Women

Extreme Hardship, Asylum, and VAWA Cases: How Psychological Evaluations Support Immigration Petitions

By Nicole Garcia, PhD Immigration cases are often filled with uncertainty, fear, and incredibly high stakes. For many families, the outcome of a case can determine whether loved ones remain together or face separation across countries. In many immigration proceedings, psychological evaluations play a powerful role in documenting trauma, hardship, and emotional impact, providing professional…
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Support for Women Navigating Life Transitions, Career Stress & Anxiety

by Caroline Camarena, LSW Every year, March arrives with a noticeable shift in energy. There’s a sense of movement, of things beginning to open up again. I’ve come to think of it as a natural point for reflection, especially when it comes to the decisions women make about their time, their roles, and their relationship…
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Moving the Damn Elf!  Parenting Pressures & Coping with the Holiday Frenzy

by Caroline Camarena, LSW Tis the season, cold weather, twinkling lights, family gatherings, and endless lists of to-do’s. The holiday season is filled with joy, but for many parents, it also brings a unique kind of stress. December has a way of sneaking up on parents. One minute you’re enjoying fall weather, and the next…
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Creating a Safe Space: Recognizing Bullying and Helping Kids Thrive

by Allison Dickens, LPC, LCADC Happy Women’s Month!  Let this be a time to affirm, support, and recognize the important women in our lives and in our world.  Please take the time to celebrate the women in your life who uplift, inspire, and change our world every day. It’s also a time to reflect on…
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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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Shining a Light on Women’s Mental Health: Combating Perinatal Depression

By Jennifer Pitman, LCSW March is Women’s History Month, a dedicated time to recognize the many incredible contributions women have made, and continue to make, in American history, society and culture. It’s also an opportunity to focus on women’s health and the unique experience of being a woman.  According to the Office on Women’s Health…
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Red and Green Flags in Teen Relationships

By Kailani Akana Murphy, LCSW Adolescence comes with a sometimes overwhelming amount of changes, both for the adolescent and for their families. One of the biggest changes is in social relationships and learning how to navigate them. How an adolescent navigates this developmental stage sets up their mental health outcomes later in life and learning…
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Five Moves to Try When You’re Feeling Frazzled

by Danielle Taylor, PsyD The holidays can be a wonderful and stressful time for many people. All of the merriment, especially for those creating the magic can take a toll on the mind and body! Thanks to the work of many mental health professionals such as Deb Dana, Peter Levine, and Bessel van der Kolk,…
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What Is Gaslighting? Signs of Emotional Abuse

Is it Gaslighting or Another Form of Communication?

By Jennifer Pitman, LCSW The use of the term gaslighting has exploded in pop culture. At its core, gaslighting is a form of emotional and psychological abuse. It is a pattern of behavior in which the gaslighter has the intent to cause confusion, to force a person to question their own reality and ultimately to…
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