How do you know when therapy is working?? What’s bringing you into therapy? What are you hoping to get out of it? What kind of therapist are you working with? This video gives a small sampling of benefits I listen for from my clients. Some weeks in therapy might be about just getting through your pain points today. Some weeks can feel like lightbulb moments left and right. 💡 🥳Hoping you’re celebrating all of your wins this week! Let me know in the comments what you’d add to this video ⬇️ #therapy #inclusivetherapists #latinxtherapy #therapyforlatinas #therapyforwomen #detroit #detroitsmallbusiness #detroitsmallbusinesses #detroitentrepreneurs #michigantherapist

Have you ever found yourself believing that if you only looked differently, you'd have better luck with relationships or that you would be treated better? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This one is tricky because of course having access to "pretty privilege" has nothing to do with the quality of relationships you can have. At all. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ But we live in a society that works really hard to convince you that the farther away from white, able-bodied, young, thin, you are, the less lovable you are. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ When we talk about "pretty privilege," we're talking about the ability to date without facing discrimination. If you've experienced discrimination in dating or have internalized any of these views, that deserves care and attention. Let’s not gaslight anyone into thinking that social privileges don’t matter. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ But there is zero correlation between accessing pretty privilege and having fulfilling, authentic intimacy. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Both of these truths matter, and this is a lot to hold at once! I'm wishing you self-compassion, community care, and gentleness! #inclusivetherapists #michigantherapist #detroitsmallbusiness #collegementalhealth #therapyforwomen #therapyforfemmes #therapyforlatinx

🌍Sometimes people find their way to my Instagram page looking for answers to the specific questions that are weighing heavily on their heart. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🌟If this is you, please know that I would love to answer your questions and provide you with the sense of certainty you're craving, but most of the time there isn't just one right answer. You get to be a full, nuanced person with a unique set of circumstances and context. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⛈I don't blame you for reaching for your phone in moments of loneliness, fear, or confusion. And I also encourage you to check in with what you need offline and where education and information stops being helpful or starts feeling overwhelming. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🌤I'm wishing you realistic expectations of social media, tons of offline support, and breaks from the internet as frequently as needed. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ☀️The link in my bio is still live for one on one support from me.

🖤Dedicated to anyone and everyone who has ever felt stupid for caring so much, trying so hard, or craving connection so badly. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🖤It’s INCREDIBLE that you have such a strong capacity for relationships. It’s a sign of resilience that you’ve been able to maintain this part of yourself. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🖤Another gentle reminder: when we talk about boundaries, healthy conflict, and authenticity in therapy, it’s in honor of this sacred part of you— not to encourage the fierce individualism of US culture. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🖤So much of the “worst” relationship advice I’ve heard is all about shaming people for caring & encouraging emotional distance. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🎤 What about you? What’s the most harmful advice you’ve heard? Let me know in the comments or in my stories!

❤️‍🩹These are not useful in self-perception or how you view others -- and are deeply painful when they come from others. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🫀Your worth is not defined by a number from 1-10 or what you were voted "most likely to" in high school. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ❗️Yesterday I posted a few questions about high school superlatives in my stories. About 65% (!!) of you said that the process was "terrible" when given the choice between "terrible" and "fine." I'll share some of the reasons you gave in my stories today. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🔓So much of what you shared focused on the way the process of being voted for and put into boxes made you feel judged, inadequate, or maybe even forgotten. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📌What probably wasn't a part of the conversation at the time was the way our views of what we value about people are skewed based on larger societal power dynamics. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🖤Every single item on this list takes us farther away from heart-centered, authentic connection. When I work with therapy clients 1-1, I'm listening for moments when I'm hearing someone's self-perception may be influenced or stuck in one of these boxes. These are wonderful opportunities to explore where these beliefs come from and how they are or are not serving you. Check out the link in my bio for all the details on working together!

