The Therapist Diaries

 Hello and welcome back to The Therapist Diaries!  This week has been a lot . Between work deadlines, unexpected errands, and the general chaos of life, my usual self-care routines have pretty much gone out the window. I found myself feeling scattered, irritable, and completely drained by the end of each day—but with zero time (or energy) for anything that felt like a real reset. So I started thinking: What can I actually do in five minutes?  Something that’s truly beneficial for my mental health, doesn’t feel like another task , and can fit into even the busiest day. That’s how I came up with this simple, five-step mental health routine. It takes just five minutes total, can be done almost anywhere, and has honestly helped me feel a little more centered in the middle of the mess. If your week’s been hectic too, this might be exactly what you need. Breathe with Intention (1 Minute) Start with one full minute of deep, intentional breathing. Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for...

Hello there!  Welcome to The Therapist Diaries , where we spill the tea (ethically, of course) on all things therapy. Today, let’s talk about something that’s been floating around in my head lately — the things I wish my clients knew before (and during) therapy. Not because you’re doing anything wrong (you’re not), but because if I could wave a magic wand and make therapy feel a little less intimidating and a lot more empowering, I totally would. Here’s what I’d say:  1. You don’t need to “have it all together” to start therapy. Actually, if you did have it all together, we’d just sit in silence making awkward eye contact. So many people think that therapy is something we do AFTER, and sometimes it can be- after a crisis, a shift in life, or emotional distress. But therapy is also for people who are CURRENTLY messy, confused, tired, overwhelmed, hopeful, heartbroken, healing — or all of the above. You don’t need to rehearse your “life story” before you walk in. You just ...

  Hi everyone!  I'm Georgina,  a Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW) with focus in trauma-informed care. My clinical journey began in Crisis Intervention Services, where I worked with individuals navigating acute emotional and mental health crises. Since then, I’ve gained experience across a wide range of settings, including adult and child residential treatment facilities, hospital Emergency Department care, and outpatient services- notably the Yale Child Study Center created program IICAPS (Intensive In-Home Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services). I specialize in treating individuals impacted by complex trauma, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and the emotional toll of chronic illness. I have experience with co-occurring disorders, substance use, problematic sexual behaviors, and clients with histories of self-harm or suicidal behaviors. I am trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI). In my individual and group ...

Hey there! Welcome to The Therapist Diaries.  I'm Georgina and I'm a Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW) in Connecticut, USA. This blog is where I’ll be sharing bits and pieces from my life as a clinician — everything from stories (without names, don’t worry!) and interesting things I see in sessions, to cool new research and handy resources that anyone can use. If you’ve ever wondered what therapy really looks like behind the scenes, or you just want some easy-to-understand info about mental health, this is the place for you. I’ll also be chatting about self-care for therapists (because, yep, we need that too!) and sharing tips and tools that can help you manage stress, anxiety, and all the ups and downs life throws at us. Whether you’re thinking about therapy, already seeing a therapist, studying to be one, or just curious — you’re welcome here. I hope this blog feels like a friendly, no-judgment zone where we can learn and grow together. Thanks for stopping by — I’m exc...