Resources & Articles
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Both/And: Moving From Black-And-White Thinking Toward Integration
Last week, my colleague Maggie wrote about the paralysis that can come from trying to hold all that is happening in our world. Her post got me thinking about something that often underlies that paralysis: the way our minds, when under stress, tend to sort the world into two neat piles. Good and bad.…
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Why Therapy Takes Time (and why that’s a good thing)
A few weeks ago, Maggie and I returned to our alma matter to share how a specific course had influenced our training and continued to impact our clinical work. We reconnected with former professors and classmates, as well as new new students who were just beginning the same journey we had once been on.…
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Healing in the Upside Down: What Stranger Things Reveals About Trauma and Growth
As a therapist, I was surprised by how deeply Stranger Things mirrors the real-life healing process, showing how trauma, relationships, and self-acceptance shape our ability to grow. But before you go any further, if you haven’t watched the final season of Stranger Things yet, you may want to skip this post until you’ve wrapped…
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The Problem with “New Year, New You!”
Every January, the phrase “New Year, New You” floods social media, advertisements, and conversations. It embraces the idea of starting with a clean slate and beckons a chance to reinvent oneself. It sounds inspiring, and while I do think that there is some wisdom in new beginnings, I think it’s important to recognize that…
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Five Ways to Ground Yourself When You Feel Overwhelmed
These small practices can help bring you back into the present moment and help you feel your body and physical surroundings. In turn you feel calmer and gain access to the ability to respond more intentionally to whatever is going on in the moment. Then, later with your therapist or when the situational context…
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What to Expect in Your First Therapy Session
Starting therapy can feel like stepping into the unknown, especially if it’s your first time. Whether you’re meeting with a therapist online or in person, it’s completely normal to feel a mix of curiosity, nervousness, and hope. At Ampersand Counseling Collective we know that even taking the first step to schedule an appointment can…
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Is Therapy Right for You?
Do I really need therapy?Are my problems “big enough”?What if I don’t know what I’d talk about? If you’ve found yourself asking these questions, you’re not alone. Many people struggle to determine if therapy is the right next step for them and even the process of deciding can illicit feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, and…
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How Play Therapy Helps Children Heal and Grow
When children struggle to express their thoughts or feelings, adults often turn to conversation to help. But for many children, especially our youngest kiddos, words aren’t the easiest or most natural way to communicate. That’s where play therapy comes in. What is Play Therapy? Play therapy is a form of counseling designed specifically for…
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Why Your Therapist Matters – Part III
Last week, Maggie shared about her therapeutic orientation, building on my post from two weeks ago that explained what a therapeutic alliance is and why it’s important. This week, I’ll share about my own orientation and how it guides the work I do. Radical Self-Love in Therapy: How I Approach Healing and Growth At…
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Why Your Therapist Matters
Every time I meet with a prospective patient, I share a critical piece of information: Our relational “fit” is critical to the success of their therapy. Therapeutic Alliance We call this the therapeutic alliance, and it is essential for good psychotherapy. This “fit” or “alliance” isn’t just about getting along with each other, it’s…
