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How to Break Codependency: Where to Start and What Healing Looks Like
By: Natalie Cianfrani, MS, NCC Codependency is one of those big words that can feel intimidating or overwhelming, especially if you have heard it before but are not totally sure what it actually means. If you have been searching for how to break codependency, chances are you are not just curious. You are tired. Tired of always being the one who shows up.Tired of overthinking how everyone else feels.Tired of saying yes when you really want to say no. And maybe the hardest part
22 hours ago5 min read
Nervous System Regulation Techniques
Simple Ways to Feel More Grounded By Ashley Robinson, MA According to the World Health Organization (2025), anxiety affected 359 million people, or 4.4% of the population, in 2021. Anxiety is the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting over 19% of adults (National Alliance on Mental Illness, n.d.). When a real or perceived threat is experienced, the sympathetic nervous system is activated. With chronic stress, the sympathetic nervous system may remain activ
6 days ago6 min read
Psychosis and Family Support: How to Respond With Compassion
By Sarah Rogers, MA, LPC, CCTP, NCC Supporting a loved one experiencing psychosis can feel overwhelming, confusing, and emotionally exhausting. Many people are unsure what to say, how to respond, or when to seek professional help. Watching someone you care about struggle with hallucinations, delusions, or confusion can bring fear, helplessness, and uncertainty about what comes next. You may notice changes in behavior, withdrawal from relationships, unusual beliefs, or difficu
May 264 min read
AI and Mental Health: Is Talking to a Chatbot Actually Therapy?
By Mandy Boshell, MA, LAPC, CADC AI and mental health are colliding in ways that are reshaping how people seek support — and raising urgent questions that clinicians, researchers, and everyday people are only beginning to answer. Maybe you’ve typed your worries into a chatbot at midnight when you couldn’t sleep. Maybe you’ve watched a therapist on TikTok explain your childhood in 60 seconds and felt something click. Maybe you lie awake wondering whether AI is about to take yo
May 155 min read
The Invisible Load
Why You’re Exhausted Even When Nothing Is “Wrong” By Mandy Boshell, MA, LAPC, CADC You slept last night. Your schedule wasn’t unusually packed. By most measures, nothing catastrophic happened today. And yet, by 3 p.m., you feel hollowed out — bone-tired in a way that sleep doesn’t fix. If this resonates, you may be carrying what researchers and clinicians refer to as the “invisible load”, the mental and emotional weight of all the things you track, manage, anticipate, and abs
May 136 min read
Psychosis Treatment
What Help Can Look Like and When to Seek Support By Sarah Rogers, MA, LPC, CCTP, NCC When psychosis first shows up, it can be confusing and, at times, frightening, for both the person experiencing it and the people around them. You might notice things that don’t quite add up: withdrawing from others, expressing beliefs that seem unusual, or having trouble concentrating or staying grounded in reality. Sometimes these changes come on gradually, and other times they feel sudden
May 75 min read
How Childhood Emotional Neglect Shapes Adult Relationships
By Sarah Rogers, MA, LPC, CCTP, NCC Childhood emotional neglect is often invisible, yet its effects can quietly shape adult relationships in powerful ways. Unlike more obvious forms of harm, emotional neglect is defined by what was missing rather than what happened. It may look like growing up in a home where emotions were not acknowledged, validated, or discussed. Many adults find themselves struggling in relationships without fully understanding why. You might feel disconn
Apr 15 min read
5 Somatic Techniques to Regulate the Nervous System for Stress and Anxiety
By Sarah Rogers, MA, LPC, CCTP, NCC Somatic techniques to regulate the nervous system are becoming increasingly important as stress levels continue to rise. Many people try to think their way out of anxiety, overwhelm, or emotional shutdown, only to feel frustrated when mindset shifts alone are not enough. The reason is simple. Stress is not just cognitive. It is physiological. You may notice your shoulders tense before a difficult conversation. Your heart may race before ope
Mar 45 min read
Teen Anxiety
What Parents Need to Know in 2026 Author: Sarah Rogers, MA, LPC, CCTP, NCC , Outpatient Counselor Teen anxiety is one of the most common concerns parents are facing in 2026. Teen anxiety looks different than it did even five years ago, shaped by social media exposure, academic pressure, global uncertainty, and constant comparison. Many parents are asking, “Is this normal teenage stress, or is something more going on?” You might notice your teen withdrawing more, staying up l
Feb 175 min read
Burnout vs. Stress:
The Key Differences You Need to Know By Sarah Rogers, MA, LPC, NCC, CCTP Burnout vs stress is a distinction many people struggle to make, especially as the New Year begins and pressure to “reset” feels high. You may notice you are more exhausted than usual, less motivated, or emotionally checked out, and wonder if you are simply stressed or if something deeper is happening. Many clients describe feeling overwhelmed but unsure why rest no longer feels restorative. Imagine waki
Feb 24 min read
What We Carry Into the New Year
— and What We Are Allowed to Set Down By Sarah Rogers, LPC As one year ends and another begins, many people focus on what they want to change or achieve. But before setting goals or resolutions, it can be just as meaningful to pause and reflect on what you are carrying forward—and what you no longer need to hold. Emotional weight, expectations, habits, and beliefs often follow us into the New Year unless we intentionally acknowledge them. The transition into a new year offers
