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# Roamers Therapy, LLC: Individual, couples, children and family therapists specializing in trauma, depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, eating disorders for adult, teen, and child populations.

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## Posts
- [Therapy Services — In-person, remote, or hybrid individual therapy and couples counseling — evening and weekend availability. You can accomplish with us! 3 Locations!](https://roamerstherapy.com/therapy-services/): Roamers Therapy offers psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy. Psychotherapy will improve your well being and mental health. Through individual psychotherapy, you may be able to resolve or reduce troublesome behaviors, beliefs, compulsions, thoughts, or emotions that may be derailing your days. When you engage in individual psychotherapy you may be able to cultivate joy and pursue post-traumatic growth in a safe therapeutic setting. This is done by utilizing an individualized, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive approach. Therapy service
- [About Us](https://roamerstherapy.com/about-us/): Roamers Therapy was created by Shaysa Villa (she/they) understanding how hard it can be to find a modern & down-to-earth therapist. We work particularly well with individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, and interpersonal stressors. We take a culturally sensitive, unique, and creative approach to therapy to help individuals and families achieve mental well-being. This may be an overwhelming point in your life, but pursuing psychotherapy can be one of the most transformative experiences you can take to heal & grow from your current state.
- [Child Therapy / In-person, remote, or hybrid therapy — evening and weekend availability. Simple Booking. You can accomplish with us! 3 Locations!](https://roamerstherapy.com/child-therapy/): Every child carries a story, one shaped by emotions, relationships, culture, and experiences both seen and unseen; each one deserving to be welcomed with warmth, curiosity, and care.
- [Therapy Sketches — Articles and reflections from our therapists](https://roamerstherapy.com/therapy-sketches/): Therapy Sketches are reflections from the members of our clinical team on connections and insights made in psychotherapy about the lives we live and how it impacts our mental health.
- [Book an appointment with one of our therapists now! Easy 3-step booking.](https://roamerstherapy.com/book-appointment/): Roamers Therapy LLC is in-network and a preferred provider for Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Choice PPO, CareFirst PPO, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare.  We are happy to help you understand your in-network and out-of-network benefits for a particular plan. Roamers Therapy is currently accepting/ in-network with.
- [Contact Us](https://roamerstherapy.com/contact/): Our offices are conveniently located in the South Loop and Lakeview neighborhoods of Chicago. All of our office locations are accessible by public transportation and offer parking lots for driving. We also offer online services through our virtual offices. You can access arrival instructions for our therapists’ physical office locations or the links to their virtual offices by clicking the corresponding images below.
- [How to Step Back From Your Thoughts](https://roamerstherapy.com/how-to-step-back-from-your-thoughts/): Have you ever noticed how we treat our thoughts as the end-all, be-all? We often experience our thoughts as the absolute truth about ourselves and the world, even the mean and painful ones. This is one of the main tendencies our brains have, and it's kind of a result of certain mental capacities we possess, including the way our language capacity works.
- [Are We Falling Out of Love or Just Bored?](https://roamerstherapy.com/are-we-falling-out-of-love-or-just-bored/): Can we feel bored of a relationship even though we love our partner and we don’t have any issues with them? Relational boredom happens when we feel “tired of” or bored in our relationship. It can show up as a mix of emotions, including moments of low energy, like feeling unexcited or emotionally flat, but also as frustration or restlessness. Together, they can quietly erode how satisfying the relationship feels for us and can even make us question whether our relationship is over and whether we should break up. However, not all relational boredom is equal, and it doesn’t necessarily mean the relationship is over. Research suggests boredom in relationships is a common and expected experience, especially in long-term relationships, and there are ways we can work with it.
- [What is therapeutic journaling?](https://roamerstherapy.com/what-is-therapeutic-journaling/): When we keep a diary, we often record the details of our day, including the people, events, and places that were part of it. Therapeutic journaling invites us to turn a little more inward, paying attention to and expressing our emotions, bodily sensations, and reactions. We may still write about external events, people, and places, but with a greater focus on understanding our inner experience and ourselves more deeply.
- [Why does my therapist keep doing assessments?](https://roamerstherapy.com/why-does-my-therapist-keep-doing-assessments/): When we first start therapy, we can be a bit surprised to learn that it often involves a rather long assessment process. Our therapist asks us to complete forms and asks a series of questions during sessions to gather information, which can continue for several sessions. It can feel repetitive, and, at times, quite boring.
- [Staying Connected to Yourself](https://roamerstherapy.com/staying-connected-to-yourself/): Sometimes people may feel a strange sense of unease deep down, even when nothing is technically wrong in their lives. Days go by, tasks are completed, people are met, plans move forward, yet an indescribable disconnect remains within them. It’s as if life is continuing, but somewhere along the way, they’ve been left behind. And the interesting thing is, most people don’t notice this right away. Because from the outside, everything might seem perfectly normal.
- [How Can You Support Loved Ones Through Addiction?](https://roamerstherapy.com/how-can-you-support-loved-ones-through-addiction/): Addiction today is not characterized by drug or alcohol addiction. Contemporary diagnostic systems have revealed that maladaptive behaviors that activate the same reward-learning circuits as drugs can also meet the criteria for ‘’addictive disorder.’’ Gambling disorder (APA, 2022) and gaming disorder (ICD-11, WHO, 2019) are fully codified; robust evidence now supports similar outcomes for binge eating disorder, compulsive shopping, and problematic internet use (Kraus et al., 2024; Brand et. al., 2024). Indeed, the global prevalence of any substance or behavioral addiction is estimated to be 12–18% among adults (Zhang et. al., 2024). Despite the high prevalence rates, seeking help is seen more as an exception than the rule. At this point, it is possible to say that family and close friends play a significant role in recognizing the problem, increasing motivation for treatment, and sustaining recovery. 
- [Dan Crotty (they/them) — Therapist in Dearborn, Lakeview Chicago, Illinois — Offers in-person or remote sessions, Trauma-Responsive Program, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, LGBTQIA+ support group, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Harm Reduction, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy  and Gottman Method relationship therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/about-dan-crotty/): Hi, I’m Dan Crotty, LSW (they/them).
- [Meditation for deeper self-understanding](https://roamerstherapy.com/meditation-for-a-deeper-self-understanding/): Meditation for a deeper self-understanding
- [How to talk to our children about mental health?](https://roamerstherapy.com/how-to-talk-to-our-children-about-mental-health/): Talking to our children about mental health can be challenging. Even though we are often comfortable talking about physical health, such as allergies, we more easily avoid and/or brush off mental health topics. This could be due to not having enough information about the topic ourselves, or having shame, guilt, or fear around harming our children by saying the wrong thing. However, open conversations about mental health can remove stigma around mental health, make our children more equipped to overcome mental health challenges themselves, and make them more likely to seek help when they need to.
- [Four Misconceptions About Bipolar Disorder](https://roamerstherapy.com/four-misconceptions-about-bipolar-disorder/): Bipolar disorder is one of the mental health struggles we have the most misconceptions about. We encounter these misconceptions everywhere, from stereotypical characters portrayed as having bipolar disorder in TV shows to the mistreatment directed at ourselves or someone we love. Although these misconceptions may seem harmless at first glance, they contribute to the stigma surrounding bipolar disorder and create barriers to accessing the care and treatment we may need. In this mini-sketch, we’ll address some common misconceptions about bipolar disorder and discuss how we can approach these topics more accurately.
- [Looking Beyond Behavior: Mentalization](https://roamerstherapy.com/looking-beyond-behavior/): Looking Beyond Behavior: Mentalization
- [The Meanings of Being Happy](https://roamerstherapy.com/the-meanings-of-being-happy/): The Meanings of Being Happy
- [How do our animal friends improve our wellbeing?](https://roamerstherapy.com/how-do-our-animal-friends-improve-our-wellbeing/): Did you know that about 71% of U.S. households have at least one pet? (APPA, 2025). But clearly, this is not a recent trend. We have always lived alongside animals (the domestication of dogs dates back 30,000 years, and that of cats, about 9,000 years). We likely began befriending animals because their sense of danger helped protect us from predators or enemies, or because they helped control pests and rodents in our food sources. However, the bond we form with animals goes far beyond this functionality. We develop almost familial connections with our animal companions and form deep emotional ties characterized by profound love. In this mini therapy sketch, we will take a closer look at how our relationships with our animal companions may affect our physical and mental well-being.
- [Does my Therapist Really Understand Me?](https://roamerstherapy.com/does-my-therapist-really-understand-me/): Therapy is often thought of as a space created for understanding. However, this does not mean that understanding always comes easily. This is because therapy is not simply a conversation between two people, but rather a process that unfolds simultaneously on multiple levels. On one hand, there is what the person shares; on the other, how those shared experiences are actually felt. On one hand, there are the therapist’s interventions; on the other, how these interventions resonate with the person. These layers do not always align perfectly. Sometimes, small discrepancies arise between what is said and what is felt, or between what is understood and what is experienced.
- [Myhts about Psychotherapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/myhts-about-psychotherapy/): Flückiger, C., Del Re, A. C., Wampold, B. E., & Horvath, A. O. (2018). The alliance in adult psychotherapy: A meta-analytic synthesis.Psychotherapy, 55(4), 316–340. https://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000172
- [5 Ways Dance Helps You Express, Regulate, and Connect ](https://roamerstherapy.com/5-ways-dance-helps-you-express-regulate-and-connect/): Dance, in its simplest form, consists of rhythmic and purposeful body movements. It comes in various styles and forms (solo or in pairs), and people enjoy both watching and participating. A key factor is that dancing isn’t just a physical activity. It also offers an experience that soothes the mind, facilitates the expression of emotions, and fosters connections with others. As a result, its impact is more holistic, encompassing physical, emotional, and social dimensions. In particular, approaches such as Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) emphasize that movement is directly linked to emotional processes and that healing can be supported through this connection. In other words, when we dance, it is not just our muscles that are active; other systems like attention, emotions, and interpersonal bonds are also actively engaged in the process. Following World Dance Day (April 29), we’ve outlined the effects of dancing on mental health in five points in this sketch.
- [Staying on Your Own Side When Things Go Wrong](https://roamerstherapy.com/staying-on-your-own-side-when-things-go-wrong/): Staying on Your Own Side When Things Go Wrong
- [9 Grounding Techniques You Can Do Anywhere](https://roamerstherapy.com/9-grounding-techniques-you-can-do-anywhere/): Grounding techniques are different strategies you can implement when youare feeling stressed or anxious, flooded, overstimulated, or overwhelmed. The goal of grounding techniques is to shift your attention away from racing or overwhelming thoughts and refocus them (or ground them) in thepresent. Grounding techniques can help you feel anchored or secure when your anxiety feels too difficult to control. Throughout this post, we’ll outline various grounding techniques and how they can be implemented.
- [Being Curious as a Love Language](https://roamerstherapy.com/being-curious-as-a-love-language/): Eventhough curiosity is often described as an intellectual process and a drive that leads us to abstracted knowledge, it can also become relational and directed toward someone else. This way of being curious toward people we meet, connect with, or love is called “interpersonal curiosity,” and research in this area is increasingly showing its importance for our social and emotional learning, relationship formation, and maintenance (Jauniaux & Lawford, 2024; Way & Taffe, 2024).
- [Why do awkward moments feel so uncomfortable?](https://roamerstherapy.com/why-do-awkward-moments-feel-so-uncomfortable/): Did you know there’s an unofficial National Awkward Moments Day celebrated on March 18? It’s a light-hearted day meant to acknowledge and humor the awkward moments we experience from time to time. Awkward moments are those situations when things get a bit uncomfortable, like when you say goodbye to someone but end up walking in the same direction, or when you make a joke that doesn’t really land, and the conversation goes silent. We all experience awkward moments from time to time, but here’s the interesting thing about them: they can feel pretty uncomfortable. They can make us want to run and hide, or at least feel a little bit cringed about ourselves. In this mini-sketch, we will explore what makes awkward moments so uncomfortable.
- [What is Autism When We Look Beyond the Diagnosis?](https://roamerstherapy.com/what-is-autism-when-we-look-beyond-the-diagnosis/): Daily tasks such as following a conversation, understanding unspoken cues, managing sensory input, or shifting attention might seem automatic from the outside. But for people on the autism spectrum, these experiences can feel very different. The brain processes social information, sensory input, and routines in its own unique way. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is known as one form of neurodivergence, influencing how a person takes in their surroundings, interprets social interactions, and organizes their inner world.  It is called a spectrum because autism does not show up in one single way. Instead, it includes a wide range of experiences, strengths, and challenges. Each person may have their own combination of traits, their own level of support needs, and their own way of navigating the world. For some, this may look like experiencing sensory input more intensely, relying on repetitive movements for self-soothing, communicating in a very direct or literal way, or developing deep and highly focused interests that bring comfort and joy. In this  mini sketch, we examine how autism manifests in daily life, how these signs may differ among individuals, and what caregivers, clinicians, and autistic people can understand about these experiences.
- [Negging: When a Compliment Is Meant to Hurt](https://roamerstherapy.com/negging-when-a-compliment-is-meant-to-hurt/): If you answered yes to any of these questions or are familiar with the examples, you were likely not overthinking a situation or being overly sensitive. Some remarks and words may seem like a compliment, yet you may still feel insulted. You may likely have experienced “negging”, a form of manipulation that masks hurtful and personal remarks as playful comments. It often comes up in dating and relationships, particularly when you are getting to know someone new, but it can happen in all types of relationships. When one person uses mild insults or backhanded compliments to undermine another, it is likely negging. 
- [Coming Out Later in Life](https://roamerstherapy.com/coming-out-later-in-life/): Coming out is often reduced to a single moment or a single decision. For many people, however, it is a process that takes shape over time and whose meaning, language, and boundaries can change. For many people, coming out is not a one-off event, but a recurring experience at different stages of life. It may come up again and again when meeting new people, starting a new job, entering into a relationship, or moving to a new city. Sometimes one's understanding of oneself changes over time, which raises new questions. Also, not everyone realizes their identity clearly at an early age. For some people, this awareness is shaped over the years, through relationships, life experiences, and inner questioning. This does not mean that identity was discovered “late”; it just means that a different path was taken. In short, not everyone's story has to be so clear or linear. In this mini sketch, we will reflect on what it can mean to come out later in life.
- [Disordered Eating Patterns: How To Navigate Body Image and Disordered Eating Patterns](https://roamerstherapy.com/disordered-eating-patterns-how-to-navigate-body-image-and-disordered-eating-patterns/): Without question, we live in a world that places a significant amount of pressure on physical appearance. With this rising pressure, the relationship between body image and disordered eating patterns has become an increasingly more pervasive and concerning issue. Specific beauty standards, which have been widely perpetuated by society (e.g., thin body types, overemphasized curvy features, muscular forms, youthful appearances, attaining “perfection”), often perpetuated by the media we consume, play a significant role in shaping our perceptions of our bodies.
- [What Happens to Healthcare Professionals When There’s No Time to Pause?](https://roamerstherapy.com/physician-mental-health-challenges-what-happens-to-healthcare-professionals-when-theres-no-time-to-pause/): Physicians and healthcare professionals are often seen as the ones who take care of everyone else. They work long hours, make high-stakes decisions, and carry a great deal of responsibility. But behind this professional role, many physicians are quietly carrying stress, exhaustion, and emotional strain. Heavy workloads, fear of making mistakes, having less free time to rest (even the idea of rest might cause guilt), and exposure to traumatic events every day can impact overall well-being. Regardless of how much their role impacts them, physicians and healthcare professionals often hesitate to ask for help. This is because the medical world has unspoken expectations of being strong, resilient, and perfect. So admitting emotional challenges might seem like a failure.  In such circumstances, where you are not allowed to express your needs, it is highly likely to struggle with anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts. Also, it is possible to turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms like substance useto deal with mental health struggles. The good news is that support is possible. Depending on the symptoms, physicians may benefit from therapy, medication, a combination of both, and daily supportive practices. In this mini sketch, we will explore common occupational challenges that may affect physicians' mental health, the most common mental health struggles they report, and ways to improve their psychological well-being.
