Our Blog

There’s something about back-to-school season that feels like a reset. Calendars fill back up, routines return, and after the loose rhythm of summer, a sense …

Continue reading “Back to School, Back to You”

Clients come to me “searching” for their purpose. But what if purpose isn’t something you find? What if it’s something you choose? It’s easy to …

Continue reading “Purpose Isn’t Found. It’s Chosen.”

Let’s be honest. “I’m fine” is one of the most loaded phrases in the English language, and most of the time, it’s a lie. Not …

Continue reading ““I’m Fine”. Sure. Let’s Unpack That.”

We’ve come a long way in creating more space for emotional awareness, especially around women’s mental health. But there’s a blind spot that still lingers …

Continue reading “What About Him? Understanding the Emotional Biology of Men”

As a therapist, I work with people from all walks of life. Some arrive in the middle of a crisis, while others are simply looking …

Continue reading “How Sports Psychology is Helping Young Men Open Up”

By Pete Hermida, RMHCI, NCC, MA It is a scenario that plays out in millions of relationships: An argument starts. The emotional temperature in the …

Continue reading “Why Men Freeze During Relationship Conflict (And How to Thaw)”

As we close May and Mental Health Awareness month, we are sharing this last bonus blog by Vicki as a reminder.  A reminder that mental …

Continue reading “Mental Health Myths”

When most people think about therapy, they usually picture adults talking about stress, relationships, or work problems.  But the truth is, kids go through hard …

Continue reading “Therapy is for Kids Too – And That’s OK”

By Izaskun Cruz, LMFT Sometimes we don’t realize emotional exhaustion because technically we are still functioning. We still wake up every morning, go to work, …

Continue reading “Emotional Exhaustion in Everyday Life”

Trigger Warning: Suicide Suicide is a difficult topic to discuss, but it is one we cannot afford to ignore. Suicide is defined as “the act or …

Continue reading “What Can Individuals Do to Prevent Suicide?”

I believe in boundaries because, for a long time, I didn’t have any. The result? I got very sick. Eight years ago, I was diagnosed …

Continue reading “Boundaries – Real or a Cover-Up?”

By Bianca Gabay, RMHCI When most people think about prevention, they think about avoiding problems. Staying calm. Keeping the peace. Not letting things get “too …

Continue reading “Prevention Isn’t What You Think”

By Izaskun Cruz, LMFT We often think prevention means avoiding pain. Like if we do things “right,” nothing difficult will happen. But life sometimes is …

Continue reading “Prevention Now – Before It’s Too Much”

By Cristina Ferreira, LMHC, MFT, NCC In a world that constantly feels like it’s pulling us into a million different directions and often focused on …

Continue reading “Are You Actually Living? Or Simply Going Through the Motions?”

December is one of the busiest times of the year. End of the year, family commitments, school activities for kids, concerts, Christmas bazaars, holiday preparations, …

Continue reading “From Chaos to Connection: A 5-Minute December Reflection on the People You Love”

There is a parable about a large family living in a one room hut in a small village. The only thing they have to their …

Continue reading “🎁🐐 The Gift of the Goat…”

A trend I’m seeing among the women I treat is the desire to have more control over one’s body. Whatever your age or phase of …

Continue reading “Confusion to Clarity Today: Take Charge of Your Health!”

Pregnancy is arguably one of the most transformative journeys a woman may experience in her life but for many, the idea of labor and delivery …

Continue reading “Prepare Today for a Peaceful Birth with Yoga & Hypnosis!”

By Elizabeth Schaul, MHC Intern When you hear the phrase self-care, what comes to mind? Many people picture spa days, vacations, or special treats. While those …

Continue reading “🧠🏃‍♀️✨ Caring Today for Your Mind, Body, and Spirit!”

By Emilia Maria Alvarez Little Emilia (actually, back then my family called me Emily, so let’s call her little Emily) had some pretty great ideas. Her …

Continue reading “Your Dream Life Is a Destination—Here’s How to Get There!”

By Diana Meneses This month, I’ve been reflecting on how much my mental health journey has shaped my relationships — with friends, family, romantic partners, …

Continue reading “Becoming the brightest version of myself!”

A Parent’s Guide to Tackling Separation Anxiety with Heart Let’s be real — saying goodbye to your child when they are clinging to you like …

Continue reading “Don’t Leave Me! (No, Really)”

By Carolina Navarro – Intake Coordinator at CGCC Raising a teenager is no easy feat. Raising one as a single mom adds layers of complexity, …

Continue reading “Parenting with Purpose: Letting Go While Holding On”

Throughout my years as a therapist, parents have come to me with many different challenges their children are facing. One of the most common concerns …

Continue reading “Introvert, Extrovert, or Both? Understanding Your Child”

By Analisse Ortiz, Office Manager, CGCC Raising my daughter Charlie, who just turned two, has been and will continue to be the most rewarding experience …

Continue reading “Parenting Panic? Relax, You’ve Got This!”

