Ask A Therapist

What happens when an experience feels both deeply physical and deeply spiritual? This week, we respond to a listener who has struggled with sleep paralysis for years. While they understand the scientific explanations behind sleep paralysis, part of them still wonders if there's a spiritual dimension to what they're experiencing. It's a question many people quietly wrestle with: Can...

How do you help a daughter who is struggling with body image without accidentally making things worse? This week, we hear from a mom who's noticing subtle but concerning changes in her teen daughter's relationship with food, weight, and appearance. Like many parents, she's caught between wanting to protect her child and worrying that bringing attention to the issue could make it wor...

This week, we respond to a heartfelt letter from a woman who feels like she's slowly becoming a different version of herself. Between brain fog, irritability, exhaustion, declining motivation, and a changing libido, she's left wondering whether she's experiencing stress, burnout, depression, aging, perimenopause—or some combination of all of the above. If that resonates, you're...

Father’s Day is supposed to feel like appreciation—but what happens when it feels more like an afterthought? In this episode, Kenzie & Carli respond to a listener letter from a dad who feels unsure about how to address his quiet disappointment around Father's Day. He consistently shows up in big ways for Mother’s Day, but finds himself feeling overlooked when his own day rolls around. Now...

What happens when you try to do the right thing for a child—but it puts you at odds with their parent? In this episode, Kenzie & Carli unpack a listener letter from an uncle who found himself in hot water with his brother after explaining Juneteenth to his nephews. The conversation dives into the complicated intersection of intention, identity, and boundaries within families. They explore the...

This week, we hear from a listener questioning if work they initially deemed to be  meaningful has become compromised.  We talk about the uneasy space where visibility, marketing, and identity collide. When does representation become performative? What does it mean to be asked to “sign off” on authenticity? And how do you hold onto your values while working within systems that reward optics over s...

In this episode, we respond to a listener letter from a woman in her 40s who was recently diagnosed with ADHD—and is now trying to navigate what that means for her daily life. We explore how ADHD often shows up differently in women, including the less visible (but equally challenging) symptoms like mental overload, chronic overwhelm, and internal restlessness. We also talk about why so many women...

What’s the difference between being open to love… and getting swept up in something that isn’t grounded in reality? This week, we unpack a listener letter about a friend who falls hard and fast—every time. She calls herself a hopeless romantic, but her pattern raises a deeper question: when does optimism cross into limerence, and how is that connected to anxious attachment? In this episode, Kenzie...

In this episode, we respond to a listener who’s graduating college—and feeling completely unprepared for what comes next. With pressure from family, fear about debt, and a job market that feels uncertain, they’re stuck in a question so many people in their 20's face: What am I supposed to do with my life? Add in mixed messages about “following your passion” and the illusion that everyone else...

Kicking off season 3, we respond to a listener letter about estrangement from a parent—just in time for Mother’s Day. Our listener shares the painful decision to cut off contact with her mom after years of repeated boundary violations. Now, as Mother’s Day approaches, she’s facing pressure from loved ones who don’t understand her choice—leaving her questioning whether her boundary is valid or if s...

In this episode, we respond to a heartfelt listener question about how to balance self-care with showing up for others while living with your own grief. Our listener shares her struggle with deciding whether to attend baby showers while still trying to conceive—wanting to support her friends, but fearing that the emotional weight of these events may be more than she can carry. Together, we talk th...

In this episode, we help a listener learn the dos and don'ts of apologizing. We unpack why so many apologies fall flat—and what it really takes to repair trust after an offense. Whether it’s in your relationships, at work, or in everyday conflicts, knowing how to offer a proper apology is one of the most powerful communication skills you can develop. We explore the subtle (and not-so-subtle)...

High-functioning depression doesn’t always look like sadness. Sometimes it looks like showing up, providing, supporting everyone else—and falling apart quietly behind the scenes. In this episode, we explore what it means to live with high-functioning depression, particularly as a man who’s expected to be strong, steady, and emotionally unshakeable. We talk about the pressure to be “the rock” for o...

Kids change everything—your schedule, your energy, your relationship. In this episode, we talk honestly about what it takes to stay connected as partners after becoming parents, especially when the mental load, household tasks, and childcare responsibilities feel uneven. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or just tired of having the same arguments on repeat, this episode offers prac...

Today, we answer a dad asking how to talk to his kids about divorce without scaring them or oversharing. Differing ages and a child from a previous relationship only further complicate matters.  Kenzie & Carli break down strategies for keeping the conversation age-appropriate, handling tough questions, and helping kids feel safe and heard during a big family change. Have a question? Email us a...

This week's letter is about recognizing relationship patterns and exploring ways to change them. We talk to a listener questioning if their approach to dating is facilitating a pattern they'd like to move away from. We discuss ways to use past experiences to guide present awareness, which can be a game-changer in decision-making. If you've ever questioned if you're somehow gett...

In this episode, we hear from a listener who’s struggling with a friend's choice to remain friends with someone they've cut off, wondering if it’s reasonable to expect loyalty in a specific way. We dive into how to clarify your needs, communicate them clearly, and navigate friendship boundaries without the need to control. If you’ve ever questioned whether your expectations in friendship...

In this episode, we talk with a listener who’s grappling with losing respect for a mentor while still wanting to keep the relationship intact. We explore why respect can change over time, how to set boundaries without burning bridges, and ways to honor your own growth while navigating shifting dynamics. If you’ve ever felt torn between gratitude and disappointment, this conversation offers guidanc...

In today's episode, we break down attachment styles, what drives avoidant patterns, and how they show up in adult relationships. We talk to a listener who’s wondering: Can I change my attachment style and become more securely attached? Together, we explore practical steps, mindset shifts, and ways to create deeper, healthier connections—without losing yourself in the process. Have a question?...

In this episode, we talk about what postpartum anxiety can feel like, why it happens, and simple ways to find calm and take care of yourself while caring for your baby.  If you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or just unsure of yourself, you’re not alone. We keep it honest, share practical tips, and remind you that it’s okay not to have it all figured out—motherhood is a journey, not a checklist....

In this episode, Kenzie and Carli dive into all things New Year’s resolutions—why they’re so hard to keep and how to approach them differently. A listener writes in about struggling to stay motivated after setting goals, sparking a thoughtful conversation about reframing how to approach them. They share practical tips for creating habits and practices that set you up for success beyond January. Ha...

Today, Kenzie and Carli offer gentle, grounding support for a listener navigating the holidays while grieving the loss of a parent. They explore how to hold space for conflicting emotions—joy, sadness, numbness, and longing—all at once, and discuss ways to adapt or release traditions that no longer feel right.  The conversation also centers on communicating your needs to friends and family, settin...

In today’s episode, Kenzie and Carli help a listener who’s feeling overwhelmed by hosting duties for unpredictable in-laws—and a partner who doesn’t understand why it’s stressful. They unpack the importance of honest communication with your spouse, the value of setting clear boundaries, and why it’s completely okay to make changes even when long-standing expectations are in place. Have a question?...

Today, Kenzie and Carli talk with a listener who’s having a hard time accepting that a family member wants to change a holiday tradition — because the shift is being driven by that family member’s new partner. Whether you’re clinging to a familiar tradition or trying to adapt to change, this episode offers insight, empathy, and ideas for navigating family dynamics around holidays. Have a question?...

This week, Kenzie and Carli talk to a listener who's hoping to help a close friend get back to their "old self" after surviving cancer. They want things to feel like they used to—but aren't sure how to support the version of their friend who’s still healing, changing, and figuring things out. It’s a warm, honest talk about friendship, patience, and learning to show up for peopl...