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 become a mom, a subtle unraveling begins. Of who […]

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 premarital therapy comes in. And no, it’s not […]

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 decision of “What do you want […]

Why We Self-Sabotage (and How Therapy Can Help You Stop) 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 […]

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 […]

Red Flags in Relationships: When to Pay Attention and When to Run We’ve all been there—staring at a text, trying to decode whether someone’s behavior is just a one-time thing or a flashing neon sign screaming, “RUN.” Relationships can be complicated, but red flags? Those should be easy to spot. And yet, they rarely are. […]

Let’s be real—expressing our needs in relationships can feel risky. Maybe you worry about sounding needy or you’ve been burned before when you tried to be honest. But here’s the truth: sharing your needs isn’t selfish; it’s how we create healthy, connected relationships. And if you don’t express them? That’s when resentment, miscommunication, and distance start […]