The idea of forgiveness brings up strong feelings for many people, myself included. I struggle to write about it and to talk about it, which makes me think it’s important to try – even if I’m somewhat clumsy. We often shy away from topics that leave us unsettled or frustrated for their heaviness and lack of clarity. But in some ways, I think this can make things worse – robbing us of the opportunity to stretch our internal capacities to bear the messiness of our existence. Perhaps devoting a little bit of time here and there to heavier topics will build our mental and emotional muscles, so to speak.
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Have you ever gone on a handful of dates with someone, hopeful that the budding relationship would blossom, only to find that weeks later, none of your messages or calls to them are answered? Or has a friend at school suddenly cut off all communication with no explanation, and is now avoiding you in the community? Maybe you have felt such intense disconnection from someone that you can no longer maintain a relationship—yet the thought of reaching out to explain this to them fills you with so much dread that you’re considering just deleting their contact info and sweeping it all under the rug?
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A variety of things might come to your mind when you think about rest. Many of us likely have different definitions of what rest looks or feels like, and we may go about it differently based on our own understandings, backgrounds, and lifestyles.
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The term “Mental Health Day” has grown in popularity over the past few years. This typically means taking sick time off work to treat our mental health with the same care and attention as our physical health. Whether the intention is to take care of a family member (or just spend some extra quality time), relax and sleep in to relieve stress, or to regroup after a long week, taking care of our mental health is now more important than ever.
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If you live with ADHD, you’ve likely heard the word “lazy” more times than you can count. Maybe it was when you forgot an assignment, struggled to keep up with chores, or procrastinated until the last minute. The truth is, ADHD and executive dysfunction have nothing to do with laziness. They are neurological differences that make planning, starting, and following through on tasks harder—not impossible, but definitely more complicated.
Understanding how ADHD affects executive functioning can help you reframe the narrative. Instead of blaming yourself for being “lazy,” you can begin to see your challenges in context and explore strategies that work with your brain, not against it.
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For people who identify as highly sensitive or empathic, intense embarrassment and shame might be particularly difficult experiences. Making a mistake can be followed by intense physical sensations and emotions: your face gets hot, your heart rate spikes, and sometimes you may even want to disappear. While this is normal and might even feel manageable for some, people who are highly sensitive may struggle to recover from these feelings.
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For many LGBTQ+ adults, therapy is not just about managing anxiety, depression, or stress—it’s about finding a place where you feel safe, affirmed, and fully seen. Too often, LGBTQ+ clients have experienced misunderstanding, judgment, or even harm in healthcare settings. That’s why choosing a therapist who provides affirmative, inclusive care is so important. Therapy should be a space where your whole identity is honored and supported.
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For many people, overwhelm feels like a constant state of being. It’s more than just a busy week or a stressful deadline—it’s the sense that your nervous system is always running on high, leaving you exhausted, irritable, and stuck. If you’ve tried to “think your way out of it” without success, you’re not alone. Overwhelm often lives in the body as much as the mind, which is why traditional coping tools sometimes fall short. This is where brainspotting can help.
Brainspotting is a therapeutic approach that accesses the mind-body connection directly. By working with the brain and nervous system, it helps release stored stress and trauma that fuel chronic overwhelm.
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Have you ever wondered whether a part of your personality is “just who you are” or if it’s a response to something you’ve been through? Many people struggle with this question, especially when habits like perfectionism, emotional withdrawal, or people-pleasing feel deeply ingrained. Distinguishing between personality traits and trauma responses can be tricky, but it’s an important step toward healing.
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For LGBTQ+ individuals, finding the right therapist can make all the difference. While any therapist may be trained to address anxiety, trauma, or depression, not all understand the unique challenges LGBTQ+ clients face. Affirmative therapy goes beyond acceptance—it actively validates and supports LGBTQ+ identities while addressing the impact of discrimination, marginalization, and internalized stigma.
Affirmative therapy is not a niche preference; it’s a vital approach that helps LGBTQ+ people feel safe, seen, and empowered in therapy.
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For many people, the idea of setting boundaries comes with an uncomfortable side effect: guilt. Saying “no,” asking for space, or voicing personal needs can feel selfish or even risky. Yet without boundaries, relationships often become draining, overwhelming, or one-sided. Learning to set boundaries with less guilt is not only possible—it’s an essential step toward healthier connections and greater self-respect.
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College is often described as one of the most exciting times of life, filled with freedom, new opportunities, and personal growth. But for many students, it also brings high levels of stress and anxiety. Balancing academics, social pressures, work, and future goals can feel overwhelming. While some stress is expected, there’s a point where anxiety begins to interfere with daily life and well-being. Knowing when to seek help is an important step in protecting your mental health.
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The start of a new school year can bring excitement, but it can also stir up anxiety for both teens and parents. Shifts in routine, academic pressure, social dynamics, and worries about the unknown can make this transition feel overwhelming. If your family is experiencing heightened stress as summer ends, you’re not alone. Many families in Sacramento and beyond are working through similar struggles. The good news is that back-to-school anxiety can be managed with awareness, support, and intentional coping strategies.
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Growing up with childhood emotional neglect (CEN) and/or abuse can make it so hard to build loving relationships. If you were told over and over how sensitive you are, or your feelings were rarely acknowledged as natural reactions to the sharp edges of life, it's hard to feel like anything you think or feel is normal, acceptable, or bearable. This makes it really hard to share our true feelings with others or seek their support. Furthermore, responses from our parents that don't seem to match our experiences can contribute to feelings of distrust, both for ourselves and others.
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With today's packed schedules—parents juggling careers, teens balancing school, activities, and social lives—families often operate like ships passing in the night rather than a connected unit. It can be hard to find a feeling of connection when we’re all so busy with our own stuff.
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Grief doesn’t follow a timeline, and healing isn’t about “moving on.” At Thrive Therapy in Sacramento, we offer compassionate grief counseling to help you process loss—whether recent or long ago. Therapy creates space for your emotions, helps you feel less alone, and supports you in honoring your grief while gently moving forward. You don’t have to carry this alone.
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Emotional neglect isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s the quiet absence of validation or comfort that shapes us most. At Thrive Therapy & Counseling in Sacramento, we help adults understand how unmet emotional needs in childhood can impact relationships, self-worth, and emotional regulation—and how therapy can support healing.
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As highly sensitive people (HSPs), we are especially prone to overwhelm and burnout. It can feel as though the world moves too fast, speaks too loudly, and asks too much. A powerful way to honor your sensitivity is by creating intentional rituals. Rituals are not about productivity or performance; rather, they’re about creating containers of safety, softness, and meaning. They help mark transitions, calm the nervous system, and create a sense of continuity in a world that often feels unpredictable.
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Burnout and sensory overload can feel nearly identical—especially if you're a highly sensitive person (HSP). At Thrive Therapy in Sacramento, we help sensitive individuals untangle emotional exhaustion from overstimulation, build nervous system awareness, and reclaim their energy. Therapy can support you in understanding your sensitivity as a strength—not a flaw—and finding a more sustainable, grounded way to move through life.
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When words fall short, creative expression can help. At Thrive Therapy in Sacramento, we offer expressive arts therapy as a gentle, trauma-informed approach to healing. Using art, movement, and creativity, you can explore difficult emotions, regulate your nervous system, and reconnect with yourself—no artistic skill required. This powerful modality supports trauma recovery from the inside out, at your own pace.
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