Do you ever find yourself caught in a whirlwind of “what if” thoughts? You know, those anxious phrases playing on repeat in your mind: “What if something terrible happens?” or “What if I can’t handle it?” This pattern of worst-case-scenario thinking, often called catastrophizing, can weigh heavily on your mental health and rob you […]
Being Nice Psychological Underpinnings: External Motivation: Being “nice” is often driven by the desire for social approval, acceptance, or avoidance of conflict. It may stem from a need to be liked or to avoid rejection or disapproval. Niceness can be an outward behavior aimed at managing others’ perceptions of oneself. People-Pleasing: “Niceness” is often linked […]
Preparing for Couples Therapy: A Guide for Success Couples therapy can be a powerful tool for strengthening your relationship, resolving conflicts, and deepening emotional connection. To make the most of the process, preparation and intentionality are key. Below is a summary to help couples get started and maximize their therapy experience. Understand the Purpose of […]
The Recovery Tripod A Framework for Couples Think of this framework like a tripod holding up a camera. Each leg represents one of the three healing pillars. If one leg is weak or missing, the whole structure tips over — the image (a restored life and relationship) cannot be held steady. The Betrayal Trauma Leg provides grounding and […]
The Myth of the Midlife Crisis We’ve all heard the clichés: the sports car, the sudden career pivot, the restless search for meaning. But behind those images lies something much more human. A midlife crisis isn’t about impulsivity or vanity; it’s often a deeply personal reckoning between who we’ve been and who we still hope […]
LIVING WELL WITH LAUREN was your brain wired to fear rest? if you’ve ever wondered: “Why can’t I just relax like everyone else?” LIVING WELL WITH LAUREN DEC 02, 2025 Have you ever caught yourself hustling, performing, or trying to prove yourself… even when you know you’re exhausted? Same. Same. Today I read […]
We Can’t Control Our Thoughts — But We Can Choose Where to Focus Have you ever noticed how your mind keeps talking, even when you wish it would stop?You might be sitting quietly, and suddenly an old memory pops up, or a voice in your head starts whispering, “You should have done better…” or “What if this goes […]
Trauma shows up in different ways for different people, so choosing the right therapy approach matters. Some people need fast relief from a single painful memory. Others need deeper work to heal old wounds that still shape how they feel, react, and relate today. Here in Phoenix, there are several trauma therapies that can help […]
Since technology has advanced so rapidly, many of our lives have become more complicated. One result I have observed is that we are having difficulties maintaining family connections and traditions. As a result of our fast pace world and chaotic lives we sometimes forget the importance of passing on family traditions from generation to […]
I’m in my era of nerding out on craft writing books. The books feel like imaginary cheerleaders on the sidelines of my writing life. As I read Elissa Altman’s book, Permission: The New Memoirist and The Courage to Create, I was surprised by the parallels I saw to the psychotherapy life. I thought I was […]
