Educational Blogs from Our Mental Health Therapists

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

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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Resources, Depression, Anxiety, Trauma and PTSD Melissa Wesner Resources, Depression, Anxiety, Trauma and PTSD Melissa Wesner

What to Expect After Your Ketamine Dosing Session in Baltimore, MD

Completing your ketamine assisted psychotherapy session is only the beginning of your healing journey. The hours and days following treatment are just as important as the session itself. Many clients in Baltimore seeking ketamine therapy find that the integration period helps solidify the benefits of their experience. By creating a calm, supportive environment and being intentional with how you spend your time, you can maximize the positive effects of your ketamine treatment.

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Resources, Depression, Anxiety, Trauma and PTSD Melissa Wesner Resources, Depression, Anxiety, Trauma and PTSD Melissa Wesner

How to Prepare for Your Ketamine Dosing Session in Baltimore, MD

If you are considering ketamine therapy in Baltimore, Maryland, preparing properly can make your treatment more effective and meaningful. Being prepared can also help you feel more comfortable too, and that’s important! A ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) session is not a typical therapy appointment. It’s an intentionally curated space for healing, reflection, and growth that involves the use of a medication and a trained and attuned therapist. By following a few preparation steps, you can ensure that your body and mind are ready for the experience.

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Depression, Grief and Loss, Boundary Setting Melissa Wesner Depression, Grief and Loss, Boundary Setting Melissa Wesner

Navigating Change and Loneliness: A Baltimore Counseling Intern’s Reflections on The Banshees of Inisherin

Life always seems to pull us straight out of our comfort zone, plucking away the people and routines we feel are comfortable with. Whenever these transitions happen, the adjustment to a “new” life can be jarring. The 2022 film The Banshees of Inisherin takes a stark look at how three different men navigate difficult transitions in their lives.

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What to Expect During Your Ketamine Dosing Session in Baltimore, MD

If you’re considering ketamine therapy in Baltimore, Maryland, it’s natural to feel curious about what to expect during a session. Below is a step-by-step overview of what your ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) session will look like, so you can approach it with confidence and peace of mind.

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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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Boundary Setting, Anxiety, Depression Melissa Wesner Boundary Setting, Anxiety, Depression Melissa Wesner

What to Do If You See Your Therapist Outside of Session

Hopefully, you like your therapist. They know so much about you -- your likes and dislikes, family drama, friend gossip, problems in the sack, money woes, and more. They might be the only person who knows all of your problems. What happens if you see them out in public? What do you do if you see their personal social media page? In Baltimore, this is bound to happen because it is Smalltimore. Have no fear! The answer is here.

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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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Anxiety, Depression, Resources Melissa Wesner Anxiety, Depression, Resources Melissa Wesner

Mental Health in the Heat: Summer Medication Tips You Need to Know

Taking medication to manage mental health symptoms is a personal and empowering choice, one that can significantly improve your overall well-being. Now that you’re feeling better, it’s time to fully enjoy all that summer has to offer! As you embrace the season, keep these three essential tips in mind for safely managing psychiatric medications during the warmer months.

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Depression, Anxiety, Mindfulness Melissa Wesner Depression, Anxiety, Mindfulness Melissa Wesner

Music to My Ears: The Mental Health Benefits of Music

In 1965, Julie Andrews graced the silver screen, announcing that the hills were alive with the sound of music. In 1975, the Doobie Brothers encouraged us to listen to music all the time. And in 2007, Rihanna made one simple request: please, don't stop the music. No matter the period of time, music remains a universal panacea for many of us. But what makes music so powerful, and how can we utilize music to improve our mental health?

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Thinking about Ketamine? Here’s How to Know if You Are Eligible for Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a therapeutic approach that utilizes the legal, controlled use of ketamine in a safe, supportive setting to support emotional healing. While this is a powerful healing modality, it may not be a fit for everyone!

