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
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.
Holiday Blues & Hope: A Maryland Counseling Intern’s Take on “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and Reflection Questions
While the holiday season may bring feelings of joy and community for some people, many people can experience extreme loneliness and internal conflict during the holidays. The 1965 TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas takes a look at these annual struggles that so many face through the lens of Charlie Brown himself. Throughout the show, we see how mental health can impact the holidays and make the season difficult, but also ways that small changes can make the holidays more bearable when mental health does get in the way.
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.
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 Your Way: Navigating the First Holiday Season After Divorce
After a divorce, separation, or break-up, the holiday season can be emotionally challenging. Looking ahead might fill us with anxiety, but preparing in advance can mitigate feelings of loneliness or sadness and allow us to recenter ourselves amidst the un-grounded-ness associated with shifting shared traditions. What follows are some strategies to help navigate the holidays with grace and health.
How Lilo & Stitch Helps Us Understand Grief, Change, and Belonging — A Baltimore Counseling Intern’s Take
One of my favorite films of all-time is the 2002 animated classic Lilo & Stitch. I loved this movie as a kid and the more I rewatch it, the more I realize just how much the stories of both Lilo and Stitch are meaningful to my life and the lives of so many others. Throughout the course of the film, you get to follow their journey adjusting to their new lives, battling grief, and finding their place in the world. In this blog, I’ll be sharing some reflections from the movie and how the characters humanize mental health struggles, especially for kids.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.