serving the greater Los…
Anxiety doesn’t just come from external stressors. It can grow from the way we think about situations, too. Our minds sometimes fall into thought traps or cognitive distortions. Some of these include patterns of thinking that exaggerate fears, distort reality, or keep us stuck in…
Avoidance is something we all do from time to time. Maybe it’s skipping a tough conversation, putting off a dentist appointment, or leaving an unpleasant task for “tomorrow.” That seems harmless enough – but when it comes to anxiety, avoidance plays a much bigger role…
Every person in the world comes with their own past history, experiences, and challenges they’ve overcome. That’s why the world of therapy has so many different approaches. The different approaches were created to help target certain personalities, challenges, or preferences. Despite all the different options…
You’ve been here before. It’s late. You’re already in bed. The rest of the world is quiet and probably asleep, but you’re lying there trying to navigate all of these anxious thoughts stuck in your head. Your brain is racing. You’re replaying old conversations, worrying…
Postpartum depression is often one of the first things that comes to mind when thinking about the emotional challenges that new mothers face. It’s being recognized and talked about more frequently, and it’s starting to become less stigmatized. But postpartum depression isn’t the only emotional…
You’re going about your day when a strange, unsettling thought hits: What if I’m losing it? What if I’m actually going “crazy“? This could show up during a stressful moment, or in the quiet right before bed. Maybe it’s a thought you’ve had more than once-but every time,…
Growing up is an exciting time, but it doesn’t come without its challenges. Teenagers have to deal with many different internal and external changes that can cause added layers of stress and anxiety. They’re going through bodily changes like skin problems, height spurts, voice changes,…
When Reaching Out Feels Risky One of the most basic human needs is the desire to be seen, heard, and understood. Real connection often happens when we let our guard down – when we’re honest about our internal battles. But for people living with Obsessive-Compulsive…
Let’s face it: being a teenager isn’t easy, especially in today’s world. Teens can be left feeling like they’re constantly trying to catch up just to meet their own expectations—and the expectations that their family, teachers, coaches, friends, and social media set out for them.…
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, is a mental health condition that is characterized by its intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors. If you experience symptoms of OCD, you may feel that these obsessions and compulsions take control over you and your life. You may even feel…