Esra Nihan Bridge, LMFT

07/18/2025

Don’t judge yourself for the choices you made when you didn’t know what you know now. You did the best you could with what you had. Be gentle with yourself — growth begins with compassion. 💛

07/09/2025

Happy Humpday 🐫

06/23/2025

Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates

At the first gate, ask yourself, “Is it true?”

At the second gate ask, “Is it necessary?”

At the third gate ask, “Is it kind?”

~ Rumi

❤️ ❤️ 🔑

06/16/2025

Retaliation is a losing strategy in relationships.
Instead of resolving the hurt, it escalates the conflict, erodes trust, and shuts the door on understanding.

But what it really creates is distance.

When we retaliate, we move away from healing and connection, and into a cycle of pain.
Instead of resolving the hurt, it escalates the conflict, erodes trust, and shuts the door on understanding.

When you’re hurt, the strongest move isn’t to strike back — it’s to slow down, name the impact, and choose connection.

06/13/2025

Retaliation is a losing strategy in relationships.
It might feel like power — “If I hurt you back, maybe you’ll finally get it.”

💬 Retaliation says: “I want you to feel what I felt.”
But healing says: “I want you to understand how I felt.”
When you’re hurt, the strongest move isn’t to strike back.

05/30/2025

Instead of trying to “win,” try to understand.
Let go of the comeback and lean into curiosity. When we listen without reacting or preparing our defense, we create space for real connection.

💬 Relationships thrive when both partners feel seen, heard, and respected.

05/29/2025

🔁 Arguing to be right often leads to disconnection.
When couples focus on winning, they stop listening—and start collecting evidence. The real goal? Understanding, not victory.
💬 What helps you shift from conflict to connection during tough conversations?

05/26/2025

I’m thrilled to share that I’ve recently completed the Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) Externship through ICEEFT!Although I’ve been practicing EFT in my clinical work for some time, this training deepened my understanding and skillset in profound ways. It was an incredible opportunity to learn directly from leaders in the field—George Faller and Ali Barbosa—whose insight and presence brought the model to life in new and powerful ways.
Thank you to ICEEFT, George, Ali, and the fellow therapists who made this journey so enriching. I’m excited to bring this deeper knowledge into the therapy room and continue growing in this meaningful work.

05/14/2025

Change is scary, but so is staying the same. Sometimes the most beautiful chapters begin with a little fear and a lot of faith.

🐫

05/05/2025