Educational Blogs from Our Mental Health Therapists
Learn about common challenges, including depression, anxiety, relationships,
trauma, and more, written by Maryland therapists!
Topic
- Anxiety
- Art in Therapy
- Biases
- Boundary Setting
- Brainspotting
- Burnout
- Business Owners
- COVID-19
- Careers
- Children & Teens
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- College Students
- Communication Skills
- DIY Crafts
- Depression
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Emotional Regulation
- Faith-Based
- First Responders
- Grief and Loss
- Highly-Sensitive Person
- International Clients
- Internships
- Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
- LGBTQIA
- Men's Issues
- Mindfulness
- Motivation
- Neurodivergence
- Online Counseling
- Oppression
- Parenting
- Recovery
- Relationships
- Resources
- Sex Therapy
- Stress & Burnout Relief
- Therapy for Adults
- Trauma and PTSD
- Women's Issues
- Workplace Wellbeing
- Workshop
4 Tips to Hack the Nervous System
There is a lot of talk about the nervous system these days, especially when it comes to trauma and anxiety. Let’s have a brief biology lesson to help you understand why and how these body systems are involved in mental health.
Am I Having a Panic Attack? Signs, Symptoms, and When to Seek Therapy in Baltimore
Have you ever been walking through Hampden and all of a sudden felt like the ground below you was dropping? Sitting on a boat in the Inner Harbor and lost your breath, seemingly out of nowhere? Randomly started to feel like you’re spinning while enjoying a Ravens game? If you can relate to these experiences, there’s a chance you might have had a panic attack.
You Don’t Have to Eliminate Anxiety: Acceptance and Coping Strategies for Marylanders
Anxiety shows up in many forms and from many causes. Some anxiety shows up seemingly out of the blue and can interrupt even the most pleasant of days. Anxiety like this can appear as anxiety attacks (also known as panic attacks). Some anxiety can be subtle and slow to develop but may have long term effects on our daily functioning and available energy.
Finding the Right Therapist in Maryland: Mental Health Lessons from “Good Will Hunting”
Therapy is not an easy process. As much as we want to quickly find help or check the therapy box from our list, mental health is not something that is simply cured overnight. The 1997 film Good Will Hunting looks at this struggle to rush therapy and the importance of trusting the process.
Being Present During the Holidays: Mindfulness Tips from a Baltimore Counseling Practice
Have you ever walked away from the holidays feeling empty? Have you forgotten about your holiday memories immediately after returning to work? Or have you looked around the table and been frustrated at how separated everyone seemed? If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you might be struggling to be present during the holidays.
If Our Maryland Therapists Could Give Their Younger Selves Advice…
As therapists, it is easy to focus on helping others navigate and manage stress, but what would we tell our younger selves if we had the chance? Many of us do not always have the correct tools, awareness, or language we have now to manage our mental health. We asked our team of Maryland-based clinicians to reflect on the lessons they have learned over the years and the advice they would give their younger selves about managing stress, and how they recognize when it is time to reach out for support.
How “The Big Sick” Shows Us the Different Ways We Cope with Anxiety
Everyone struggles with the rollercoaster of life. Whether it be finding a job, coping with medical problems, or trying to understand a complex relationship, life can come with so many ups and downs that it feels almost impossible to cope with them. The 2017 movie The Big Sick tackles these different themes by looking at the way anxiety trickles through each one.
Doing More than Surviving “Happy” Holidays in Maryland
The holidays can be a time of renewed connection with family and friends, traditions celebrated, good food shared, and a new year begun. However, the holidays can also leave us more than a little drained and sometimes frazzled. When the string lights turn on, those of us that are close to loss of a loved one, divorce, or career upset might feel daunted or even overwhelmed. “Have a happy holiday!” starts to feel like a demand rather than well-wishing.
How Our Maryland Therapists Relieve Stress in Their Own Lives
This might be a surprise to some, but therapists also feel stressed out and need a breather sometimes. To learn more about how our team at LifeSpring takes care of their own mental health, I asked them to share their favorite ways to unwind and small daily rituals that help them reset after a long day. Here is what some of them had to say!
Finding Belonging and Purpose: How The Wild Robot Talks About Mental Health For Both Kids and Adults – A Baltimore Counseling Intern’s Reflections
One of my favorite films of the last few years is the 2024 animated movie The Wild Robot. The wonderful thing about this movie is that both children and caregivers can learn a lot about belonging, resilience, and believing in oneself through the story. Below are some reflections on how the film tackles these themes and the interesting way that we can learn from a robot what it is like to be human.
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.
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.
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?
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.
Finding an Anxiety Therapist in Baltimore: What to Look For!
Finding a therapist can be tricky! There are different credentials, age ranges, locations, specialities, and training that therapists list on their profiles. Even being a therapist, it is often difficult sometimes to differentiate profiles! Anxiety can range from annoying to debilitating to one’s life, this level of uncertainty in not knowing who is the right fit or match can add another level to the therapist search. Here are some things I would consider when looking for a therapist!
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.
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?
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!
🎧 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.
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.