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
Mental health 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 …
Why Transitions Trigger Anxiety and What You Can Do About It
Change is a natural part of life, but that doesn’t make it easy. Whether it’s starting a new job, moving to a new city, or ending a relationship, transitions often come with a …
Childhood OCD Explained: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment That Can Help
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood as a quirk or preference for neatness, but it’s far more complex, especially in children. In fact, OCD in children can be …
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, …
Healing with Humor: The Therapeutic Power of Laughter
How many therapists does it take to change a light bulb? Just one, but the light bulb really has to want to change. Why Humor Matters in Therapy Whether you laughed at …
Embracing Empowerment for Therapists: Beyond Martyrdom to Fulfillment
Therapists often enter the field with a mission to make a meaningful impact in our clients' lives. However, somewhere along the road, many find themselves caught in a cycle of …
Understanding Common Mental Health Therapist Licenses: A Practical Guide to LPC, LMFT, LCSW, and More
I know firsthand that searching for the right therapist can feel like a daunting process. Years ago, I was looking for my own therapist for the first time, and during my search, I …
Trauma Anniversaries: How to Recognize, Cope, and Support Loved Ones
When you hear the word anniversary, your mind might go to roses, chocolates, or fancy dinners. But not all anniversaries are joyful. Trauma anniversaries mark the time—whether a …
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 …
