Thriving Life Counseling

10/22/2025

10/22/2025

10/20/2025

This is for the people who are suffering in silence.
Who blame themselves for their “negativity,” who have maybe done enough work to know that the issue is theirs, so they just stew on it internally.

You’re allowed to take up space.
And your feelings DO matter, even if the trigger is wholly yours and no one else did anything “wrong.”
You deserve to be seen and to receive witnessing and support.

Healing involves bringing the dark and shame-filled parts of ourselves to light. Owning them and learning to embrace them so that they don’t own you or indirectly drive your behavior.

Yes, discernment matters.
Yes, pausing before reacting is important.
Yes, self-attuning and taking responsibility for what’s yours is imperative.

But so is letting people see you.
Including the less shiny and ‘perfect’ parts.

It’s okay that you have sensitivities, triggers, feelings.
It’s okay if you have messy days where you can’t figure out why this thing is showing up again.

You’re allowed to be human.
To be seen and supported, always, even when you can’t explain it or put it into a nicely wrapped package.

And we can only really be seen when we stop trying to control how everyone sees us, and show more of the whole picture.

It’s a balance, this whole human thing. We all need to get a little messy and uncomfortable in order to tease apart the tightly wound parts, to create space for growth. To create space for the things we can’t predict or control that will change our lives in ways that we can’t yet imagine.

The Relationship Management Workshop begins October 23.
6 weeks, small group, interactive work in a compassionate space filled with likeminded folks who are also doing relational, self-reflective work.
Come practice holding space, and having it held for you.
Don't miss out - this is the last workshop of 2025! There are only 3 spots left.
https://theeqschool.co/relationship-management-workshop

10/20/2025

One breath at a time is something to be proud of. 💙

10/04/2025

It's difficult to watch people have a negative reaction to your behavior, no matter how justified the behavior or the reaction.

It does hurt to tell your child, "No, I'm sorry we can't do that today" and watch their disappointment.
It's uncomfortable to hold a boundary with someone who clearly wanted a different outcome.
It can make you question your own needs to watch someone's pain-filled response when their need butts up against your own.

It's not easy.
It's not comfortable.
And it doesn't make you "wrong" just because uncomfortable feelings arise, for the other person OR for you.

I think those of us who are deeply sensitive struggle with this even more - we know what pain feels like and we hate to inflict it onto others.

And many of us learned that if we did vocalize a need and it upset the other party, that meant disconnection.
So it can feel deeply threatening to let someone be disappointed or angry.

But feeling uncomfortable in relationship is just a part of being in any relationship. And it's actually a GOOD thing - any relationship that is seemingly all sunshine and rainbows all of the time is lacking real intimacy.

When we can let people feel uncomfortable (and let ourselves feel uncomfortable) without making it wrong, it allows us the freedom to be seen for the messy, human people that we are, and to fully explore our needs, which allows both people in the dynamic to show up more honestly and fully.

If you want to deepen intimacy in your relationships, you have to work toward being able to sit with discomfort - both yours and other people's.

If you're looking for more tools for how to communicate more effectively around your needs in your relationships, the Relationship Management Workshop begins October 23. You'll learn frameworks for better understanding conflict, and tools for navigating it more effectively, while also learning tools for holding space for other people and their needs. NOTE: I don't recommend couples take this course together, at the same time.

This is the last workshop I'll be teaching in 2025, and it will sell out so register soon!
https://theeqschool.co/relationship-management-workshop

09/18/2025

LGBTQ+ youth are four times more likely to attempt su***de than their straight peers. Support. Visibility. Action. These save lives. Let’s show up. Learn more at nami.org/su***deprevention

***dePreventionMonth

09/16/2025

Feeling overwhelmed? Pause and put a name to what you are feeling, whether it is anxiety, sadness, frustration, or even just “blah.”

✨ Research shows that naming your emotions reduces their intensity and gives you more control over how you respond.

💡 Remember: when you can name it, you can tame it.

🌀 Take a deep breath. Check in with yourself. You’ve got this.

👉 Save this post as a reminder and share it with someone who needs it today.

09/15/2025

Ever feel like a fraud at work or school? You’re not alone—here’s how to conquer impostor feelings and own your success.

Read more in this month's Psychology for a Better You newsletter: https://at.apa.org/1442fb

09/08/2025

Taking care of yourself is never selfish.

09/05/2025

Maybe su***de prevention means something to you because there was once a time you never thought you’d make it to today.

Maybe su***de prevention means something to you because you still carry the loss of a loved one who left too soon.

Maybe su***de prevention means something to you because you’ve seen what happens when people get the proper care and support they need.

Su***de impacts every community on the planet—and when it comes to su***de prevention, we all have a role to play. Thank you for caring, for showing up, and for sharing your stories. Thank you for reminding others that they are not alone.

Get involved in our Su***de Prevention Campaign at twloha.com/Su***dePrevention