Let's be real: many people make the choice in the moment, based on intuition or impulsivity, and it works out perfectly okay! 🥰 🤨But if you're feeling unsure of your own timeline, THIS is what to consider when you're trying to decide when you're ready to move forward with physical intimacy: 🥇What do you want to do?!? Do you have consent from your partner? That's really the full answer, but let's break this down into some of its many parts: 🌺Have you had the time, space, and support to reflect on your own value system? Do you have some level of understanding of where your values and beliefs come from and what they mean to you? 🌺Do you feel safe enough with this person to give consent? 🌺Do you have clear expectations of what you're hoping happens after the intimacy? 🌺Do you feel cued into your body's signals and know how to honor them? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I am not here for any argument that you HAVE to wait to earn someone's respect. When I crowd-sourced followers, MANY of you hooked up right away and then went on to be in a committed partnership together. It's my bias that if someone doesn't respect you because you hooked up, then they have some stuff to work through on their end that is not your responsibility. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ You don't need a dating "expert" to tell you when it's okay or not. After completing an entire Masters program in Human Sexuality, I can assure you that there is no expert who has the magical timeline. ✨✨If you're looking for a space to explore the rich meaning of these questions and so much more — I'm here for it! Click the link in my bio to connect!

Do you ever have those moments when you're unsure if you miss the person or just how the person made you feel? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Do you ever have moments when it feels like you'll never feel as fun, lovable, or desirable as you felt with that one person? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Sometimes the first person who brings out something we love about ourselves is given too much credit — as if we can't experience that part of ourselves without them. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Doesn't it feel much better to remember that all parts of who you are belong to you? That special people come along and help us see ourselves, but that we belong to ourselves and can access all parts of ourselves again even without reconnecting to an ex partner or friend? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The therapy relationship is a perfect place to explore what meaning we've been intentionally or unintentionally assigning relationships. Check out the link in my bio for more information on what it looks like to work together one on one.

It’s okay to tell your friend that you don’t like their partner 🤭 1️⃣ But first! 🔂Check in with yourself to make sure it’s really about your friend& in their best interest to share. 2️⃣ Make sure your friend knows you support them no matter what. 3️⃣Be prepared to give specific data points, not just general personality traits— especially in terms of how you see those behaviors impacting your friend, not you. 4️⃣ Important caveat NOT in the video: if you’re concerned about your friend’s safety, help your friend establish a safety plan. It’s not about pressuring your friend to leave, it’s about reassuring them that they have support. 🔌 Of course, do not hesitate to reach out for professional support!!! I’m so here for this! ➡️➡️ @amaliamiralrio

How would we support Billie from @sexlife if she walked into our office?? What do we think about these themes of freedom, safety, monogamy, and fulfillment in long term relationships?? Follow @bloom.well.mama and @amaliamiralrio for all of the content on dating, motherhood, attachment, trauma, and more 😊

What would I do if Billie from @sexlife walked into my office? Where would we begin? How could I help her? What would I be thinking? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I'm so excited to not only share my thoughts, but also bounce off ideas and reactions with my friend and fellow therapist Erica Galvan, LMSW, founder of @bloom.well.mama ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Erica specializes in supporting mothers, so I know she's going to have a lot to say about how she'd support Billie! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It's okay if you haven't seen the show -- if any of these themes stand out to you, our responses just might feel useful and affirming to you! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I hope to see you there!

So what’s next?⬇️ Compassion, curiosity, and exploration. This is one of the times when you might feel tons of shame, but this is just another part of the human experience. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ When we jump to “I must be a bad friend,” we shut down our opportunity to gain understanding into what else is going on for us. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It might be jealousy, concern, or uncertainty about such a big change. None of these things negate our genuine wish for our friend to be happy. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ If there’s something coming up that’s particularly uncomfortable, sometimes it’s a message that we need some care and unpacking. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Check out the the link in my profile for the details on how I might be able to help ♥️

There's this idea floating around "out there" that therapy is all about learning to set boundaries with people in your life. Sometimes, yes. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ But sometimes therapy is about practicing and exploring all the other parts of what it means to be in relationship with others. There are so many rich, textured part of relationships that do involve conflict, connection, and mutual growth. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ If you're feeling concerned that you aren't able to immediately set boundaries when there's conflict because it *feels* like the internet makes it seem so simple, you're not alone. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ If it were that simple, you would have already figured it out. Click the link in bio for more details on what it could look like for us to work together 1-1 in a therapy relationship.