As an EMDR therapist I am a huge advocate for somatic work! I believe that massages and yoga are underrated when it comes to healing. Whether you are healing from a toxic relationship, childhood traumas, or one of life's many other stresses, somatic interventions like massage and yoga can really help you in your wellness journey.

As a couples therapist one of the most common stressors in a relationship is finances. People who come into my counseling practice report this as a high area of concern, something they are eager to learn how to communicate better, with more kindness and intention. Keep reading to learn about how money can be stressful, where this comes from, and how to talk to your partner about money.

Something I often tell my client’s in couples therapy is that we want to strive for a balance between “we-ness and me-ness.” I like to think of most things on a continuum, and I often share that dependence is on a continuum. Sometimes childhood traumas can impact how a person shows up in their adult relationships.

People who have had trauma in their childhood often have their nervous system wired in a way that can continue to impact them in adulthood. But what happens when life is not so dangerous or chaotic? Well sometimes we find ways to keep the chaos and energy going at full speed. Rest becomes scary. Slow periods are seen as boring. Play is something that is seen as a waste of time.

Maybe you have noticed more and more people keep talking about therapy, or you keep seeing it talked about in all TV shows. Did anyone else notice DBT casually being part of She-Hulk? That definitely had my heart singing as a certified DBT therapist!

Maybe you are wondering what an inner child means or what is an inner child wound? Maybe you are wondering, great, this means more stuff to work through. But it is so worth it to explore what inner wounds you have and to heal them. Healing your inner child wounds can open up a whole new world, a world where some people feel like they are finally able to breathe.

Are you struggling with constant bickering and feeling exhausted about the work that your relationship is taking lately? Something I stress to my couples is that the goal is not to have a healthy relationship but in fact to have a secure one. Keep on reading see why. Plus scroll all the way down for a useful relationship meditation!

Distraction is a fantastic skill at helping you step back from the edge of feeling like you are about to lose it. Particularly because my two specialties are providing trauma therapy and couples counseling. But when I teach these types of skills, I always do so with a disclosure: we distract only if we must to keep ourselves safe or other people safe. Keep on reading to learn why.

Are you and your partner getting stuck in conflict and maybe you are wondering if it has to do with your trauma history? Yours or theirs, or both? Maybe! It is definitely something worth exploring in couples therapy, something I asked everyone about. Read this if you want to learn about the top three ways I see trauma play out in the couples I work with.

Are you in a relationship and do you happen to be a different cultural or race from your partner? Then keep on reading! Honestly, even if you are in a relationship with someone of the same background, you can benefit from this read, because you know I would even argue that we all come from our own micro-cultures, no two family origins are the same.

Oftentimes those with inner child wounds often struggle with an inner critic. As a therapist, practicing online in California, I often help people develop a daily positive affirmation routine to help them rewire their brains to think in a more positive way. Click here to read my list of 15 positive affirmations to help heal inner child wounds!

As a certified Dialectical Behavioral Therapist practicing online in California, I preach and preach about mindfulness. It is something that I use every single session, just in the way that we have our conversations. I have seen it do wonders for the lives of my clients and I hope it does the same for you! Click here to read about 5 reasons why you need mindfulness in your life!

Childhood trauma is something that has gotten a lot more attention over the last few years. As an online therapist treating people all over California I have worked with countless people who have experienced a wide range of childhood traumas. Click here to read 5 ways your childhood trauma might impact you as an adult.

In my online therapy practice, I work with people all over California, helping them process experiences both good and bad. I provide a safe space to explore life post a psychedelic trip, whether you were part of a clinical trial or went on a wellness retreat in another country. They say there are no bad trips, just difficult ones and I can help you unpack a difficult drug trip.

As a Certified Dialectical Behavioral Therapist practicing online all over California, this is a modality of therapy that I use often. I have found great success in treating people and helping them reach their goals using this DBT therapy. I love this way of doing therapy as it allows for me to be flexible and meet people where they are at.

You have decided to try out online therapy! Worried, excited, unsure if you made the right choice? All very valid feelings and thoughts. Before the pandemic most people went to therapy in person. I practiced 100% in person. But believe it or not, people have been doing online therapy for decades. Click here to read more how you can make the most out of online therapy.

The first relationship we form is with our parents, it is the ground stage where our foundations are laid (I will use the term “parents” but this is true of whoever was your main caregiver”). If we come from chaotic or dysfunctional families, it can be difficult to have a happy, healthy marriage in your adulthood.

Pixar and Disney films have a way of pulling on your heart strings. I know they do for me. One of the latest films, Encanto , was no exception. This movie was about a Latinx family struggling with family dysfunction, disguised as doing what is right for the family…they just had to know thousands of people would relate. This Latina therapist included! Encanto shows Familism, intergenerational trauma, and that families can heal. Keep on reading to see how I, a first gen family therapist just loved this movie and use it all the time in my therapy sessions.

Parentification is where a child assumes the role of a parent in a family. Often this looks like taking care of the parent by means of providing emotional support and sometimes even financial support. This way of coping with family stress can have lasting impacts into a persons adulthood. Click here to read more.

Mass shootings are on the rise and so are peoples’ anxiety and fear. The news shows mass shooting after mass shooting and it is hard not to find yourself up late at night worrying. Rightfully so people are worried about everyday life such as going to the grocery store, going to school, and even going to a medical appointment. Hopefully this article can provide you with some information on why mass shootings cause anxiety and other mental health issues and how to manage anxiety related to mass shootings.