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Why You Feel Guilty Even When You've Done Nothing Wrong
Guilt is often described as an emotion that tells us we've done something wrong. Sometimes that's true. When our actions don't align with our values, guilt can encourage us to make things right and repair relationships. But not all guilt works that way. For many people, guilt shows up even when they've done nothing wrong. They apologize for taking up space, worry they've disappointed someone despite having no evidence, or feel responsible for other people's emotions. They may

Melisa McMechen, MA
5 days ago3 min read


Why Good Parents Feel Like They're Failing
You love your children. So why does it feel like you're never doing enough? You read the parenting books. You worry about saying the wrong thing. You wonder if you were too strict... or not strict enough. You replay conversations in your head after your child goes to bed and think about what you wish you had done differently. Meanwhile, other parents seem to have it all figured out. If you've ever found yourself thinking, "I'm failing as a parent," you're far from alone. Iron

Melisa McMechen, MA
Jul 102 min read


Why Rest Feels Unproductive
Do you ever find yourself thinking: "Why would I relax when there are still things to be done”. For many people, rest isn't simply about having free time. It feels like something that has to be earned. If the house isn't clean enough, the work isn't finished, the emails aren't answered, or the to-do list isn't complete, relaxing can bring feelings of guilt instead of relief. The problem is that there will almost always be something left to do. So why does resting feel so unco

Melisa McMechen, MA
Jun 263 min read


Why Anxiety Makes Decisions So Difficult (and What Helps)
Have you ever spent hours, days, or even weeks thinking about a decision only to feel no closer to an answer? Whether it's choosing a job, ending a relationship, making a purchase, or deciding what direction to take in life, anxiety can make even simple decisions feel overwhelming. Many people assume they are struggling because they don't have enough information. In reality, anxiety often creates the illusion that certainty is possible if we just think about something long en

Melisa McMechen, MA
Jun 122 min read


Depression Recovery: A Realistic Path Toward Healing
What recovery actually looks like and how to take the next step, even when it feels impossible. Depression isn’t just “feeling sad.” It can feel like moving through life with a heavy weight on your chest, like your thoughts are working against you, or like the world has lost its color. Even simple things like getting out of bed, replying to a message, or taking a shower can feel overwhelming. If you’re in that place (or have been), you’re not alone. And more importantly, reco

Melisa McMechen, MA
Apr 35 min read


The Architecture of Healing: A Comprehensive Guide to EMDR Therapy
For decades, the standard approach to psychological trauma has been talk therapy. Many people have benefited and continue to benefit from talk therapy to deal with trauma, but for others, talking isn’t enough. The memories remain "stuck," triggering the same visceral panic years later as they did the moment they occurred. Enter Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro, EMDR has evolved from a contr

Melisa McMechen, MA
Mar 247 min read


Why Consider Online Therapy?
Why Consider Online Therapy? Since COVID, online therapy has become a popular and often preferred avenue to participate in therapy. Whether referred to as virtual therapy, tele-therapy, telehealth counseling, telemental health, e-therapy, etc., it has numerous benefits and some advantages over in-office therapy. Accessibility First, let’s talk about accessibility. If you live in a rural area, it may be a very long commute to find a therapist that is a good fit for yo

Melisa McMechen, MA
Feb 206 min read


What Self-Care Really Is
At this point most people have heard the term self-care and that it is considered to be very beneficial, but they may have a different impression of what it actually means. People often think of it as a reward for something they have done or time they have put in, whether for their work, their family, or perhaps in helping their friends. They may feel wiped out from the sacrifices they have made and feel that they need something to restore them and make them feel better. They

Melisa McMechen, MA
Feb 98 min read


The Importance of Finding the Right Therapist
Deciding to start therapy is a potentially huge step in bettering your life. Whatever the reason you’re seeking therapy, whether it is due to emotional distress, life transitions, relationship struggles, trauma, or the desire for personal growth, therapy can be a powerful tool to help make positive change. There are, however, factors that affect how helpful therapy can be. Research shows that one of the most (if not the most) important factors for successful therapy is th

Melisa McMechen, MA
Jan 105 min read


The Benefits of Self-Pay Therapy
Immediate Specialized Private Sessions Many people assume that insurance is the best way to pay for therapy, but there are some drawbacks of using insurance and some definite benefits of self-pay therapy. One drawback to using insurance companies is that they require a diagnosis upon the start of therapy, which becomes part of your mental health record. Additionally, they will require therapy notes over the course of treatment. With self-pay, therapy notes, including diagn

Melisa McMechen, MA
Dec 29, 20253 min read
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