- [Posttraumatic Growth: When healing brings growth after trauma](https://roamerstherapy.com/posttraumatic-growth-when-healing-brings-growth-after-trauma/): Moving through life after experiencing traumatic events can be really tough. Life can feel overwhelming and heavy, and you may feel confused and scared about the future. You might even begin to believe that good things are beyond reach. Traumatic events are among the major contributors to the development of psychological problems. It is common to feel sadness, shame, and guilt, or to start showing symptoms of depression or anxiety after going through such experiences. But interestingly, research suggests that for some of us, working through these struggles can also lead to meaningful positive growth. This positive change is often called “posttraumatic growth”, which highlights how challenging times can sometimes help us grow in unexpected ways. In this mini-sketch, we will explore the concept of post-traumatic growth.
- [When Your Mind Becomes Your Favorite Escape: Maladaptive Daydreaming](https://roamerstherapy.com/when-your-mind-becomes-your-favorite-escape-maladaptive-daydreaming/): But for some people, this escape is not a short break. It can turn into a long-lasting habit that is difficult to control and starts to interfere with daily life. At this point, ordinary daydreaming approaches what we call “maladaptive daydreaming”. Maladaptive daydreaming is an unhealthy behavior characterized by excessive, intense, and vivid daydreaming that can interfere with an individual’s day-to-day responsibilities. While it often starts as a way for people to cope with mental health problems by escaping their realities through fantasy, maladaptive daydreaming can often lead to worse problems. But how do you know your daydreaming is problematic or not? In this therapy sketch, we will explore the concept of maladaptive daydreaming.
- [How Fast Did 2025 Go?](https://roamerstherapy.com/how-fast-did-2025-go/): As 2025 comes to an end, you might find yourself looking back and trying to make sense of how this year passed.  You might feel like this year flew by while you were busy keeping up with daily life. Or maybe this year felt very slow for you, and you find yourself wishing it would finally come to an end. We tend to experience time at different paces. You might experience some days that feel long and exhausting, and you also feel like you have a hard time keeping track of your life, so suddenly months have passed without you noticing. A similar perception goes for a full year as well. A year can feel slow while you’re living it, but fast when you look back. But the important thing is that when we say “this year went by so fast” or “this year took forever,” we are not really talking about time itself. We are talking about how we experienced it. Because our “internal clock” has an important role in how we experience time. This internal clock is influenced by how much attention we give to time, our emotional state, and how mentally overloaded we feel. When life is stressful, uncertain, or repetitive, time can feel slow in the moment. But even after you look back (especially at times like the New Year), it can feel strangely fast. You might even feel like you have lived different lives in the same year. Because when you look back and evaluate how this year went by, you are not reacting to physical time; you are reacting to how your mind is processing it. In this mini sketch, we take a closer look at how time perception works and why it feels especially different at the end of the year.
- [Rituals During Christmas](https://roamerstherapy.com/rituals-during-christmas/): Christmas is one of the most colorful times of the year. You can see Christmas trees, hats, and gift options to buy loved ones everywhere. It is time to share small moments with loved ones, which can make these memories feel warmer than ever, even though the weather outside is freezing cold. What turns Christmas into a spirit, despite the cold and the chaos, is not the season itself but the rituals we return to during this time, like the gestures, shared traditions, and moments of connection that give meaning to the experience.
- [ADHD In Everyday Life](https://roamerstherapy.com/adhd-in-everyday-life/): Have you ever walked into a room and suddenly forgotten why you went? Or started a task, but find yourself cleaning your kitchen and scrolling on your phone ten minutes later? Maybe you were in a meeting, trying hard to listen, but your mind kept jumping from one thing to another. These moments happen to everyone from time to time. But for individuals with ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), it is not just being “distracted.” It might affect focus, time management, and emotional regulation.
- [Is Staying Informed on Social Media Turning Into Emotional Exhaustion?](https://roamerstherapy.com/is-staying-informed-on-social-media-turning-into-emotional-exhaustion/): Social media offers a limitless world of content, including entertainment, music, business, hobbies, and inspirational stories... Moreover, we all have our feeds organized according to our searches and interests. But when you look a little closer, you may realize that sometimes that feed isn't always as “personal” as you think it is, and that in between the content you're interested in, you might come across news that worries you, scares you, or makes you sad. And you might notice that the news you just come across not only impacts you emotionally, but it might also lead you to read more. One news story leads to another, then to a video, and then to a commentary... everything falls one after the other, like dominoes. It might feels like a two-minute glance, but then you look at the clock in the corner of your phone and realize that two hours have passed. You might find yourself unable to resist scrolling through your phone late at night on that topic, even though the news keeps making you feel more upset or anxious. This kind of social media use is known as doomscrolling, the act of compulsively and continuously scrolling through negative, distressing, or alarming news and information. It is more than staying informed; it’s a cycle of consuming bad news, often beyond our original intent.
- [When the Season Changes and Your Mood Does Too](https://roamerstherapy.com/when-the-season-changes-and-your-mood-does-too/): Have you ever woken up on a cold morning and felt a little sad for no reason? Do you ever feel more tired than usual on some November day? Or have you ever found yourself canceling plans, staying at home, and wanting to sleep more? Maybe you sit by the window, watching the leaves fall, and feel quiet sadness. On some autumn days, many people feel a sadness they can’t fully explain. These are the days when the sunlight begins to fade earlier. As the days grow shorter, even waking up might be challenging for some people. You might notice that, while getting ready for work, you wish you could stay in bed a little longer, wrapped up in a blanket.
- [What Does It Mean to Be a Performative Ally?](https://roamerstherapy.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-performative-ally/): We often picture allyship as something we say, or post, or message to show support, especially during tough times. But in real life, being an ally takes more than that. Being an ally is about what happens after we say something, like the choices we make and the moments we decide to act, even when it feels uncomfortable. Allyship is defined as the active process of a person supporting minoritized communities they are not part of. Common examples of allyship include speaking out against observed injustices, amplifying the voices of different minority groups, donating money, attending protests, advocating, and serving as a mentor or support person for others.
- [Hearing Everything in the Relationship, Except the Bid?](https://roamerstherapy.com/hearing-everything-in-the-relationship-except-the-bid/): Do you ever feel that your partner doesn't truly understand you, even when you're next to them? Think about your last 24 hours: Did you say something like “today is cold” and want a hug deep inside, or did your partner want to tell a story from work when you were busy? Or did you point out a cute dog across the street, wishing to look at it together? Perhaps you began telling a story about a stressful day, and your partner immediately started scrolling through social media. When you mentioned something from your day, did you ask a short question, like “Did you see this?”, hoping to share a tiny piece of your world? That small act of pointing or trying to say something was a bid, a quick request for a shared moment. Usually, these don’t cause big fights, but they are crucial, and they represent your attempt to connect. These moments include a secret language that can either strengthen or weaken your bond.
- [Why We Hold On to What Hurts Us?](https://roamerstherapy.com/why-we-hold-on-to-what-hurts-us/): We've all known someone who makes us feel uneasy when we're around them but leaves us feeling incomplete when they're gone. Maybe it's a partner who constantly criticizes you or a parent who has hurt you since childhood, but still craves their approval. One part of you says, “This relationship isn't good for me,” while another part still wants to return to that person. This confusion often raises the question, “Why am I still there?” 
- [Have You Ever Felt an Instant Bond with someone over Shared Trauma?](https://roamerstherapy.com/have-you-ever-felt-an-instant-bond-with-someone-over-shared-trauma/): Connections born from shared trauma can feel incredibly powerful. They create a sense of being seen that many survivors have longed for. It promotes feelings of mutual understanding, empathy, and support. These bonds often carry both comfort and intensity as they:
- [What changes when you look at rejection through a different lens?](https://roamerstherapy.com/look-at-rejection-through-a-different-lens/): Rejection is not only a “no.” It is the moment when someone turns away, leaving you with silence. The pain can feel heavy because rejection is not only about what happens at that time; it provides insight into aspects of who we are and how we perceive our sense of belonging.
- [Do you need to fully overcome social anxiety to connect with others?](https://roamerstherapy.com/radical-acceptance-in-social-anxiety/): Social anxiety, defined as an intense fear of social or performance situations in which others may scrutinize one, can significantly limit an individual’s life. This is more than occasional shyness; it is a pattern of anticipatory worry, increased physiological arousal, and avoidance that closely affects relationships and quality of life.
- [Why do we keep falling for the same person over and over?](https://roamerstherapy.com/schema-chemistry/): There is a good chance that when you were talking with your friends about dating, this question came up: “Why do the same people always end up in my life?” Maybe you were the one who asked this question. You or someone you know might have noticed that even though they happened in different parts of life, the experiences of romantic relationships are pretty similar. So, is all of this just a coincidence?
- [Have You Noticed How Some People Liked You Better When You Weren’t Okay?](https://roamerstherapy.com/people-liked-you-better-when-you-werent-okay/): We all like to think that healing will be a relaxing, peaceful process. However, it encompasses confronting your own reality, such as emotions that you suppress for a long time, needs that you overlooked, choices you made, decisions you postponed, and relationships you preserved even though they do not serve you anymore. These are the challenges we take into consideration when we take a step towards healing. However, one thing we missed out is that healing not just happens inside of us, it reflects all around us, including relationships with loved ones. The familiar balance with the ones around us starts to change because we start reclaiming our boundaries as we heal. But what if your struggles, the very parts of you that were not okay, offered a familiar comfort to others? One of the unspoken, uncomfortable truths about healing is that sometimes, people don’t only connect with the best of us. They also get used to relating to the parts of us that are in pain. Meaning is your not-okayness may have preserved a dynamic that made them feel needed, secure, even powerful. This situation can create a paradox, and your healing can be perceived as a threat to others. Of course, this is not because they do not care about you, just because they know and in relation to the version of you who does not prioritize their own well-being for a long time. Taking a step toward healing can lead to significant changes within you, and that means that your relationships need to change as well. In this mini sketch, we dive into the relationship aspect of healing and reshape your relationship balance as you change. 
- [Healing in the Real World: How to Show Up While Falling Apart](https://roamerstherapy.com/healing-in-the-real-world/): We have all (or at least many of us have) been there. We've woken up super early to make a therapy appointment before work, rushed out of work to try and make it in time for a therapy appointment, or perhaps taken a telehealth therapy session in the office or the car during our lunch hour or after work. We go through all of the above to squeeze healing into our work lives, only for healing to become its own stressor while we try to remain completely functional each day. However, that does not mean that this rush won't affect us in the long term. We might forget that grabbing lunch during the day or overeating can lead to feeling sleepy all the time, having a hard time falling asleep at night, worrying excessively about tasks, experiencing difficulty remembering things, and constantly thinking about a task. This can also be considered a survival mode, which is a dysregulated state of the nervous system. Survival mode refers to our nervous system’s response to perceived threats. While these threats can range from sending an email to a supervisor to fighting in a war, our sympathetic system activates and either fights the perceived threat, flees from it, or freezes during it (Bracha, 2004). Often, the parasympathetic system intervenes after perceiving the threat and helps our body to rest or digest (Porges, 2009). However, what happens when we need to handle back-to-back tasks, without enough time to rest and process them? Even though the task itself is not a source of stress, having them back-to-back might make them a stressor in daily life. That might lead us to rely on our sympathetic system for an extended period, which can cause our nervous system to become dysregulated (Porges, 2009). While the effects of continually catching up with everything are unique to each individual, being in a state of constant survival mode for a long period can lead to a set of symptoms that can ultimately disrupt daily routines, such as work-life balance (Grandey et al.,2013). Because a continuous state of alertness can affect not only our mood but also our productivity at work, our decision-making skills, and our relationships at work. In this mini sketch, we will review how being in survival mode constantly affects our work life and how we can manage it. 
- [Rewatch, Relisten, Repeat: Insights From Comfort Media Use](https://roamerstherapy.com/comfort-media-use/): To begin with a definition, comfort media refers to any type of media content that individuals repeatedly consume or return to for emotional relief, security, and predictability (Peck, 2020). Unlike exploratory or novelty-seeking media use, comforting media is driven by familiarity and emotional reassurance. On the other hand, comfort media is defined as a subjective concept for individuals. This is because comfort media is closely linked to nostalgia and is therefore tied to an individual’s personal past experiences and emotions (Khanbeigi, 2023).
- [Shadow Self: Unveiling Our Hidden Inner Face](https://roamerstherapy.com/shadow-self-unveiling-our-hidden-inner-face/): Have you ever felt like there are parts of yourself that you need to hide from others? Imagine you have finished a challenging exam that you worked really hard on. You gather with your friends after the exam to discuss it and share your answers. Furthermore, there is that one friend who keeps saying, “I am definitely going to fail. I think I got it all wrong. It was so difficult.” Then the next week comes, and the results are in. The friend who thought they failed has a higher exam result than you. You feel a deep frustration toward them, and a thought occurs to you. “Oh! They always do this. They always say they are going to fail, but they consistently get good scores. I am so annoyed with them. I worked so much harder, look at me.” Moreover, the moment you catch yourself thinking of these thoughts, you feel so bad. You say to yourself, “What kind of a friend am I? I should be happy for them; they are my friends.” The guilt comes, and you feel horrible. You feel like a bad person and a friend. If someone were able to read your mind right there, they would surely cut their friendship with you. We all had experiences like that. We learned that some emotions or thoughts are unacceptable in society, so we try to fit in. So we repress and avoid these dark parts of ourselves. In this mini sketch, we will look into these emotions and thoughts. We can expect to look more deeply and try to understand them by exploring the shadow self, including both its positive and negative aspects. We will attempt to understand why we repress certain aspects of ourselves, how they manifest, and how they affect us, and finally, explore some ways to manage our shadow selves. 
- [Mission, Vision, and Values](https://roamerstherapy.com/mission/): Our Mission is to help you uncover your unique story, reconnect with your identity, and heal what may be holding you back – so you can lead a life of fulfillment and meaningful relationships.Your story and identity are uniquely yours—and they deserve to be fully seen, honored, and understood. We help bring your entire narrative into clear focus, helping you choose what stays and what is gently released. Together, we'll rewrite your story authentically, empowering you to shape your life and your relationships with confidence.
- [Boundaries as Self-Care: Building a Healthier Life](https://roamerstherapy.com/boundaries-as-self-care-building-a-healthier-life/): You often hear about the importance of setting boundaries to maintain healthy relationships, but what does this really mean? In the simplest terms, a boundary is a line or edge that defines you as separate from others (Katherine, 2010). Healthy boundaries, on the other hand, define appropriate behavior in our relationships and serve as behaviors that keep both parties safe. Establishing healthy boundaries is essential for self-care, positive relationships, and, in short, a healthy life. When you identify what you need to feel safe and healthy and create tools to protect yourself, boundaries can have a positive impact on your overall well-being. Additionally, when you understand how to set and maintain healthy boundaries, you can avoid the buildup of anger and frustration when your boundaries are crossed. 
