or generations, many of us in the Black community have been taught to stay silent about our pain. We’ve heard phrases like “What happens in this house stays in this house” or “Just pray about it.” These messages were often meant to protect and keep the family strong, to shield us from judgment, or to survive in a world that hasn’t always offered understanding or safety.
Category Archives: Provider Voices
How Words Have Power: How Your Inner Dialogue Shapes Your Mental Health
We talk to ourselves more than we talk to anyone else. Every day, from the moment we wake up to the moment our head hits the pillow, an internal narrator runs in the background interpreting, judging, reminding, and labeling. These quiet thoughts form the foundation of our self-worth, emotional well-being, and how we move through the world.
Perfectionism and Control: Why Trying to Control Everything Actually Makes Anxiety Worse
In a previous blog, I discussed how perfectionism and constant comparison to others can negatively impact mental health. When we measure ourselves against other people’s achievements, appearances, or perceived success, it often leads to feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and the belief that we are somehow falling behind. Over time, this comparison cycle can strengthen perfectionisticContinueContinue reading “Perfectionism and Control: Why Trying to Control Everything Actually Makes Anxiety Worse”
What to Expect from Eating Disorder Treatment at Coastal Collaborative Care
Before we get started, you may notice that some of the information in this post overlaps with topics discussed in other blogs on our website. We’ve previously written about areas such as what therapy can look like, the importance of working with qualified providers, and why an interdisciplinary team is essential in eating disorder treatment.ContinueContinue reading “What to Expect from Eating Disorder Treatment at Coastal Collaborative Care”
Big Feelings in Little Bodies: How to Help Kids Manage Overwhelm and Build Emotional Regulation
When Big Feelings Take Over Every parent or caregiver has seen it: the tears, the shouting, the “meltdown” that seems to come out of nowhere. In those moments, it’s easy to feel frustrated or helpless, wondering why your child can’t just calm down or “use their words.” But here’s the truth: when kids are overwhelmed,ContinueContinue reading “Big Feelings in Little Bodies: How to Help Kids Manage Overwhelm and Build Emotional Regulation”
Why Hobbies Matter: Reclaiming Your Time Supports Your Mental Health and Reduces Screen Time
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, or disconnected from your own life, consider this your invitation to start small, try something new, and give your mind the nourishment it deserves.
Forget ‘Anti-Aging’: Rewriting the Rules of Aging
Most of the time when I write, I talk about body image as it relates to size — learning to appreciate our bodies as they are, in a culture that tells us they constantly need to shrink. But lately, I’ve been thinking about another way our bodies are often judged, hidden, or “fixed” – the way they change as we age.
PART 1: It Takes A Village: Choosing the Right Eating Disorder Treatment Providers in Virginia
Need eating disorder treatment in Virginia? Learn how to choose collaborative & HAES®-aligned therapists & dietitians specialized in eating disorder recovery.
It’s Too Hot for That: Summer in Alexandria Isn’t Just for “Summer Bodies”
Summer in Alexandria brings sunshine, waterfront walks, and boat rides—but for many, it also brings a wave of anxiety about body image.
Feeling Not Good Enough? How Perfectionism and Comparison Affect Mental Health
Two silent forces often show up behind these struggles: perfectionism and comparison. They may seem like separate issues, but they often work in tandem to chip away at our self-worth. Building awareness of when and why these two parts show up is the first step to learning how to navigate and challenge them.