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

🎧 Starting Therapy: Your Podcast Guide to Beginning Counseling

If you’re thinking of starting therapy for the first time, you might know how to get started or what to expect.  At LifeSpring Counseling Services, we understand these concerns and have created the Starting Therapy podcast series to provide clarity and support. While we have lots of content on our website, we also wanted to make our content available in audio form.  Here’s a summary of this private, mini podcast series and the content you can expect to find.

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How to Find a Baltimore Therapist the Modern Way: Tips for Finding a Therapist That’s a Good Fit Without the Overwhelm

Looking for a therapist in Baltimore or anywhere in Maryland? If you’ve never searched for a therapist before, you might not be sure where to begin. In fact, the process can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially if this is your first time seeking therapy services. Whether you’re searching for someone who “gets it,” hoping to work with a therapist who shares your background, or just trying to figure out where to start, there are more resources than ever to help you find the right fit.

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How Busy Adults in Maryland Make Time for Therapy

For many adults in Maryland, the idea of starting therapy sounds great in theory, but the reality of carving out time for sessions feels overwhelming. Between work responsibilities, parenting, caregiving, and simply keeping up with life, therapy often lands at the bottom of the to-do list.

At LifeSpring Counseling Services, we work with a lot of busy professionals, parents, college students, and caregivers. Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I know I need support, but I don’t know when I’d even fit therapy in.” If this sounds familiar, you’re in good company. Here’s the good news! People are making therapy work, often in creative, flexible ways that fit into their real lives.

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

When Everyday Life Feels Heavy: 5 Signs You Might Be Dealing with Depression in Maryland

If you're living in Maryland, whether you're in Columbia, Silver Spring, Baltimore, or a quieter town in Harford County and feeling stuck in sadness or low energy, this blog is for you! Depression affects people from all walks of life, and it's more than just “a rough patch.”

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Therapy for Men in Maryland: 5 Signs It’s Time to Talk to Someone

You might be holding it all together at work, at home, with friends, but still feel like something’s off. For many adult men in Maryland, stress, burnout, and emotional struggle go unspoken. Whether you’re in Towson, Silver Spring, or Baltimore, therapy offers a confidential space to release some of the pressure and reconnect with yourself.

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

Feeling Overwhelmed? 5 Signs It’s Time to See a Therapist (Especially for Busy Adults in Maryland)

If you’ve ever thought, “I’m just stressed. It’ll pass,” you’re not the only one! But sometimes, what we call “stress” is actually chronic overwhelm, and left unaddressed, it can take a serious toll on your mental and physical health. For many adults in Maryland, juggling work, family, and life’s curveballs, therapy offers a space to decompress, gain clarity, and reconnect with yourself.

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

Growing Around Grief: Connection Matters

Grief can often be described as a natural experience associated with the feelings and behaviors that exist after a death. This experience can extend to other hard, tough life events too, however. Events like the end of relationships, change of jobs, relocations, retirement, kids moving out of the home, end of an event, a health diagnosis, medical procedure, a natural disaster, a global pandemic, or an oppressive system can shake up someone’s life.

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

No, Seriously: What Can Therapy Do For Men?

As therapists, we try to encourage clients that our spaces are places where we can be vulnerable, share stories with one another, and develop a sense of trust between the two of us. But, what happens when you meet a client who has learned that speaking about their problems isn't the right answer? What if a client walks in that has been told to be tough all of their lives? What if this client views themselves as someone independent from others, who can control any emotional state that they are in? What do therapists do with clients whose values conflict with the therapeutic principles at its core?

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Top Reasons Why People Choose Private Pay Therapy in Baltimore

When it comes to therapy, many people conclude that using insurance is the way to go or that all mental health providers accept health insurance. But did you know that many individuals–right here in Baltimore and across Maryland—choose to invest in private pay therapy instead? While insurance can be a helpful tool for accessing mental health care, it also comes with limitations that don’t work for everyone.

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