Mental Health Blog
Welcome to TCC’s Blog! We believe that knowledge is power, especially when it comes to understanding and managing your mental health. Our posts are split up into 4 categories: "Psych Simplified", to break down psychology concepts into digestible pieces; "Connection Chronicles", to explore all things relationships - intimate and platonic; "Inner Insights" to assist you on your journey of self-awareness, and "Resilience Roadmap", a place solely for providing and explaining tools to cope.
Our Blog
Emotion-Focused vs Emotionally-Focused Therapy — Is There a Difference?
If you’ve spent some time looking into therapy, chances are you’ve heard the acronym “EFT”. To the surprise and confusion of many - including some therapists and published articles – EFT could actually stand for two completely different things: Emotion-Focused Therapy and Emotionally-Focused Therapy. If you’re still unsure of the difference and have been thrown off by conflicting searches that sometimes even imply they may be the same thing, look no further, this article will clarify the difference as well as help you understand which one is best for your needs.
Why Do I Feel So Attached to My Therapist (And Is It Normal?)
When you first start therapy, you might think it’s all about learning coping skills or talking through your worries. However, sometimes you might find yourself thinking about your therapist between sessions, feeling deeply comforted by their words, and maybe even missing them when the session ends. These are all signs that you’re developing an attachment to your therapist.
If you’ve ever caught yourself wondering why you feel this way, you’re not alone. Feeling attached to your therapist is one of the most common (and most misunderstood) parts of therapy. It’s important to note that it’s not about romantic attraction. Rather, it’s about connection, trust, and the natural human response to being understood in a safe space.
ADHD in Black Women: Why It’s Overlooked and How to Get Help
When you think of ADHD, who typically comes to mind?
Is it a young white boy who just can’t seem to sit down?
While ADHD is typically depicted this way in both media and clinical settings, it affects a much wider demographic than just little white boys.
That misconception has shaped the way people discuss ADHD to the point that women, especially Black women, are severely underdiagnosed.
in this post, we’re going to go into why, as well as how to identify traits of ADHD in yourself and how to best get support.
Why Your Confidence Drops When the Weather Changes?
If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “Why do I feel so off when the seasons change?” this post is for you. Let’s explore why your self-esteem might fluctuate with the weather, what you can do about it, and how therapy can support you when it’s more than just a “bad day.”
“Top-Down” or“Bottom-Up” Therapy: What’s the difference?
There are hundreds of approaches to choose from and, while that sounds daunting, there is a way to simplify the process and that is by understanding what bottom-up and top-down therapy is.
In this post, we’re going to be breaking down what they are, who they are best suited for, examples of approaches that fall under these two types and the way to make sure you’re getting the right therapy for you.
Why am I always late? ADHD Time Blindness Explained
You’ve got three alarms set. Your calendar is full of reminders. You start getting ready early... and still, somehow, you’re running late. Again.
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone! It’s not because you don’t care or aren’t trying hard enough. This could be a sign of something called time blindness, a common experience in people with ADHD. In this post, we’ll explore what ADHD time blindness actually is, how it shows up in daily life, how it’s different from just being disorganized, and what you can do to manage it
Trauma Bonding or Bonding Over Trauma?
Contrary to what TikTok might say, trauma bonding is not bonding over trauma.
This post is going to help you break down what trauma bonding and bonding over trauma are (which is not each other), why people mix them up and how to handle being in either situation.
Breaking the Anxious-Avoidant Trap: A Therapist’s Guide to Getting Out of the Loop
You text first. You check your phone too often, replay the last conversation in your head or maybe...You need space. When someone wants more closeness, your first instinct is to pull back.
If this feels familiar, there’s a good chance you’re in an anxious and avoidant attachment dynamic. Let’s unpack what’s really going on underneath the push-pull dynamic, and how to move toward something more secure.
Can I Use ChatGPT for Therapy? Pros, Cons & What to Know!
So, there’s this thing going around where people are saying things like “ChatGPT helped me more than __ years of therapy”. Kinda odd, right? Yeah, well... while AI can definitely give advice, let’s be real, it’s not a replacement for actual human connection or therapeutic services. It can be helpful sometimes, but it’s important to be cautious and not become reliant on it. This post breaks down how AI might actually be useful for mental health, the red flags to watch for, how to use it safely, and more. All you need to know!
Am I Just Tired or Is My Mental Health Getting Worse?
It is normal to have ups and downs within your mental health — that’s simply part of being human. But sometimes, mental health decline can start quietly. You may feel “off,” not quite yourself, or unsure whether what you’re experiencing is serious. This blog is for you if you're wondering whether your mental health — or someone else's — is getting worse, what signs to look for, and why they matter.
