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Therapy insights & articles

Practical, compassionate resources for understanding OCD, anxiety, relationships, and the work of moving forward.

Latest articles

2025-10-22T19:27:57Z2 min read

Less Don't. More Do.

Some parents instinctively say “No,” “Stop,” or “Don’t” when their child misbehaves. It’s fast, familiar, and often comes from a place of urgency. But toddlers are still learning how to...

Read More →By Dr. Athena Dacanay
When the World Feels Too Loud: Coping with Political Distress
2025-10-10T03:52:42Z4 min read

When the World Feels Too Loud: Coping with Political Distress

Political stress doesn’t just come from the news—it comes from what the news represents: threats against safety, justice, identity, and belonging. It’s the stress of living in a world that...

Read More →By Dr. Athena Dacanay
When the World Comes Between Us: Navigating Polarization in Relationships
2025-10-08T23:20:09Z3 min read

When the World Comes Between Us: Navigating Polarization in Relationships

In a time when headlines fracture households and worldviews sit between us like uninvited guests at the dinner table, many couples find...

Read More →By Dr. Athena Dacanay
2025-09-27T20:13:22Z3 min read

When Love Feels Like a Test: Relationship OCD and the Shift Toward Trust

For some, relationships feel like home. But when OCD enters the picture, that comfort can be replaced by a relentless need for certainty....

Read More →By Dr. Athena Dacanay
Fighting Fair Starts with How You Begin
2025-09-14T19:02:46Z2 min read

Fighting Fair Starts with How You Begin

Conflict is inevitable in relationships—but escalation isn’t. The way we start a difficult conversation often determines how it ends....

Read More →By Dr. Athena Dacanay
The Praise Equation: Specific + Timely + Frequent + Connection That Lasts (Part 3)
2025-08-26T23:44:04Z2 min read

The Praise Equation: Specific + Timely + Frequent + Connection That Lasts (Part 3)

How Often Should I Praise My Toddler? The Power of Frequent, Intentional Affirmation Some parents worry that too much praise might spoil...

Read More →By Dr. Athena Dacanay
The Praise Equation: Specific + Timely + Frequent + Connection That Lasts (Part 2)
2025-08-26T02:48:18Z1 min read

The Praise Equation: Specific + Timely + Frequent + Connection That Lasts (Part 2)

Timing Is Everything Why When You Praise Matters Just as Much as How Toddlers live in the moment. Their brains are still wiring...

Read More →By Dr. Athena Dacanay
2025-08-26T02:41:51Z2 min read

The Praise Equation: Specific + Timely + Frequent + Connection That Lasts (Part 1)

What Toddlers Really Hear When You Say “Good Job” Parenting a toddler can feel like coaching a tiny improv troupe—equal parts...

Read More →By Dr. Athena Dacanay
When Helping Hurts: One Shift Parents Can Make When Supporting a Child with OCD
2025-08-22T04:22:18Z3 min read

When Helping Hurts: One Shift Parents Can Make When Supporting a Child with OCD

Parenting a child with OCD is an act of deep love—and often, deep confusion. You want to ease their distress, reduce their anxiety, and...

Read More →By Dr. Athena Dacanay
Beyond Diapers and Bottles: One Shift That Can Save Your Relationship After Baby Comes Home
2025-08-22T02:29:15Z2 min read

Beyond Diapers and Bottles: One Shift That Can Save Your Relationship After Baby Comes Home

When a newborn arrives, couples often find themselves knee-deep in sleep schedules, feeding routines, and survival-mode logistics. Amid...

Read More →By Dr. Athena Dacanay