Depression is one of the most widespread mental health issues in today’s society, and with the LGBTQ+ population it is one that is especially frightening due to both its prevalence and how dangerous it can be if left untreated. While people of all types develop depression for a variety of reasons, the circumstances that the…
Have you ever wondered why it’s so hard to remember events, places, or people from childhood? Sometimes childhood memories can feel like they are shrouded in a mysterious fog, or just out of reach. You might hear your friends sharing vivid stories and details from their early years, but it’s a struggle to recall even…
What is Gaslighting? You’ve prepared what you’re going to say and are ready to talk with your partner about something that’s been bothering you. It could be small or big but either way you know that communication is key in a relationship. But as soon as you start the discussion, your partner immediately becomes defensive,…
In the last five years, there has been a boom in the creation of small businesses. According to the US Census Bureau, 5.4 million applications were filed in 2021 alone! This is significant because starting a business is not only a bold move, but it also means having to step into an entirely new role…
The 2022 Midterm Elections are right around the corner. Do you have a voting plan? How about a “coping with election anxiety” plan? Election season can stir up anxiety for many of us because electing new public leaders can offer us hope for a better future or leave us with a sense of dread about…
You’re on the road less traveled–navigating consensual non-monogamy in a monogamist culture. You value this way of being in relationship with others and you also struggle with insecurity, jealousy, anger, and fear of abandonment. Your monogamous friends say things like, “I don’t know how you do it. I couldn’t. I’m just too jealous.” And while they mean…
I wrote this blog post in the spring of 2022 while a grief counselor at a hospice agency. I hope you find it helpful every spring. With warm weather just around the corner and the clocks set to change, a common phrase we hear is, “Time to spring forward!” There is also a common phrase…
Try to think about the ways you have been taught how to grieve the loss of someone or something. When you were a child and someone in your family died, how did others react? Did you see outward expressions of grief? Did you talk about your feelings with others? Or, did you see the opposite:…
Practicing gratefulness while in the midst of profound grief may seem like a daunting task. When someone you love so dearly has died, how can you possibly think of things to be grateful for? How can you have a grateful heart when it has been shattered into pieces? Being grateful may not be something that…
Counseling and LGBTQ+ While this may come as no surprise to members of it, the LGBTQ+ community struggles with mental health issues at a much higher rate than many other groups. This is not a result of their gender identity or sexual attraction, but of unique stressors they often have to face as a result…