Our Blog

We’re great at measuring success at work: ·      deadlines hit, ·      problems solved, ·      teams led. Then we walk in the door and step into …

Continue reading “Purposeful Parenting Starts With 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.”

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”

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 Vanessa Molina, LMFT Hey there! Yeah, you – Do you ever find yourself in conversations about the dating world where you’re talking for hours… …

Continue reading “Love Lab: Rethinking Modern Dating”

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 Elizabeth Schaul, MHC Intern It is easy to imagine that the future will unfold naturally over time. That with enough effort, or simply enough …

Continue reading “Living with Intention”

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?”

The other day, at the very end of a yoga class, our teacher said something that made everyone in the room smile. “And now,” she …

Continue reading “Hardest Yoga Pose? Not What You Think…”

By Izaskun Cruz, LMFT Emotions are built through a lifetime of experiences, yet we still get the sensation that they control us or that we …

Continue reading “Mindful Living and the Language of Emotions”

Self-love is defined as: regard for ones own wellbeing and happiness. What else? Self-love is taking care of your body. Self-love is getting your yearly …

Continue reading “What is self-love?”

Let’s revisit the love languages (made famous by Chapman a few years back). Y’all, the key is that you speak THEIR love language. Cross translate. …

Continue reading “Love Language, Lost in Translation”

For most of my life, whenever I struggled with my weight, skipped workouts, or noticed my hair thinning, I reached for the same explanation: “It’s …

Continue reading “Letting Go of “It’s in My Genes””

By Vanessa Molina, LMFT Sometimes reflection from others feels wrong—not necessarily because there is no truth in it, but because it challenges how we see …

Continue reading “Navigating Reflection in Family and Friendships”

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”

Saturday is November 29th, and it’s my birthday. Every year, I feel lucky that my birthday falls during a season when so many of us …

Continue reading “Grateful Now in the Messy Middle…”

By Elizabeth Schaul, MHC Intern Did you know that gratefulness is not just a lovely habit, but a practice with profound impact? When you begin …

Continue reading “💛The Hidden Power of Gratefulness: More Than Just Saying “Thank You”…”

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…”

By Elizabeth Schaul, MHC Intern October is a time when we often pause to focus on women’s health. It is a reminder of how deeply …

Continue reading “Prioritizing Women’s Health”

By Roxie Campos, MS, LMFT Have you ever known you were safe, but your body didn’t feel that way? Maybe certain memories, sounds, or moments still bring …

Continue reading “EMDR: Finding Peace in the Present…”

If you’ve ever set a goal, sworn you’d stick to it, and then quietly ghosted yourself two weeks later, welcome to being human. Most of …

Continue reading “Self-Improvement Without Self-Bullying: The Desire → Motivation → Design Loop”

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 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!”

By Elizabeth Schaul, MHC Practicum Student It’s that time of year many family’s dread. The end of a beautiful, relaxing summer filled with adventure and …

Continue reading “Back to School Success: Start the Year Strong”

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)”

As we wrap up our month-long focus on Purposeful Parenting, I want to leave you with a personal reflection—a story I’ve shared before, but one …

Continue reading “The More Things Change…”

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”

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…”

Men and women don’t speak the same language. It’s a truth that’s been noted in countless books and blogs. But here’s what often gets overlooked: …

Continue reading “The Surprising Way to Get Men to Open Up!”

When we think of prevention, we often imagine physical health: checkups vaccines more water less food more workouts But prevention goes far beyond the physical …

Continue reading “Is FEAR Blocking Your Awesome Future Today?”

We often hear about preventive measures related to physical health. Preventive medicine aims to prevent diseases or reduce the severity of their impact. We don’t …

Continue reading “Prevention Now for a Better Future…”

Our days are filled with transitions—waking up, heading to work, taking breaks, coming home, going to bed. Yet, most of the time, we rush through …

Continue reading “Tiny Daily Shifts for Less Daily Stress – Now!”

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…”

What is stealing your focus? Probably the screen you’re reading this blog on right now! Or it could be worries about health or money? Is …

Continue reading “🔍✨And Where is Your Focus?”

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…”

We often grow up believing that love conquers all. Movies, songs, and fairy tales tell us that as long as two people love each other, …

Continue reading “❤️‍🔥Love is not Enough…”

Love is one of the most powerful forces in human relationships, yet not all love is the same. At its core, love can be classified …

Continue reading “❤️‍🩹 vs. 💖 | Conditional v. Unconditional Love”

By Giselle Alfonso. MBA, Master Psychology Student At the start of every year, many of us set ambitious goals: read more books, exercise regularly, or …

Continue reading “Unlock Your Best Self🔑🌟 | | Simple Habit Hacks for Success!”

By Angelica Cruz-Serrano, RMFTI The start of a new year is a powerful reminder of the fresh possibilities that lie ahead. It’s a time when …

Continue reading “💪❤️From Strain to Strength: Transform Your Relationship!”

“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?”