- [The thief of time: Procrastination](https://roamerstherapy.com/the-thief-of-time-procrastination/): Have you ever started a task or wanted to begin studying, only to realize that you were doing everything else but that activity? Have you noticed that you spend time cleaning the house, scrolling social media, texting your friends, etc., when you should be doing something else? You might find yourself saying, “I don't feel like it right now, I'll do it tomorrow,” and leave the work you started halfway through. Then it means that you are procrastinating, as most people do. Procrastination occurs when a person prefers activities they can easily do and enjoy rather than activities they will have difficulty with. Whether it is housework, homework, or work-related tasks, most people procrastinate from time to time on activities they find challenging. While it's normal to procrastinate due to life's overwhelming nature occasionally, it can become a problem if it becomes a pattern and prevents individuals from achieving their goals regularly. The process of procrastination begins well before the act of delaying a task. It starts with what might seem like a feeling or thought rooted in discomfort, stress, anxiety, or self-doubt related to the task. In this mini sketch, we will explore what procrastination is and how to prevent it from affecting our daily lives. 
- [Understanding and Managing Resentment as a Complex Emotion](https://roamerstherapy.com/understanding-and-managing-resentment/): Understanding and Managing Resentment as a Complex Emotion
- [Simple Ways to Integrate Mindfulness Practice Into Your Life](https://roamerstherapy.com/simple-ways-to-integrate-mindfulness-practice-into-your-life/): What is mindfulness? To put it simply, mindfulness is the practice of becoming more present. Perhaps you have difficulty concentrating because your mind is filled with thoughts. Or maybe you are feeling increasingly ungrounded as life’s daily stressors continue to pile up. Practicing mindfulness can help relieve the noise that so often fills our heads. It is not about ridding our mind of thoughts, as thoughts are natural and inevitable. Rather, mindfulness strengthens our ability to allow our thoughts to come and go freely without repetitive fixation. When our minds are not occupied by our thoughts, we can be more in tune with the present moment and what is happening for us in the here and now. Mindfulness offers a way to gently anchor ourselves, not by eliminating thoughts, as thinking is a natural cognitive process, but by developing a different relationship with them (Kabat-Zinn, 2003).
- [Reconnecting with Yourself: Working Through Dissociation.](https://roamerstherapy.com/working-through-dissociation/): Do you feel distant from your emotions, thoughts, surroundings, and memories? Do you ever find that you've safely made your way home from work without any conscious memory of your drive? This is part of a phenomenon called dissociation. We all experience some degrees of dissociation throughout our day-to-day lives, and it can be an indicator of increased stress or something much more serious, such as various dissociative disorders.
- [Feelings: Difficulty Experiencing and Identifying                                                            Developing Emotional Awareness](https://roamerstherapy.com/developing-feelings-emotional-awareness/): Being able to link feelings to experiences can enable individuals to communicate more effectively, obtain what they need from the world, and gain insight into how their reactions and behaviors affect others. 
- [Understanding Grief Through Neuroscience:                      A Review of The Grieving Brain](https://roamerstherapy.com/understanding-grief-through-neuroscience/): Dr. O’Connor explains that grief is the natural emotional response to a loss and that grieving is the adaptation to this new reality. Grieving is framed as an adaptation process because our brain must remap this new reality of life without our loved one. To better understand this emotionally challenging adaptation process, the author looks towards neuroscience.
- [  It’s What You Say AND How You Say it: Effective Communication in Conflict](https://roamerstherapy.com/effective-communication-in-conflict/): Conflict is a part of every relationship, whether professional, familial, social, or romantic. How we navigate these relationships during conflict moments determines whether they create damage or strengthen them. Often, people tend to focus on the words exchanged during a conflict, rather than on how these words are delivered. The way these words are delivered changes depending on the tone used, the speaker's body language, and the emotional undertones to shape the outcomes of these words. Becoming aware of your communication style during a conflict is the first step in improving it. In this therapy sketch, we will dive into effective communication during conflict, enhanced by insights from the Gottman Method.
- [Is social media pathologizing normal behavior?](https://roamerstherapy.com/is-social-media-pathologizing-normal-behavior/): While social media began as a way to help us stay connected with people we know, we can now easily connect with strangers like us across the globe.  In the age of social media apps like TikTok and Instagram, it’s common for us to connect with “people like us” (from quite literally anywhere) and learn about new trends, receive unfiltered news, and get important information about things we care about. Among other things, this new wave of social media has created avenues for us to not only find people like us but also see ourselves in other people. One critical area that has been impacted is mental health and the use of anecdotal experiences to pathologize our own behaviors. In other words, when people (particularly children, adolescents, and young adults) are exposed to content that resonates with them, they become susceptible to internalizing the information and believe it to be true for themselves as well. This trend has been observed across many mental health problems, but has been especially observed in ADHD, which has led to an increase in self-diagnosed ADHD.
- [The Healing Power of Tattoos](https://roamerstherapy.com/the-healing-power-of-tattoos/): In recent years, increased research in this area has shown that tattoos can serve as a way of expression for healing and self-empowerment. Tattoos offer a powerful means of coping, symbolize survival, and personal growth. At the same time, tattoos can also play a vital role in restoring a sense of bodily autonomy, particularly for those who have felt a loss of control over their bodies. Research suggests that tattoos offer a unique and empowering avenue for people to express their identities, process trauma, and reclaim bodily autonomy.
- [Psychological Flexibility in Practice: A Systematic Overview of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/acceptance-and-commitment-therapy/): Developed by psychologist Steven C. Hayes in the 1980s, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a therapeutic approach that helps individuals establish psychological resilience by both accepting their distressing feelings and thoughts and committing to actions that are consistent with their values. ACT focuses on developing the ability to accept and allow complicated feelings and thoughts rather than fight them, and then to take actions consistent with one’s values. A unique, empirically based intervention method, ACT aims to develop psychological flexibility, which means getting in touch with the present moment as a conscious human being and, based on what the situation presents, modifying or maintaining behavior to serve chosen values. In the present therapy sketch, a comprehensive description of ACT will be presented, its application areas will be discussed, and a general understanding of how it works in the therapeutic field will be provided.
- [Protected: Immigration Psych Evaluation](https://roamerstherapy.com/immigration-psych-evaluation/): Roamers Therapy offers specialized immigration psychological evaluations designed to support your immigration case and provide a thorough assessment of the impact your immigration journey has had on your mental health. These evaluations can be critical in cases involving Hardship Evaluations, VAWA, U-Visas, T-Visas, and Asylum.
- [Initiating Therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/initiating-therapy/): Deciding to start therapy, whether you’ve been in therapy before or are brand new to it, is a personal choice.  While the thought of starting therapy can be an easy decision for some of us, for others, it may require a long thought process. There may be moments when we expect to feel fully ready for therapy, and this may be a prerequisite for starting it. Although there will never be a perfect time to start, only we know when the right time is for us. Typically, there are signs, changes, or experiences that we encounter, which may indicate that it is time to begin therapy. Several studies highlighted the role of internal motivators in the decision to start therapy. These internal factors often revolve around the recognition of personal difficulties or distress that individuals feel unable to manage on their own. Nakash et al. (2018) found that emotional distress and other psychiatric symptoms were among the most prevalent reasons for initiating therapy. The studies also highlight the importance of external and social influences in the decision to start therapy. We may observe these experiences in the following areas of our lives, such as Internal signs (emotions, cognitions, or bodily), social/relational factors, occupational factors, and experiences (e.g., traumas, changes).
- [What is Masking?](https://roamerstherapy.com/what-is-masking/): Masking is a complex phenomenon that involves hiding or suppressing one's true self to meet social expectations (Kornblum, 2025). Furthermore, masking, also known as camouflaging or compensating, refers to the concealment of mental health symptoms to adapt to society and the environments in which an individual lives (Marschall, 2024). In this way, masking individuals try to appear as if they are not experiencing mental health symptoms, even though they know this is not true. On the other hand, masking is the observable discrepancy between underlying preferences and external behavior; it can be triggered by the desire to avoid judgment, rejection, and bullying, to make friends, to advance in one’s career, or to find a romantic partner. Masking behaviors can manifest both consciously and unconsciously. 
- [What is Romantic Attraction?](https://roamerstherapy.com/what-is-romantic-attraction/): Understanding why we are attracted to some people and not others is one of the most fundamental questions in research on close relationships. But what causes attraction? When considering answers to a question, the responses may vary. You might view the person you're attracted to as intelligent, physically attractive, dependable, or kind-hearted. As you talk about this with your family and friends, you might find that the answer varies from one person to another. But what causes romantic attraction? Research shows that a variety of factors promote romantic attraction. These include biological, evolutionary, psychological, and social factors. In this mini sketch, we will explain the “romantic attraction” and its components. 
- [How Active Listening Can Help You “Fight Right”](https://roamerstherapy.com/how-active-listening-can-help-you-fight-right/): According to a study by Barker, excluding sleeping hours, college students spend 17% of their time reading, 14% writing, 16% speaking, and 53% listening daily. However, not all listening is the same. One of the most effective forms is active listening. In this mini sketch, we explore the concept of active listening and share how it can help you communicate with your partner during arguments. 
- [What is High Functioning Depression and How Does it Affect Us? Book Now! 1 Step to Better Mental Health at Roamers Therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/what-is-high-functioning-depression-and-how-does-it-affect-us/): Depression is a mental disorder categorized by severe sadness, poor concentration, loss of joy, or low motivation. Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States and the world. According to the World Health Organization, it is estimated that around 3.8% of people (around 280 million) worldwide have depression. Depression affects everyone differently. It can range in its severity, and it can be very debilitating. It can also be chronic and can affect people throughout life. However, depression can sometimes appear differently. People around you may seem to work continuously or socialize with family and friends, yet you still experience depression.  A person who has “High Functioning Depression” may look like the mentioned example.  
- [Political Anxiety and Mental Health](https://roamerstherapy.com/political-anxiety-and-mental-health/): Political stress refers to different stressors and tensions we may experience due to our political climate.  This can include worrying about the future of our country, our safety, or the safety of others, and experiencing conflicts within our relationships due to differing political views. Political stress affects people in many ways, and research shows that it can harm mental health and overall well-being. It can cause anxiety, sadness, and sleep problems. Some people feel hopeless or lose trust in others; others may feel angry or frustrated. Political stress not only affects individuals; it can also change relationships and communities. It can create divisions between people and make them feel lonely. Understanding political stress is important because it helps people manage it and protect their mental health. In this mini sketch, we will explore political stress and its impact on our mental health and well-being.
- [Common Issues with Modern Dating. Discover the Power of Therapy. Book Now! 1 Step to Better Mental Health at Roamers Therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/common-issues-with-modern-dating-discover-the-power-of-therapy/): As the world evolves, so do people and the ways we connect with one another. The ways people meet and date have changed drastically. In today’s digital age, social media and mobile applications have revolutionized the ways we connect and, as a result, traditional dating. Modern dating is also shaped by online dating apps, which are categorized as one of the sub-fields of social media. These apps have become more and more popular with the development of technology, especially with the rise of smartphones. In general terms, online dating apps are technological dating services that enable users to meet and communicate with potential partners around them using their location information. Users' profiles on apps typically consist of pages where they introduce themselves through textual descriptions and various photos, and the number of users of these apps is increasing day by day. According to recent reports, the number of people using online dating apps worldwide has exceeded 323 million. There are many pros that make these apps popular and many cons that drive users away. 
- [Guiding Criticism and Defensiveness. We provide in person or virtual therapy sessions. Book Now! 1 Step to Better Mental Health at Roamers Therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/guiding-criticism-and-defensiveness/): Criticism and defensiveness are two of the Four Horsemen of communication, as identified by Drs. John and Julie Gottman. When these patterns are present in relationships, couples often experience more resentment and unhappiness, which can lead to breakups or even divorce. Criticism involves attacking a partner's character rather than addressing specific behaviors, while defensiveness is a reaction to feeling unjustly accused. Both can escalate conflicts, but the antidotes are key. Using “I” statements can help avoid criticism, and taking accountability can reduce defensiveness, fostering healthier communication and stronger relationships.
- [Different Types of Friendships In Adulthood. The Ultimate Guide to Building Meaningful Friendships. Book Now! 1 Step to Better Mental Health at Roamers Therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/different-types-of-friendships-in-adulthood/): In adulthood, we encounter various types of friendships, each with its own level of closeness, boundaries, and benefits. These relationships can range from acquaintances, who we know slightly and may see occasionally, to lifelong friends, who have been a part of our journey for years. Casual friends often share common interests or hobbies, while work friends bring the added benefit of support in the professional environment. Close friends provide emotional intimacy and trust, while best friends offer the deepest levels of connection. Lifelong friends stand as pillars of consistency, often rooted in shared experiences and memories from earlier stages of life. Each type of friendship plays a distinct and valuable role in our emotional well-being and sense of belonging.
- [Should I Stay or Should I Go: What is Discernment Counseling? Book Now! 1 Step to Better Mental Health at Roamers Therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/what-is-discernment-counseling/): Discernment counseling is a short-term counseling approach for couples or partners in a relationship who are considering divorce or separation.
- [Common Misconceptions about Suicide. Discover the Power of Therapy. Book Now! 1 Step to Better Mental Health at Roamers Therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/common-misconceptions-about-suicide/): Suicide refers to death caused by self-injurious behaviors with the intent to die. Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. In 2022, there were over 49,000 deaths by suicide in the United States. Despite how serious suicide is, suicide remains a taboo topic, and there are many misconceptions about suicide.
- [Falling Back In Love Book Now! 1 Step to Better Mental Health at Roamers Therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/falling-back-in-love/): Falling out of love with a romantic partner is an unfortunate and painful reality that happens often. There are many reasons why partners fall out of love, which can include:
- [Difference Between Support and Advice Giving](https://roamerstherapy.com/difference-between-support-and-advice-giving/): Supporting someone you care about means providing assistance during difficult times, and it can take various forms, such as active listening, empathy, validation, reassurance, kind gestures, and physical touch. Active listening requires giving your full attention and showing mindful body language, helping the person feel heard. Empathy allows you to see a situation from another's perspective, fostering connection and understanding. Validation acknowledges and understands a person’s feelings, while reassurance can restore confidence through comforting gestures. However, support is distinct from advice-giving and problem-solving, which can overwhelm or dismiss the individual’s feelings if offered unsolicited. To effectively support someone, it's important to acknowledge their struggles, communicate your willingness to help, and ask open-ended questions to understand their specific needs. Lets take a closer look at these concepts.
- [What Happens When Setting Boundaries Isn’t Enough?](https://roamerstherapy.com/what-happens-when-setting-boundaries-isnt-enough-2/): Boundaries are personal limits that we establish to help us manage relationships more effectively. They protect various aspects of our lives, such as our time, emotional well-being, and physical space. Boundaries are essential not just in problematic relationships but also in healthy ones. Sometimes, however, simply setting boundaries isn’t enough. People may react negatively when a boundary removes a benefit they once had, leading to attempts at persuasion or manipulation. In these situations, it’s crucial to reinforce boundaries with confidence, clear communication, and appropriate consequences to ensure they are respected.
- [Setting Boundaries with Therapists](https://roamerstherapy.com/setting-boundaries-with-therapists/): Boundaries are personal limits we set for ourselves. Boundaries are a form of self-care. They are rules or guidelines we set for ourselves for how we would like to be treated. When we think about boundaries, we often think of limits we set for harmful or toxic relationships. However, boundaries are helpful in all relationships. In fact, the healthiest relationships have boundaries.
- [What Does It Mean to Weaponize Mental Health and Healing?](https://roamerstherapy.com/what-does-it-mean-to-weaponize-mental-health-and-healing/): As we begin to dive into weaponized mental health and healing, it is important to note the following: 
- [What is Weaponized Incompetence?](https://roamerstherapy.com/what-is-weaponized-incompetence/): Weaponized incompetence occurs when someone strategically and intentionally avoids taking responsibility for tasks delegated to them by pretending to be incapable of completing them.
- [Why do people end therapy before they are ready?](https://roamerstherapy.com/why-do-people-end-therapy-before-they-are-ready/): Ending therapy or terminating a therapeutic relationship is a normal part of the therapeutic process. While some therapy styles might have a set timeline with an exact end date (such as some executive functioning training), most therapy relationships do not.
