Alisa Hafkin, LCSW

10/08/2025

Sleep is essential for supporting good mental health, yet struggling with mental health can make it hard to get a restful night’s sleep. This cycle can take a serious toll on your well-being. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reclaim your sleep. I’ve outlined some of those activities in my blog.

Trying to fall asleep when your mind is racing can be very difficult.  When you are dealing with problems in your life and you finally lie down in bed, your mind may drift towards those things that are causing you … Continue reading →

09/30/2025

Work can impact your mental health in both positive and negative ways, influencing everything from stress and anxiety to a sense of purpose and social connection. By recognizing warning signs and taking practical steps such as staying organized, practicing self-care, and seeking support, you can protect your well-being. Working with a therapist can also be a helpful way to develop strategies for managing stress and maintaining mental health.
https://www.priorygroup.com/mental-health/mental-health-at-work

Priory aspires to deliver the highest quality of care across our range of services, which includes drug and alcohol addiction treatment and mental healthcare.

09/25/2025

Conflicts over money are common in marriage and often come from differences in personality, upbringing, or financial priorities. Honest conversations about attitudes toward spending and saving can help couples understand each other and prevent negative feelings from building. By planning together, setting a budget, and seeking guidance from a therapist, couples can manage money more effectively and strengthen their relationship.

There are effective ways to resolve money conflicts in a marriage and bring you and your partner into alignment around spending and saving.

09/17/2025

Hope isn’t just wishful thinking but something you actively work toward. It is about taking action, setting goals, and staying flexible even when life throws you curveballs. Small wins, community support, and reflecting on what you have already accomplished can keep hope alive and make it easier to stay motivated and keep growing through tough times.
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2024/01/trends-hope-greater-meaning-life

09/08/2025

Welcoming a baby changes everything, not just for mothers, but for fathers, too. New dads often face financial worries, sleepless nights, and the challenge of building a strong bond with their child, all while adjusting to a new family dynamic. Taking time to share your feelings, seek support, and prioritize your well-being can help you show up as the best version of yourself for your family.

New fathers have many new responsibilities and emotions to deal with, which can lead to confusion, irritability, anxiety, or depression.

08/28/2025

Whether you prefer a companion that has scales or fur, having a pet can support your emotional well-being. Caring for a pet can provide a sense of purpose and routine, which helps improve mood and reduce stress. This special bond can be a source of comfort and happiness through life’s ups and downs.

Caring for a dog, cat, or other pet can help to ease loneliness, relieve stress, anxiety, and depression, and provide unconditional love.

08/19/2025

Supporting a partner through depression can be emotionally difficult, but it’s possible to be there for them while also caring for your own mental health. You can encourage them to seek professional help, as well as seek out therapy for yourself. Keeping your mental wellness at the forefront will allow you to show up more fully for your loved one.

When your spouse or partner is depressed, your relationship will be affected, and you may have to take some proactive steps.

08/13/2025

Self-compassion means treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding you'd offer a friend. Oftentimes, we treat others with more compassion than we do ourselves, but inner kindness is vital for mental health. This article shares simple, meaningful ways to practice self-kindness, and therapy can offer support in reinforcing these habits.

We show you how to practice self-compassion and be kinder to yourself.

08/07/2025

Having perfectionist tendencies isn’t always a bad thing, but it can be problematic when it fuels anxiety. The constant pressure to meet unrealistic standards can lead to overthinking, fear of failure, and a harsh inner critic. Through therapy, you can learn to accept mistakes and focus on progress, which will help ease your anxiety and promote emotional well-being.

Perfectionism can lead to anxiety, and anxiety can lead to perfectionism. How can you break this anxiety/perfectionism cycle?

07/29/2025

Whether you experienced neglect, lack of support, or any other type of abuse at the hands of your parents, your choice to be estranged from them is valid. When your own children begin asking questions about their grandparents, discuss the situation with them in a way that is age-appropriate and honest. By approaching these conversations with clarity and understanding, you can build trust and emotional safety for your children.

Going no contact with a parent is hard—explaining it to your kids can be harder. Here's how to share the truth with honesty, compassion, and emotional safety.

07/24/2025

According to various studies and long-term research, roughly 60-70% of all married couples experience significant conflict or dissatisfaction at some point in their marriage. The most beneficial step to work through these periods of turmoil is seeking couples counseling. During this journey, you can develop an appreciation of your partner’s positive traits, practice forgiveness, and reconnect over shared interests.

What can you do to shake off the bad times and bring back the good times in marriage? Here are several steps you can take to a happier marriage.

07/16/2025

Worrying is a natural part of being human, but it becomes problematic when it feels constant and uncontrollable. If you struggle with anxiety and the persistent worry that it brings, there are ways to ease those challenging thoughts. Through therapy, you can develop and implement mindfulness skills that will allow you to manage thoughts and behaviors.

Mindfulness is well known for its calming effects, but researchers now propose that different types of mindfulness practices may be more effective for specific types of anxiety.