Katie Mead, Registered Psychotherapist

04/10/2026

Lately, it's become very clear how much psychological distress is shaped by what’s happening around us, not just within us.

The constant cycle of world news, uncertainty, and information overload…it adds up. For many people (and teens especially), it’s not just “stress”: it’s a nervous system trying to keep up with a world that doesn’t slow down.

I wrote a piece on how to navigate distress through a relational lens; how it shows up, why insight alone often isn’t enough, and what actually helps. Read the article here: https://www.countercurrenttherapy.com/post/navigating-psychological-distress

If you’re feeling this lately, you’re not alone.

There’s a free toolkit (download in the comments) if you want a place to start, and therapy if you’re looking for more ongoing, supported work.

04/08/2026

“Just be radically honest.”

It sounds right, especially if you’ve been doing the work: therapy, self-reflection, learning to use your voice.

But in relationships (as partners, friends, and parents) saying everything you feel isn’t always what creates connection. Sometimes it creates distance.

Many women find themselves overcorrecting, i.e. moving from holding things in...to saying everything, unfiltered, and still walking away feeling misunderstood or disconnected.

Intimacy isn’t about saying everything you feel. It’s about how you stay connected while sharing it.

This is the deeper work: learning how to be honest and relational.

If you’ve ever left a conversation thinking, “I was honest, so why does this feel worse?”, this blog is for you: https://www.countercurrenttherapy.com/post/radical-honesty-isn-t-emotional-intimacy

Take a few minutes to read, reflect, and join the conversation.

04/07/2026

What does a healthy relationship actually look like?

Not perfect or effortless, but real, sustainable, and aligned with who you are now.

In the final post of the LUMI series, we move beyond understanding patterns and into something deeper:
how to create relationships that actually support you, without losing yourself.

Healthy relationships aren’t about avoiding conflict or getting everything right; instead they’re built on:
💛 clarity over confusion
💛 mutual effort and responsibility
💛 the ability to stay connected and maintain your sense of self

Inside this post, we explore what this really looks like in practice, and how to begin making more intentional choices in your relationships.

A few questions to reflect on:
• What does “healthy” mean to me now?
• Where am I accepting less than I need, but not naming it?
• What might it look like to choose differently?

If you’ve been rethinking relationships (or feeling like something no longer quite fits) this is a meaningful place to land.

Read Part 3 here ↓
https://www.countercurrenttherapy.com/post/what-healthy-relationships-actually-look-like-in-real-life

Take a moment to reflect, and feel free to share what resonates in the comments.

You can also explore the full LUMI series, download the Reflection Worksheet (download in comments), or learn more about upcoming LUMI Circles if you’d like to go deeper.

04/06/2026

AI tools like ChatGPT are increasingly part of the conversation about mental health. They can help us reflect, clarify thoughts, and even offer practical strategies...but they aren’t therapy. True healing, especially relational healing, happens in connection with another human being.

Our latest blog explores how AI can support self-reflection while highlighting what only a therapist can offer. Take a moment to reflect: Where might insight alone fall short in your own growth?

Read the full post here: https://www.countercurrenttherapy.com/post/chatgpt-can-help-but-it-isn-t-therapy-and-that-distinction-matters

04/05/2026

Why does this keep happening?

Same pattern.
Different person.
Familiar outcome.

In Part 2 of the LUMI series, we explore why so many of us repeat relationship patterns—even when we can clearly see them.

This isn’t about a lack of insight.
It’s about how deeply these patterns are shaped by familiarity, attachment, and emotional conditioning.

We’re often drawn to what feels known—not necessarily what’s healthy or aligned with who we are now.

In this post, we explore:
💛 why familiar patterns feel so compelling
💛 the difference between attraction and alignment
💛 what it actually takes to begin changing these dynamics

If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Why do I keep ending up here?”, this is a place to pause and look more closely.

Read Part 2 here ↓
https://www.countercurrenttherapy.com/post/why-we-repeat-the-same-relationship-patterns-even-when-we-know-better

Take a few minutes to reflect and feel free to share what resonates in the comments.

You can also download the LUMI Reflection Worksheet if you want to go a bit deeper with this work - DM me for more info

04/03/2026

The Stories We Inherit About Love (LUMI Series: Part 1)

“We don’t just choose relationships…we recreate what feels familiar.”

Have you ever found yourself asking: Why does this keep happening?

In Part 1 of the LUMI series, we explore the invisible stories that shape how women in midlife experience love, connection, and relationships: with themselves and others.

