Do you ever feel like your emotions are "too much" or like you're constantly taking care of others emotionally, even when you're the one who needs support? If so, you might relate to the experience of being an adult child of an emotionally immature parent. In this post, we’ll explore the concept of the emotional parent, one of the four subtypes outlined in Lindsay Gibson’s influential book Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents (ACOEIP).

Most of us want to improve our lives in some way: feel better, do more, break free from self-sabotaging behaviors. But when it comes to lasting change, good intentions often fizzle out. Enter Atomic Habits by James Clear—a bestselling book that offers a refreshingly practical approach to habit formation, grounded in behavioral psychology.

Each year, the turning of the calendar brings a familiar ritual: New Year’s resolutions. And while the impulse to set fresh intentions is commendable, many people find themselves drifting from those goals by February. Why? Often, we lean too heavily on willpower and overlook the importance of strategy, self-awareness, and timeless behavioral science.

Do you find yourself feeling more “meh” than “cheers” when others talk about New Year’s Eve? Instead of excitement, do you feel exhaustion, dread, or a creeping sense of failure as the calendar flips? You’re not alone. For many, the transition into a new year can stir up anxiety, regret, pressure — a sharp contrast to the optimistic promises of “new year, new me.” If this sounds like you, try these three tips.

With Thanksgiving on the calendar, gratitude often gets reduced to a holiday checklist item: say thank you, pass the mashed potatoes, post a picture. But beyond seasonal traditions, gratitude is one of the most powerful, evidence-based tools we have for improving emotional health, shifting perspective, and building resilience.

I often work with clients who find themselves reevaluating their relationship with alcohol. Not because they meet the criteria for alcoholism, but because something just feels... off. Maybe the hangovers are getting worse, or you find yourself saying or doing things you regret. Maybe you’re tired of the tension it causes at home. Or maybe you’ve had a wake-up call—an ER visit, a blackout, or a DUI. These moments can prompt a deeper question: Is alcohol still serving me?

Do you ever feel like you're going through the motions at work? Like you're "successful" on paper but still questioning whether your career is aligned with who you are? That question lies at the heart of Daniel Pink's Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us—a book I often reference when supporting clients facing career transitions, burnout, or big-picture questions about meaning and purpose.

Have you ever found yourself stuck in a spiral of worry, overthinking a conversation or imagining the worst-case scenario? You’re not alone. Many people who seek therapy in Philadelphia describe anxiety as a sense of being mentally "hijacked" by their own thoughts. One of the most effective, evidence-based tools we can use to interrupt this pattern is mindfulness meditation.

Why is it so hard to let go of the need to be perfect? Why do we measure our worth by productivity, image, or approval? These are the questions Brené Brown explores in The Gifts of Imperfection, a book that has deeply resonated with many of my therapy clients in Philadelphia who struggle with self-doubt, over-functioning, or the inner voice that says "never enough."

Have you ever been told you're "too hard on yourself"—but it feels like lowering the bar just isn’t an option? Perfectionism can feel like a double-edged sword: it pushes us to achieve, but often leaves us feeling inadequate, anxious, or chronically exhausted.

Do you ever feel like part of you knows better, but you still react in a way that doesn’t serve you? Many high-functioning, insightful people still find themselves stuck in self-sabotaging behaviors—especially in moments of stress, conflict, or vulnerability. Understanding the dynamic between what Terry Real calls the "Adaptive Child" and the "Wise Adult" can offer a powerful lens on these patterns.

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to bounce back from setbacks more easily than others? These are the questions tackled in The Resilience Factor —a book that blends psychological research with actionable tools to help readers build a more resilient mindset.

Many of us find ourselves repeating the same conflicts in romantic or long-term relationships, wondering why communication seems to break down so quickly. One powerful and research-backed framework for understanding these patterns comes from psychologist Dr. John Gottman, who coined the term "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" to describe four key behaviors that predict relationship distress.

Many adults find themselves navigating anxiety, relationship conflict, self-doubt, or emotional numbness without fully understanding where those patterns began. Growing up with emotionally immature parents often requires children to suppress their own emotions, anticipate others’ moods, and take on adult-like roles.

Attachment theory is one of the most widely used frameworks in therapy for understanding relationship patterns. It offers powerful insight into why certain dynamics keep repeating, why you might feel stuck or unseen in relationships, and how to build stronger, more secure bonds.

IFS, or Internal Family Systems therapy, is based on the idea that the mind is made up of different "parts," and that problems arise when these parts are in conflict. Rather than trying to silence or get rid of these inner voices, IFS helps you understand and work with them in a respectful, healing way.

A panic attack is a sudden surge of intense fear or discomfort that peaks within minutes. Learn 10 tools to keep them at bay.

It’s easy to confuse burnout with depression—but they’re not the same, and understanding the difference can help you take a more effective next step toward feeling like yourself again.

CBT is a structured, goal-oriented form of talk therapy that helps you understand and change patterns in your thinking and behavior.

OCD is defined by unwanted thoughts and compulsive behaviors. We wrap up our series outlining the sub-types of OCD.