Give yourself permission to feel what you feel—whether that's joy, sadness, stress, or a little bit of everything. It’s okay to have days when you’re excited to decorate the tree, and others when you just want to curl up with a cozy blanket and not think about the holiday rush.

Allowing yourself to experience the full range of emotions—not just the “happy” ones—will actually help you enjoy the season more. When you give yourself the space to acknowledge your feelings without judgment, you free yourself from the pressure of pretending everything’s perfect.

While our internal alert system is designed to protect us, it doesn’t always reflect the reality of the present situation. Understanding that our reactions may be influenced by past experiences is key to breaking free from unnecessary anxiety. By recognizing that the alarm bells are not always grounded in current reality, we can choose to approach situations with greater awareness and understanding. Instead of seeking constant reassurance from others, we can acknowledge that these alerts are rooted in our past and not necessarily a cause for concern. Treat this information like you would the alarm system in your car: pause, assess, and move on with confidence.

But here's the thing: black-and-white thinking can be a major obstacle. We sometimes trap ourselves in the belief that if the celebration wasn’t big enough or didn’t follow the "right" traditions, then it wasn’t worth it. If that resonates with you, I invite you to try a "both/and" mindset. This allows multiple truths to coexist—like, you can feel both thankful and frustrated at the same time.

In her 2023 book Never Enough, Wallace explains that the constant pursuit of perfection can lead to stress, anxiety, and burnout. She found that high-achieving students often overwork themselves, tying their worth to their results rather than their growth or effort. Wallace's research reveals how the "100% or nothing" mentality fosters chronic pressure, which can cause emotional exhaustion and undermine long-term success.

I’m excited to share this collection of podcast episodes that focus on mental health and personal growth. I have found these helpful, informative and inspiring. 

I limited myself to this list but reserve the right to add as needed. I would love to hear your favorites.  Message me if you have one you love to share. 

As a therapist, it’s my duty to overanalyze the meaning of these questions and use them as a bit of a Rorschach test. “The silent treatment?” I might ask. “Is that something that happened a lot in your childhood?” All in good fun, of course.

While both can lead to feelings of exhaustion, hopelessness, and decreased functioning, understanding the differences between them is crucial for effective intervention and support.

Engaging in these activities with people you feel connected to can bring you closer to happiness, especially when you use that time to strengthen those bonds. Making intentional choices about how to spend your time and what you can gain from it can set you on the path (not the destination) to happiness.

The SPACE protocol allows parents to be supportive to their children without reinforcing the anxiety loop. The goal is to allow kids to feel their anxious feelings and feel confidence in their ability to handle it.

What we don’t always hear is the internal dialogue these teens are grappling with, which can be brutal. As a therapist, one of my tasks is to help teens become aware of their inner voice and understand its impact on their mood. The self-talk I encounter daily is often surprisingly harsh. This internal monologue is their constant companion, and when it turns critical, it can cause a lot of pain.

Feeling nervous before a game or performance is completely normal. However, it’s essential to differentiate between healthy nerves and overwhelming panic. Encourage your child to channel their anxiety into focus and preparation, rather than letting it hinder their performance. Help your child turn that nervous energy into focus, and if their anxiety starts to resemble panic, let’s chat about whether therapy could be the game-changer.

Back to school photos are also markers of growth. As we watch children transition into new grades and take on fresh challenges, we witness their ongoing development. These moments serve as poignant reminders of how far they’ve come and how much further they are yet to go. It’s a celebration of progress and potential.

Some parents worry that discussing depression or anxiety when their child is calm might trigger those feelings. In reality, a calm environment is ideal for having low-pressure conversations about mental health.

If we start with a faulty assumption that the failures come from a lack of desire to do well, then we are stuck, without a path to success. This is when we see low motivation, depression, or anxiety related to school performance. Alternatively, if we start with a growth mindset then we can dive into the source of the problem and be a part of our child’s team.

What excites me about starting a private practice the solo way.

For those who are struggling with Purpose-Driven burnout, there is help available. As a therapist who serves professionals who work in these settings, I have been where my professional clients are and I know that they need someone who understands and can help define the source of the fatigue. Therapy can be an important part of your journey.