Abbey H Ives Counseling and Supervision PLLC

09/22/2025

👉 Let’s talk about another term that gets thrown around a lot on social media: codependent.

✨ It’s often misunderstood — here’s what it really means (and what it doesn’t).

09/15/2025

Next up on -Popular Social Media Terms- is Narcissism.

Narcissism is a real and painful relational pattern — and if you’ve experienced it, you know how hard it can be. This post isn’t about minimizing those experiences. Instead, it’s about clearing up some of the confusion around the word.

Not everyone who is confident, proud, or wants recognition is a narcissist. The difference shows up in how the relationship feels. If you often find yourself walking on eggshells or wondering if your needs matter, that’s a signal to pay attention.

Being in tune with your feelings in relationships can help you recognize when something isn’t healthy — and that awareness matters.

09/08/2025

Social media has made mental health language more common — which can be both empowering and confusing. Some terms get overused or misunderstood, and that can water down their true meaning.

This month, I’m starting a short series on mental health misunderstandings — breaking down a few buzzwords we hear all the time.

First up: Gaslighting.
👉 Gaslighting is a form of manipulation where someone makes you question your own reality.
👉 Disagreeing with you or remembering something differently isn’t gaslighting.

08/19/2025

Getting back into a routine—school, work, schedules—can feel chaotic at first.
The early mornings, the packed evenings, the lack of flexibility… it’s a shift.
But it won’t feel this hard forever.
Give it time. You’re adjusting. That’s allowed.

08/06/2025

In therapy, it’s common to feel worse before you feel better.
Facing hard things, feeling big feelings, learning new patterns—it takes work.
That messy middle part? It’s part of the process.
Harder doesn’t mean it’s not working. It may mean you’re in it.

07/29/2025

“Does virtual therapy really work?”

Short answer: Yes.
Longer answer: It depends on you.

Virtual therapy isn’t for everyone—and that’s okay. Some people prefer in-person connection, or need a quieter space than home allows. But for many, virtual therapy offers real connection, real support, and real change—from wherever they are.

🧠 Yes, even EMDR can be done virtually. (I’ve only ever used it online!)
💻 You can still process deeply, build insight and skills, and feel emotionally connected through a screen.

This is what you’ll see on the other side of the screen: me, showing up from a private space using a HIPAA-compliant video platform—no sketchy apps or confusing tech. Just therapy, made accessible.

Whether we’re face to face or screen to screen, the heart of therapy stays the same: showing up, being real, and doing the work—together.

07/22/2025

“What does ‘evidence-based’ actually mean?”
It doesn’t mean rigid or cold. It means we’re using methods that have been researched, tested, and shown to help people feel better, grow, and heal.

In one of my very first graduate school classes, I remember a professor saying, “You're not giving advice.”
At the time, I thought, “Then what are we doing??”

But over time, that stuck with me—because now I get it. I'm not giving advice based on my life. I'm using tools and strategies that are evidence-based—proven to help people navigate their lives.

In my practice, that might look like:
🧠 CBT for managing thoughts and behaviors
🌊 DBT for emotion regulation
💥 EMDR for trauma work

Evidence-based doesn’t mean one-size-fits-all—it means care that’s thoughtful, grounded, and tailored to you.

07/15/2025

“How long should therapy take?”
This is a very common questions I get—and the truth is, there’s no single answer.

Some people come in for a few sessions to get through a tough transition. Others want to dive deeper into long-standing patterns or trauma.

💡 Short-term and long-term therapy are both valid paths—and each person’s journey is different.

In my work, therapy is always person-centered. That means we’ll talk about what you need, what you’re working toward, and what kind of support feels right for you. 💛

07/14/2025

Not every moment is magical.
Not every season is meant to be savored.
And that’s okay.
A gentle reflection on the pressure to “enjoy every second” — and what to do when that advice feels more hurtful than helpful.

...but you’re just trying to get through bedtime without losing it. Recently, I was listening to a podcast by Dr. Becky (truly, the BEST), and something she said stopped me in my tracks. She wasn’t even talking about this directly, but it sparked a realization: I’ve been living according to wh...

07/11/2025

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07/08/2025

“Yapping” has been getting a lot of love lately—and honestly, I’m here for it. Talking in therapy might be a little different than chatting with a friend, but the power of saying things out loud? Same energy.

This graphic isn’t an exhaustive list, but these are some of the main reasons talking works. There’s real relief in getting it out—especially with someone who’s there to listen without judgment.

07/01/2025

Curious what it’s like to work with me? Here’s a look at my approach to therapy—what it looks like, what we focus on, and how we make change happen together.

DM with any additional questions.

I can only speak for the sessions I’m part of—but I’d love to give you a glimpse into what therapy tends to look like when you work with me. First of all... it depends! There are definitely guidelines, and yes, there are some wrong ways to do therapy—but within that, there’s also a lot of ...