Most of us didn’t consciously choose how we love. We learned it through early relationships, family dynamics, and cultural expectations. And those patterns? They often follow us into adulthood, quietly shaping our choices, needs, and attachments, even when we may know better.

This post will help you:
💛 Understand the patterns you inherited about love
💛 See why we repeat familiar relational behaviours
💛 Begin noticing the first steps toward creating more intentional, authentic relationships

If you’ve ever felt like your relationships are running on autopilot (or that something in your life doesn’t quite fit) this is a place to start.

Read Part 1 - link in the comments

Take a moment to reflect. Comment or share what resonates—you might inspire someone else to see their story in a new way.

04/02/2026

Are you living inside a story that no longer fits?

Sometimes life looks full on the outside, but inside, something feels off. Relationships, routines, even the life you’ve built carefully and responsibly can start to feel…out of sync with who you’ve become.

Over the past months, I’ve been traveling, most recently in Spain and France, beginning to create LUMI Retreats. Along the way, the conversations I had with women in different stages of life were strikingly similar:
“How did I get here, and is this still what I want?”

This question is at the heart of a new 3-part series I’m sharing over the next while. We’ll explore:
💛 The stories we inherit about love and relationships
💛 Patterns we repeat, even when we “know better”
💛 How to design relationships and a life that actually fit you

This is the beginning of a conversation about midlife, connection, and intentional living, and it’s for anyone ready to pause, reflect, and ask: what do I truly want now?

Comment below if this resonates, or share with someone who might need this reminder.

Read the full post here: https://www.countercurrenttherapy.com/post/are-you-living-inside-a-story-that-no-longer-fits

04/02/2026

What does real grit look like today?

It’s not just pushing harder.

It’s staying anchored in purpose and supporting yourself when things feel uncertain.

It’s modelling resilience for the people who watch you most: your kids.

Grit isn’t a sprint. It’s a marathon of small, steady steps, and about returning to what matters: again and again.

Read the full article here: https://www.countercurrenttherapy.com/post/in-a-world-that-keeps-shifting-grit-is-what-keeps-us-oriented

04/01/2026

To find happiness, purpose beats money, especially in times like these.

When the world feels uncertain or overwhelming, it’s natural to start wondering: What’s the point?

Purpose doesn’t have to be a big, life-defining calling.
It’s something we build: through the small ways we show up, what we care about, and how we connect with others.

From a therapeutic perspective, meaning isn’t something we’re given...it’s something we create.

And even in difficult or unpredictable times, purpose can help us feel more grounded, connected, and engaged.

Not a complete road-map or a perfect answer.

Just the next meaningful step.

If this resonates, you can read more below ↓

Purpose, not money, is the foundation of lasting happiness. In uncertain times, cultivating meaning through small, intentional actions can counter feelings of emptiness and disconnection.

03/26/2026

What actually changes in therapy?

It’s not just insight. It’s not just tools.
It’s your brain: reshaped through relationship.

This latest piece explores the intersection of neurobiology and Gestalt/relational therapy, and why the experience of being met, in real time, is what creates lasting change.

If you’ve ever wondered why the “fit” with a therapist matters so much: this is why.

👉 Read more: https://www.countercurrenttherapy.com/post/the-brain-in-therapy-why-relationship-is-the-work

03/22/2026

“What kind of therapy is it?”

It’s one of the most common questions people ask.

CBT? EMDR? Something else?

Those approaches can be helpful, but they’re not the full story.

Research shows that the strongest predictor of success in therapy isn’t the method… it’s the relationship.

→ Feeling understood
→ Feeling safe
→ Feeling like you can actually be honest

That’s what creates real change.

This is especially true for teens. If they don’t feel a connection with the therapist, it’s hard for anything else to stick.

So if you’re looking into therapy (for yourself, your family, or your teen) it might help to shift the question:

Not just “What approach is this?”
But “Does this feel like the right fit?”

We wrote more about this (and what to look for) in our latest blog post.

🔗 https://www.countercurrenttherapy.com/post/it-s-not-the-technique-it-s-the-relationship

03/21/2026

Day 6 of March Break: Quick Reset

Breaks can be fun, but boredom, restlessness, or low-level stress can show up too.

Today, try a simple self-care reset:
• Go for a short walk or stretch
• Journal or draw for a few minutes
• Listen to calming music
• Do a 5-minute breathing or meditation exercise
• Check in with a friend or family member

Ask your teen:

“Which one of these helped you feel better today?”

Even small pauses like this can make a big difference in energy, mood, and focus.