By Bianca Gabay, National Certified Counselor Father’s Day was just celebrated — a day filled with backyard barbecues, sentimental cards, and heartfelt posts about appreciation …

Continue reading “Men, Mental Health, and the Legacy of Silence After Father’s Day…”

You’re tired. Maybe more than tired — you’re exhausted. Mentally checked out. Questioning everything about your job. But pause for a moment. Ask yourself: Am …

Continue reading “Is it the Wrong Job or Is it Burnout?”

In our fast-paced world filled with distractions and immediate concerns, prevention is often overlooked in favor of quick fixes. But what if we reframed our …

Continue reading “Seize Control Now With Proactive Decisions”

I’m sure you’ve heard the term “mindfulness” or been told to “be more mindful.” But have you ever taken a moment to truly reflect on …

Continue reading “What Does It Truly Mean to be Mindful?”

By Natalie Peña, IMHC In a fast-paced world filled with distractions, stress, mindless scrolling, and competing demands, the concept of mindful living offers a refreshing …

Continue reading “🔑 Unlock Secrets to Balance Your Life…”

Mindful living is often portrayed as a serene, uninterrupted state of presence—where every moment is met with awareness, every breath is intentional, and every action …

Continue reading “⏸️ When Life Interrupts…”

“I’m a perfectionist!” “I’m a Type A personality!” “I’m just not good at math!” Do these self-identifying labels sound familiar?  We all do it. And …

Continue reading “🚧 Self-Labels: A Roadblock to Growth?”

The holiday season, while filled with joy and celebration, can also be incredibly hectic. From shopping for the perfect gifts to cooking elaborate meals and …

Continue reading “Finding Peace After the Holiday Rush”

By: Natalie Peña, IMHC In today’s fast-paced world, balancing the demands of work, family, and daily life can often leave self-care feeling like an afterthought. …

Continue reading “Creating a Self-Care Routine that Works for You”

Entering a state of trance that’s just right for you. Hypnosis has been around for the past 1,000 years give or take and varies wildly …

Continue reading “Demystifying Hypnosis in Therapy”

“Should I?” This is a question I get asked often by clients, family, and friends.  AND, me. It’s a tricky question because it’s a question …

Continue reading ““Should I?” Understanding the Difference Between Indecision and Careful Analysis”

As we all know, school starts soon, and many parents across the country are already buying school supplies and uniforms and preparing their kids for …

Continue reading “Making Friends in High School and Taking Care of Your Mental Health”

As our kids head back to school, they’re not just lugging backpacks, books, laptops/ipads– they’re also carrying the weight of social media. Strange how social …

Continue reading “Social Media and Heading Back to School”

By Bianca Gabay, National Certified Counselor The funny thing about parenting is that, despite all good intentions, a clear plan, and the surplus of resources …

Continue reading “Purposeful Parenting is Relational Parenting”

When I was raising my three kids – now adults with their own kids – my parenting was anything but purposeful.  It was very reactive. …

Continue reading “From Unpurposeful Parenting to Purposeful GrandParenting”

As a parent, your relationship with your child is one of the most important in your life.  A strong and healthy relationship between parents and …

Continue reading “How to Improve Your Parent-Child Relationship”

By Izakun Cruz, LMFT To become a healthy man, we must first learn to be one. Society and cultures have not left much space for …

Continue reading “Breaking the Silence: Promoting Mental Health Awareness Among Teenage Boys”

School is finally ending, and kids are excited that summer is about to begin. Most kids are hoping to stay home, relax with their electronics, …

Continue reading “The Importance of Kids Participating in Summer Camp”

A toxic work environment can severely impact your mental and physical health, leading to stress, anxiety, and decreased productivity. Identifying the signs and navigating your …

Continue reading “Navigating and Overcoming a Toxic Work Environment”

While preparing for my forty-first tour around the sun , and reflecting on where I am in my life today, I came across these words from Yung …

Continue reading “Thank You (I’m Grateful 🙏), Next…”

So, it’s Mental Health Awareness Month. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I obviously am so grateful for the awareness that has been created around …

Continue reading “Mental Health Awareness – Let’s Become Aware”

Yoga has been a viral sensation gaining popularity over the western hemisphere for the past several decades. But what is yoga exactly? Is it a …

Continue reading “Yoga for Mental Health”

“What do you want?” When I ask my clients, this question the response is a blank stare.  When they do respond the response is “What …

Continue reading “What do you want?”

