Educational Blogs from Our Mental Health Therapists

Learn about common challenges, including depression, anxiety, relationships,
trauma, and more, written by Maryland therapists!

Intergenerational Trauma and Depression: A Counseling Intern’s Reflection of the Movie “A Real Pain” with Discussion Questions

Life keeps moving despite the pain we feel everyday. We try to find ways to ignore it and numb it, but pain fills our minds and won’t let go. The 2024 film A Real Pain recognizes this struggle and hones in on the ways different people experience pain. Throughout the film, you get glimpses of their mental health through discussions about depression, pain, and intergenerational trauma. I was struck by how real and vulnerable this film got, and how humanizing the mental health of these characters and their journeys felt.

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Resources, Depression, Grief and Loss Melissa Wesner Resources, Depression, Grief and Loss Melissa Wesner

Coping with Grief on Holidays and Anniversaries: Baltimore Counseling Support

Navigating significant dates or milestones after a loss can bring up emotional and physical responses we might not have experienced before. After a loss, dates that used to bring joy and celebration now stir up feelings of sadness and dread. In the following blog, I’ll share some creative strategies that can help you remember your loved one and ease anxiety and grief the next time a day on the calendar starts to sneak up on you.

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Depression, Parenting, Children & Teens, Resources Melissa Wesner Depression, Parenting, Children & Teens, Resources Melissa Wesner

Talking About Mental Health Through KPop Demon Hunters: Discussion Questions for Baltimore Parents, Educators, and Kids

This summer, KPop Demon Hunters took the world by storm with its flashy colors, epic soundtrack, and heartfelt story. The thing that struck me the most when I watched this movie was how many mental health themes and messages came across in a way that was easy to grasp. Whether it be self-worth, depression, or shame, KPop Demon Hunters tackled a lot of themes that both adults and children can see themselves in.

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Feeling Seen: A Maryland Counseling Intern’s Reflections on Inside Out 2’s Depiction of Anxiety

In 2024, Pixar Animation Studios released a sequel to their 2015 hit film, Inside Out, which tackled themes of childhood emotions. Inside Out 2 expands on this world within a young girl’s head. Notably, Anxiety was included as one of the newly featured emotions, sparking many discussions about mental health among moviegoers. Whether you are someone who struggles with anxiety on a daily basis, knows someone who constantly faces anxiety, or are curious about how to manage those bouts of anxiety we all face, Inside Out 2 provides a strong and beautiful characterization of anxiety.

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Movies and Mental Health: Learning About Ourselves Through Watching Stories

Struggling with your mental health can feel isolating. It can be hard to find any form of connection in a world that values perfection and idealism. However, thousands of people deal with mental health struggles every day and tell their stories to connect with those in a similar place. One medium that has provided a number of mental health stories is film. This blog will introduce a series of upcoming blogs that will be looking at different films that portray mental health, covering various concerns and analyzing the quality of their depiction.

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Protective Factors Against Depression: A Baltimore Counselor’s Guide

Depression is a mood disorder characterized by certain symptoms, like low mood, change in appetite, change in sleep, motivation issues, and certain time frame requirements, like symptoms that must last at least 2 weeks. Many individuals can have depression from a life change, like a move, break up, or season changes. Some have depression for longer timeframes and oftentimes have genetic components. Not everyone is the same so it is important to look for protective factors to help someone feel better and most like themselves.

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Resources, LGBTQIA, Biases, Trauma and PTSD Melissa Wesner Resources, LGBTQIA, Biases, Trauma and PTSD Melissa Wesner

Remaining Resilient Through Adversity as an LGBTQ+ Individual

With the current anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation from our current administration, LGBTQ+ people are being faced with a slew of issues, such as barriers to obtaining gender-affirming IDs, free speech bans, healthcare restrictions, and the dismantling of Civil Rights Laws. This is why we build resilience: so we can bounce back from these challenges and stand stronger than before. Here are some ways to build up resilience and seek out hope in the face of despair.

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Online Counseling, Men's Issues, Resources Melissa Wesner Online Counseling, Men's Issues, Resources Melissa Wesner

The Practice of Stoicism and Its Impact on Men’s Mental Health

A topic that has come up in my personal life with male friends and in my work life with male clients is that of stoicism. This is a topic of genuine interest for me as a man who is a mental health professional as the practice of stoicism is problematic. This blog will outline what stoicism is, the messages it sends to men, and healthier ways of being for others.

