Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center

11/29/2025

We’re excited to announce that Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center is launching an email newsletter created to gently support your emotional and relational health.

Each issue offers short articles, practical coping tools, grounding practices, journaling prompts, and updates on groups and services available through our Pleasant Hill clinic and telehealth.

If this sounds helpful to you—or someone you care about—you’re welcome to subscribe at the link below.

Please feel free to pass this along to a friend, family member, colleague, or client who may appreciate compassionate, trauma-informed mental health resources.

Subscribe here:

Explore expert therapy insights, relationship advice and mental-health wellness tips from Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center in Pleasant Hill. New posts weekly

11/26/2025

As we head into Thanksgiving, we know this weekend can bring a mix of emotions. For some, it’s connection and celebration. For others, it’s stress, family tension, grief, or the pressure to “be okay.”

Wherever you are this week, your feelings are valid.

If you need a moment to breathe, step outside, or set a boundary with someone you love, that’s not only allowed — it’s healthy.
If the holiday brings up difficult memories or complicated relationships, you are not alone.
If this season is joyful for you, we hope you get the rest and warmth you deserve.

Our team at Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center is wishing you a gentle, grounded Thanksgiving. Take care of your mind and body, reach out if you need support, and remember that caring for yourself is necessary, not selfish.

Wishing you safety, comfort, and connection in whatever way feels right for you.

11/23/2025

Have you ever felt like you're "overreacting" every time you share a feeling? 😥 You're not imagining it.

The silent relationship killer no one talks about is Chronic Invalidation—the repeated minimizing, dismissing, or ignoring of your emotions and experiences. Over time, this slowly erodes your self-trust and makes you question your own reality. It’s an emotional software bug that can shut down even the strongest connections.

The good news? We can reverse the pattern! Our latest blog post from Oak Creek Counseling discusses how to:

✅ Name the invalidation in real time. ✅ Anchor your internal truth ("My feelings make sense because they are real to me."). ✅ Set simple micro-boundaries.

Click the link to read the full article and learn how to reclaim your emotional clarity and confidence. What's one piece of invalidating advice you've received that you wish you could take back? Share your thoughts below. 👇

https://www.oakcreekcounseling.org/blog/the-silent-relationship-killer-no-one-talks-about

11/18/2025

Ever had one small worry take off and suddenly feel like your thoughts are running away from you? That experience has a name: spiraling. And it happens more often than people realize.

We just shared a new article on our website about what spiraling is, why it shows up during stress or overwhelm, and simple tools you can use to slow your thoughts when they start to take over.

If you’ve been feeling anxious, overloaded, or caught in your head lately, this might be a helpful read.

You can find the full blog post here:

Explore expert therapy insights, relationship advice and mental-health wellness tips from Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center in Pleasant Hill. New posts weekly

11/12/2025

Feeling distant from your partner? You’re not alone.

Today’s couples are juggling more than ever—finances, work, family, and the constant pull of technology. Over time, these pressures can take a toll on connection, communication, and intimacy.

Our new blog post explores the top stressors modern couples face—and how to start reconnecting. From setting tech-free time to dividing household responsibilities fairly, small changes can make a big difference.

Read more and learn how to strengthen your relationship today:
💛 https://www.oakcreekcounseling.org/oakcreekblog/modern-relationship-stressors-how-todays-couples-can-reconnect

Visit the Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center Blog for therapy insights, mental health tips, and resources from expert therapists in Pleasant Hill, CA.

10/29/2025

This Halloween, remember — connection doesn’t have to be spooky. 🧡 At Oak Creek, we help individuals, couples, and families find warmth, safety, and healing — even when life feels a little haunted by stress or uncertainty.

Let’s turn those ghosts of the past into moments of growth and understanding. 🍂

10/23/2025

We just published our take on why 2025 relationships look completely different—and why that's amazing news for couples!

Gone are the days of avoiding difficult conversations. Today's thriving couples are embracing emotional safety, practicing active listening, and choosing empathy over ego. Research shows couples with higher emotional intelligence report 30% greater relationship satisfaction.​

Here's what "soft love" looks like in action:

💬 "I can see this is important to you. Help me understand your perspective."
💬 "I'm feeling overwhelmed right now. Can we take a pause and reconnect in 20 minutes?"
💬 "What do you need from me right now—solutions or just someone to listen?"

The best part? Couples therapy isn't just for crisis anymore. Over 97% of couples report gaining valuable tools through early therapeutic intervention.​

Want to dive deeper? Our blog breaks down the four major relationship shifts happening right now, plus practical ways to build emotional intelligence together.

👉 Read the full post: https://www.oakcreekcounseling.org/oakcreekblog/the-2025-relationship-shift-why-emotional-intelligence-is-the-new-sexy

Ready to strengthen your connection? We're here to help.

Visit the Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center Blog for therapy insights, mental health tips, and resources from expert therapists in Pleasant Hill, CA.

10/09/2025

Middle school can be one of the toughest seasons of growing up — for both kids and parents. Between shifting identities, social pressures, and today’s online world, many children feel overwhelmed or unsafe at school.

Our latest blog explores why this age can feel so cruel and what parents can do to help their children feel emotionally secure and supported.

Read more:

Visit the Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center Blog for therapy insights, mental health tips, and resources from expert therapists in Pleasant Hill, CA.

10/02/2025

Parenting teens isn’t easy—especially when stress, anxiety, or mood changes surface. Many parents wonder: How do I know if my teen needs therapy? And if they do, what’s the best way to help them start—online or in-person?

We put together a guide to help you start the conversation and find the right support.

👉 Read more here: https://www.oakcreekcounseling.org/oakcreekblog/helping-parents-support-their-teens

09/24/2025

Big news! We just launched a new Client Hub on the Oak Creek Counseling website at https://www.oakcreekcounseling.org

It’s a one-stop spot for new and current clients to:

✔️ Fill out intake forms
✔️ Learn how to pay
✔️ Access telehealth appointments
✔️ Get directions to the clinic

We hope this makes your experience with Oak Creek smoother and easier.

Please take a look and let us know if you spot any typos (we promise not to take it personally!) or have ideas for resources we should add.

This site is for you, our clients, and our community.

09/18/2025

We’re celebrating a big milestone at Oak Creek! 🎉 Stacey, Maddy, Tasal, and David—once trainees—are now officially Associates!

Their journey shows what’s possible with dedication, hard work, and supportive supervision from Stephen Polin, who provides guidance four times a week for both trainees and Associates.

Want to know what it’s like to train at Oak Creek in Pleasant Hill?

Check out our blog:

Visit the Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center Blog for therapy insights, mental health tips, and resources from expert therapists in Pleasant Hill, CA.

09/14/2025

Join us in welcoming Madison Gluck, MFT Trainee, to Oak Creek Relational Counseling Center!

Madison is passionate about helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s challenges, deepen connections, and embrace personal growth.

With warmth and curiosity, she creates a safe and supportive space for healing and change.

Learn more about Madison here:
https://www.oakcreekcounseling.org/madisongluck.html