Spill the (Therapy) Tea

Imagine seeing a child struggling in deep water. They’re panicking. Exhausted. Barely keeping their head above the surface. Most people wouldn’t stand safely at the edge and yell: “Kick harder.” “You need to keep up.” “Other kids are swimming just fine.” “This will make you stronger.” We would recognize that the child was overwhelmed. We would move toward them — not away from them.We would help them feel safe before expecting them to swim again. And yet, emotionally, people a

There’s a moment that shows up in relationships—quiet at first, then suddenly unmistakable. Someone gets hurt. They hold it in. They try to be patient, reasonable, calm. They give the benefit of the doubt. They minimize their own feelings to keep the peace. And then… they can’t anymore. They react. Not always perfectly. Not always gently. But honestly. And that’s when something subtle—but deeply revealing—can happen. The focus shifts. Instead of talking about what caused the

Ah, conflict. That awkward tension that can turn a perfectly fine day into a knot in your stomach. If your approach to dealing with it is: “Ignore it, avoid it, run away” These words have been very good to me. …then congratulations, you’ve just found your meme twin. And honestly? You’re not alone — conflict avoidance is one of the most common coping strategies out there. Why Avoidance Feels So Good (At First) Avoiding conflict can feel like a relief. It’s like slamming the “c

Let’s be honest—life lately has been feeling a little… crunchy. Deadlines. Relationships. Notifications. That one email you keep rereading like it’s going to emotionally resolve itself. And somewhere in the chaos, your brain is quietly whispering: “Hey… can we have a break?” But instead of listening, most of us do what humans do best—we push through, power up, and keep going until we’re mentally melted like chocolate in a Texas summer. So today, we’re taking a note from one o

By Christina Song, LMFT-S In the midst of the relentless noise—the barrage of bad news that threatens to dim our spirits—there exists a quiet, stubborn light. It flickers in acts of kindness between strangers, in community gardens blossoming in forgotten lots, in the laughter of children playing despite everything. Joy, especially in these times, is not a frivolous luxury; it is a revolutionary act, a lifeline thrown across the abyss of despair. For communities too often eras

You’ve probably heard the old rhyme: “I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream.” Cute, right?But let’s be real—these days, it feels more like: “I scream, you scream, we all scream… because of anxiety.” And honestly? That hits closer to home. Anxiety Is More Common Than You Think Anxiety doesn’t always look like panic attacks or sleepless nights. Sometimes it’s the knot in your stomach before sending an email, the racing thoughts at 3 a.m., or the way your brain repl

By Christina Song, LMFT-S The news these days can feel like a storm that never ceases — a relentless tide crashing against the shores of our hearts, pulling us under with waves of fear, grief, and rage. It’s no secret that headlines can weigh heavy, sometimes pressing so hard that the act of reading feels like bearing witness to collective sorrow. Yet, as Audre Lorde, the fierce Black queer feminist poet, wrote, “Your silence will not protect you.” To stay silent, to look awa

By Kelly Clarke, LMFT-S If your meeting notes or lecture handouts have ever sprouted zigzags, spirals, or tiny stick figures, you’re not “spacing out”—you may actually be supporting your brain. Research shows that doodling, those simple marks we often make without much thought, can steady attention, reduce stress, and even strengthen memory. In other words: a few lines in the margins may be doing more for your mental health than you realize. Sharper focus, stronger memory ✏️�

At the Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, a young macaque named Punch became unexpectedly internet famous. Not because he was the biggest. Not because he was dominant. Not because he performed tricks. But because Punch carries around a giant stuffed orangutan. He clings to it. Sleeps with it. Holds it close when the world feels overwhelming. And the internet collectively paused. Because here’s the part that hits: Punch is strong enough to navigate a macaque troop—but soft enough to

The clocks change, the light fades, and suddenly your motivation evaporates with the daylight. Welcome to November. If you’ve noticed lower energy, heavier moods, or that you’re sleeping more but feeling worse, it’s not in your head. You might be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or a milder form of seasonal mood change — sometimes called “fall fatigue.” 🧠 What’s happening in your brain When daylight decreases, your body produces more melatonin (the sleep hormon

The holidays are coming — which means it’s officially “boundary season.” Family time can be lovely… or it can feel like running an emotional marathon in jeans. Maybe it’s the same political debate every year, the “When are you getting married?” interrogation, or that one relative who believes volume equals being right. Between the pressure to be cheerful, the expectations to show up, and the emotional landmines of old family dynamics, the holidays can easily go from festive

Let’s be honest: gratitude season can feel... forced. You’re barely holding it together, your inbox is overflowing, and someone on Instagram is telling you to “just be thankful.” Cue eye roll. But here’s the thing: gratitude does have real mental health benefits. It’s not just a Pinterest mantra — studies show that regularly practicing gratitude can boost dopamine and serotonin (your brain’s “feel good” chemicals), reduce stress hormones, and even improve sleep. The trick i

Boo! 👻 It’s that time of year again—when skeletons come out of closets (literally), everything smells like pumpkin spice, and pretending to be someone else is totally encouraged. But while the fake cobwebs and candy bowls are easy to clean up, the emotional ghosts hanging around? Not so much. At ABC Counseling , we love Halloween for its creativity and laughter—but it’s also the perfect time to talk about the ways fear, masks, and ghosts can show up in our emotional lives. �

October is full of jump scares — haunted houses, creepy clowns, your inbox after a long weekend. But for some of us, the real monster isn’t under the bed — it’s in our head. Anxiety loves Halloween. It gets to wear all its favorite disguises: The “what if” witch who brews worst-case scenarios. The perfectionist vampire who sucks all your energy until nothing feels good enough. The ghost of past mistakes who whispers “remember when…” at the worst possible time. At ABC Coun

Halloween is basically the Olympics of candy consumption. Mini Snickers, Reese’s cups, and Skittles somehow multiply overnight — and suddenly you’re standing in the kitchen at 10 p.m. with an open bag of fun-size regrets. But here’s the thing: eating a few (or a few dozen) pieces of candy doesn’t make you weak, lazy, or “bad.” It makes you human. At ABC Counseling , we’re all about helping people find balance — and that includes your relationship with food, your body, and tha

We’ve all been there. You’ve got feelings brewing inside you — frustration, overwhelm, maybe that one snarky comment from your coworker that’s been living rent-free in your brain all week. And you think: I just need to vent. The idea is that venting will feel like blowing off steam: you let it out, you feel lighter, your friend nods in solidarity, and you both move on. But sometimes? It feels less like letting off steam and more like chugging gasoline and lighting yourself o

By Kelly Clarke, LMFT-S Halloween isn’t the only time our brains love treats. In fact, your brain has its own version of a candy...

Superheroes have capes. Vampires have garlic. And you? You’ve got boundaries. Boundaries aren’t walls that shut people out—they’re...

The leaves aren’t the only things changing—our moods often shift with the seasons, too. Maybe you feel cozy and energized by cooler...

Ghosts aren’t the only things haunting us this October.Sometimes it’s not the creaky floorboard or the pumpkin patch scarecrow—it’s that...