LGBTQIA+

What to Expect in Your First Therapy Session: A Guide for First-Timers

You have been thinking about it for a while. Maybe a few weeks, maybe longer. You have done some research, read a few therapist profiles, and thought seriously about making the call. And then something stops you. For most people, that something is a version of the same fear: not knowing what happens on the…
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AI Companions, Therapy Apps & ChatGPT: Can Technology Replace a Real Therapist?

From ChatGPT to AI companion apps like Character.AI, technology-based mental health tools have become part of everyday life for millions of people. Their appeal is understandable, instant access, 24/7 availability, no waitlist. But as psychologists who work with real people through real pain, and as the regulatory and legal landscape around these tools has shifted…
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Autism in Women, Girls, and Adults: Why Late Diagnosis Is So Common & What It Changes

For most of the history of autism research and clinical practice, autism was studied almost exclusively in male subjects. The diagnostic criteria were developed from observations of boys. The earliest clinical descriptions centered on boys. The landmark studies cited in training programs were conducted predominantly on male populations. And the result of that century-long blind…
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Mental Health & LGBTQ+ Relationships: What Affirming Therapy Actually Looks Like

Pride Month is a time of celebration, visibility, and community. It is also, for many LGBTQ+ people, a time of complicated feelings, grief, anger, exhaustion, joy, and longing all mixed together. And for those navigating relationships, identity, and mental health simultaneously, it can feel like a lot to carry. This post is for LGBTQ+ individuals…
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Make the most out of your insurance benefits: Introducing Thrizer 💙

If you’ve ever hesitated to start therapy because of insurance, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions we hear: “Do you take my insurance?” The honest answer is that Evolve Psychological Services is an out-of-network practice, but that doesn’t mean your insurance can’t help cover the cost of your care. In fact,…
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When the Cap Comes Off: What Comes Next for You & Your Teen

by Allison Dickens, LPC, LCADC As the school year comes to a close, we should take the time to acknowledge the successes and progress of the students closest to us.  Whether they be our own children, or beloved family members, friends, or members of our community, it is so important to recognize the hard work…
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Heartbreak & Intimate Partner Violence

by Caroline Camarena, LSW February is widely recognized as a month dedicated to love and kindness, with Valentine’s Day serving as a reminder of the importance of connection and compassion. However, for many individuals, relationships are not a source of love and security but rather a place of fear and harm. Intimate partner violence (IPV)…
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Helping Children Learn About Gender: A Guide for Parents

By Allison Dickens, LPC Happy Pride Month! During this month, alongside the celebrations honoring the LGBTQIA+ community, there may be questions from children about the meaning of some of these acronyms and terms.  Specifically, gender has become a more prominent and important topic to many youths and adolescents.  More and more, young people are questioning…
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Navigating Gender & Identity with your Kids

by Allison Dickens, LPC Happy Pride Month!  I hope all reading this have a joyful month full of celebration and self-exploration. As we come to the close of this important month, it’s important to remember that the conversation about gender and identity continues throughout the year.  As a parent, it is common to feel confused…
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Understanding Neurodiversity and Neurodivergence: ADHD, Autism & Learning Differences

by Danielle Taylor, PsyD In the 1990’s, Judy Singer, an Australian sociologist, created the term neurodiversity to capture the notion that all brains are different, these differences make the human species more versatile and flexible, and these differences should be celebrated rather than labeled as deficits. Having people with different operating systems that guide how…
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