Escaping Into Control: How Animal Crossing and The Sims Soothe Our Brains in a Chaotic World

May 7, 2025

When the world feels like it’s spiraling into chaos (figuratively… or literally), many of us retreat into comforting routines and familiar rhythms. And for some, that comfort looks like building the perfect cottagecore island in Animal Crossing or crafting a dream life in The Sims. But why are these games so appealing, especially during times … More Escaping Into Control: How Animal Crossing and The Sims Soothe Our Brains in a Chaotic World

What boss fight are you in right now? (And what gear do you need to win)

April 30, 2025

If life feels like a video game lately, you might be stuck in a boss fight. Not the tutorial. Not the side quest. Not the cozy town where you can chill and do alchemy for six hours. No—you’re deep in it. Low on health. No save point in sight. And the boss? It’s brutal. Maybe … More What boss fight are you in right now? (And what gear do you need to win)

Therapy Doesn’t Have to be Intimidating: Finding your way back to yourself

April 23, 2025

When people think of therapy, they often imagine a leather couch, a buttoned-up therapist with a clipboard, and awkward silence. Yeah… that’s not what we’re doing here. Hi, I’m Amber (she/her), a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist who believes that therapy should feel like a real, human connection—not a performance or a test. My style … More Therapy Doesn’t Have to be Intimidating: Finding your way back to yourself

The Holiday Dance

December 11, 2019

The holidays can be joyful and triumphant, but they can also be isolating and full of grief. It can be difficult to manage everyone’s “Holiday spirit” when you just want to hide out in your room and not talk to anyone. Psychology today had a wonderful article regarding how “not everyone enjoys the holidays.” At … More The Holiday Dance

Procrastination; let’s talk about it, tomorrow.

July 25, 2018

A quick Google search of procrastination leads to a few common words, lazy and lack of self-control. I have counseled (and know) many successful, motivated, and in control individuals that would consider themselves “procrastinators.” A realization occurred when I did this 5 second search, the shame that comes along with procrastinating. So, I decided to … More Procrastination; let’s talk about it, tomorrow.

How am I supposed to grieve and what am I supposed to grieve over?

July 17, 2018

The stages of grief are identified by Kübler-Ross as; denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. These stages do not have to be processed in a linear fashion, nor do we have to hit every stage. Grief is different from person to person, and it does not mean that someone in your life has to have … More How am I supposed to grieve and what am I supposed to grieve over?

Couples Therapy

April 3, 2018

“I always…” “They never…” “I wish they would…”   These are pretty common conversation starters when I ask clients about their partners. But when I ask, “What do you like about your partner/relationship?” that usually it takes a long while to answer. Luckily it is usually answered, but it takes much more thought to come … More Couples Therapy