- [How Does Our Mental Health Affect Our Partners?](https://roamerstherapy.com/how-does-our-mental-health-affect-our-partners/): If you have ever experienced problems with your mental health, you may have an understanding of the ways mental health affects you personally. Oftentimes, people who struggle with mental health report problems with 
- [Identifying Triggers and Learning to Manage Them ](https://roamerstherapy.com/identifying-triggers-and-learning-to-manage-them/): Triggers are anything that can bring back mental health problems. Triggers can be anything, which makes it hard to avoid or manage. Triggers are also unique to the individual, so just because someone is not triggered by stimuli does not mean stimuli are not triggering. Common triggers include: 
- [What are some lesser-known symptoms of Anxiety and Depression?](https://roamerstherapy.com/what-are-some-lesser-known-symptoms-of-anxiety-and-depression/): When people think of anxiety and depression, they might often think about symptoms like sadness, worry, difficulty breathing, restlessness, and hopelessness. However, these are only some of the many ways anxiety and depression can manifest themselves in someone.
- [What Does Adult Separation Anxiety Look Like?](https://roamerstherapy.com/what-does-adult-separation-anxiety-look-like/): Separation Anxiety is known as one of the most common mental health problems that affects young kids. Separation Anxiety is characterized by the following symptoms: 
- [What Makes a Trauma-Informed Therapist?](https://roamerstherapy.com/what-makes-a-trauma-informed-therapist/): The trauma-informed therapist maintains several core competencies that make it easier to work through trauma. Some of these competencies include: 
- [What is Harm Reduction](https://roamerstherapy.com/what-is-harm-reduction/): Harm reduction refers to a range of intentional evidence-based public health practices, strategies, and policies aimed at decreasing the negative consequences of various human behaviors, namely substance use. This framework is grounded in justice and human rights, while focusing on kindness, respect, and autonomy. The end goal of harm reduction to increase positive change without coercion or disrespect.
- [S-x, Gender, and Gender Identity](https://roamerstherapy.com/s-x-gender-and-gender-identity/): S-x, gender, and gender identity are commonly used terms that are often conflated and used interchangeably. Despite the mass confusion (and misinformation) on these terms, they are all different terms and have very distinct definitions.
- [What Is A Balanced Perspective?](https://roamerstherapy.com/what-is-a-balanced-perspective/): A balanced perspective refers to the ability to weigh multiple truths and evidence to understand and accept a neutral, balanced reality, and often more accurate reality. Examples of balanced perspectives include: 
- [Myths about Therapist](https://roamerstherapy.com/myths-about-therapist/): We have all either heard myths about our therapists or held them ourselves. 
- [What is rumination?](https://roamerstherapy.com/what-is-rumination/): Rumination is a behavior that involves repetitively dwelling on one's feelings and triggering stimuli and events. 
- [Confirmation Bias](https://roamerstherapy.com/confirmation-bias/): Confirmation bias is an umbrella term for cognitive distortions (or unhelpful ways of thinking) in which people focus on information, experiences, or events that prove their biased thoughts or opinions. 
- [Workplace Inequities](https://roamerstherapy.com/workplace-inequities/): The Glass Ceiling, Glass Escalator, and Glass Cliff are metaphors that refer to structural inequities affecting the lack of promotion and advancement of marginalized individuals (namely, women and people of color) in the workforce. 
- [Feeling Stuck in Therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/feeling-stuck-in-therapy/): Feeling stuck in therapy can be a normal part of the therapeutic process. This can occur to folks who have been in therapy for years or folks who are new to therapy. 
- [Mental Health Myths](https://roamerstherapy.com/mental-health-myths/): Mental health myths are commonly shared (and often misinformed) beliefs about mental and emotional well-being. These myths are often formed by a number of things, including the portrayal of mental health issues in the media, a misunderstanding of mental health issues, and the spreading of misinformation.
- [Valentine’s Day](https://roamerstherapy.com/valentines-day/): Valentine’s Day is often thought of as a holiday to celebrate romantic love. However, Valentine’s Day can be a day to celebrate any kind of love, appreciation, or gratitude for the things that matter most in your life. In fact, in some Latin American cultures, Valentine’s Day is known as “Día del Amor y la Amistad” -- or the Day of Love and Friendship.
- [Platonic Love](https://roamerstherapy.com/the-importance-of-platonic-love/): Though often equated with friendship, platonic relationships go beyond friendship and encompass a deep bond without sexual or romantic elements. Platonic love refers to the intense emotional connection that develops in platonic relationships. Platonic relationships include friendships, community members, family, coworkers and classmates, roommates, and many others. Familial love is a specific type of platonic love.
- [Pools of Grief](https://roamerstherapy.com/pools-of-grief/): Pools of Grief is an analogy that uses bodies of water to illustrate how people might experience grief, sadness, and pain. The analogy is subjective because grief is subjective. Not everyone will experience or respond to grief the same way. Some people have lakes of grief, while others have oceans and seas.
- [Identifying Mental Health Risks](https://roamerstherapy.com/identifying-mental-health-risks/): When you understand your triggers, signs, and symptoms, you can learn how to prevent mental health problems. Self-care is the best way to prevent mental health risks from becoming problems. Self-care is a small behavior we do consistently that can reduce the risk of mental health problems. Examples include: 
- [What does it mean to Truly Empathize?](https://roamerstherapy.com/what-does-it-mean-to-truly-empathize/): Empathy refers to various behaviors that move people toward mutual support and understanding. It involves understanding a person’s trauma, culture, identities, and personhood to see why they may be experiencing a situation the way they are. Empathy helps build connections with loved ones, partners, friends, and even new connections. It is not a trait but a skill that people get better at the more they practice.
- [The Myths About Healing](https://roamerstherapy.com/the-myths-about-healing/): When people think about healing (whether in therapy, are in therapy, or are considering therapy), they often have many misconceptions about what it means to heal and be healed. These misconceptions can often deter people from initiating therapy and getting the help they need. They can also make people feel insecure about the progress that they have made and are making. There are many myths about healing. Here are some myths about healing.
- [What is People Pleasing?](https://roamerstherapy.com/what-is-people-pleasing/): People-pleasing is a pattern of behavior in which an individual prioritizes the comfort, wants, and needs of others. In other words, people-pleasers tend to put others' needs above their own. People-pleasing individuals are likely to prioritize others' needs, even at the expense of their own.
- [What is Emotional Masochism?](https://roamerstherapy.com/what-is-emotional-masochism/): The word “masochism” refers to the psychological, physical, or s-xual pleasure or gratification that comes from one’s own pain. Emotional masochism (sometimes referred to as grief masochism or “glad to be sad”) refers to the emotional pain individuals may inflict on themselves without any intention of stopping. Emotional masochism is a self-destructive behavior pattern.
- [Making Bids and Turning Towards Vs. Away](https://roamerstherapy.com/making-bids-and-turning-towards-vs-away/): Bids or bidding refers to any behavior our partner(s) may do in an attempt to foster connection and/or receive attention. Bids can be verbal, nonverbal, physical, or nonphysical.
- [What is Trauma Dumping?](https://roamerstherapy.com/what-is-trauma-dumping/): Trauma dumping refers to the unloading of traumatic experiences on another person without any warning, checking in, or invitation. Trauma dumping can look like calling a friend to vent about a breakup, texting someone spontaneously about a bad day, interrupting someone's story with another traumatic story, or sharing personal and/or difficult experiences during inappropriate times.
- [What are Triggers?](https://roamerstherapy.com/what-are-triggers/): Triggers are anything that can bring back mental health problems. Triggers can be anything, which makes it hard to avoid or manage. Triggers are also unique to the individual, so just because someone is not triggered by a stimulus does not mean the stimulus is not triggering. Common triggers include:

## Pages
- [Onboarding Evaluation Form](https://roamerstherapy.com/onboarding-evaluation-form/): Onboarding Evaluation Form
- [A Closer Look at Physical Intimacy ](https://roamerstherapy.com/a-closer-look-at-physical-intimacy/): Although physical intimacy is one of the most natural aspects of relationships, it remains one of the topics we find most difficult to discuss. More research is being conducted on sexuality than ever before, and more content is being produced; yet, conversations about it remain quite limited. Perhaps that is why rigid stereotypes about how sexuality “should be” can overshadow real-life experiences. At the same time, scientific research has fundamentally changed the way we understand human sexuality. Over the past several decades, researchers have moved beyond asking what a "normal" sexual response should look like and have instead focused on understanding the many ways people experience desire, arousal, intimacy, and satisfaction. In this therapy sketch, we'll explore some of the most influential theories and research findings that have shaped our current understanding of human sexuality.
- [Laurel Bangs — Therapist in Training 2 Locations: South Loop and Lakeview, Chicago, Illinois — Book now for in-person and remote therapy sessions](https://roamerstherapy.com/about-laurel-bangs/): I see therapy less as a pursuit of perfection and more as a space for curiosity and self-understanding, where we begin to loosen the psychological barriers that keep us stuck and open up possibilities for a more meaningful, connected, and balanced life. I work with adolescents and adults navigating life transitions, relationship challenges, autism and ADHD, LGBTQIA+ and identity-related challenges, and the everyday weight of stress. I support clients with concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and struggles with self-esteem.
- [Why Children Lie and What to Do About It](https://roamerstherapy.com/why-children-lie-and-what-to-do-about-it/): Children’s lying can be a mixed experience for caregivers. Sometimes, they may tell a harmless lie that feels funny or creative, making you think, “How did they come up with that?”. However, lying can also leave caregivers feeling confused or concerned about what it means and how to respond. In this sketch, we will take a look at common reasons why children lie and how can we respond when they do.
- [Jian Ou — Therapist in Training 2 Locations: South Loop and Lakeview, Chicago, Illinois — Book now for in-person and remote therapy sessions](https://roamerstherapy.com/about-jian-ou/): It can be easy to lose touch with yourself while trying to survive, meet expectations, or take care of others. Over time, it can become difficult to know what you need, what you want, or even what your own voice sounds like. When this happens, therapy can be an opportunity to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with the parts of yourself that may have been overlooked for a long time. I work with individuals, couples, and families navigating trauma, relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and autism, LGBTQIA+ and identity-related challenges, life transitions, identity exploration, family challenges, and the lasting impact of difficult experiences.
- [How is climate change affecting our mental health?](https://roamerstherapy.com/how-is-climate-change-affecting-our-mental-health/): Some worries in our lives are not easily pointed out and instead linger in the background of our everyday experiences. Climate change has become one of them for many of us. Whether we are stressed by the headlines we see, unsure about what to do about it, or burned out by the inaction we feel in the world, climate change’s effects extend beyond the environmental and physical and also affect our mental health. In this therapy sketch, we will go over the potential effects of climate change on our mental health and ways we can work with them.
- [Rebecca Racean — Therapist in Training 2 Locations: South Loop and Lakeview, Chicago, Illinois — Book now for in-person and remote therapy sessions](https://roamerstherapy.com/about-rebecca-racean/): Seeking therapy, whether for the first time or to revisit your therapy journey, can feel daunting and vulnerable. I’m here to create more comfort for you in that process, building our therapeutic relationship by connecting on what feels important to you and working at your own pace. My role is to create a validating space for your voice to be heard while guiding you to foster healthy connections and healing experiences outside the therapy room. I work with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families, helping them navigate anxiety, relationships, life transitions, trauma, neurodivergence, including ADHD and autism, LGBTQIA+ and gender identity-related challenges.
- [referral-resource-guide-submission-form](https://roamerstherapy.com/referral-resource-guide-submission-form/): Thank you for taking the time to help us update our referral resources.
- [Nic Caravelli — Therapist in Training 2 Locations: South Loop and Lakeview, Chicago, Illinois — Book now for in-person and remote therapy sessions](https://roamerstherapy.com/about-nic-caravelli/): Beginning therapy can often seem daunting. For many, considering therapy is the first time they may be admitting that something isn’t working, or that they aren’t feeling okay. In our sessions, I want to provide the space and time for you to begin sitting with that possibility and work together to understand those thoughts and feelings. There are many things outside our control, and at the same time, I believe you have the ability to determine what is within your control and to own your power. Together, we can work collaboratively to understand your experiences and use them to guide you into new, affirming spaces and connections. It is my hope that together we can learn and embrace what works for you and what does not – and help you feel like you are on a path to healing and growth that feels right for you.
- [Can time feel different when we are struggling?](https://roamerstherapy.com/can-time-feel-different-when-we-are-struggling/): Have you ever felt that time seems to move differently depending on how you are feeling? An hour can pass quickly when we are enjoying what we are doing, but feel extremely slow when we are bored or upset. Watching an interesting show can make time feel like it is “flying by,” while sitting in a long lecture can make every minute feel stretched out. This happens because time is not only something measured by clocks, but also something we feel and experience in a subjective way, a concept known as psychological time. When we are struggling with mental health challenges, how we perceive time can also be affected. Feeling hopeless or overly critical of ourselves can make time feel like it is dragging, while burnout from work and being unable to do things we enjoy can make it feel like our lives are slipping away quickly.
- [Group Consultation Notes Form](https://roamerstherapy.com/group-consultation-notes-form/)
- [When Thoughts Feel Dangerous](https://roamerstherapy.com/when-thoughts-feel-dangerous/): According to the DSM-5, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by the presence of obsessions, compulsions, or both. Obsessions are recurring and unwanted thoughts, urges, or images that create distress or anxiety, while compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed in an attempt to reduce distress or prevent feared outcomes.  At its core, OCD often functions like a false alarm system. Your brain identifies something as dangerous, important, or urgent (even when there is little evidence that it actually is) and then asks you to solve, prevent, or gain certainty about it.
- [How Do Gender Roles Affect Our Relationships?](https://roamerstherapy.com/how-do-gender-roles-affect-our-relationships/): Expectations around gender affect every aspect of our lives. They affect how we are expected to behave and express emotions, which careers and we should pursue, how our families should look, how we should date and communicate, who should be in authority, and how responsibilities should be assigned. However, these roles are socially constructed expectations that can limit the expression of our unique strengths, needs, wishes, and desires, contribute to inequality and discrimination, and affect our relationships and mental health in ways we may not immediately recognize.
- [Navigating Substance Use in Our Romantic Relationships](https://roamerstherapy.com/navigating-substance-use-in-our-romantic-relationships/): When we are struggling with substance use, our relationships can also become more complicated. Similarly, dating and being in a relationship can bring challenges that are not always easy to navigate. Interestingly, being in a romantic relationship while dealing with substance use can have both positive and negative effects for our own mental health, depending on factors like partners’ substance use patterns, the quality of the relationship, and more. Still, couples where both partners struggle with substance use (such as drugs and alcohol) are more common than we might first think, which invites us to consider the role of relationships in helping vs maintaining substance use patterns.
- [event-evaluation-form](https://roamerstherapy.com/event-evaluation-form/): Thank you for joining our Spring Gathering. We would love to hear your thoughts, feedback, and suggestions to help us improve future community events. The form is completely anonymous and should take only a few minutes to complete.
- [The Power of Shared Experience ](https://roamerstherapy.com/the-power-of-shared-experience/): Group therapy sessions are typically structured around a shared experience, theme, or need, and members are selected through preliminary interviews to ensure suitability for the group process. However, it is possible to create group sessions on nearly any topic where people can find common ground, make sense of their experiences together, or seek support (DeLucia-Waack et al., 2004).
- [Clinician Specialty Form](https://roamerstherapy.com/clinician-specialty-form/): Clinician Specialty Form
- [Should we try couples therapy?](https://roamerstherapy.com/should-we-try-couples-therapy/): Relationships can feel surprisingly hard to hold onto at times, even though they remain one of our most important sources of love, attachment, and closeness. In moments like these, reaching out for professional support, such as couples therapy, can be transformative. 
