Do toddler meltdowns leave you feeling overwhelmed? Do you get mad when your toddler breaks a rule or does something they’re “not supposed to do”? Do you find yourself blaming or shaming them without meaning to? Or do you behave in a way that aligns with your parenting values but inwardly judge, criticize, or worry about your child? If this is sounding familiar, you’re not alone. This is a very common response among loving, attuned parents who are also carrying their own childhood wounds.

What to expect from counseling and therapy in Ventura if you’re just getting started? Read my list below to feel prepared and hopefully have some of your questions answered.

Boundaries won’t change the fact that raising young children is demanding, but setting boundaries with kids is a skill that can transform your home from a chaotic circus- not in a good way- to a peaceful place of rest and coming together as a family.

If your marriage or intimate relationship is flooded by arguments that never seem to go anywhere, that leave you feeling more alone and misunderstood, or where you or your partner holds a grudge after the argument is over, you’re in a destructive conflict pattern. But don’t stop there. If you recognize yourself and your marriage in these patterns, try these steps to experience healthier disagreements.

Beliefs don’t create reality, but they shape expectations and can reinforce negative states of mind. When we expect danger, loss, or disappointment, our nervous system reacts accordingly, and we perceive the world to be more threatening than it is. We may feel tense, guarded, or emotionally distant even during periods of calm. Over time, this reinforces anxiety and makes it difficult to trust positive experiences.

How can you practice gratitude today? Try any of these ideas. The goal is to retrain the mind to find things for which to feel appreciation. It might help to put your hand over your heart to bring the focus away from your mind and into your body.

How does therapy help exactly? A skilled therapist can help you feel heard and understood by helping you feel safe to share openly.

Looking for therapy can be overwhelming in any city. With so many options, how will you know what type of provider to choose when seeking support? If you are struggling to decide if counseling, coaching, or therapy in Ventura is the right option for you, I’d like to help.

From a psychodynamic perspective, emotional pain and discomfort are useful; they send the message that it’s time to get help.

Unless you’re a professional in the mental health field, you may have questions about the differences between counseling, therapy, coaching, and psychotherapy. This post can help!