As a therapist, I’ll admit my bias upfront: I’m skeptical of quick fixes and anything that tries to replicate the therapeutic relationship—especially something as impersonal as artificial intelligence. When I first heard about AI chatbots being used for mental health support, my gut reaction was a mix of concern and curiosity. Could a chatbot really…
Self Care
Can AI Really Be My Therapist? The Limits of Healing Without Human Connection
We’re living in a time when the demand for mental health support far outpaces the availability of providers. Stigma still lingers. Waitlists can stretch for months. Costs are prohibitive. It makes sense that more and more people are turning to AI apps for emotional support. But can AI ever truly replace therapy? Or, more importantly:…
Rest Is Not a Luxury: A Therapist’s Guide to Better Sleep
A common issue that comes up in therapy is whether or not someone has good sleep hygiene. It’s not unusual to trace anxious or depressive symptoms back to irregular sleep patterns or simply not getting enough rest. Many times, it’s a matter of too much screen time and scrolling before bed. Other times, it’s relying…
Fight or Flight: What Your Stress Response Actually Does and Why
Did you know nearly 75% of adults report feeling stressed on a regular basis? Yet most of us don’t really understand what stress is — or why it makes our heart race, our mind go blank, or our stomach twist. In today’s fast-paced world, stress has become an almost constant companion, but what’s actually happening…
Tuning In: How the Vagus Nerve Helps You Come Home to Your Body
Feeling out of it lately? Like your brain and body are on different planets? You’re not alone. Whether it’s the constant stream of bad news, the stress of trying to keep up, or the exhaustion of navigating life in uncertain times, your nervous system may be working overtime just to keep up. The experience of…
“You’re SO Sensitive!” There Could Be a Reason
Have you been told by others that you’re always so sensitive? Have you ever felt it is difficult to uphold the fast paced and multi-tasking expectations our society and culture places on us without being overwhelmed? Have you noticed you think quite deeply about things and may enjoy deep conversations? Do you tend to take…
What Is Parental Burnout? A Guide for Overwhelmed Parents
“Burnout” is a term being used more and more as we navigate ever-changing times with an increasing amount of stress and responsibilities. Although the term has traditionally been used in work-related contexts, there is mounting research diving into how caregiving and parenting roles can also breed feelings of burnout. The International Journal of Environmental Research…
Addressing Physician Burnout: Roadmaps to Wellness
Burnout is a growing and deeply concerning issue within the medical profession. It is not a matter of inadequate coping skills or personal weakness. Burnout is a response to chronic, often overwhelming demands placed on physicians in today’s healthcare system. At Wildflower Center for Emotional Health, our team of licensed therapists work with many physicians…
Feeling Overwhelmed? You’re Busy, Not Broken
Let’s be honest — being a busy working professional sometimes feels like sprinting toward a finish line that doesn’t exist. Emails pile up faster than the dishes in the sink, and your to-do list feels more like a collection of wishful thinking. Somewhere along the way, we started believing we have to be productivity machines…
What Is Self-Care, Really?
Lately, I’ve been sitting with this question. As therapists, we urge our clients—and let’s be honest, ourselves—to “practice self-care.” We say it with the best of intentions. We want everyone to feel grounded, stable, and resourced. And all of that is well and good—important, even! But recently, the phrase has started to sound… hollow. Overused.…
