The Therapist Diaries

 Hello and Welcome back to The Therapist Diaries,  There’s a quiet exhaustion that comes from constantly feeling like you’re one step away from being “found out.” You achieve something, land the job, finish the degree, launch the project, and instead of pride, you feel relief. Relief that no one has yet realized you’re not as capable as they think. Relief that you managed to pull it off this time. That’s imposter syndrome . Imposter syndrome is the persistent belief that your success is accidental, temporary, or undeserved. It’s the quiet narrative that you’ve somehow tricked everyone into overestimating you. And at its core is a deep, unrelenting fear of not being good enough. What makes it especially painful is that it doesn’t disappear with achievement. In fact, achievement often fuels it. One of the most difficult patterns I see in therapy is the shifting finish line. “I’ll feel confident when I lose 10 pounds.” “I’ll feel successful when I get promoted.” “I’ll feel worth...

 Hello and welcome back to The Therapist Diaries,  Has anyone else had an incredibly busy start to 2026... or is it just me?  This year came in fast . One minute it was January 1st, and the next I was rushing from one commitment to the next, living on half-finished to-do lists and Starbucks runs. The peace and harmony I felt at Christmas quickly vanished. This week especially, I’ve felt completely rushed off my feet, mentally, emotionally, and logistically. And yet… it was all worth it. Because in the middle of the chaos, I passed my LCSW exam. To those who don't know the therapy abbreviations for everything (believe me, there's a lot,) becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker opposed to a Licensed Master of Social Work, means I’ve met advanced clinical training and supervision requirements and can now practice independently. It deepens the work I do, expands how I can support clients, and reflects years of learning, growth, mistakes, resilience, and showing up eve...

  Hello and welcome back to The Therapist Diaries,  I want to start today’s post with a quick check-in. Take a deep breath and gently ask yourself, How am I feeling? What do I have to do today? Am I in the best mental space to do it? This is actually a small but powerful task my own therapist suggested to me. One that has become a kind of lifeline on chaotic days. It acts as a grounding tool, gently pulling us back to the present moment. But more than that, it gives us permission to be honest with ourselves. To admit when we’re not okay. To notice what we’re holding. And to not push ourselves past our limits just to keep up appearances. It’s a moment of self-kindness, and today, I needed that reminder. Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how easy it is to internalize someone’s criticism, even when I logically know it says more about them than me. One negative or critical comment can take up permanent residence in my mind, echoing, twisting, expanding,while kind words slide off lik...

  Hello and welcome back to The Therapist Diaries,  For the past couple of posts we’ve been looking at ways to make our days more meaningful and fulfilling. We’ve talked about mindfulness and goal setting and for this post we’re looking at the true impact of finding a routine that works for you.  There’s a moment I often share with clients. It's early morning, the birds are singing, the sunlight is just beginning to brush the walls. I open my journal, not to write anything profound, but simply to start the day with intention. That ritual, small as it is, has kept me grounded through some of the most chaotic chapters of my life. Because here's what I’ve learned as both a therapist and a human being: routines may not be glamorous, but they’re quietly life-changing. Why Routines Matter More Than We Think In the therapy room, “routine” is one of those words that seems almost too simple, until we explore what it really does. A routine provides structure, predictability, and a ...

 Hello and welcome back to The Therapist Diaries,  In a world that often praises the hustle, it's easy to get swept up in setting big goals and chasing them with tunnel vision. Whether it's about career advancement, health, relationships, or personal growth, we’re constantly told to "dream big" and "push harder." But what if the real power of goal-setting lies not in the intensity of our pursuit, but in the flexibility of our approach and the compassion we show ourselves in the process? If you’ve done therapy before you’ve probably talked to your therapist about SMART goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Defining these parameters as they pertain to your goal helps ensure that your objectives are attainable within a certain time frame. The reason therapists mention these so often is because this is how we formulate our treatment goals on your treatment plans. For example, if a client comes to me with a presenting...