Stress and anxiety are universal experiences, but many people still struggle to understand and manage them in healthy ways. At LifeSpring Counseling Services, our therapists help clients navigate these challenges every day by offering practical tools for coping and deeper insight into their emotions. I asked our clinicians what coping strategies they recommend to someone struggling with stress, and what some common misconceptions they wish people understood better.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

The holidays can be an exciting and festive time for many to reconnect with their loved ones and enjoy a special time of year. However, for some, the holidays are a reminder of all of the loss they have experienced. Whether that be the death of a loved one, feeling left behind, or simply alone, the holidays can make our loss feel amplified. The 2023 film The Holdovers tackles this idea of loss during the holiday season by looking at a boarding school in the 1970s during their winter break.

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.

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.

Oftentimes in life, we can struggle with ways to cope with stress, boredom, and the relationships around us. The 2018 film Beautiful Boy takes a look at the ways one person, Nic Sheff, used substances to cope with his boredom, as well as the effects his use had on his father, David. Inspired by a true story, the movie takes the chance to change the narrative around substance use and humanize those who face challenges from a substance use disorder. By looking at both the father and son, the ways this story is told helps re-conceptualize substance use and the cascading effects of it.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Baltimore is a rich and vibrant city, but it’s also one of the most stressed. According to Wallethub (2025), Baltimore is ranked the third most stressed city in America, with work stress being the biggest reason why. The long commutes on I-695 and I-95, safety concerns, rising housing costs, and demanding work schedules all add to this pressure.

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.