Therapy often teaches people to question their fears—but what happens when fear is a rational response to real and present danger? In this piece, I explore why “neutral” therapy can cause harm in unstable social conditions, how collective trauma shows up in individual mental health, and what ethical care requires when people are navigating realities shaped by power, policy, and safety. Therapy aligned with social justice isn’t about ideology—it’s about honesty, accuracy, and refusing to gaslight people out of what they already know to be true.

When adult children choose to distance themselves from their parents, it’s often misunderstood as punishment or rejection. In reality, this decision is rarely impulsive and rarely about cruelty. More often, it’s about safety.

As adults process childhood experiences with greater clarity, many begin to recognixz that maintaining the relationship requires ongoing self betrayal. Creating distance becomes less about blame and more about self preservation.

This piece explores the nuance behind parental estrangement, the grief that often accompanies it, and why ending contact doesn’t require a villain, but it does require honesty.

Deciding when to start therapy can feel confusing. In this piece, I share the story of my first experience seeking support and the signs that helped me realize I needed help — signs you may recognize in your own life.

EMDR therapy helps people process trauma, anxiety, and deeply rooted negative beliefs that talk therapy alone hasn’t shifted. Using bilateral stimulation, EMDR supports the brain in releasing the emotional charge connected to painful memories so you can finally feel grounded and in control again. If you’re looking for a research-backed, transformative way to heal, EMDR may be the next step.

Many people assume insurance makes therapy more affordable — but few realize how it shapes the care you receive. In this piece, Charla lifts the veil on why therapy costs what it does, what private pay really means, and how investing in a therapist’s time, attention, and expertise can change the quality of your healing.