Jan 124 min read
Preparing for the New Year: How to Recognize the Goals You Need to Set
By Sarah Rogers, LPC As a new year approaches, many people begin thinking about resolutions, fresh starts, and new habits. But before setting any goals, it’s important to step back and reflect on what goals actually make sense for your life . It’s easy to get swept into trends, comparison, or pressure to reinvent yourself overnight. Meaningful growth, however, begins with recognizing goals that align with your values, emotional needs, and long-term well-being. The process of
Dec 10, 20253 min read
Finding Peace at the Table
Managing Holiday Stress and Strengthening Family Connections This Thanksgiving By Sarah Rogers, MA, LPC, CCTP Thanksgiving is often imagined as a warm and joyful gathering—full of good food, laughter, and gratitude. But for many people, the holiday also brings stress, emotional tension, or overwhelm. Coordinating schedules, navigating family dynamics, and juggling expectations can make the day feel more exhausting than meaningful. Instead of striving for a picture-perfect hol
Nov 24, 20253 min read
Why Therapy Can Be a Gift During the Holiday Season
(Especially When Our Families Turn Us Back into Teenagers) By Jaime DePaolo, MA – Mental Health Clinician The holidays have a funny way of stirring things up, even when life feels steady. We gather with loved ones, try to keep the peace over mashed potatoes, and suddenly we’re back in familiar emotional territory. Some moments feel warm and connected. Others feel overwhelming, tense, or strangely familiar—like that sudden shift from functioning adult to our teenage selves at
Nov 21, 20253 min read
Navigating Grief After the Loss of a Loved One
Grieving the loss of a loved one is one of life’s most painful experiences, and no two people experience it the same way. Grief can affect us emotionally, physically, and mentally — leaving us feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of how to move forward.
At Compass Counseling and Associates, we believe that healing begins with understanding. Through compassionate grief counseling, individuals can find the space to process emotions, rediscover meaning, and develop heal
Oct 30, 20254 min read
How to Improve Communication When Experiencing Social Anxiety
By: Ashley Robinson, MA Clinical Counselor It can be incredibly intimidating walking into a room full of people or having a one-on-one conversation with a stranger. Social anxiety can arise anywhere, even with trusted friends. You may feel worried about being judged or embarrassed. Sometimes you just don’t have anything to say or you may fear confrontation. You can feel like the worst is coming or physically sick and you can’t pinpoint why. This resource discusses the benefit
Oct 7, 20253 min read
Managing Stress in Today’s Political Climate: Boundaries and Mental Health Strategies
The political climate in the United States feels more intense than ever. From breaking news alerts to debates across social media, people are constantly surrounded by political opinions and information. For many, this constant exposure leads to heightened anxiety, irritability, and even hopelessness. Staying informed is important, but without healthy boundaries, political stress can negatively impact daily life. By understanding why the political environment feels so overwhel
Oct 1, 20253 min read
Back-to-School Self-Care: How to Reduce Stress and Avoid Burnout
In today’s fast-paced world, many people feel overwhelmed by the constant need to meet responsibilities at work, home, and in personal relationships. This pressure can lead to burnout, a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion. Though often discussed in the context of professional environments, burnout also affects students, caregivers, and others managing demanding roles.
Aug 19, 20253 min read
Supporting College Student-Athlete Mental Health This School Year
College sports are demanding—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Whether you're a freshman or a senior, student-athletes face unique pressures: juggling academics, athletics, social life, and expectations—all while hiding mental health struggles like burnout, anxiety, ADHD, and depression. Therapist and former college athlete Brielle Smith, MA offers research-based insights and practical strategies to help student-athletes protect their mental wellness, prevent burnout, an
Aug 12, 20256 min read
Back-to-School Anxiety: Tips for Starting Middle or High School
As summer winds down and the start of a new school year approaches, many students begin to feel a mix of excitement and anxiety, especially those transitioning to a new school, such as moving from elementary to middle school or from middle to high school. This transition brings with it new challenges, including unfamiliar classmates, changing schedules, and increased academic expectations. For many, it can feel overwhelming.
Aug 3, 20253 min read
Our blog is thoughtfully written by our very own licensed and pre-licensed clinicians with the goal of supporting your mental wellness through trustworthy, accessible information. Each post is grounded in research-backed insights and evidence-based practices—designed to empower, educate, and inspire. Whether you're navigating anxiety, relationships, trauma, or everyday stress, our content reflects both clinical expertise and a deep commitment to your well-being. Looking for support? Contact us
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