High-functioning anxiety and perfectionism often go hand in hand, creating a cycle of stress, self-doubt, and unrealistic expectations. While it may seem like these traits are helpful in achieving success, they can take a serious toll on mental health and well-being. To others, it seems like you get things done. To you, there may be a constant pressure that leaves you on edge daily. Although it may seem like others are blind to how you really feel on the inside, you’re not alone—and the good news is that therapy can help you break free from this exhausting cycle!

The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. However, for those coping with loss, it can feel like an isolating and overwhelming reminder of what—or who—is missing. If you're navigating grief during the holidays, you're not alone. There is comfort to be found, especially through meaningful connections, prayer, and support from others who care.

The holiday season is a time of festive gatherings, traditions, and celebration. But for many families, it also brings personal challenges—strained relationships, unresolved misunderstandings, and conflicting personalities. 

This blog explores how families can use the holidays as an opportunity for growth. With intention, patience, and a reliance on Christ’s wisdom, you can strengthen family bonds, improve communication, and foster meaningful relationships that extend far beyond the season. We'll share evidence-based tips alongside spiritual guidance to help you nurture connections and create a stronger family foundation.

Nobody longs to experience pain or suffering. Human instinct pushes us to avoid traumatic experiences at all costs. It is in our nature to seek comfort and safety. But pain and heartache are universal. Many who experience trauma find a new resilience, and with the proper support can experience a renewed sense of self. Those same people are also often able to walk with others going through similar experiences much more gracefully and with greater empathy.

Trauma never affects a single person. There will always be a ripple effect that spreads outward, because life doesn’t happen in a vacuum. We are connected to people in our close circles, as well as on the periphery, and the effects of trauma inevitably seep out to others.

We live in a fast-paced world where staying busy is king and slowing down feels like a pipe dream. It is an exhausting way to live for anyone but can be especially difficult for those suffering from the emotional complications of trauma. When your mind is stuck in a revolving cycle of emotions, you may find yourself struggling to keep up with everyday life. There are typically two camps people fall into when trying to navigate the daily stresses of life under the umbrella of trauma: They either grit their teeth and power through, never slowing down and staying as busy as possible (often culminating in anxiety), or they find themselves struggling to keep up with the simplest of tasks, aimless and overwhelmed (presenting in depression).

The brain has the remarkable ability to protect and preserve a person. Woven into mankind is the desire to survive, which allows us to make cognitive decisions in times of duress. But there are times, particularly when a person has suffered a traumatic event or series of events, when the brain’s self-preservation can lead to unhealthy patterns. This is still a mode of survival, but it is one that needs to be addressed to allow a person to live full and whole.

In situations of extreme duress, many have heard of the two classic responses: Fight or Flight. For many years, we assumed most people fell into one of these two categories. They either respond by standing up to the challenge and fighting back, or they respond by fleeing and looking for safety.