Recovery Emotional Suppression

Emotional suppression can quietly stall your progress, especially if you’re working through recovery—whether from grief, addiction, or a major life change. Pushing down uncomfortable feelings might seem harmless at first, even helpful, like a way to stay in control. But over time, it becomes a barrier to real healing. You can only hold so much … Read more

Navigating Life After Rehab

Adjusting to life after rehab is a journey that blends hope, excitement, and a fair amount of uncertainty. Stepping back into everyday responsibilities—work, family, social situations—can feel like entering a new world, one where old habits may resurface and new expectations can feel overwhelming. I’ve seen how overwhelming this stage can be, but I’ve also … Read more

Rebuilding Trust After Relapse

Rebuilding trust after a relapse isn’t about grand gestures or smooth talking. It’s about taking steady action, maintaining honest communication, and exercising considerable patience. For anyone who’s slipped back into old habits, the path to rebuilding trust can feel overwhelming. I know from my own experience supporting others in recovery that it can be a … Read more

Visualization use through Cravings

Cravings can hit out of nowhere, and when they do, it often feels like your willpower disappears in seconds. I’ve been there—whether it’s late-night snacking, the sudden urge to smoke, or the impulse to reach for something you’re trying to avoid. Cravings tend to emerge at your weakest moments, often fueled by stress, boredom, or … Read more

Spotting Emotional Manipulation

Recognizing emotional manipulation in relationships is crucial for safeguarding your sense of self and preserving emotional well-being. The tricky part is that manipulation often shows up quietly—through guilt trips, subtle blame, shifting responsibility, or tactics that make you question your own feelings. Over time, this can leave you feeling confused, emotionally drained, or constantly “wrong,” … Read more

Understanding Emotional Eating

Emotional eating is something almost everyone experiences, yet many people don’t realize it’s happening until it becomes a pattern that’s hard to break. It’s more than just reaching for comfort food after a stressful day—emotions can subtly influence your appetite, cravings, and food choices in ways you may not notice at first. Stress, sadness, boredom, … Read more

Medicaid’s Role in Addiction Care

Medicaid is the largest source of public health insurance in the United States, but the connection it has with addiction care is a lot deeper than most people realize. Over the years, Medicaid has had a significant impact on how addiction treatment is funded, delivered, and accessed. I’ve spent considerable time reviewing the research, hearing … Read more

Talking About Addiction Together

Creating a safe space to talk about addiction is crucial for making real change possible in any community. Hard conversations can feel intimidating, but when people feel comfortable and heard, healing and help can actually happen. I’m excited to walk through what it takes to encourage open dialogue about addiction and how to turn these … Read more

Teens, OCD, and Hope

Supporting teens dealing with both OCD and addiction is not always as straightforward as it might look on the surface. A lot is going on behind the scenes, especially when two conditions overlap and reinforce each other. I have found that understanding what is really happening, considering the challenges teens face, and using some solid … Read more

Why Your Therapist Choice Matters

Finding the right therapist can make a world of difference for mental health and personal growth. While therapy is a reasonably standard step for tackling challenges or improving well-being, how you connect with your therapist and whether they’re truly suited for your needs is really important. I’m here to break down why picking a good … Read more