Fear, Shame, and Relationships: Understanding the Emotional Loop That Keeps You Stuck We all want to feel close to the people we love — to feel understood, wanted, emotionally safe. And yet, so often, in relationships, we end up doing the exact opposite. We say something we didn’t mean. We shut down. We lash out. […]

From Conflict to Connection: 4 Therapist-Approved Steps for Mindful Parenting and Stronger Relationships Let’s be real—parenting isn’t just snack time and bedtime stories. It’s emotional whiplash. One minute you’re feeling like a parenting rockstar, and the next you’re rethinking your life choices over a meltdown about the “wrong” socks. If you’ve ever muttered “Why is this […]

Becoming a mother and learning how to mother yourself There’s a version of motherhood that gets all the attention: the cute milestones, the matching outfits, the curated chaos. But there’s another side that often stays hidden. It’s the part where you’re doing everything for everyone else and wondering, “What happened to me?” The moment you […]

Why premarital therapy matters more than cake tasting? You’ve planned the wedding. Maybe even practiced your first dance. But if we’re being honest—most couples put more energy into choosing a playlist than they do into learning how to actually do life together. I’m not knocking the party. I’m saying: the party ends. The relationship doesn’t. That’s where […]

How to make love last? In the beginning, everything feels effortless. There’s chemistry, anticipation, long talks, and spontaneous affection. You’re curious about each other, you make time for each other, and the connection feels electric. But eventually, life gets louder- careers grow, stress piles up, laundry and school pickups take over, and the endless dinner […]

Why you keep getting in your own way? Ever feel like just when things start going well—boom—you somehow mess it up? Like you’re standing in your own way? That’s self-sabotage. And trust me, it’s more common than you think. As a therapist in Hermosa Beach, I see it all the time in individual therapy and […]

How to stop reacting and start responding We’ve all been there—your partner says something that rubs you the wrong way, and before you know it, you’re firing back with a sharp retort. Or maybe you shut down, retreating into silence to avoid saying something you’ll regret. This is reacting—our knee-jerk, emotional response to conflict. But […]

Reclaiming Your Voice and Finding Peace Growing up with emotionally immature parents can feel like being stuck in a never-ending game of emotional whack-a-mole—just when you think you’ve found solid ground, another unpredictable reaction knocks you off balance. If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone. Many individuals seek therapy in Hermosa Beach to untangle the […]

Gaslighting: What It Is, How It Shows Up, and How to Take Your Power Back Gaslighting isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a manipulative tactic that leaves people questioning their own reality. As a therapist in Hermosa Beach, who works with couples and individuals, I see how this subtle (or not-so-subtle) form of emotional manipulation can erode […]

Green Flags in Relationships: Signs You’re on the Right Track When it comes to relationships, we spend a lot of time talking about red flags—the warning signs that make you want to pack up your emotional baggage and sprint in the other direction. But what about the green flags? You know, those glowing indicators that […]