When we look for our happiness, many of us look for it outside of ourselves. We expect it to come from our significant other. We …

Continue reading “Our Happiness – Our Responsibility”

In the realm of self-improvement, physical health often is the focus. We hit the gym, watch what we eat, and schedule check-ups to keep our …

Continue reading “Keeping Your Mental Health in Check”

There are two steps to getting what you want: 1) Knowing what you want; and 2) Taking intentional steps to get it Both are about …

Continue reading “Getting What You Want”

In a world fixated on flawlessness, the pursuit of perfection can feel like an endless race with no finish line in sight. Society and social …

Continue reading “Embracing Imperfection”

This is our last blog of the year, and I thought I would end 2023 with a little bit of a twist. This is the …

Continue reading “2024 Tips – Tools Not Stress”

The holidays, the end of the calendar year, this all brings on a feeling of reflection. Looking back, taking stock. The rituals of wrapping up …

Continue reading “Holidays, Family and Tradition”

If you are or were a client or you’ve read my blogs, you know I’m all about clarity.  In fact, one of my words for …

Continue reading “A Reflection – Clarity and Inner Peace”

As I sit here reflecting on this past year, I feel a heaviness instead of my usual end of year reflection of excitement for the …

Continue reading “Reflecting on Grudges, Resentments, Guilts and Regrets”

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a blog about being more present in your life by not falling into searching for the elusive work-life …

Continue reading “Glimmers of Gratefulness: Embracing the Small Joys”

To stand in gratefulness it’s important to first be present. But what happens if life gets in the way of us being present? What happens …

Continue reading “Finding Gratefulness by Breaking Free of the Work-Life Balance Trap”

By Natalie Peña, Mental Health Counselor, Practicum Intern Prenatal care tends to focus on what’s best for the baby. Books, doctors, and the internet often …

Continue reading “5 Ways to Optimize Your (Mental) Health During Pregnancy”

Contradicting Thoughts and Feelings “I know, on one hand, that I’m good enough. I have a good job, friends and family that love me, I …

Continue reading “Contradictions and EMDR”

As the summer comes to an end and the back-to-school season approaches, a whirlwind of emotions is stirred that accompanies the return to both the …

Continue reading “Back to School and a Routine”

As someone who went back to school in my 40’s, 50’s and then again in my 60’s – this has been a question I’ve asked …

Continue reading “Back to School – Should I or Shouldn’t I?”

The other day my sister and I were spending time with our adult daughters relaxing and hanging out in the pool.  They were talking about …

Continue reading “Mom You Did the Best You Could”

By Alli Griffiths, Mental Health Counselor, Practicum First, emotional neglect is not emotional abuse. Abuse intends to harm whereas emotional neglect is usually unintentional. Oftentimes, …

Continue reading “What is Childhood Emotional Neglect?”

In a world where societal expectations have traditionally dictated that men must be strong, stoic, and unemotional, there is a growing movement that seeks to …

Continue reading “Redefining Masculinity: Male Emotional Advocacy Takes Center Stage”

By Angela Cruz Serrano, MFT and MHC Intern Mental health is a topic that has been receiving increased attention in recent years. While the conversation …

Continue reading “Men’s Health and Mental Health”

As I was sitting in front of the computer, not sure what to write about on Men’s Health, I received this picture from my son.  …

Continue reading “Men and Life Balance”

By Alli Griffiths, Mental Health Counselor, Practicum You have probably heard the age-old adage, ‘you are what you eat.’ This phrase used to annoy me. …

Continue reading “Eating to Support Your Mental Health”

By Maria Silvia Paoli, Certified Life Coach In recent years, numerous studies have been conducted exploring technology’s effects on mental health. The findings of these studies have …

Continue reading “Mental Health v. Tech Advances”

Lisa is a 55-year-old, happily married retired woman who lives with her husband in a house in Coconut Grove. All her children are adults and …

Continue reading “Am I just sad or am I clinically depressed?”

