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When Reassurance Makes Anxiety Worse: Understanding the OCD–Reassurance Trap in Relationships By: Briana Gonzalez-Evans, MA, LPC-Associate Supervised by Jennifer Buffalo, LPC-S, LMFT-S If you’ve ever asked a partner, friend, or family member something like: “Are you sure everything is okay?” “Do you think I did something wrong?” “Can you promise this won’t happen?” “Are you […]

Understanding People-Pleasing: Why We Do It and How to Change By Lauren Leal, LPC-Associate Supervised by Jennifer Buffalo, LPC-S, LMFT-S Have you ever said “yes” to something you REALLY didn’t want to do, just to make someone else happy? Maybe you stayed late at work to help a coworker, went to a social event when

When the House is a Little Too Quiet: Understanding the Grief of Pet Loss  By Ann Cleland, LPC-Associate, Supervised by Jennifer Buffalo, LPC-S, LMFT-S You come home, open the door and for a moment expect to be greeted. Sometimes the greeting was joy that you were home, a request for a gentle pet, or a

Understanding Complex Trauma: When the Wound Goes Deeper Than One Moment By Emily Heimberger, LPC Associate Supervised by Jennifer Buffalo, LPC-S, LMFT-S When most people hear the word “trauma,” they picture a single, catastrophic event: a car accident, a natural disaster, a sudden loss. But for many people, trauma doesn’t arrive in one defining moment.

Why is Therapy Not Working? Understanding the Phases of Trauma Treatment May Help Many people leave therapy thinking “maybe it’s me” when, in reality, the work never moved past the first phase of treatment. This post will walk through the three phases of trauma treatment, why so many clients get stuck in phase 1, and

Why I Feel Numb, Spaced Out, or “Not Here”: A Gentle Introduction to Dissociation Briana Gonzalez-Evans, MA, LPC-Associate Supervised by Jennifer Buffalo, LPC-S, LMFT-S Many people come into therapy saying things like: “I know something is wrong, but I can’t feel it.” “I check out during conversations and don’t realize it until later.” “I feel

Your Year, Your Pace: Making Changes with Chronic Illness Nathan Galvan, LPC-Associate Supervised by Jennifer Buffalo, LPC-S, LMFT-S A new year marks change. It’s a time to reflect on the past year—our mistakes, our goals, the people in our lives, and ourselves. For many, it’s a moment of renewal, a chance to set intentions or

Understanding Religious Trauma: A Journey Towards Healing Briana Gonzalez-Evans, MA, LPC-Associate  Supervised by Jennifer Buffalo, LPC-S, LMFT In a world with diverse beliefs and spiritual practices, faith often serves as a foundation for many individuals, offering a sense of community, purpose, and comfort. However, for some, the very institutions or beliefs that should nurture and

Boundaries, Expectations, & Rules: Are You Building Trust or Limitation in Your Partnership? Rachel Rungdit, LPC-Associate Supervised by Jennifer Buffalo, LPC-S. LMFT- What’s the difference between a boundary and an expectation? What about rules? How do we talk about them with our partner(s) to better support, rather than control, our relationship? Building trust with a

Coping With Flare-Ups in Chronic Illness By Nathan Galvan, LPC-Associate Supervised by Jennifer Buffalo, LPC-S, LMFT Living with a chronic illness often means handling both the expected and the unexpected. There are the daily routines we plan for—getting ready for work, going grocery shopping, cleaning up around the house, or spending time with loved ones.

Beyond the Fog: Understanding the Many Layers of Dissociation By Emily Heimberger, LPC Associate Supervised by Jennifer Buffalo, LPC-S, LMFT-S Have you ever looked in the mirror and felt like you were looking at a stranger? Or perhaps you’ve realized that large blocks of your afternoon, or even your childhood, feel like a “black hole”

Is This the Right Fit? What to Expect from a Therapy Consultation By Emily Heimberger, LPC Associate Supervised by Jennifer Buffalo, LPC-S, LMFT-S Taking the first step toward therapy can be both exciting and a little nerve-wracking. You’ve found a practice that seems promising and now you have a consultation scheduled. But if you’ve never