As the calendar turns to a new year, there’s a natural pause—a moment to breathe, reflect, and reset. The past year holds stories of triumph, …

Continue reading “🌟🛣️Where We’ve Been, Where We’re Headed…”

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”

Being a mom is one of life’s greatest blessings and, simultaneously, one of its greatest responsibilities. As mothers, we step into this role with hopes, …

Continue reading “With Gratitude to our Children”

By Angelica Cruz-Serrano, RMFTI Gratefulness is often considered a simple act, but its impact on our lives can be profound. Practicing gratitude can shift our …

Continue reading “Gratefulness: A Pathway to Joy and Stronger Relationships”

Do you have a toothache right now? No? Good. Be thankful for that! This is a form of gratitude meditation. Pausing to appreciate the absence …

Continue reading “Are you grateful for the things you DON’T have?”

Did you know that once upon a time, if a woman exhibited any emotional distress, they would remove her “hysteria” by performing a “hysterectomy”? (Hence …

Continue reading “Is Women’s Health Different? Should it Be?”

Attachment styles have been a hot topic over social media and a relatively new science that has gained momentum since the publication of Amir Levine …

Continue reading “Attachment As A Biological Need”

By Bianca Gabay, National Certified Counselor When we think about self-improvement, we often focus on personal goals, habits, or skills. But what if there’s a …

Continue reading “Self-Improvement Through Relationships: How Connection Fuels Personal Growth”

By Cristina Ferreira, RMHCI, RMFTI, NCC Self-improvement is one of those words that can sound a bit overwhelming. Still, at its core, it’s all about making …

Continue reading “Unlocking Your Best Self”

“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”

By: Izakun Cruz, LMFT When I read about purposeful parenting, the first word that caught my attention was “purposeful.” As a mother myself, I’ve been …

Continue reading “How to Become a Purposeful Father and Mother”

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”

I was scrolling through Tik Tok the other day and was absolutely enraptured by a video of a woman telling a story of a terrifying …

Continue reading “The Man or the Bear?”

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”

Gentlemen, gather ’round. It’s time we have a little chat about something near and dear to our hearts: testosterone. Yes, that magical hormone responsible for …

Continue reading “Boost Your Bro: The Lowdown on Testosterone Checks”

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”

By Cristina Ferreira, RMFTI, RMHCI There is often a big misconception when it comes to men’s mental health. The idea that men don’t struggle with …

Continue reading ““Boys Don’t Cry”= Men Suffering in Silence”

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…”

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”

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”

In a few days, I will turn 50. Many people have been asking me how it feels to turn the big 5-0; honestly, I’m not …

Continue reading “Life is a Roller Coaster”

As I was getting dressed yesterday, I saw a scar on my body, then another, then another, and another.  And it made me think of …

Continue reading “Brushstrokes of Time – The Masterpiece of a Life Lived”

Welcome to a brand-new year filled with endless possibilities! If you’re considering a career change, now is the perfect time to embrace a fresh start …

Continue reading “Embracing a Fresh Start: Successfully Navigating a Career Change in 2024”

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”

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”

Today is my 65th birthday. The past 65 years have been full of both lessons and milestones. A friend of mine gave me a birthday …

Continue reading “Every Candle Tells a Story”

By Natalie Peña, Mental Health Counselor, Practicum Intern Practicing gratitude does not come naturally for everyone. Many people struggle to be grateful for countless reasons. …

Continue reading “The Physiology of Gratitude”

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”

By Pan He, Certified Life Coach It’s November, and Thanksgiving is coming up in the United States. Families and friends gather to celebrate and give …

Continue reading “The Season of Gratitude: A Practical Guide to Feeling More Grateful”

Birth control was first introduced in the early 1970’s which forever changed the world as we know it. It provided women with the first opportunity …

Continue reading “Birth Control: Do the Benefits Outweigh the Risks?”

Your period: an inevitable and peculiar phenomenon experienced by women since the beginning of mankind (also a big contributor to how mankind continues to exist). …

Continue reading “Amplify Your Creative Potential by Tapping into Your Period”

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?”

By Laurel Kilpatrick, M.D., Certified Life Coach Is it really time to start thinking about going back to school? It seems like it was just …

Continue reading “Time Flies: Time Management Hacks for Heading Back to School”

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?”

Parenting is one of life’s greatest joys; however, it is very demanding and exhausting.  The moment you become a parent, your focus turns to take …

Continue reading “The Importance of Self-Care for Parents”

Most parents struggle with the transition from parenting a child to parenting a teen. This typically happens because your teen is seeking independence yet instinctually, …

Continue reading “Navigating Through the Teens”

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: High School Student – her college essay We all go through the natural and unavoidable process of growing up. However, for some of us, …

Continue reading “Forced to Mature – Growing up with an ADHD sibling”

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”

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”

During this time of the school year, high school seniors are enthusiastically announcing their post high school plans. Each year of high school presents a …

Continue reading “Helping Your Teen Prevent High School Burnout”