Loss is an unavoidable part of being human. At some point in life, nearly everyone experiences the death of someone they love—yet nothing truly prepares us for how deeply grief can affect the mind, body, emotions, and sense of identity. Bereavement refers to the experience of loss following the death of someone significant. It is not a mental illness. It is a natural response to attachment, love, and connection.

Many people are feeling overwhelmed right now—and for good reason. Across the country, individuals and families are navigating a complex mix of social injustice, political division, economic strain, financial insecurity, and emotional exhaustion. Even people who do not closely follow the news or political discourse often report feeling on edge, distracted, tense, or hopeless.

In counseling and mental health care, this bond often becomes part of a larger conversation—especially when clients ask about emotional support animals (ESAs) and service animals. These terms are often used interchangeably in everyday conversation, but legally, psychologically, and functionally, they are very different.

Coercive control is a pattern of behaviors used to dominate, isolate, and entrap another person. It’s not always loud or dramatic. Often it’s slow, strategic, and cumulative—a tightening net of rules, surveillance, guilt, and consequences that shrink your life until the other person’s preferences define your reality.

If you’ve ever set a boundary with a difficult person and then—out of nowhere—other people began pressuring you to back down, guilt-tripping you, or demanding that you “forgive and forget,” you’ve already met a flying monkey. This guide explains what that term means, why it matters, and how to respond in ways that are safe, clear, and self-respecting.

“Dysfunctional” doesn’t mean a family never laughs, eats together, or has good memories. It means patterns inside the family regularly harm members’ emotional, physical, or developmental wellbeing—and those patterns persist, even when the cost is obvious.

For anyone who grew up “older than their age,” who handled crises, soothed adults, translated emotions (and sometimes languages), and kept the family running while your own needs waited—this guide is for you. It’s gentle, practical, and written with deep respect for what you’ve carried.

When most people think of narcissism, they imagine someone grandiose: the loud, self-absorbed individual who craves admiration and ...

Understanding Gaslighting: A Narcissistic Communication Tactic and Manipulation Technique Gaslighting is a term that has gained attention...

Narcissistic abuse is a complex and insidious form of psychological manipulation and control.