- [Free Intake Line](https://roamerstherapy.com/free-intake-line/): Our intake line connects you with a Practice Manager at Roamers Therapy who will listen, provide guidance, and help you navigate your next steps in finding the right mental health support.
- [Insurance and Self Pay Inquiry Form — Learn your out-of-pocket benefits. Book Now! 1 Step to Better Mental Health at Roamers Therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/inquiry-form/): To start services at Roamers Therapy, please complete the form below and identify whether you would like to use insurance benefits or self-pay for services.
- [Healing Happens in Relationships ](https://roamerstherapy.com/healing-happens-in-relationships/): Relational–Cultural Theory (RCT) offers an alternative, suggesting that human development is primarily toward relationships, connection, and relatedness rather than individual mastery. Developed by feminist clinicians in the 1970s, it offers a critical alternative to classical individualistic models of development by centering the experiences of women and marginalized groups. RCT emphasizes how psychological development is a lifelong process of “orientation toward relationship." Within this framework, mature functioning is defined not by individual differentiation but by the capacity for mutuality. Mutuality is a relational process in which both parties influence one another, are seen as equals, and engage in emotional connection.
- [Biweekly Form](https://roamerstherapy.com/biweekly-form/)
- [How do defense mechanisms help us cope with reality?](https://roamerstherapy.com/how-do-defense-mechanisms-help-us-cope-with-reality/): Sometimes reality becomes too overwhelming to accept as it is. To cope with this, we develop various ways to handle the painful, confusing, or intolerable aspects of reality. We do this by either avoiding or denying situations that could shake our beliefs about ourselves and the world, or by distorting them into more acceptable forms in our minds. We call these protective strategies we develop to cope with reality “defense mechanisms.” Defense mechanisms generally operate unconsciously and automatically, so we may not even be aware of engaging them. Although the word “defense” may sound negative, defense mechanisms aren’t problematic in and of themselves. They’re actually strategies we all develop as we grow up and rely on throughout life. However, defense mechanisms can sometimes become rigid and overused. When this happens, it can lead to other psychological, relational, or social issues. In this therapy sketch, we’ll explore the common defense mechanisms outlined in previous research.
- [Natalie Hogue — Therapist in South Loop and Lakeview, Chicago, Illinois — in-person and remote therapy sessions](https://roamerstherapy.com/about-natalie-hogue/): Eventhough obstacles are expected parts of your journey, they may still leave you feeling stuck, discouraged, and helpless. In those overwhelming moments, connecting with support and care can help you navigate obstacles and provide a safe space to discover and become the best version of yourself. It can help you confront what may be holding you back in life and equip you with inner resources to move toward the life you desire.
- [How can we hold space for our partners?](https://roamerstherapy.com/how-can-we-hold-space-for-our-partners/): In our close relationships, we often project onto each other emotions such as anger, fear, feelings of worthlessness, or abandonment that they struggle to tolerate within themselves. When these emotions are vented directly, the relationship can quickly spiral into a cycle of blame, defense, and counterattack. However, when containment is present, these intense experiences are received as they are, reflected upon, and returned in a more tolerable form, which can help us and our partners feel more emotionally regulated, understood, and close. 
- [Does all of this have meaning?](https://roamerstherapy.com/does-all-of-this-have-meaning/): Sometimes, our lives can feel overwhelming, filled with challenges and uncertainties. Even when we change the circumstances that seem to cause our suffering, we may still feel a sense of emptiness or question whether life has meaning. Perhaps it would be easier if finding meaning in life came with a map, or if it were a giant, mysterious force that we could eventually discover. Yet, as of the writing of this article, we are not aware of a universally agreed-upon meaning of life. Interestingly, this lack of inherent meaning does not prevent us from searching for it. On the contrary, we continuously strive to create meaning in our lives, and when we cannot, we feel deeply discouraged and disheartened. In that sense, meaning in life does not necessarily refer to “the meaning of life” as a universal truth, but can also capture the subjective quality of our experience, how we perceive, interpret, and feel about our own lives from within, rather than an absolute reality agreed upon by others. In this therapy sketch, we will take a closer look at “meaning in life” and how it’s connected to our well-being.
- [We are All Fellow Travelers](https://roamerstherapy.com/we-are-all-fellow-travelers/): Another important thing existential psychotherapy does is to see the therapist as a “fellow traveler”. No matter how competent the therapist is, they are not immune to existential dilemmas. They also need to face their human condition, the lack of meaning in life, the isolation, the freedom, and that life is finite. That’s why existential therapy sees the therapist and the client as equals, both traveling in this lifetime and sharing a journey. However, this doesn’t mean that therapists are not structured in their work, or do not utilize any frameworks. Rather, it invites a level of genuineness and transparency that goes beyond many therapy traditions, which allows a rich therapeutic relationship.
- [What does Sisyphus help us understand about coping with depression?](https://roamerstherapy.com/what-does-sisyphus-help-us-understand-about-coping-with-depression/): What does Sisyphus help us understand about coping with depression?
- [Ways to work with trauma](https://roamerstherapy.com/ways-to-work-with-trauma/): Traumatic events are one of the primary contributors to mental health issues. As research on trauma has increased over the years, a growing number of therapeutic approaches specifically targeting trauma have been developed. That does not mean that earlier and foundational therapy modalities are not addressing the trauma. But as our understanding of how trauma is processed in the brain and body deepened, more specialized contemporary approaches such as Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Exposure Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Attachment, Regulation and Competency Model (ARC) have been developed to address trauma more directly. 
- [How Trauma Shows Up at Different Stages of Life](https://roamerstherapy.com/how-trauma-shows-up-at-different-stages-of-life/): Traumatic events can deeply affect us regardless of our age. They shake our inner world and challenge the ideas we hold about ourselves and the world. Yet the way we express that impact, whether through words, behavior, or physical symptoms, and the consequences it leaves on our lives, can look very different depending on the developmental stage we are in. As we move through different stages of life, our emotional capacities, relationships, and ways of making sense of difficult experiences continue to evolve. Because of this, trauma does not affect everyone in the same way. A child, an adolescent, an adult, and an older person may all respond differently to a traumatic event. That’s why understanding how trauma interacts with development can help us better recognize its effects and approach healing in ways appropriate to each stage of life. In this therapy sketch, we will examine how different developmental stages (childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and the elderly) affect the impact of trauma, trauma reactions, and implications for the therapeutic process.
- [Breaking Generational Cycles](https://roamerstherapy.com/breaking-generational-cycles/): Have you ever come across the term “breaking generational cycles”? This term mostly refers to a person's deliberate effort to change patterns of behavior, communication, thinking, and beliefs that have been perpetuated within their family for generations and often have dysfunctional, negative consequences. Many of these patterns may have started as ways to cope, but over time, they can become maladaptive.
- [Jessica Sandoval (she/her) — Therapist in Dearborn, Chicago, Illinois — Offers in-person or remote sessions, Trauma-Responsive Program, Psychodynamic and Relational Therapy, Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics, Internal Family Systems, Mindfulness Therapies/Strategies, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Expressive, Narrative and Play-based Therapy Strategiesi Attachment, Self-Regulation, and Competency Model  and Gottman Method relationship therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/about-jessica-sandoval/): I often think of life as being a lot like the ocean. Some days feel calm and balanced. Other days feel like waves rushing toward us all at once, overwhelming and hard to navigate. In those moments, it can be difficult to find your footing. I believe that even when life feels unsteady, people have a deep capacity for resilience and meaningful change, especially when they feel supported. Therapy can be a space where we learn how to move through life’s waves with greater awareness, confidence, and self-trust. You do not have to face the waves alone.
- [Not all trauma is the same](https://roamerstherapy.com/not-all-trauma-is-the-same/): Trauma has undoubtedly become one of the most frequently discussed concepts in mental health in recent years. As we talk about trauma in this way, it may seem as if trauma is a single entity. Perhaps it would be much easier if that were the case. If only trauma were something we could point to, healing might feel more contained, more straightforward. But trauma does not live in just one place. It shows itself in the memory, in the nervous system, in the stories we tell about ourselves. And because it does not reside in a single presentation, it does not take a single form. 
- [When You’re Safe, But You Don’t Feel Safe Yet](https://roamerstherapy.com/when-youre-safe-but-you-dont-feel-safe-yet/): Trauma often reshapes our systems. The event is over, but the body, mind, and emotions may not process “the over” information at the same speed. While everyone else is moving on with their lives, you may be drinking your coffee one morning and realize that your heart is racing for no reason. A sound, a smell, a message, a look can trigger you, and suddenly your body reacts; you are in the very same moment. Even if your mind says it's over, your body may disagree. Because trauma is more than a memory, it is a change in the nervous system's perception of safety. Even if the danger has passed, your system may still operate according to the possibility that something will happen. It is as if once the alarm system is activated, it starts to perceive even the smallest sensation as a fire. But it does not mean that the system is broken. It means that your brain and body are using survival strategies to protect you. The problem is that these strategies do not shut down even after the danger has passed. This can manifest itself in your daily life in reactions such as nervousness, startle, restlessness, avoidance, sleep problems, intense anxiety, outbursts of anger, or freezing, often without making sense of it. Sometimes these symptoms are very visible; at other times, they linger quietly in your inner world and seep into your life. 
- [Myths, Facts, and What to Expect in Child Therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/myths-facts-and-what-to-expect-in-child-therapy/): Myths, Facts, and What to Expect in Child Therapy
- [Home is not a place; it is a feeling](https://roamerstherapy.com/home-is-not-a-place-it-is-a-feeling/): When someone says, “Home is not a place; it is a feeling,” what they are referring to is emotional security most of the time, actually. Most of us think of home as somewhere we feel comfortable and safe. And yes, that includes the physical side of things like having a roof over your head, a place to rest, a space that protects you. But home is more than that. It is also the emotional experience of being able to relax, to let your guard down, and to trust that you are okay there. It is the place where you don’t have to stay alert, manage other people’s emotions, or worry about what might go wrong next. And this feeling is built in childhood. It develops through everyday experiences between you and your caregiver, like how your stress is handled, how your emotions are responded to, and whether you feel protected when things are hard (Cummings & Davies, 2010; Davies & Cummings, 1994). When children grow up in environments where they feel emotionally safe, that sense of “home” becomes something they carry inside them. When that safety is inconsistent or threatened, the feeling of home can become fragile, tied to vigilance rather than comfort. Over time, these early experiences shape not just how children relate to their family, but how they experience emotional safety throughout their lives (Cummings & Davies, 2010; Davies & Cummings, 1994).  In this therapy, we will explain the concept of emotional security in the family context.
- [Children’s Behavior as Communication ](https://roamerstherapy.com/childrens-behavior-as-communication/): Children begin to express themselves long before they learn to speak. Sounds, gaze, gestures, body movements, and reciprocity are the basic channels of early communication. These forms of communication shape not only bonding but also how a child expresses distress and stress. When a child cannot express their emotional burden in words, they show it through the rhythm of their body, their behavior, the tone and intensity of their voice, or changes in daily routines.
- [Chelsey Daval (she/they) — Therapist in Dearborn, Chicago, Illinois — Offers in-person or remote sessions, Trauma-Responsive Program, Psychodynamic and Relational Therapy, Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics, Internal Family Systems, Mindfulness Therapies/Strategies, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Expressive, Narrative and Play-based Therapy Strategiesi Attachment, Self-Regulation, and Competency Model  and Gottman Method relationship therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/about-chelsey-daval/): Life brings moments of joy, connection, and excitement, but it can also bring seasons where the emotional weight of everyday responsibilities feels overwhelming. Many people, regardless of age, find themselves stuck in patterns they do not want to be in. Struggling with the same issues again and again, unsure of how to name what they are feeling, or unable to imagine a way forward. This may look like ongoing anxiety, low mood, obsessive or rigid thinking patterns, or difficulties in relationships that begin to feel confusing or distressing. I believe that change is possible when you are supported in an environment that encourages reflection, honesty, and self-compassion. We, as humans, are social beings, and healing does not happen alone. Therapy offers a space to slow down, feel supported, make sense of your experiences, and reconnect with yourself in a way that helps you move towards a more authentic and balanced life. I strive to create a therapeutic space together that is grounded in safety, respect, understanding, and empowerment.
- [Relationships as a Foundation of Development](https://roamerstherapy.com/relationships-as-a-foundation-of-development/): When we try to understand a child, we often focus on behavior. Why do they get angry, why do they withdraw, why do they push boundaries? To understand that, we need to look at their relationships. From the very beginning, children come to understand who they are and the world around them through the way others show up for them. How they are held, noticed, and responded to shapes their world. Feelings grow in the space between a child and the people around them. What feels safe, what feels overwhelming, and what feels within reach are all learned through connection. Seen this way, behavior is a window into how a child is experiencing their relationships. And when we talk about relationships, we don’t just mean caregivers. We mean the whole family system. This system includes the emotional climate of the home, how adults relate to one another, how stress is handled, and how safety and support are shared. As a result,  relationships around the child become the context in which a child’s inner world takes shape. In this therapy sketch, we will explore how relationships impact children’s inner worlds. 
- [The World Is Changing, So Is Therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/the-world-is-changing-so-is-therapy/): The World Is Changing, So Is Therapy
- [Why POV Content Feels So Personal?](https://roamerstherapy.com/why-pov-content-feels-so-personal/): Why POV Content Feels So Personal?
- [Detoxing from Screens: Is It Really Possible?](https://roamerstherapy.com/detoxing-from-screens-is-it-really-possible/): Detoxing from Screens: Is It Really Possible?
- [The Rise of the Self-Diagnosis Culture](https://roamerstherapy.com/the-rise-of-the-self-diagnosis-culture/): The Rise of the Self-Diagnosis Culture
- [Thoughts That Feel Alien](https://roamerstherapy.com/thoughts-that-feel-alien/): Did you know that we have between 12,000 and 60,000 thoughts every day? Interestingly, about 95% of these thoughts are the same as the day before, and around 80% are negative. Many of the negative thoughts have critical, repetitive, or fear-based content, which makes sense that some of them stick. And when a thought feels loud, strange, or unsettling, we don’t just notice it, and it leads us to react. This is where intrusive thoughts often begin. According to the APA Dictionary, intrusive thoughts are unwanted, involuntary thoughts, images, or impulses that are distressing and difficult to control. What makes these thoughts unique is that they are something we are not familiar with.  They are inconsistent with our values, beliefs, or intentions, which is precisely why they can feel so alarming. After this thought passes by in our mind, we might stop and ask ourselves, “Why am I thinking this way right now?. That question alone can be alarming. It can make us feel confused, ashamed, or even afraid of our own minds.  And even though we try to push the thought away, ignore it, or make it stop, suppression rarely works the way we hope. In fact, we might find that the more we try not to think about it, the louder and more persistent it becomes. At this point, the situation is not limited to a negative or strange thought anymore; it’s more about how we react to it.  We begin monitoring it, checking whether it will come back, questioning what it says about us. But the question here is why that specific thought is important to you, why you are experiencing this, and whether this is truly something alarming. We will explore the concept of intrusive thoughts in this therapy sketch.
