Fresno Family Therapy Blog
What Is Mindfulness and How Can We Start Practicing It?
Picture this: Your brain is like a hyperactive puppy that’s constantly chasing every shiny thought, random memory, or notification. Mindfulness is teaching that puppy to sit, stay, and just be in the moment without yanking on the leash every five...
10 Small Habits to Improve Your Mental Health
Does your brain ever feel like it’s running on a low battery or like you have too many tabs open? Life in 2026 is a lot! Family responsibilities, work emails, the never ending pile of laundry…when does it ever end and how can I pour into myself...
A Day in the Hundred Acre Wood: A Personality Adventure
One sunny morning in the Hundred Acre Wood, Pooh and his friends were planning a big picnic. Everyone was excited, but, as usual, each friend had their own special way of thinking and feeling, which made the day… well, a little complicated. Eeyore...
How to Put the Shiny, Holiday Tinsel Away and Find your Inner Shine in 2026
The holidays are officially over. The leftovers have vanished (either eaten, frozen, or quietly ignored), and it’s time to take down the shiny tinsel that’s been sparkling in our living rooms for well over the past month. It’s as if once the lights...
The Invisible Wounds of Emotional Neglect: What It Is, How It Happens, and What Can Help
For the past few months, I have been doing a deep dive into the world of emotional neglect, which is not a new topic of interest. In fact, I first heard and started studying about this term in the early 2010s, but it had been part of child abuse...
Christmas Cheer and Christmas Stress: Safeguarding Your Mental Well-Being
The holiday season, while often expected as an occasion for celebration and togetherness, can present a variety of stressors that challenge one’s mental health and with recent inflations causes even more stress and anxiety. The pressures associated...
The Pressure to Feel “Happy” During the Holidays – and What to Do When You Don’t Feel That Way
Have you ever seen the movie “Christmas with the Kranks”? Imagine Whoville but Krank-ier. According to Andie Bjornsfelt in his article “Stop trying to make Christmas with the Kranks happen”, he explains that “The couple’s 20-ish daughter, Blair,...
Seasonal Affective Disorder and the Significance of Social Connectedness
With the progression of the seasons and the advent of shorter daylight hours, a substantial number of individuals experience discernible shifts in mood and energy. For some, these changes manifest as a more severe mental health condition known as...
Mental Health During the Holiday Season: The Importance of Boundaries and Therapeutic Coping Strategies
The holiday season is often depicted as a period of joy, unity, and celebration. However, for many individuals, it may also give rise to heightened levels of stress, anxiety, and emotional strain. The necessity to balance familial obligations,...
What’s FOOD Got to Do With It? An Examination of Winnie the Pooh ‘s Relationship (and our own) With Food
It seems like today you can’t go anywhere without having a desire for a healthy eating lifestyle clashing with cultural norms, social interaction, or even our desire for autonomy. I’m sure you’ve heard it before but we are living in the “fast food...
What Does My Anxiety W-A-N-T?
Look back on any of my articles and I am sure that you can find my own, personal theory that all we need in life is control and safety. Well, anxiety is definitely a way that our brains work to create both of those things for us – you know,...
Regulating the Nervous System & Reducing Anxiety
Individuals frequently encounter heightened levels of stress, anxiety, and fatigue. These symptoms are often manifestations of an overburdened nervous system, which may be challenged by the relentless pace and demands of modern living. Fortunately,...
Does Tigger Have ADHD? An Examination of the Differences Between Adults and Children Who Have ADHD
As a therapist, I feel like I spend most of my time providing psycho-education to new clients. I teach people about what therapy is, how it works, the purpose of it, and answer clarifying questions/expectations while building rapport and...
The Window of Tolerance: Navigating Trauma and Emotional Regulation
When it comes to trauma and emotional regulation, one concept that has gained significant attention in recent years is the "window of tolerance." Developed by Dr. Dan Siegel, the window of tolerance refers to the best zone of arousal where a person...
Three Important Considerations When Discussing Body Safety and Sex with Your Child
When I work with children, adolescents, and parents, sooner or later, the conversation of body safety and sex always becomes a topic of therapy. It usually goes something like this: Parent: Cindy, can I talk with you privately about something that...
Back to School: Prioritizing Mental Health and Achieving Balance
The return to school each Fall marks a period of anticipation, adjustment, and, for many, anxiety. As students swap summer freedom for academic structure, the challenge of maintaining a healthy balance between scholastic achievement and mental...
Changing Your Negative Thoughts Into Positive Ones: Wren’s Story
Wren is a 29-year-old, female, marketing coordinator who has been preparing for a big presentation at work for almost two weeks. It was her first time presenting to her senior leadership and she was hopeful that everything would be perfect. As...
Bridge Theory Explained: How You Can Develop Emotional Resilience & Mental Clarity
Have you ever noticed how the concept of a bridge pops up in so many aspects of our lives? Whether we’re journaling after a long day or reaching out to a friend, these “bridges” help us span the often-daunting gaps between emotion and...
What MY Eyes are Telling My Therapist: An Overview of EMDR Therapy
Our eyes are really fascinating parts of who we are. Did you know that each of our eyes contains over 2-million working parts or that our eyes are the most complex organs in our body, following the brain…of course? Did you know that our eyes can...
Mothering When Experiencing Burnout
Motherhood is a profound journey characterized by love, sacrifice, and immense joy, yet it can also be overwhelming and exhausting. Experiencing burnout as a mother is not uncommon, and it is imperative to learn how to navigate these feelings for...
Let Them: Embracing Freedom from Toxic Relationships and or Friendships
The phrase "Let them" embodies the courage and wisdom needed to release oneself from toxic relationships and/or friendships. It is a call to prioritize personal well-being and growth, underscoring the importance of setting boundaries and fostering...
Men’s Health also includes Men’s Mental Health
Larry is a 39-year-old father of three who currently works as a project manager for a large construction company near his home. He is happily married, has friends that he regularly hangs out with, and feels proud of himself for his daily...
Embracing Summer: Balancing Children’s Activities and Self-Care
Summer presents an opportunity for families to create lasting memories with children. However, balancing the demands of parenting and personal well-being can be challenging, but with a thoughtful approach, summer can be both enriching for children...
The Sting of Retroactive Jealousy and What to Do About It
Retroactive Jealousy, often referred to as “RJ” to those who experience it, involves having an unhealthy fixation on the way that their partner lived their life before meeting them. It can involve thinking about the people our partner has spent...
How to Handle Holiday Conflict Through the Lens of Validation
Stress and conflict with our partners can feel ten times larger this time of year. Maybe you don’t like how much money your partner devotes to buying your family presents; maybe we don’t like your Uncle Ted who always wants to give us a kiss each...