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Resources, Anxiety, Depression, Online Counseling Melissa Wesner Resources, Anxiety, Depression, Online Counseling Melissa Wesner

What To Expect When You Call For Therapy

When you call our office, Sarah is the first person that you're going to talk to. If you send us an email, she is the person who's going to answer you. We also want to say that Sarah is someone who gets tons of compliments! We hear a lot of feedback from clients who are just so impressed with how she takes care of them and how she makes them feel comfortable when they call our office.

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Grief and Loss, Depression Melissa Wesner Grief and Loss, Depression Melissa Wesner

Hope, Health, and Connection: What We Can Do to Stay Supported as We Age

Many older adults struggle with feelings of loneliness and isolation and are unsure how to take the first step towards connection. But what if it doesn’t have to be like this? Yes, aging brings changes, and it also brings opportunities to rebuild, connect, and find happiness. Regardless of your age or abilities, building hope, practicing healthy habits, and connecting with your community are ways to feel supported as you age. Here are some ways that you can foster support and connection as you move through life transitions.

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Relationship Lessons We Can Learn From 90 Day Fiance: A Baltimore City Therapist’s Perspective

I don’t know about you, but I am a sucker for reality TV, especially when it involves tangled up relationships and drama. 90 Day Fiance is my absolute favorite reality series, not only because of the twisted story lines but because of the lessons we learn from their relationships, both positive and negative. Although not every relationship is the same, there are common truths and situations that relate to everyone’s relationship. February is the season of love, so what better way to learn relationship advice from some of 90 Day’s most famous couples. 

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Resources, Anxiety, International Clients, Burnout Melissa Wesner Resources, Anxiety, International Clients, Burnout Melissa Wesner

Coping Strategies for Federal Workers in the Greater Baltimore Area: Managing Stress in Uncertain Times

The last past two weeks (or even months) for federal workers have been exhausting, fearful, confusing, and uncertain. With many executive orders filing in, there is a cloud of mystery and unknown with what is going to happen to all aspects of life in the coming days, weeks, and even years.

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A Baltimore Guide: Healthy Distractions for Distress Tolerance

Distraction is a skill that can be used, NOT to solve our issues but, to give us time to calm ourselves. By allowing our intense emotions to lessen over time, we can have more control and power in our lives. DBT uses an A.C.C.E.P.T.S model. While my last post focused on the outdoors, this one highlights indoor activities in Baltimore where you can apply this model. 

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Sensory Self-Care: How to Relax at Some of Baltimore’s Best Spots

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a skills based model that teaches tools to help people with many struggles. These range from depression, anxiety, and anger. One central concept is self-soothing. While these techniques aren’t the solution to difficult feelings, they can help serve as tools in your tool box. I often tell my clients we want as many tools as we can! I describe self soothing and free ways to engage locally in the Baltimore area. 

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When the World Feels Heavy: Finding Comfort and Showing Up as an Ally

With the inauguration last week, it’s important to check in with how we are feeling. It is often easier to ignore those feelings because facing them invites vulnerability, but when we take a moment to face the music, we realize the power we have in our voice. 

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When The Holiday Hurts

I remember growing up and being excited for holidays. My mom was always so careful to make sure my brother and I had everything we wanted, all carefully wrapped in perfect bows under the tree. Holidays growing up were a special time where we could come together as a family and share in the love, joy, hope  and peace the season brings. I look back fondly over the childhood memories of Thanksgiving and Christmas, but recently, I’ve noticed a crack in the rose colored glasses I’ve fought hard to protect. 

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Depression, Anxiety, Motivation, Online Counseling Melissa Wesner Depression, Anxiety, Motivation, Online Counseling Melissa Wesner

Things Our Maryland Therapists Want You to Know If You’ve Been Avoiding Starting Therapy

Have you been dreading the idea of starting therapy? Perhaps you’ve been dragging your feet, even though you know that it’s a good idea. Or perhaps you don’t really want to do therapy, but everyone around you is encouraging you to go.  If that’s the case, here are some things that our Maryland therapists want you to know!

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Different Sensory Needs for Adults with ADHD & How to Manage Them

Living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as an adult brings unique challenges, especially when sensory processing issues are present. Sensory processing refers to how our nervous system receives and interprets sensory information from the environment. Adults with ADHD often experience heightened or reduced sensitivity to sensory stimuli, referred to as hyper-responsiveness and hypo-responsiveness.

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