For many of us caring for aging parents, there is a deep desire to return the care they once gave us. For me, that feeling is rooted even more deeply in my story. I was adopted …
The Ellie Blog
Family tips and insights
Even When You Have a Village: Why Family Caregivers Still Need Professional Mental Health Support
When my late grandmother’s dementia progressed, my aunts, my cousins, and I stepped in. We divided the coverage, synced our schedules, and did our best to wrap her in a blanket of …
Caregiver Burnout Is a Mental Health Crisis And It’s Time We Treat It That Way
For over a decade in the home care industry, I witnessed a repeating, heartbreaking pattern: The client always had a care plan, but the caregiver never did. We …
The Growing Reality of the Sandwich Generation
Americans are living longer, while many young adults are taking longer to reach financial independence. The result is a growing group of people caring for two generations at …
How to Support a Loved One Through Their Trauma Recovery
Supporting someone through trauma recovery can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re unsure of what they need or how to help. While you can’t “fix” their pain, your empathy, …
Empowering the Men You Care About to Start Therapy
A man’s choice to consider therapy carries so much weight—a decision often shaped by societal expectations, cultural background, and internalized beliefs. Reflecting on this topic …
When Father’s Day Hurts: Coping with Loss and Complex Feelings
Understanding Father’s Day Grief Holidays often revolve around togetherness: family, love, traditions, and shared memories, which is beautiful, but also incredibly hard …
Premarital Counseling: Essential Conversations and Benefits for a Stronger Marriage
You’ve picked the venue, tasted the cake, and maybe even debated over the guest list. But have you talked about how you’ll handle conflict, parenting, or finances? That’s where …
Men Get Postpartum Depression Too: Breaking the Silence and Finding Support
When you hear "postpartum depression," you probably think of new moms, but here’s something not enough people are talking about: 1 in 10 dads also experience postpartum depression. …
Let’s Talk About Perinatal Mental Health: You’re Not Alone
As a therapist, I’ve spent years helping others navigate their mental health challenges. But when I became pregnant, I found myself in unfamiliar territory. I wasn’t prepared for …
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) in Kids: Symptoms, Causes, and How to Help
If your child has been diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), or if you suspect they might be struggling with it, you’re probably feeling a mix of emotions. Parenting …
Examining the Grieving Stages of Divorce
Denial. Anger. Bargaining. Depression. Acceptance. Most of us recognize these as the 5 Stages of Grief, introduced into the cultural zeitgeist by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross in 1969. …
