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

Why Are Stress and Anxiety the Most Searched Mental Health Topics in Maryland?

When thinking about Maryland, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Maybe you think of crabs, the Inner Harbor, or the Chesapeake Bay. But what about stress and anxiety? Did you know that Baltimore was ranked the third most stressed city in America in 2025 and that many Marylanders are searching for relief from stress and anxiety?

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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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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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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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Managing Stress in a Storm of News

What are the 5 Main Ways to Manage Stress?

What are 5 Coping Strategies for Stress?

How Will You Manage Stress?

How to Destress Quickly?

We're all living in a world that seems to be constantly spinning out of control. 

With all the political drama, economic worries, and social issues, it's no wonder we're feeling a bit stressed. 

But don't worry, you're not alone in this.

In this blog post, we're going to talk about some ways to manage stress, even when it feels like the world is falling apart around you. 

Let's dive in.

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Feeling Helpless: Finding Hope in Therapy

What Does It Mean to Feel Helpless?

What Should I Do If I Feel Helpless?

What Does "I'm Feeling Helpless" Mean?

How to Heal from Helplessness?

Ever felt like you're just a tiny speck in a giant, chaotic world? 

Sometimes, it can seem like there's nothing we can do to change the things happening around us. This feeling of helplessness can be really tough and can leave us feeling down.

In this blog post, we're going to talk about what it means to feel helpless, why it happens, and what you can do about it. 

We'll also explore how therapy can be a helpful tool in navigating these tough emotions.

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