Traysi Flores, LMFT

Sibling relationships are lifelong in a way that can make them uniquely complicated. Maybe your sibling leans on you constantly for emotional support, calls or texts multiple times a day, or shares their distress in ways that leave you feeling drained, anxious, or even resentful. You love them, but you find yourself thinking: I can’t be their therapist… I’m exhausted.

For many people, the holidays aren't the most wonderful time of the year, they're the most exhausting. Between family obligations, packed calendars, travel, and end-of-year work pressure, it’s no surprise that so many people hit a breaking point by December. If you're already feeling stretched thin, or want to avoid getting there, this guide is for you.

If you're the one in your family who’s decided this stops with me, congrats! Choosing to break painful intergenerational patterns like emotional neglect, codependency, abuse, enmeshment, or chronic avoidance is a brave and life-changing decision. But what no one often tells you is that it’s not just hard, it’s complicated, lonely, and sometimes even painful. As therapists who work with adult children of dysfunctional families, here’s what we want you to know.

Noticing your partner behaving differently around family or colleagues can feel confusing or even hurtful. They might seem more distant, overly agreeable, or act in a way that feels out of character compared to how they are in private. While this shift can be unsettling, it doesn’t always mean something is wrong in your relationship. Understanding the underlying reasons and addressing them with care is key.

Having solid friendships is one of the most significant predictors of health. But sometimes, they can become one-sided or draining. This imbalance can leave you feeling exhausted, and over time, it can affect your well-being. Here's how to recognize, contain, and reclaim your energy from draining friendships.

The holidays can be especially challenging when returning to your family home. Many of us experience what's called "holiday regression," where we slip back into old patterns and behaviors that resemble how we acted as younger versions of ourselves. Here’s what that means and how you can prepare.

The holiday season often brings with it the pressure to host gatherings. But what if the idea of hosting feels overwhelming or unmanageable? Whether you're facing health issues, financial strain, stress, or an overall sense of overwhelm, there are options that support your mental health. Let's explore four options, along with guidance on communicating these decisions with your family.

Relationships are beautifully complex. They can be challenging, with issues that test the strength of your bond. Understanding the differences between dealbreakers, incompatibilities, perpetual problems, and differences in core values can help you navigate your relationship better and determine when couples therapy might be needed.

If you're feeling on edge about the upcoming election, you're in good company. Elections can be a significant source of anxiety, especially when the stakes feel high. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the political climate and the uncertainty surrounding election outcomes, welcome. Here are some techniques to lower this specific kind of anxiety.

When therapy terms like "boundaries" become widespread, they often get diluted and distorted. People invoke boundaries when making selfish or unkind decisions, using the term as a barrier instead of a helpful relationship tool. After years of helping people with trauma and relationship problems, we've seen the downsides of this distortion. It's sometimes used to gaslight and avoid responsibility. But we're not advising to abandon the concept of boundaries altogether. Here's the future of how we talk about boundaries.

Our lives require a delicate balance of self-care and commitment to others. Most of us err on the side of overcommitting to things and building resentment when we have little time or energy for ourselves. The results can be disastrous: conflict, exhaustion, burnout, and health problems. Here are six essential boundaries you can set to build better balance.

Dealing with difficult people is exhausting. You find yourself dreading interactions, uncertain how to avoid the drama. That's where the Gray Rock Technique comes in. It's a powerful tool to maintain your peace of mind when dealing with challenging people.

Nedra Tawwab's "Set Boundaries, Find Peace" is a fabulous book. It has an overall tone of empowerment and permission to honor your own needs. She uses real-life examples from her therapy patients to explore how setting boundaries improved their lives. It's filled with truth bombs and how-tos for handling challenges in relationships. While Tawwab navigates the landscape of boundaries with confidence, a few topics are left unexplored. Here is our honest review, including sections we wish she'd included.

In the 2023 Barbie film, there lies a profound lesson in setting boundaries. Yes, you read that right. Barbie can teach us a thing or two about asking asserting our needs. Barbie sets boundaries with Ken with conviction, compassion, and without guilt. So, grab your imaginary popcorn, and let's dive into the world of Barbie, Ken, and the art of setting boundaries.

The holiday season brings the promise of joy and togetherness. But for many of us, the prospect of spending extended time with family can be a source of stress and anxiety. If you find yourself in a situation where the holidays with family are more challenging than cheery, fear not. We've got three practical steps to not only survive but thrive during this festive season.