I have to admit, I have a soft spot for this time of year. As we wish each other a happy new year, there’s a shared sense that a chapter is ending, even if we can’t quite put our finger on what will be different in the new one that has yet to be written.…
Self Care
Three Key Skills to Navigate Challenging Interactions During the Holidays
The holidays arrive every year accompanied by twinkling lights, festive songs, and for many families, an undercurrent of tension. Celebrating with family can sometimes feel less like a haven from the everyday stress and more like tiptoeing through a booby-trapped obstacle course, where one comment can set off years’ worth of pent-up feelings. Holidays can…
How Our Team Practices Gratitude: Thanksgiving Inspiration & Wishes from Wildflower
Gratitude has a way of grounding us—helping us see what’s here now instead of focusing on what’s missing. In a world that often feels divided, taking a moment to express genuine appreciation has never mattered more. A thoughtful word, a considerate gesture, or a shared moment of connection can ripple outward, reminding us that kindness…
Why You Can’t Relax: Self-Criticism, Overcontrol, and What to Do About It
In a society that highly values productivity, perfectionism, and doing things right, it is easy to believe that we would not be as successful, functional, or achieving if we were not hard on ourselves. Common Self-Critical Thoughts Have you ever had thoughts that sound something like this? This type of thinking can give us the…
Why is Making Friends as an Adult so Hard?
We all know what it feels like to be lonely. No one wants to be characterized as a “loner” or “antisocial,” and yet most of us have felt deeply disconnected from others at one time or another. When we feel lonely, it is easy to feel like we are, literally, alone. Research shows that loneliness…
Chatbots Don’t Do Empathy: Why AI Falls Short in Mental Health
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…
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…