- [Struggling with the Same old Patterns? Change is possible now!](https://roamerstherapy.com/change-is-possible/): Personality disorders often show up in someone’s life not as sudden problems, but as patterns they’ve carried for as long as they can remember, in terms of the ways they feel, react, or relate that feel almost built-in. Some individuals move through the world with a sense of distance or mistrust (Cluster A), others with emotions that rise quickly and intensely (Cluster B), and some with a constant pull toward worry or self-doubt (Cluster C). But whichever cluster a person fits into, they or the people around them might feel something isn’t quite right. They might notice moments at work where they freeze, shut down, or react more strongly than they intended. They might find themselves in relationships that become confusing or overwhelming, or they may look in the mirror and feel that their relationship with themself is the hardest one to manage. Of course, none of these means personality disorder directly. Many people go through periods of feeling stuck, confused, or patterned in their reactions. However, if you’ve noticed strict, long-standing patterns that continue to shape how you think, feel, and relate, and if these patterns seem nonfunctional, you might be looking for options to escape from this loop. Maybe you tried to read self-help books, or had long conversations with friends or family, sought guidance from someone older and wiser, or turned to yoga and meditation when everything feels anxiety-driven. And if you’ve tried all of this, you still feel like you will keep these patterns forever, or even if you haven’t tried anything yet, but started searching for what to do next, one of the first options you’ll come across is therapy. And that brings us here. Starting therapy, and perhaps even moving forward with a “personality disorder” frame in mind, can feel like stepping into unfamiliar territory. In this therapy sketch, we’ll explore what that process actually looks like, what it means to begin, how therapy unfolds over time, and how change becomes possible. 
- [Roamers Therapy Referral Form](https://roamerstherapy.com/referral-form/): Please complete the HIPAA-compliant referral form below to refer a patient to Roamers Therapy. Our intake team will review the information and contact the patient within 2 business days.
- [Intense emotions, intense connections, and everything in between](https://roamerstherapy.com/intense-emotions/): Have you ever thought that someone around you might be narcissistic, borderline, or antisocial? Furthermore, have you encountered any social media content that mentions how these traits are? You might say, yes, because these terms have become very popular on social media lately. Besides the real meaning of these concepts, everyone has more or less a template of a narcissistic or antisocial personality. However, these terms are more than a character type or traits; these are known as personality disorders in the mental health field. Narcissistic disorder, borderline disorder, histrionic disorder, and antisocial disorder all come under Personality Disorders, Cluster B specifically. People with Cluster B personality disorder have difficulty controlling their emotions and impulsive behaviors. In fact, Cluster B is one of the most mediatic and popular personality disorders (APA, 2013). When one prioritizes themselves first, others might say that “This is narcissistic,” or in a dysfunctional relationship, one side might think the other is a narcissistic person directly. Similarly, someone who has a breakup recently might be thought to have borderline personality if they can’t get over it shortly. Or, one of the more well-known assumptions is that if someone can’t show their emotions or behave manipulatively, they might be antisocial. However, much more is needed to define a personality disorder than just the term itself. Personality disorders are long-term, rigid patterns of behavior that begin in childhood and significantly impact a person's social, occupational, and relational functioning. In this therapy sketch, we will explore Cluster B personality disorders and the features that unite them into a common cluster.
- [When the world feels distant, unusual, and hard to read](https://roamerstherapy.com/when-the-world-feels-distant-unusual-and-hard-to-read/): We all have moments when we feel awkward, withdraw, become cautious, or misinterpret things. We can also notice others acting a bit unusual, distant, or occasionally overly suspicious in ways that don’t quite fit the situation, time to time. But for some people, this is not a temporary reflection of a mood; it becomes a stable, long-term way of perceiving the world, reading relationships, and approaching others. In moments like these, it might simply feel like part of they are, like a way their personality organizes itself. But when that pattern sticks around for years, becomes harder to shift, and starts shaping what they can or can’t do in their daily lives, that’s when we begin to move closer to what we call a personality disorder.
- [Are we defining personality or just trying to categorize it? Find out now!](https://roamerstherapy.com/are-we-defining-personality-or-just-trying-to-categorize-it/): On social media or in daily conversations, we often hear sentences like “They're a narcissist”, “My friend might be borderline”. Nowadays, personality disorders mean much more than the technical terms in thick diagnostic books like DSM-5 or ICD-10; they have become a kind of stereotype for all of us. However, in order to understand personality disorders, we must first look at the concept of “personality”. The word personality comes from the Latin persona. A persona referred to the mask worn by actors in ancient theaters, and it represented the character a person portrayed on stage. Over time, the meaning of this word has changed, and today it is used to describe the distinctive features of a person that are seen and recognized by others (Konduz, 2015).
- [Morgan Cureton (she/her) — Therapist in Dearborn, Chicago, Illinois — Offers in-person or remote sessions, Trauma-Responsive Program, Psychodynamic and Relational Therapy, Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics, Internal Family Systems, Mindfulness Therapies/Strategies, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Expressive, Narrative and Play-based Therapy Strategiesi Attachment, Self-Regulation, and Competency Model  and Gottman Method relationship therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/about-morgan-cureton/): There’s no roadmap to living a fulfilling life, and the challenges we face on our journeys can feel overwhelming, isolating, and ongoing. As we move through life, we may encounter past wounds and traumas on our journey, as they slowly take root in our behaviors, emotions, thoughts, and our most cherished relationships. As a therapist who believes radical honesty is the precursor to lasting change, I believe change, growth, and new beginnings start when we allow ourselves space and time to reflect and plan honestly around our challenges, triumphs, and life goals. My goal is to help you align with the radical truth of your life to keep you moving forward on your life’s journey.   
- [Can Workplace Culture Shape How You Feel at Work?](https://roamerstherapy.com/can-workplace-culture-shape-how-you-feel-at-work/): When we think of our jobs, we tend to think of the same things: the meetings, the tasks, the never-ending deadlines… Yet behind those routines, each workplace tells a completely different story. You might realize this when you sit and chat with a group of friends. As everyone starts sharing workplace stories, you'll see that their work environments feel like different worlds, even though they're in the same industry. One friend describes a workplace where ideas are welcomed and mistakes are seen as part of learning. Another talks about a place where people walk on eggshells, where silence feels safer than honesty. Someone else works in an environment that celebrates collaboration, while another says success only matters if you stand out alone. These differences may not show up in job titles or office layouts, but in the invisible tone of daily life. Workplaces vary in terms of their cultures, and each one has its own unique culture, an invisible language, and an atmosphere that influences the relationships within it. In short, workplace culture reflects not only an organization's ”way of doing business“ but also its ”way of being together." In this therapy sketch, we will explore the concept of workplace culture and its impact on a person’s well-being. 
- [Is my job part of who I am?](https://roamerstherapy.com/is-my-job-part-of-who-i-am/): Have you ever thought, “Who am I?” and the answer starts with a sentence like “I am a therapist”, “I am a teacher”, “I am a manager”? For most of us, work is not just something we do; it is a way of understanding who we are. When we spend most of the day at work, we often embed our own values, competence, and sometimes love in it. Regardless of how you answer the “who I am” question, identity has a broader meaning: identity refers to your positioning in the social world. It is the way you see yourself in relation to others, in groups, or as part of institutions, that makes sense of who you are.  We have multiple identities, and these are shaped in the context. And work identity is one of the identities we hold and are shaped by, including the profession itself, our experiences, and our relationships with colleagues and supervisors. For example, the happiness we feel when a project is finished is an affirmation not only of success but of our identity. Conversely, when we receive criticism or make a mistake at work, it might impact our self-esteem. The identities are really close relationships with our self-concepts; each contributes uniquely to our well-being in terms of sense of belonging and meaning. However, sometimes we might lose the contributions our identities make and no longer feel we belong there. Or, on the contrary, we might lose balance between identities and make one of them more central for us. In this therapy sketch, we will explore the concept of identity in terms of work and how it can impact our sense of belonging. 
- [What if there’s no ‘normal’ way to work?](https://roamerstherapy.com/what-if-theres-no-normal-way-to-work/): While you're working, you might notice that one colleague prefers listening to music, podcasts, or background noise to help focus on their tasks. On the other hand, you might see another colleague who needs silence to think clearly. You may also encounter that one friend who enjoys back-to-back meetings because connecting with people energizes them, while another might feel exhausted and need time to recharge after a meeting. This simply shows that we all have different rhythms, and our brains work in unique ways. All these differences are actually a natural part of being human and are called neurodiversity. Some of these natural differences are also part of what we call neurodivergency. 
- [How Can a Trauma-Informed Approach Shape Leadership and the Workplace?](https://roamerstherapy.com/how-can-a-trauma-informed-approach-shape-leadership-and-the-workplace/): It is essential to recognize that trauma does not have to be physically visible or overtly violent. It can include many kinds, such as emotional, physical, s-xual, religious, relational, racial, workplace, identity-based, environmental, and more. Basically, by mentioning trauma, we are referring to all experiences that radically affect a person's trust in the world, their view of themselves, or their way of relating to others. This is why trauma can remain like a shadow that challenges a person not only in the moment but even years later. Therefore, understanding trauma begins with wondering not only what happened, but what that experience has left in a person. And this is where “being trauma-informed” comes in.
- [Why are we having a hard time taking care of ourselves at work?](https://roamerstherapy.com/why-are-we-having-a-hard-time-taking-care-of-ourselves-at-work/): These requirements affect our physical and mental health, without a doubt. We all incorporate some level of self-care into our lives to function daily. We eat, drink, socialize, rest, and protect ourselves from risks. However, self-care refers to practices we employ to sustain this functioning and applies to many areas of our lives, including the workplace. Self-care practices not just refer to food intake but also include having a healthy meal daily, or having a good time with a friend, or feeling socially supported, rather than just having social interaction. Even though it sounds doable daily, sometimes it is easy to push self-care aside, especially in a work life where you need to handle the fast-paced workflow, looming deadlines, piling-up files or client inquiries, and endless meetings. Even pushing self-care aside occasionally can be a necessity from time to time; experiencing this regularly and not compromising afterward might lead to detrimental consequences to physical and mental health. 
- [How do you protect your boundaries between your personal life and work?](https://roamerstherapy.com/how-do-you-protect-your-boundaries-between-your-personal-life-and-work/): Nowadays, workplaces are not limited to offices and certain work hours anymore. Remote work, hybrid setups, flexible working hours, and endless emails and calls have made us constantly reachable. The pandemic sped up a shift that was already happening, and now we are just an email or a meeting away from our workplace. This new work style we have adopted has been making some tasks easier. For example, things are moving faster, and questions are answered right away. But at a cost that we have not been able to anticipate. When you’re always connected, you’re also never really off. Your mind doesn’t get a chance to rest, and your body doesn’t get to exhale. You start answering emails at midnight or thinking about a virtual meeting while eating dinner. Slowly, the space between work and life disappears, and with it, the sense of balance that keeps us steady. This is where personal boundaries are essential. They are not just rules you set for colleagues, clients, or supervisors. They’re reminders that you give yourself when to close the laptop, when to put the phone down, and when to actually rest.
- [Why Do I Feel So Drained All the Time?](https://roamerstherapy.com/why-do-i-feel-so-drained-all-the-time/): This is precisely where it is easy to blame yourself. You may think, “I am not strong enough, I must be weak.” However, the reality is quite different: Burnout is most commonly seen in those who care the most and try the hardest. Psychologist Herbert Freudenberger observed this in the 1970s. Doctors, nurses, and social workers who put helping others at the center of their lives gradually depleted their own energy and felt drained from within. Later, Christina Maslach and her team defined this phenomenon in three dimensions: intense exhaustion, emotional detachment from work, and a diminished sense of accomplishment. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2019) defines burnout as “a professional phenomenon resulting from the inability to manage chronic work stress successfully.” In other words, the problem is not a personal inadequacy; it is an uncontrollable, unmanageable vortex of stress caused by burnout.
- [From Screening to Healing: A Comprehensive Clinical Approach to Substance Use Disorders](https://roamerstherapy.com/from-screening-to-healing-a-comprehensive-clinical-approach-to-substance-use-disorders/): Substance use continues to be a widespread public health problem that significantly negatively affects both physical and mental health in almost all societies. Briefly defined as the repeated consumption of psychoactive substances such as alcohol, cannabis, opioids, and stimulants, substance use ranges from experimental or occasional use to substance use disorders (APA, 2022). It is essential to understand the frequency, type, and pattern of use in individuals who use substances, as these factors are known to be intertwined with broader psychological, social, and behavioral domains (Volkow et al., 2016).
- [How Do Early Traumas Linger Into Adulthood?](https://roamerstherapy.com/how-do-early-traumas-linger-into-adulthood/): Even though we use the word trauma in recent times, trauma has been part of the human story. People have been through wars for a long period of time, natural disasters are going on, and the spread of violence, even nowadays, has always left marks on our memories. On the other hand, we thought that trauma is experienced in physical terms only in the past. We described our traumas physically like broken bones, a head injury, wounds that could be seen and treated (Jones, 2017). This understanding began to change in the 19th century. After the Franco-Prussian War, many soldiers came home without visible injuries. However, they experienced something that felt like their lives had been quietly broken. They withdrew from activities that once gave them joy, and seemed detached from the world around them. This was called “traumatic neurosis” and became one of the earliest recognitions that trauma could wound the mental health as profoundly as the body (Kardiner, 1959; Norman, 1989).
- [Bridging Science and Assessment: The Role of Standardized Tests in Evidence-Based Mental Health Care. Find out now!](https://roamerstherapy.com/evidence-based-mental-health-care/): When you first start therapy, it is common to complete a number of documents. It’s natural to wonder, “Do we really need to complete all these forms before the session begins?” Assessment is often seen as just paperwork, but in reality, it is the first doorway into understanding for clinicians. The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) describes a mental health assessment as “a conversation between an individual and mental health professionals to help decide what kind of support they need.” It might seem a bit mechanical at first glance. However, it is more relational than it appears, as it marks the first step in establishing a shared language. You can think of them as the map we carry alongside our intuition. Their strength lies in producing findings that are consistent, repeatable, and reliable. As therapy services move further into evidence-based practice, these assessments create a bridge between research and the therapeutic knowledge of the clinician. It also provides a foundation for decisions based on transparency and accountability (Youngstrom, 2015). Standardized assessments help name what is happening and trace progress over time. They protect against the risks of relying on subjective impressions by generating measurable data with reference points (Hunsley & Mash, 2007). Also, their significance goes beyond clinical accuracy. They act as a compass that points toward areas of growth (Celestine, 2021). The broader movement toward evidence-based assessment reflects this same balance. It helps clinicians to combine intuition with structured, scientific knowledge. (Mash & Hunsley, 2005; Jensen-Doss & Hawley, 2010). In this therapy sketch, we will explore why all of these documents matter and how they serve as the foundation of effective therapy.
- [Your Story Matters: Integrating Narrative into Psychological Assessment](https://roamerstherapy.com/integrating-narrative-into-psychological-assessment/): Can we understand a person’s psychological world without listening to their story? Unfortunately, it is not possible. Through the stories people tell, it is possible to understand the contextual details that make them individuals and the characteristics that reveal their reality. Narratives are a way of communicating everyday experiences, and almost all cultures have a place for storytelling (Hall & Powell, 2011). Thus, narrative is a culturally congruent way of identifying and understanding experiences. Moreover, narratives show the social context of events and indirectly provide answers to questions of emotion and meaning. It is precisely for these powerful reasons that narratives are utilized as an assessment tool in the therapeutic setting. In order to provide holistic care to the client, listening to their story in all its aspects is of considerable importance in the therapeutic context. In contrast to traditional assessments, narrative approaches promote a meaning-centered, strengths-based, and culturally inclusive understanding of the client (White & Epston, 1990). This is particularly valuable when working with individuals who feel they are not fully seen by traditional diagnostic frameworks, such as those from marginalized communities, trauma survivors, or clients with complex identities (Sue, et. al., 2009; Herman, 1992). On the other hand, narrative-based assessments encourage client collaboration and shared understanding, which strengthens the therapeutic alliance, a key determinant of successful outcomes across treatment modalities (Norcross & Wampold, 2011). Rather than positioning the clinician as an expert interpreting symptoms from a distance, the narrative approach involves a co-constructed, dialogic process in which clients become active participants in defining their problems and envisioning change (Angus & Greenberg, 2011).
