Empowered Therapy Blogs

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Friendship Struggles: How to Help Your Child Navigate Peer Relationships

Friendship Struggles: How to Help Your Child Navigate Peer Relationships

Friendships can be tough—especially for kids. One day they’re inseparable, and the next, they’re avoiding each other at recess.  It’s a rollercoaster, but strong social skills for kids can make all the difference. Teaching children how to connect, communicate, and...

An IFS Perspective on Inner Critics as a Protective Mechanism

An IFS Perspective on Inner Critics as a Protective Mechanism

The "inner critic" is a voice most people know all too well—the one that judges, shames, and undermines confidence.  But in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, this voice isn’t just a bully; it’s a part of you trying to help, even if it doesn’t always go about it...

Coping with Shame: How We Organize Our Protective Mechanisms Around It

Coping with Shame: How We Organize Our Protective Mechanisms Around It

Shame. It’s one of those emotions we all experience but rarely talk about.  Unlike guilt, which is about feeling bad for something we’ve done, shame goes deeper—it’s the belief that we are bad. It’s an emotion that cuts to the core of our identity, shaping our...

Coping with Political Stress and National Uncertainty: Therapy Can Help

Coping with Political Stress and National Uncertainty: Therapy Can Help

The political scene lately has been quite the rollercoaster, hasn't it? With the 2024 elections bringing Donald Trump back into the White House and a slew of new policies rolling out in 2025, it's totally normal to feel a whirlwind of emotions.  Let's dive into how...

The Link Between ADHD and Emotional Dysregulation

The Link Between ADHD and Emotional Dysregulation

Life with ADHD often feels like running a marathon in a world full of obstacles, where emotions can become some of the trickiest hurdles.  For many, the connection between ADHD and emotional dysregulation can be one of the most challenging aspects to manage. Emotional...

How Anxiety Impacts Decision-Making and What to Do About It

How Anxiety Impacts Decision-Making and What to Do About It

Anxiety and Decision Making If you’ve ever struggled to make a decision because you were overwhelmed, second-guessed yourself, or worried about the “what ifs,” you’re not alone.  Anxiety has a way of creeping into every corner of life, including how we decide—even...

How Micro-Traumas Accumulate and Affect Your Mental Health

How Micro-Traumas Accumulate and Affect Your Mental Health

What is Micro Trauma Life is filled with countless small moments—some joyful, others stressful, and some quietly painful. While most of us know how significant events like a loss or major accident can impact our mental health, the small, subtle injuries to our...