Hyper-independence in the Black Community: When Asking for Help Feels Unsafe
You’ve learned to rely on yourself because, somewhere along the way, it stopped feeling safe to rely on anyone else. Have you ever caught yourself carrying way too much - both physically and emotionally - because the thought of asking for help makes you want to crawl into a deep, dark hole? That might be hyper-independence.
For many Black people, that pressure isn’t random — it’s shaped by survival. Learn more about the signs of hyper-independence, its roots and causes, and how to break the cycle in this blog post. Easy to read and digestible, as always!
#CutOffCulture Is Trending - But Is It Actually Healthy?
If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or your IG feed lately, you’ve probably seen phrases like “cut them off” or “protect your peace.” These are apart of a bigger trend called cut-off culture, where people are encouraged to walk away from relationships that feel toxic or emotionally exhausting. And yes, there’s truth in protecting your peace, but cutting someone off isn’t always as healing as it seems. So how do you know when cutting ties is a healthy boundary, and when it might be emotional avoidance in disguise? This blog breaks down the difference, and offers tools for navigating tough relationships without just going ghost mode.
Over-Intellectualizing: Thinking vs Feeling in Therapy
Do you ever catch yourself in your head about literally everything instead of just feeling your feelings? You might be overintellectualizing! Aka turning emotions into a mental problem instead of just letting yourself feel. Intellectualizing, can be useful for things like problem solving, however, too much isn’t great either! It can become a habit, and tbh bottling up your emotions could be holding you back. So now you're probably like, “Okay... what does that even mean? Or how do I know if I’m doing it?”. Well, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Keep reading to get more info on what it looks like, signs to watch for, and how to go from emotional shutdown to actually feeling your feelings (yes, all of them).
Why Making Friends as an Adult Is So Hard — And What to Do About It
Making friends as an adult is hard — like, dating-level hard. You put all this energy into a new connection, cross your fingers, and hope it doesn’t end in ghosting (which, honestly, happens on both sides).
In this blog post, we’re talking about why connection matters so much, why making friends in your 20s and 30s feels so awkward, and of course — we’re sharing some solid tips to help you find your people. Keep reading, because we dug through social media and real-life advice to bring you the good stuff.
So, what’s it Really Like to Go to Therapy for the First Time?
You’re about to start therapy but have zero clue what it’s gonna be like. Does this sound familiar? Even if that’s not you, we totally get how nerve-wracking it can be—so many questions, right? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this post, we’re breaking down what to expect, how to get prepped, TCC team member tips, and more—everything you need to know to feel confident and ready to kick start your mental health journey!
The Window of Tolerance: How to stay emotionally balanced?
Ever feel yourself about to crash out? Like everything is happening all at once, you feel overstimulated, emotional, and overwhelmed? That may be because you are outside of your window of tolerance. Think of it as a very special margin where you are able to think clearly and self-regulate. When you are out of that margin, things can get crazy. But don’t worry — there are ways to work around it!
Your Cycle 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding Your Period
Ever notice how your mood, mental health, and emotions are on a rollercoaster every month? Well, for women, that’s your menstrual cycle doing its thing! Whether you’re still waiting for your first period, have been riding the hormonal wave for years, or just want to understand your cycle better, there’s a lot to unpack. Keep reading for a quick breakdown of your cycle and how it impacts your mental health!
Help! I Have No Idea What to Talk About in Therapy
Have you ever found yourself in therapy—whether it's your first session or you've been attending for a while—and suddenly you draw a blank? You might not know what to say or where to take the conversation. It happens to the best of us, and we're here to help! Keep reading and we’ll cover why this happens, ideas for what to talk about in therapy, tools to help, and more to ensure you are feeling back on track.
The Hidden Layers of Grief: Understanding Different Types of Grief
Grief is a complex, non-linear process that looks different for everyone. While we typically associate grief with the loss of a loved one, it can include many forms. Each form carries its own unique challenges, timelines, and emotional impacts.
Despite the type of grief you are experiencing, it is personal to you and each person reacts differently. Exploring these layers can help us navigate the healing journey with compassion and resilience.
Limerence: Understanding Romantic Obsession and How Therapy Can Help
Ever found yourself obsessively daydreaming about someone, replaying every interaction, or feeling like your mood is completely tied to their attention? You might be experiencing something deeper than just a crush—it's called limerence.
Limerence is that intense, almost all-consuming infatuation that can feel exhilarating yet emotionally exhausting. It’s like living in a daydream but with a side of anxiety. You’re constantly craving their reciprocation, idealizing them to perfection, and struggling to focus on anything else. Sound familiar?
But wait—how is this different from love? And more importantly, how do you break free from this emotional roller coaster? Let’s break it down in this blog post.