- [Sharanya Bharadwaj — Therapist in Chicago, Illinois multiracial/ multicultural issues, LGBTQIA+ issues, trauma, neurodiversity (e.g. ADHD, autism), chronic illness, anxiety, and depression.](https://roamerstherapy.com/about-sharanya-bharadwaj/): Our lives are shaped by the stories we share with others and the stories we keep inside. Some of these stories bring us closer, while others keep us stuck. Therapy offers a space where your story can unfold, be witnessed, and begin to take on new meaning.  I hope to hear your story, honoring its weight and its possibilities. I truly believe in the power of people’s stories. Each story helps us understand ourselves better about who we are, our past, and our relationships. Sharing them allows us to reshape those stories into more hopeful and empowering ones, opening up new possibilities for growth and connection. My practice emphasizes how valuable your story is and how you discover meaning through your relationships with others. 
- [Beyond Symptoms: Seeing the Person as a Whole through Biopsychosocial Assessment](https://roamerstherapy.com/beyond-symptoms-seeing-the-person-as-a-whole-through-biopsychosocial-assessment/): Mental health care increasingly requires comprehensive and personalized approaches that can capture the full complexity of human functioning. The biopsychosocial assessment offers a structured framework that integrates biological, psychological, and social factors to foster a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s health. The shift in understanding human health from the biomedical model to the biopsychosocial model was initiated by George L. Engel in 1977 with his biopsychosocial theory, which proposed that health and illness can be understood through the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors. Engel’s biopsychosocial model challenged the reductive perspective on illness and laid the foundations for a more holistic and person-centered approach to healthcare.
- [Intersectionality: Impact of Overlapping Discrimination on Mental Health](https://roamerstherapy.com/intersectionality-impact-of-overlapping-discrimination-on-mental-health/): Discrimination is not always tied to a single category; it can expand and intersect with multiple characteristics that shape how people move through the world. This leads to the term “intersectionality,” which implies experiencing different kinds of discrimination simultaneously (Webster, 2024). Since the term originates from discrimination, let's begin by explaining what discrimination is. Discrimination can be defined as unfair treatment of someone for their identity, or for being a member of a community or group. This can be related to age, disability, ethnicity, origin, political beliefs, race, religion, sex or gender, sexual orientation, language, culture, and many other grounds. As discrimination has appeared in many contexts and forms in the past and present, it is a widely studied area to understand why it happens. Literature discussed that the act of discrimination starts with prejudice, which means it is a preconceived, often negative opinion about someone or a group based on limited or biased information. Prejudice, as the word suggests, is to make a “prejudgment.” The focus here is not on the person's action but on the thought in their mind. Discrimination is the act of turning negative prejudice into actions. However, not every negative prejudice turns into behavior (Aronson et al., 2007).
- [Promoting Inclusivity in Mental Health: LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Approach in Therapy Setting](https://roamerstherapy.com/promoting-inclusivity-in-mental-health-lgbtqia-affirmative-approach-in-therapy-setting/): LGBTQIA+ individuals still face significant inequalities in various areas around the world today. One area where these inequalities are evident is mental health (American Psychological Association, 2021). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other individuals with non-heteronormative orientations and gender identities are exposed to various stress factors that can significantly affect their mental health (THealth, 2024). According to Meyer (2003) and Hatzenbuehler (2009), the higher rates of mental health issues among LGBTQIA+ individuals are not due to their sexual orientation or gender identity but rather to the exclusionary social conditions, discrimination, stigmatization, and minority stress they experience. For this very reason, developing affirmative approaches in mental health services that seek to understand and support the unique experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals is both an ethical and scientific imperative.
- [Transparency & Integrity, and Honesty: Ethics in Therapy Sessions](https://roamerstherapy.com/transparency-integrity-and-honesty-ethics-in-therapy-sessions/): Ethics is one of the most important topics that has been studied by many disciplines and has been the focus of researchers for centuries. Therefore, all evidence-based frameworks rely on core ethical principles like respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. These principles also apply to psychotherapy modalities. Given that therapeutic relationships inherently involve numerous dynamics, the dynamics of the therapist-client relationship may include dozens of ethical dilemmas and questions that need to be addressed  (Opoczyńska-Morasiewicz et al., 2015). This situation has led to the need to establish some rules that can protect both therapists and clients over time. Furthermore, an increased focus on ethical principles, as well as recent publications, demonstrates the essential role these principles play in the psychotherapy field, serving as the foundation not only for the therapist but also for the person receiving therapy. In this regard, the APA (American Psychological Association) (1992) has established a general framework of ethical rules and provided a roadmap for addressing ethical dilemmas that may arise. Consideration of these defined ethical rules in psychotherapy is crucial to ensure the delivery of high-quality psychological interventions (Vyskocilova et al., 2013). However, we can say that ethics is not only about written guidelines, rules, and specific regulations; ethics is also a stance and attitude towards a particular situation. Therefore, it is crucial for psychotherapists to prioritize ethical issues at the center of all their practices. In this therapy sketch, we will examine the topic of ethics in our therapy sketch, pointing out its importance for both therapists and clients.
- [Understanding the Structure of Psychotherapy: What to Expect as a Client?](https://roamerstherapy.com/understanding-the-structure-of-psychotherapy-what-to-expect-as-a-client/): At certain stages of life, individuals may face overwhelming stress, events that exceed their coping abilities, or crisis situations. For anyone who has gone through such situations, is unhappy with their behavior or feelings, and wants to change, seeking therapy is an appropriate method. In general terms, psychotherapy can be defined as the support an individual receives from a professional with the aim of bringing about changes in their emotions, thoughts, and attitudes (Wall, 2021). How the psychotherapist provides support to the client varies depending on the therapist’s education and theoretical orientation. This orientation will influence the therapist’s style and focus, as well as the methods and techniques used in psychotherapy. For some clients, starting therapy can be both promising and intimidating at the same time. One of the most effective ways to reduce the anxiety that uncertainty can cause is to understand how psychotherapy is typically structured: when the client learns what will happen in the first session, how a standard session will proceed, how progress will be reviewed, and how the therapy will end, they may feel more comfortable starting therapy (Hill & Knox, 2013). A clear structure in the therapeutic environment helps establish realistic expectations, strengthen the working alliance, and lead to better outcomes and lower dropout rates (Swift & Greenberg, 2012; Wampold & Imel, 2015). A brief overview of the general process of therapy is provided below (THealth, 2025):
- [Feedback Informed Treatment: What does it mean?](https://roamerstherapy.com/feedback-informed-treatment-what-does-it-mean/): Therapists generally use various tools to assess their clients, including standardized tests, individual narratives, and other assessment methods. A feedback-informed approach is also a tool for therapists to get real-time information about treatment progress. A feedback-informed treatment (FIT) functions as more than just an assessment tool in therapy; it supports psychotherapeutic outcomes.  As its name implies, the FIT involves collecting real-life feedback from individuals on a continuous basis. This approach is based on receiving regular, structured feedback from clients throughout the therapy process and integrating this feedback into the treatment. This method was developed to enhance the effectiveness of the therapeutic process and improve therapy outcomes (Lambert & Shimokawa, 2011). The core practice of FIT is that the client assesses the therapeutic relationship (including alliance, trust, and goal congruence) and the progress made in therapy and informs the therapist in each session. This assessment is typically conducted using short, standardized measurement tools. In this therapy sketch, we will explain how the feedback-informed approach works and how it is integrated into therapy sessions.
- [Meeting Clients Where They Are: Cultural Competency in Psychotherapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/meeting-clients-where-they-are-cultural-competency-in-psychotherapy/): In today’s world, which has been overtaken by globalization and the spread of multiculturalism, mental health professionals are serving individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds more frequently than in the past. The current situation necessitates a cultural competence framework that enables clinicians to provide sensitive, effective, and ethical care that is responsive to clients’ cultural identities, values, and lived experiences (Sue et al., 2009). In the context of psychotherapy, cultural competence goes beyond awareness; it encompasses the attitudes, knowledge, and skills that support effective cross-cultural interactions in therapeutic settings. So what does the concept of cultural competence mean? Cultural competence in therapy can be defined in several different ways (Seales, 2022):
- [The Power of Being Trauma-Informed: Transforming Therapeutic Relationships](https://roamerstherapy.com/the-power-of-being-trauma-informed-transforming-therapeutic-relationships/): It is well known that most individuals experience trauma during their lifetime (SAMHSA, 2014). Trauma is a widespread problem that deeply affects every individual, regardless of age, background, or community. Generally defined as an experience that exceeds an individual’s coping capacity, trauma can result from a series of adverse experiences, including:
- [Evidence-Based Approach in Psychotherapy: Why is it important?](https://roamerstherapy.com/evidence-based-approach-in-psychotherapy-why-is-it-important/): According to the American Psychological Association (APA, 2006), evidence-based approach or practice is “the integration of the best available research results with clinical practice in the context of an individual’s characteristics, culture, and preferences.” In this respect, evidence-based practice is a way to approach empirical knowledge and make the most of research findings, helping to improve the effectiveness of the treatment services offered to individuals (Ollendick, 2014). Evidence-based practice is a clinical decision-making process that identifies the most suitable intervention, ensuring it’s relevant and applicable to each person’s unique circumstances and promoting continuity of development (Wampold, 1997). We can say that evidence-based practice is not specifically linked to a specific theoretical orientation or psychotherapy modality; it is a broader concept that implies a clinical framework. Driven by this, the psychotherapy modality used in the field of mental health must be based on objective foundations and scientifically reliable, regardless of theoretical orientation (Ollendick, 2014). Evidence-based practice utilizes the most effective intervention supported by research, taking into account the mental health professionals’ clinical experience, and considers and incorporates the individuals’ culture, values, and preferences in the selection of therapy modalities and interventions used during therapy. In this therapy sketch, we investigate the evidence-based practices and their importance in the mental health field.
- [The Person-Centered Approach: A Humanistic Framework for Therapeutic Growth](https://roamerstherapy.com/the-person-centered-approach-a-humanistic-framework-for-therapeutic-growth/): In contemporary psychotherapy, the therapeutic relationship is increasingly recognized not only as a means of delivering interventions but also as a fundamental tool for psychological change in its own right (Norcross & Wampold, 2011). Among the approaches that place the therapeutic relationship at the center of the healing process, the Person-Centered Approach (PCA) developed by Carl Rogers stands out as both a philosophical orientation and a practical framework for interacting with clients. Based on the principles of Humanistic Psychology, the person-centered approach asserts that the client is the primary agent of change, and that the therapist’s role is not to direct, interpret, or control, but rather to provide a consistent relational environment characterized by empathy, unconditional positive regard, and congruence (Rogers, 1957). The person-centered approach is based on the idea that individuals have a fundamental motivation to grow, heal, and realize their full potential when appropriate psychological conditions are present (Rogers, 1961). In this framework, the therapeutic process is less about ‘’treatment’’ and more about establishing a deeply harmonious and non-judgmental relational space where clients can reconnect with their true selves, explore their inner experiences, and move toward greater self-integration. The emphasis is not on diagnosis or symptom reduction, but on facilitating the process of personal meaning-making, autonomy, and psychological integration (Cooper, 2019). The fundamental principles of the person-centered approach, which aims to empower individuals to take control of their own lives and maintain that control, are as follows:
- [Annie Scoltock (she/hers)](https://roamerstherapy.com/about-annie-scoltock/): I believe in every person’s worth and capacity for change and connection. This belief guides my work, and I lead each session with unconditional positive regard, leaving judgment at the door. I invite each person I work with to step into the space with that same openness. In the therapeutic space we will build together, we work to reflect with intention and honesty. My goal is to help you reconnect with your authentic self in therapy and apply that work in ways that feel real, practical, and lasting outside the therapy room. Along the way, I will challenge and support you in becoming the version of yourself that best aligns with your values, needs, and goals.
- [Understanding Psychodynamic Therapy: Theory, Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Scope](https://roamerstherapy.com/understanding-psychodynamic-therapy-theory-mechanisms-and-therapeutic-scope/): Psychodynamic therapy is a psychotherapeutic approach that aims to understand the unconscious processes that shape an individual’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Psychodynamic therapy, which seeks to take a deep journey into the individual’s inner world, is concerned not only with the visible symptoms but also with the underlying causes of these symptoms. In line with this goal, the therapy focuses on the effects of the individual’s past experiences, particularly relationships formed during childhood and events experienced, on their current psychological functioning (Cabaniss et al., 2011; Cabaniss et al., 2013).
- [From Beliefs to Behavior: A Scientific Perspective on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/from-beliefs-to-behavior-a-scientific-perspective-on-rational-emotive-behavior-therapy/): Developed by American psychologist Albert Ellis in the 1950s, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), previously called rational therapy and rational emotional therapy, is an active-directive, philosophical, and empirically based psychotherapy method that aims to help individuals solve their emotional and behavioral problems and lead happier and more fulfilling lives (Ellis, 1994 & Ellis, 1995). According to REBT, it is largely the thoughts one has about events that lead to emotional and behavioral problems. By emphasizing the present moment, REBT teaches individuals how to examine and challenge unhelpful thoughts that create unhealthy emotions and self-defeating/self-sabotaging behaviors (AEI, 2024).
- [Emotion Regulation and Beyond: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/dialectical-behavioral-therapy-emotion-dbt/): Developed in the 1970s by psychologist Marsha Linehan to treat her own Borderline Personality Disorder, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a type of talk therapy specifically adapted for individuals who experience emotions very intensely. DBT is based on helping individuals accept the reality of their lives and behaviors, and also on guiding them to learn to change their lives, including unhelpful behaviors. A terminological way of explaining DBT may make it easier to understand. The term ‘’Dialectical’’ in the method implies that real life is complex and that health is not static but a continuous process, processed through a constant Socratic dialogue, a method of self-discovery, with the self and others. It is possible to say that DBT aims to continuously balance opposing forces and search for the truth about strong negative emotions. In the present therapy sketch, we will explore the realm of DBT, its application, method, and working areas. 
- [EMDR Therapy: A Comprehensive Overview of Theory, Mechanisms, and Applications](https://roamerstherapy.com/emdr-eye-movement-desensitization-reprocessing/): Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing, known as EMDR, was developed by Francine Shapiro in 1987. This method, which has been approved by institutions such as the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), offers a scientifically based, holistic treatment approach for many mental disorders, especially trauma. EMDR, broadly defined, is a psychotherapy approach that helps individuals heal from symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of distressing or traumatic life experiences. EMDR therapy proves that the mind can heal from psychological trauma just as it can from physical trauma. To illustrate with an example, in its natural course, the water of a river flows in the same way as the brain processes information. But if a giant boulder falls into the riverbed, for example, a traumatic memory, the flow of the river is interrupted, the water pools, overflows, and damages the environment. EMDR therapy allows the water to return to its natural flow by changing the path of the giant boulder or eroding its edges. In this way, the brain can digest the traumatic memory that it could not process in the past and leave it behind. In the present therapy sketch, the theoretical foundations of the EMDR approach, its areas of work, and its clinical effectiveness in treating mental disorders will be presented.
