Proximity to Collective Healing: Why We Must Step Closer to Those We’ve “Othered”
As a clinical psychologist, I have spent years listening to people’s stories—stories of pain, resilience, misunderstanding, and transformation. One theme I’ve seen in both therapy rooms and the world outside is this: we cannot heal collectively if we remain distant from one another… Proximity is not simply about being physically near someone. It’s about emotional closeness, shared humanity, and the willingness to bridge divides created by fear, ignorance, or long-standing social wounds. True collective healing requires us to step toward—not away from—those we’ve learned to “other.”
Confessions of a Clinical Psychologist
I have a confession to make - I have been disenchanted with the field of psychology for a while now, personally struggling with the role that psychology plays in our society and whether it upholds systems of oppression rather than empowering us
Taking back control in the face of uncertainty
Presidential transitions can spark worry, anxiety, and unease when faced with unknowns about the next four years. Yet, there are ways we can take back control in our lives in the face of unease– by holding hope in the uncertainty.
Mother’s Day: Perspectives
Birth, childhood, parenting - these are all fundamental to our existence and to act like these things are disrupting life, is to neglect the origin of life. I’ve gathered some helpful perspectives to keep in mind this coming Mother’s Day. They can certainly be helpful throughout the year as well.
Building new habits in the new year: Reconnecting with your emotions
The holidays tend to bring up many difficult emotions and leave us in need of extra self love. The new year is a natural transition point for adding more habits that help us feel better.
How Avoiding Your Feeling’s Isn’t Actually Making You Feel in Control
How Avoiding Your Feeling’s Isn’t Actually Making You Feel in Control. Let’s start with defining what avoidance looks like and how to see if you might be avoiding your own emotions. Researchers have found that, broadly, there are 5 types of avoidance…
Stressed? How to Complete the Stress Cycle.
Have you felt overwhelmed and exhausted? You’re not alone. Many individuals have experienced a range of stressors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, racial injustice, political divisiveness, violence, and inflation. In 2019, Drs. Amelia and Emily Nagoski published a book called “Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle” about emotional exhaustion and the science behind the stress cycle.
What Gaslighting Is (and Isn’t)
Social media has helped to greatly expand our vocabulary around mental health in recent years. Now more than ever clinical terms such as “gaslighting” have become common language. In this article, I would like to begin a deeper discussion around the term “gaslighting” so that we can arm ourselves with accurate knowledge.
Why Do I Feel So Guilty All the Time? Children of Immigrants Edition
Sometimes it feels like being a child of immigrants goes hand in hand with feeling guilty all the time. Why? Below are some of the common reasons why guilt comes up a lot and how to cope.
What Queen Elizabeth’s Death Can Teach Us About Ourselves
The Queen herself is a symbol, however, depending on who you are, where you grew up, and your cultural identity, she represents very different things to different people. Symbols are powerful and can shape societies in foundational ways.