Resources & Articles
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Connection And Play: Essentials for “A Life Worth Living”
Last week, I had the pleasure of speaking to nearly 100 undergrad students at the University of Washington. A dear friend of mine is a professor of religion and he invited me to speak to his class on the topic of what makes “a life worth living.” The basic premise is, as the course…
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Grief is Carrying the Weight, Not Dropping The Bag
We all have experienced grief and loss at one time or another. Truly, there is no one on earth who is untouched by death, loss, harm, and heartache. Life is messy; people are complicated; At times the world can feel broken and hard. The invitation to grief is near constant throughout our lifetime and…
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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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Exploring the Depths: Therapy Beyond Symptom Reduction
Therapy isn’t just for times of crisis or managing symptoms; for both of these times solution-focused therapies are necessary and helpful. However, engaging in depth work through psychodynamic psychotherapy moves beyond these “last resort” therapies and into a proactive tool for long-term wellness and personal growth and development. Shifting From How to Why Most…
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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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Real Talk, Work Edition: Are You Stressed or Burnt Out?
Are you feeling exhausted or overwhelmed at work? How can you tell the difference between experiencing general stress vs total burnout? And what, if anything, can we do about it? The following is for informational purposes only. For an official diagnosis or medical advice, please consult with a medical professional or mental health counselor…
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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…