- [Shifting Between Survival Modes: Understanding Trauma Through Polyvagal Theory](https://roamerstherapy.com/shifting-between-survival-modes-understanding-trauma-through-polyvagal-theory/): The Polyvagal Theory, developed by Stephen Porges to explain the autonomic nervous system’s relationship with social connectedness, security perception, and threat responses, provides a neurophysiological framework. Polyvagal Theory proposes that the autonomic nervous system, specifically the vagus nerve, regulates an individual’s health and behavior. Unlike previous theories, Polyvagal Theory emphasizes that the individual’s need for security stems from intrinsic physiological states and provides comprehensive explanations for the physiological and psychological states underlying behaviors and challenges related to well-being and mental health (Schore, 2024). On the other hand, from an innovative perspective, the Polyvagal Theory offered a new paradigm for understanding posttraumatic physiological regulation by suggesting that the autonomic nervous system responds to threats and dangers through three functional subsystems (Porges, 2007). According to the theory, there is a hierarchical organization between the ventral vagal complex (social engagement), the sympathetic system (fight or flight), and the dorsal vagal complex (freezing). Porges (2001) suggests that these systems determine how the individual responds to safety or threat. To learn more about Polyvagal theory and these functional subsystems, we cover these terms in detail in our “The Science of Safety & Social Connection: Polyvagal Theory” article.
- [The Science of Safety & Social Connection: Polyvagal Theory](https://roamerstherapy.com/the-science-of-safety-social-connection-polyvagal-theory/): Many traditional modalities often overlook that feelings of safety stem from intrinsic physiological states. Polyvagal Theory highlights that our sense of safety stems from a measurable neurophysiological basis. Furthermore, it integrates neuroanatomy and neurophysiology to explore the need for security, which provides a fresh scientific perspective to the mental health field. (Porges, 2022). The Polyvagal Theory's viewpoint emphasizes that when we genuinely feel safe, our bodies regulate themselves through neural circuits and maintain internal balance, known as homeostasis. The theory is based on the idea that when individuals feel safe, their nervous systems facilitate the homeostatic functions necessary for maintaining health, promoting growth, and facilitating restoration. Additionally, feelings of safety arise from the process that helps individuals survive by fostering trusting social interactions. These interactions involve co-regulatory abilities that reduce the need for energy-consuming defense responses. (Porges, 2022). According to Polyvagal Theory, feelings of safety enhance interpersonal connection, support the body's internal balance, and enable individuals to engage with others without experiencing or expressing threat and vulnerability. In this therapy sketch, we will explore the Polyvagal Theory and its application in a therapeutic context. 
- [Aradhana Walker (she/her) — Therapist in Dearborn, Chicago, Illinois — Offers in-person or remote sessions, Trauma-Responsive Program, Psychodynamic and Relational Therapy, Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics, Internal Family Systems, Mindfulness Therapies/Strategies, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Expressive, Narrative and Play-based Therapy Strategiesi Attachment, Self-Regulation, and Competency Model  and Gottman Method relationship therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/about-aradhana-walker/): Life’s challenges can leave us feeling stuck and unable to imagine and movetowards a better future. Often, the areas of our lives in which we feel the most stuck reflect unresolved issues from our past. As a culturally sensitive therapist with expertise in healing trauma, my goal is to help you get unstuckto find more meaning and joy in the present and greater hope for the future.
- [Understanding Internal Family Systems: A Contemporary Approach to Psychotherapy. Book Now! 1 Step to Better Mental Health at Roamers Therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/understanding-internal-family-systems-a-contemporary-approach-to-psychotherapy/): Internal Family Systems (IFS) is an evidence-based psychotherapy method developed by Richard C. Schwartz. The theory of IFS offers a way to understand and treat inner processes by applying systems theories and techniques. This therapy approach is designed to release internal constraints that prevent people from functioning at their highest level (Brenner et. al., 2023). IFS emphasizes the combination of inner harmony and self-leadership. In its simplest form, IFS considers the mind as a construct composed of multiple 'subpersonalities' or parts, each with autonomy in terms of perspective, emotions, and roles. According to Schwartz (2021), thinking involves the parts of the mind communicating with each other and with individuals about what needs to be done or discussing the best course of action.  “Parts” are governed by a core 'Self.' According to IFS, the self is in everyone; it cannot be damaged, and it knows best how to heal (Sutton, 2022). According to Schwartz (2012), all parts of individuals are inherently valuable, and the journey to recovery is facilitated by accessing the core ‘’Self, a compassionate, curious, and wise inner leader. 
- [Exploring Infidelity as a Trauma: Understanding Its Psychological Impact. Book Now! 1 Step to Better Mental Health at Roamers Therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/exploring-infidelity-as-a-trauma-understanding-its-psychological-impact/): Infidelity can lead to traumatizing processes for individuals and have negative emotional consequences. Defining, understanding, and exploring coping mechanisms for infidelity is necessary to establish healthy and sustainable relationships. Given the importance of the topic, this therapy sketch will address the effects of infidelity on individuals and relationships, and consider various coping mechanisms.
- [The Benefits of Maintaining Independence in Relationships. Book Now! 1 Step to Better Mental Health at Roamers Therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/the-benefits-of-maintaining-independence-in-relationships/): Getting caught up in our new person can feel easy and exciting when entering new relationships. We might experience a period where we always want to spend time with our significant other. Or we live with our partners and spend most of our daily time with them. Falling in love or being around our partner is a great beauty and excitement. But sometimes, these feelings can transition into too much dependence and a loss of self. Our sense of self will inevitably change if we are in a relationship. We share our lives and make decisions based on someone we love rather than just ourselves. At the same time, there is great benefit in ensuring we maintain a certain level of independence in our relationship. This doesn’t mean divesting from your partner but rather practicing secure boundaries to strengthen your mutual happiness in the relationship. This raises the question, “Is it possible to be committed and independent at the same time?” The answer is definitely yes! Maintaining independence in a relationship ensures continuity, satisfaction, well-being, and long-term happiness. As relationships develop through mutual interactions, strong emotional bonds, and unlimited shared experiences, preserving partners’ sense of autonomy contributes to their healthy dynamics. In this therapy sketch, we will cover essential insights into healthy relationships by exploring the effects of maintaining independence on relationships.
- [Pitfalls of Mental Shortcuts: Assumption Traps in Couples. Book Now! 1 Step to Better Mental Health at Roamers Therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/pitfalls-of-mental-shortcuts-assumption-traps-in-couples/): To understand assumption traps in couples, let's look at what an assumption is. Assumptions are sets of beliefs that are accepted as accurate without any current evidence. They are the backbone of our decision-making and reasoning process. But why do we rely on assumptions? The answer to it lies in our cognitive limitations as humans. We cannot process all the information because we receive tons of it every minute. Imagine that whenever you encounter a new situation, you stop and think about it slowly as if it were the first time you experience this. It would take a lot of time and energy, and it would also cause lots of confusion. To avoid spending all energy and save time, we learn and categorize information and reserve it in “schemas”. These schemas lead to assumptions and shape the information we notice, think about, and remember. As described by Aronson and their colleagues, we have schemas about almost everything, such as people, ourselves, social roles, and events. Since it contains all information about the social world, it affects how we interpret new social situations (Aranson, 2023).
- [Dissolution of Romantic Relationships: Breakup and Divorce. Book Now! 1 Step to Better Mental Health at Roamers Therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/dissolution-of-romantic-relationships-breakup-and-divorce/): Ending romantic relationships is just as natural as keeping them going. When breakups or divorces are encountered, it’s common to experience a range of psychological and physical impacts. These impacts might manifest themselves as emotional distress, such as sadness, anger, guilt, anxiety, or loneliness. Additionally, individuals may experience physical symptoms like changes in sleep patterns, appetite, energy levels, or even a weakened immune system. The loss of a partner can lead to feelings of grief, which are similar to those experienced after the death of a loved one. Because one way or another, every partner significantly impacts our lives, affecting our social environment and daily routine. From this perspective, breaking up and divorcing is somewhat similar to rebuilding one's life without a significant other. Adapting to a new routine can be a long and challenging journey. All these may sound familiar to you; you might experience them firsthand or support a friend going through a tough breakup. If you are wondering why breakups or divorces are so challenging for our minds and bodies, we will explain the dissolution of romantic relationships in this therapy sketch. 
- [Vanessa Adan — Therapist in South Loop and Lakeview, Chicago, Illinois — in-person and remote therapy sessions.](https://roamerstherapy.com/about-vanessa-adan/): I understand how struggles can deeply impact our well-being and day-to-day life, making it difficult to move forward or feel at peace. As a Latina and a child of immigrants, I know that seeking help can feel unfamiliar, even scary, in a culture where therapy is often misunderstood or met with stigma. Many of us were taught to push through hardships in silence, but healing doesn’t mean forgetting where we come from and erasing our past—it means allowing ourselves the space to grow. I want to reassure you that it’s okay to challenge the unhealthy beliefs we grew up with, to set boundaries, and to begin healing from generational trauma. Not only do you deserve that, but by prioritizing your well-being, you’re also creating a path toward healing for future generations.
- [Intimate Partner Violence: How to Safely Confront It? Book Now! 1 Step to Better Mental Health at Roamers Therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/intimate-partner-violence-2/): Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) describes a situation where one individual in a close relationship employs various forms of abuse—such as physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, or financial—to dominate or control their partner. IPV is a serious societal issue that has negative effects on various aspects of both individual and public health. Therefore, recognizing, identifying, and taking preventative measures against IPV is essential for everyone. In this article we will look at all aspects of intimate partner violence.
- [The Importance of Safety and Trust in Romantic Relationships. Book Now! 1 Step to Better Mental Health at Roamers Therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/safety-and-trust-in-relationships/): People tend to participate in social connections where they feel fundamentally safe, are not hurt or exploited, and are cared for and protected (Murray & Pascuzzi, 2024). Romantic relationships have long played an essential role in fulfilling this basic need. Several key ingredients make up a healthy romantic relationship, but safety and trust are two of the most important. A healthy relationship needs both elements. Without trust, people find it challenging to open up to each other fully; without safety, they cannot feel comfortable and at ease. While these terms may seem interchangeable, they are pretty different. So, what is the difference between safety and trust?
- [Understanding Grief: A Journey of Adaptation. Book Now! 1 Step to Better Mental Health at Roamers Therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/understanding-grief-a-journey-of-adaptation/): Grief is a natural process that occurs after the death of a loved one and involves emotional reactions. During the mourning period, a person may feel shock or disbelief at the death or loss of a loved one. Feelings of loss, pain, sadness, grief, sorrow, longing, longing, anger, guilt, regret, anxiety, fear, alienation, loneliness, and emptiness are natural emotions felt after loss. Each person's journey through grief is unique, and the emotions they experience can vary widely. The intensity of natural grief symptoms and distressing emotions are expected to change and decrease over time. According to Kübler-Ross, grief has stages. Let's dive into these stages to understand the essence of the grieving process.
- [Aleksandar Kajmakoski — Therapist in South Loop and Lakeview, Chicago, Illinois — in-person and remote therapy sessions](https://roamerstherapy.com/about-aleksandar-kajmakoski/): As a somatic psychotherapist, I center you as the expert on your own life and work with you to grow your understanding of yourself and your world through trauma-responsive, anti-oppressive, and relational lenses. My therapeutic approach is interactive, balancing direct feedback with curiosity and compassion. It is also integrative—I utilize the psychodynamic method, Somatic Experiencing (SE), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Together, we will explore what might be getting in your way and work towards deepening your sense of self and increasing your attunement to your body and nervous system. I work with both individuals and couples to support struggles with trauma and PTSD, intergenerational trauma, inner child healing, identity development and empowerment, growing up as children of immigrants, life transitions, queerness, transness, sex, anxiety, depression, and shame.
- [What Happens When Setting Boundaries Isn’t Enough? Book now a therapy session. Book Now! 1 Step to Better Mental Health at Roamers Therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/when-setting-boundaries-isnt-enough/): Boundaries are personal limits we deliberately establish to help us manage relationships more effectively and safeguard our well-being. They serve as protective barriers in our lives, such as our time, emotional well-being, psychological health, and physical space. By setting clear boundaries, we can better create our personal space, values, and specific needs for others, facilitating healthier communication and mutual respect.
- [Holiday Harmony: Setting Healthy Emotional Boundaries During Holidays.](https://roamerstherapy.com/emotional-boundaries-during-holidays/): Alongside positive emotions, these factors can cause stress, anxiety, worry, exhaustion, or irritability. Preparing for these interactions and setting boundaries can help maintain emotional safety and freedom while avoiding conflict escalation. 
- [Yingning Wang — Therapist in Lakeview, Chicago, Illinois — in-person and remote therapy sessions. Book Now! 1 Step to Better Mental Health at Roamers Therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/about-yingning-wang/): Life often challenges us to navigate complex relationships, cultural expectations, and personal growth. As someone fluent in Mandarin and experienced in navigating cultural differences, I deeply understand how these dynamics shape our lives and identities. These experiences helped me acknowledge diverse perspectives while remaining grounded in empathy and authenticity. This understanding informs my approach to therapy, where I strive to create a space for your cultural and personal experiences.
- [HIPAA Violation Report Form](https://roamerstherapy.com/hipaa_violation_report_form/): HIPAA Violation Report Form
- [Protected: Progress Note Training](https://roamerstherapy.com/progress-note-training/): Progress notes are essential documentation tools in clinical practice, providing a detailed record of a client's sessions. They are completed after each session on our EHR software, SimplePractice.
- [Director of Operations Questionnaire](https://roamerstherapy.com/director-of-operations-questionnaire/): Thank you for taking the time to complete this questionnaire. This is a key step in understanding how your skills, experiences, and vision align with the operational needs of Roamers Therapy. The questionnaire is designed to evaluate your approach to leadership, organizational management, and strategic planning. Your responses will help us determine your fit for the role.
- [Finding Who We Are: Exploring Identity in Therapy.](https://roamerstherapy.com/exploring-identity-in-therapy/): Identity is how we understand and define ourselves. It includes our values, beliefs, personality, culture, relationships, and societal roles. Identity is not fixed; it can change over time as we grow and experience different things. According to psychologists like Crocetti and colleagues, identity is shaped by our environment and interactions with people, such as family, friends, and society. This process continues throughout life. As we develop our identity, we become more aware of who we are, which helps us feel connected and confident in ourselves (Crocetti et al., 2023).In this therapy Sketch, we will explore identity and how it is addressed in therapy. 
- [Navigating Cultural Dynamics vs. Dysfunctional Relationship Patterns. Book Now! 1 Step to Better Mental Health at Roamers Therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/cultural-dynamics-vs-dysfunctional-relationship-patterns/): Culturally sensitive therapy means understanding and integrating how a person’s cultural background influences their values and experiences into therapy to create a safe space for individuals to feel respected and supported when addressing issues. Culturally sensitive therapy can offer better insights into how family expectations, norms, and personal values impact relationships with others and self. Through the therapeutic process, people can work towards balancing their cultural identities, values, and personal goals. This can lead to more significant therapeutic outcomes. In this therapy sketch, we will examine cultural dynamics and their effects on relationships.
- [Unpacking the Religious Trauma: A Journey Through Understanding. Book Now! 1 Step to Better Mental Health at Roamers Therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/unpacking-the-religious-trauma/): Therefore, religion has unique contributions to people’s lives. While religion can offer support, meaning, and a sense of belonging, it is also essential to recognize that it can sometimes lead to adverse outcomes, significantly when beliefs are misused or taken to extremes. These misused practices and extremes can cause a significant amount of distress to individuals that might lead to trauma in a religious context.
- [Feeling of Surprise: Embracing the Uncertainty. Book Now! 1 Step to Better Mental Health at Roamers Therapy](https://roamerstherapy.com/feeling-of-surprise/): According to Paul Ekman’s research, surprise is one of our fundamental emotions. As surprising as it is, we feel surprised when we come across something we do not expect. This can be unexpected sounds, movements, and behaviors. For example, you can feel surprised when you unexpectedly hear a horn from a car. Or it might be very surprising to see a friend you know passing by or bumping into them on the road unexpectedly. But as you may experience, surprise is a very brief emotion. After a car honks at you, the feeling of surprise might turn into anger. Also, after you bump into your friend unexpectedly, you might feel joy after a little while.