Untamed Journey Insights

In conversations with patients—or even in personal encounters—it's not uncommon to hear people reject the idea that they’re experiencing anxiety. Responses like, “I don’t have anxiety; I’m just stressed,” or “I’m just worried,” are common. Sometimes, when I ask questions like, “What is the fear telling you?” or “How do you feel unsafe?” the reply might be, “I’m not afraid; I’m just nervous. ” This confusion stems from a variety of reasons. One contributing factor is the stigma surrounding mental health, which can create a bias against acknowledging anxiety. Additionally, I often encounter situations where someone resists labeling their feelings as anxiety because of comparisons to others. For instance, a patient might downplay their fear of social situations—characterized by sweaty palms, increased body temperature, and shallow breathing—by calling it “nerves.” This distinction allows them to separate their experience from that of a loved one who suffers from intense anxiety or pan...

Life is a journey marked by seasons, both literal and metaphorical.  As products of nature, we are biologically and emotionally influenced by all four seasons. The connection between the seasons and our mental and physical health is undeniable. For instance, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can impact mood during the darker, colder months. Physical health issues like vitamin D deficiency, allergies, or arthritis flare-ups align with seasonal patterns. Even human procreation is seasonal—more babies are born in the summer, so obviously it follows that more conceptions happen in winter. The Value of Each Season There is value in each season. Spring symbolizes renewal, hope, and love as life begins happening in color. Summer embodies a spirit of abundance and boundless energy. Fall amazes with a unique beauty that artists have tried to capture for centuries. While some love the cooler temps of winter and the festivity of the holidays, this season is often seen as dormant and challengi...

Anyone who has ever spent time in a therapy session with me, knows what a boundary is. Much of what is discussed in therapy revolves around interpersonal relationship challenges—whether with intimate partners, family members, coworkers, or friends. At the core of many of these challenges are two key issues: Boundaries – The inability to create healthy limits to protect our emotional, physical, and mental well-being. Communication – The way we express the terms of our boundaries, needs, and wants in any given scenario. A common misunderstanding that arises when navigating boundary-setting is confusing boundaries with “ultimatums,” which carry a much more negative connotation. For example, a patient might say: “I told my mom that I won’t attend Christmas dinner if I can’t bring my boyfriend, and she accused me of threatening her with ultimatums.” Or: “I don’t want to give my mom an ultimatum about Christmas dinner.” The first challenge in establishing boundaries is simply understanding...

I lo ve the Dry January Trend There are a lot of silly trends out there, but this one has the potential to be truly life-changing. Many people find Dry January particularly eye-opening, revealing just how unhealthy their relationship with alcohol might be. For some, it becomes the pathway to removing unhealthy substances from their lives altogether. For others, it plants a crucial seed of awareness about the toxic conditioning around alcohol’s role in our lives. Do These Sound Familiar? Many of us have experienced these post-drinking moments: Driving when you “technically” or most definitely shouldn’t have. Losing Sundays to dreaded “hangxiety,” wondering if everyone hates you or replaying cringeworthy conversations. Humiliation over texts you sent in a foggy haze. Being reminded of blocks of time you can’t recall. Eating a week’s worth of calories during a 3 a.m. fast food binge. Facing your bank balance in despair over last night’s bar tab. Losing your debit card—or worse, your entir...