Do you hate surprises?Love being in control?Startle when someone walks into a room too quietly?Yeah… same. It’s not uncommon to find yourself wondering: “Is this just who I am—or is this a trauma response?” That question comes up a lot in therapy. And here’s the truth: It can be both. Let’s unpack how trauma can shape our behaviors, how those behaviors sometimes look like personality traits, and how therapy can help you sort out what’s you… and what’s a survival strategy. Tra

At ABC Counseling Inc., we’re not just mental health professionals—we’re humans, too. And like many humans, some of us don’t even pretend to function until the coffee hits. There’s something sacred about that first cup of the day. Whether you’re sipping solo in the quiet of morning or catching up with a friend between clients, coffee can be more than just a caffeine fix. It’s a ritual. A pause. A chance to breathe. If you’re like our dragon friends in the image above (who can

Ever sat down in therapy, took a deep breath, and said: “This is probably dumb, but…” or “I know this is silly, but…” Let us stop you right there. It’s not silly. It’s not dumb. And it’s definitely not too small to talk about. In fact, when you say those words, your therapist doesn’t judge you—they silently cheer you on. Why? Because what we’re really hearing is: ✨ Courage. 💬 Vulnerability. 🧠 Emotional insight. ❤️ A moment that matters. No Feeling Is Too Small for the Thera

Let’s talk about the most suspicious phrase in the English language. You’ve said it. We’ve said it. Your friend said it yesterday with suspiciously red eyes and a tremble in their voice: “I’m fine.” It’s the classic emotional escape hatch, the verbal duct tape we slap over feelings we don’t want to explain, don’t know how to name, or just don’t want to feel. But let’s be real—“I’m fine” is often code for “I’m overwhelmed but trying to hold it together without crumbling into a

I think the most common issue I come across when working with couples is the fear of the fight. This makes sense on the face of it; I mean who wants to fight with their partner? Fights are unpleasant, involve confrontation, a statement of boundaries, and fights mean putting our needs on equal ground to that of our partners. So we avoid them, we leave things unsaid, swallow our pride, and hope those feelings go away. However, throughout the history of mankind this has never be

(Because sometimes the most powerful self-care is the least Instagrammable.) At ABC Counseling Inc., we’re big fans of bubble baths. Candles, Epsom salt, a warm soak—it’s a lovely ritual that can bring calm to a chaotic day. But here's the truth: real self-care goes much deeper than what fits in a bathtub or looks pretty on social media. The popular version of self-care often focuses on indulgence and aesthetics—face masks, fancy journals, herbal tea. And while those things d

Okay, we had our fun — but let’s be honest: some days you need more than memes and decision dice. When the mental chatter gets loud, these grounded, therapist-approved strategies will help you find your footing. 1. Thought Labeling (Your Brain’s Spam Filter) When you catch yourself spiraling, give the thought a label: “Oh, classic catastrophizing,” or “Hey, there’s that ‘mind reading’ again.” Labeling helps you detach from the thought instead of getting sucked into it. 2. Tim

Ever find yourself replaying a conversation from three days ago like it’s the season finale of a drama series? Or spiraling into a full-blown mental strategy session about… where to order lunch? Congratulations — you might be an Overthinker. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you kick the mental merry-go-round to the curb with five gloriously fun ways to stop overthinking everything. 1. The “Worst-Case Scenario Comedy Hour” Your brain loves to scare you with “what ifs,” so w

At ABC Counseling Inc., we’re big fans of all things quirky, magical, and relatable—and sometimes, the most surprising wisdom comes from the unlikeliest of places. Take for examples, that classic moment in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban when Ron squints into Harry’s tea leaves and predicts, “You’re going to suffer… but you’re going to be happy about it”? Now, we’re not saying mental health treatment comes with ominous tea leaves or grim omens (we leave the Divinatio