Your Branding is Your Identity When we think “branding” most of us think businesses and corporations. My definition of branding is when businesses and corporations …

Continue reading “Coach Thought of the Week: Branding Your Identity”

By Maria Silvia Paoli, Certified Life Coach Emotional health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being. It refers to an individual’s ability to understand and …

Continue reading “Prioritize Your Emotional Health”

Yes, sometimes we’re busy; sometimes we’re very busy; and sometimes we’re not. Being busy is a good thing.  Regardless of whether you own your business …

Continue reading “Coach Thought of the Week: Busy v. Soo…Busy”

Alli Griffiths, Mental Health Counselor, RI Do you see your doctor annually for a routine checkup? Or do you wait until you have a problem …

Continue reading “Taking Care of Your Mental Health”

By Maria Silvia Paoli, Certified Life Coach Beliefs get ingrained in our thoughts – usually after a personal significant experience. It can be an everyday …

Continue reading “Coach Thought of the Week: Limiting Beliefs and Coaching”

By Angela Cruz Serrano, MFT and MHC Intern We are always thinking about our next move, our next chapter in life, our next everything and …

Continue reading “Living Mindfully Today”

It’s Friday night.  You’re out to dinner with your family: a ritual you look forward to throughout the week.  Although you’re all together, you feel …

Continue reading “Less Electronics, More Mindfulness”

Can you grow as an individual while in a relationship? Well, that all depends. Does your partner give space for that growth? Do they push …

Continue reading “Growth in a Relationship”

We get motivational quotes all the time. We see them everywhere. We use them to inspire us to action. In Verywell Mind they describe motivation …

Continue reading “Coach Thought of the Week: Motivation”

I love many of Dr. Seuss’ quotes, but my very favorite is: Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one …

Continue reading “Coach Thought of the Week: Comparing”

Now that we turned the corner into 2023 and before we continue moving forward, let’s take a minute to pause and reflect on 2022. As …

Continue reading “Celebrating our Wins and Losses”

By: Angelica Cruz-Serrano, MFT and MHC Intern For some, the Holidays may symbolize a time that brings family and friends together; a time when people …

Continue reading “Family Reflections”

Nine years ago, I found my courage.  I left my full-time “secure” job and opened my private practice as a Life Coach. I found the …

Continue reading “Coach Thought of the Week: Courage”

By Maria Silvia Paoli, Certified Life Coach I am a Venezuelan who immigrated due to the political and socioeconomic situation. I am also a coach …

Continue reading “On the Blog: Christmas Holidays and Immigrants”

Yes, you may not have enough hours in a day. Yes, you may have too many deadlines. Yes, you may have too much work. But, …

Continue reading “Coach Thought of the Week: Opening up to Change and Possibilities”

By: Alli Griffiths, MHC Intern Does this time of year stress you out? If so, you are not alone. Pause. Take a moment. Close your …

Continue reading “How to Manage Holiday Stress”

One of the reasons for stress and overwhelm comes from trying to keep up with our client’s deadlines. A client calls us wanting something by …

Continue reading “Coach Thought of the Week: Realistic Expectations”

By Dara Teller, LCSW There are so many things to be grateful for, but often times we allow our stress and anxiety to consume us. …

Continue reading “A Reflection”

Those who know me, know I love tennis! Earlier this year, I was coaching with a tennis pro when I decided I didn’t want to …

Continue reading “Coach Thought of the Week: Getting Out of Your Own Way”

It’s Monday morning. The alarm goes off. I stir, stretch out my limbs and take in a big, deep breath. I’m grateful for another day. …

Continue reading “An Ordinary Day with Gratitude”

Happiness is the “state of just being happy.” But how do we just “be happy” when life is 50/50? 50% good and 50% bad. We’ve …

Continue reading “Coach Thought of the Week: Happiness”

If you believe in yourself, anything is possible! This is one of the positive affirmations circling in social media today. Yes, if we believe in …

Continue reading “Coach Thought of the Week: Belief”

By: Vanessa Molina, MFT, Intern Often times we find it difficult to focus on the positive things going on in our lives when there’s so …

Continue reading “Gratefulness”

We believe we HAVE to do this or that or SHOULD. But the truth is we can choose to NOT do so. We ALWAYS have …

Continue reading “Coach Thought of the Week: It’s Optional”

I have written on boundaries before, but this past week it has been a recurring theme for all my clients, so I thought it would …

Continue reading “Coach Thought of the Week: More on Boundaries”

Life happens because life is 50/50. We’re going to have both good and bad experiences. We’re going to have positive and negative thoughts and feelings. …

Continue reading “Coach Thought of the Week: Bouncing Forward”

Change is such a constant in our lives…whether we like it or not. Many years ago I decided to embrace change and look forward to …

Continue reading “Let Go and Let God”

Remind yourself: A Reflection on Sending Your Teen Off to College August is here and the reality that your children are heading off to college …

Continue reading “College Bound Reflection”

Many of my clients come in stressed because they can’t find their Work-Life Balance.  As much as they try, they can’t seem to get both …

Continue reading “Coach Thought of the Week: Life Balance”

After eight years as a Life Coach, I recently completed a second Life Coach Certification.  This time with The Life Coach School. One of the …

Continue reading “Coach Thought of the Week: Manuals for Others”