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Five Texting Tips From A Therapist For a Closer Relationship
Texting has become an integral part of our romantic relationships. As couples therapists, we’ve seen firsthand the impact that texting can have on couples' connections. Here are our top 5 texting tips to help couples maintain a closer bond through digital communication.
How Shared Goals Can Strengthen Your Relationship
All couples want to feel close. Common goals for couples therapy are to reduce conflict and improve communication. But what comes after that? One of the key findings from Dr. John Gottman's studies is that setting goals in a relationship can lead to the ultimate stage of connection: a sense of shared meaning.
Signs Your Relationship is Strong Enough to Get Engaged According To A Therapist
When is the right time to get engaged? It’s a major life milestone and not one to be taken lightly. If you are in a solid and loving relationship, you may find yourself wondering if you and your partner are ready to take the next step.
What Your Couples Therapist Should Understand About Queer Relationships
Some well-meaning therapists say that LGBT couples therapy is no different than therapy for straight people. As great as that would be if that were true, it’s dismissive. Here are six very concrete ways LGBT couples therapy is different than therapy for straight couples.
What Is EMDR and How Does It Work?
EMDR always has eight phases, and it always involves bilateral stimulation. But there are multiple types of bilateral stimulation that work for this effective trauma therapy. Here are the four main types and what they look like.
Podcast: Understanding the Joys and Hurdles of LGBT Family Life
A dialogue between Dr. Beth Trammel and Laurel van der Toorn, LMFT. As we honor the spirit of Pride Month, Laurel explains the significance of language within the LGBT community and emphasizes the crucial role of allies in providing support while respecting boundaries.
Guided Progressive Muscle Relaxation for Stress, Anxiety, and Sleep
Join Laurel van der Toorn, LMFT in this free guided 7-minute Progressive Muscle Relaxation meditation to reduce stress, anxiety, and sleep better tonight.
Healing through LGBT Affirmative Therapy
LGBT affirmative therapy truly embraces who you are, creating a safe space for you and your loved ones to express, explore, and understand your identities. This is vital for the LGBTQ+ community as it acknowledges and celebrates individual identities and relationships in a world that often does not.
Trauma, Your Brain, and…Singing??
In addition to mental health, our Clinical Director is passionate about the arts. Listen to this 1-minute video she put together for her choir, Vox Femina Los Angeles, for quick info about how singing affects your brain, decreases dissociation, and can help you process trauma.
Teens and COVID: Why It Was So Hard and How Therapy Can Help
Even before the pandemic, being a teenager was tough. Teens have a lot on their plates as it, add a global pandemic on top of all of that, and it isn’t hard to see why teens have been struggling more than ever. If you’re a teenager, or if you have a teen who is struggling, here are some ways that therapy can help.
How Long Does The Honeymoon Phase Last In A Lesbian Relationship?
The honeymoon phase is that exciting beginning period of a relationship when everything feels new and thrilling. There's a huge wave of neurochemicals that make you feel excited, giddy, elated, and on top of the world. But how long does this initial burst of intense passion last for lesbian and woman-loving-woman couples?
Easy Spring Cleaning: How-To For Mental Health
Give your mental health a boost without adding stress in your life - advice from therapists if you struggle with cleaning your home or work space.
Embracing Equity in Mental Health this International Women’s Day
We want to start a conversation on what equity means for women’s mental health.
What To Do When Someone Sets a Harsh Boundary With You
How to respond to harsh and unreasonable boundaries.
5 Best Places to Practice Mindfulness in Los Angeles
Finding moments of calm and tranquility in the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles can be challenging. Practicing mindfulness can be an invaluable tool. It can help you navigate through life's stressors and improve their mental well-being. Best of all, it's free! Here are five place across Los Angeles where you can embrace mindfulness.
What is Trauma Therapy and How Does it Work?
Trauma therapy aims to help relieve the suffering of individuals who have experienced trauma. Trauma can encompass a wide range of experiences, from abuse or neglect to witnessing or experiencing natural disasters, as well as smaller experiences that build up over time. Trauma therapy can help individuals work through these symptoms and embark on a path of healing
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?
A therapist explains seasonal affective disorder and how to treat it.
Why You Should Consider Working With A Prelicensed Therapist
Working with a prelicensed therapist has many advantages, including affordability, flexibility, fresh perspective, and consultation and care coordination with other professionals.
Why Do We Still Need National Coming Out Day?
A therapist explains why we still need a holiday to celebrate coming out.
LGBTQ+ Mental Health History, and Future!
LGBTQ+ History Month is an important time to remember the advances made by the LGBTQ+ community and to continue working towards a world where everyone can live with pride. This also applies to mental health.
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Listen to what our therapists are talking about on the latest podcasts, videos, and more!
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Our Holistic Therapy Services In California & Florida
We offer individualized teletherapy for a wide range of mental health and relational issues. Our San Francisco & Los Angeles therapists can help with anxiety, trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, LGBT gay and lesbian therapy issues, holistic therapy, enneagram therapy, therapy for lawyers, couples therapy, therapy for burnout, and therapy for teenagers. We serve many people in San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Los Angeles, as well as throughout California and Florida. Our team is anti-racist, body positive, LGBT and trans affirming and sex positive. You deserve to feel good!