Healthy relationships don’t exist in isolation—they reflect how we see ourselves. Your self-esteem, your sense of self-worth and confidence, plays a critical role in the quality, balance, and resilience of your relationships. At Thrope Therapy, we’ve seen how strengthening self-esteem can transform the way clients engage with others, create boundaries, and foster meaningful connections

The holiday season is often painted as the “most wonderful time of the year.” Between festive meals, family gatherings, and cultural traditions, it’s a time that many look forward to. But for those in eating disorder recovery, this season can feel complicated, overwhelming, or even isolating. With so much emphasis on food, body image, and routines that get disrupted, the holidays can bring up stress and triggers that challenge even the strongest recovery journey. The good news is: you are not alone, and there are ways to approach the season with more compassion and support.

For so many of us, especially those healing from disordered eating, chronic dieting, or body shame, shopping isn’t “just” shopping. It’s a mirror to all the body image stories we’ve internalized over the years. Stories that hold pain, sadness and doubt. When clothing doesn’t fit the way we expect, it can activate feelings of failure, fear, and unworthiness. This is not your fault. These reactions are learned from a culture that teaches us to equate thinness with value and control with morality. But there are ways to meet these moments with more compassion and grounding.

Photo grief is the emotional response to images that evoke loss, longing, or sadness. This could be a photograph of someone who has passed, a memory of a place or time that’s gone, or even pictures of yourself that bring up complicated feelings about identity, body image, or life changes. Photos can be a physical representation of so many emotions that live under the surface. Sometimes seeing a photo can evoke stronger emotions than when you think about the past. Seeing the physical memory can be really powerful. 

Many of us are far harsher on ourselves than we would ever dream of being toward someone we love. We might replay mistakes, criticize our bodies, or pressure ourselves to “do better” in a way that leaves little room for compassion. But what if you spoke to yourself the way you’d talk to a child or even your younger self? This shift in self-talk isn’t just about being “nicer” to yourself. It’s a powerful tool for healing, self-esteem, and emotional regulation.

Healthy relationships, whether romantic, familial, or friendships, are built on more than shared interests or time spent together. At the core of any strong connection is effective communication. How we express our needs, listen to others, and navigate conflict has a direct impact on the quality and longevity of our relationships.

As a therapist, I don’t see myself as being in the business of giving advice. My role is less about prescribing solutions and more about creating space for clients to discover what is already within them. That said, if I had to distill what I most often share, it would be this: The guidance you need does not come from the outside world. It comes from within.

When you think about your body, what comes up first? For many people, the answer is criticism. Maybe it’s wishing your stomach looked different, comparing yourself to others on social media, or replaying an old comment someone made about your weight. This constant self-monitoring is part of what psychologists call body image, the way we think and feel about our physical selves. At Thrope Therapy, our New York–based practice, we often see how much time, energy, and self-worth get tied up in body image. The good news is that you can work toward a more compassionate, balanced relationship with your body and it doesn’t require “loving” how you look every day.

Relationships can be complicated, and for LGBTQ couples, there are unique challenges that require specialized support. LGBTQ couples can be navigating identity questions, sexual orientation, family dynamics, or societal pressures. Finding a therapist who specializes in working with LGBTQ relationships is essential to getting great care.

We believe that every client is the expert of their own story, and our role is to create a therapeutic environment where that expertise is honored and centered. Rather than imposing one definition of health or recovery, we walk alongside clients as they define what healing looks like for them. Utilizing a health at every size approach allows our clinicians to help clients connect with an understanding of health that fits their individual values.

Imagine this: You open your fridge after a long day and immediately hear two voices in your head. One says, “Be good, just have a salad.” The other says, “You deserve to order takeout after the day you’ve had.” By the time you sit down to eat, you feel overwhelmed, stressed, and guilty no matter what choice you make.

This inner tug-of-war is common for people who have been influenced by diet culture. Food becomes less about nourishment or enjoyment and more about rules, shame, and control. And when diets fail (as they almost always do), many people blame themselves instead of questioning the diet in the first place.

At Thrope Therapy, our New York–based practice, we support individuals who want to stop fighting with food and their bodies. One of the most effective and compassionate frameworks we use is Intuitive Eating, a practice that helps people rebuild trust with themselves and find freedom in their relationship with food.

The air is cooling, the days are shortening, and store aisles are lined with fresh notebooks and colorful pens, that familiar sign that it’s time to go back to school. For some students, this season feels exciting: a chance to reunite with friends, step into new opportunities, and embrace a fresh start.

But for many others, the back-to-school season brings anxiety. It might show up as sleepless nights, a knot in your stomach, racing thoughts, or a sudden drop in appetite. Even if you had a relaxing, carefree summer, the thought of returning to school can feel heavy. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Anxiety during times of transition is incredibly common, and with the right tools and support, it doesn’t have to take over.

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that affect millions worldwide, transcending age, gender, and cultural boundaries. They are not simply about food but involve a range of psychological, physical, and social issues. Supporting a loved one through this struggle can be challenging, requiring understanding, patience, and knowledge of the right approaches to truly make a difference.

We often hear about dopamine as the brain’s “feel-good” chemical. But what exactly does that mean, and how does it affect behaviors like eating or seeking pleasure in other ways? For many people, understanding dopamine can shine a light on why we turn to certain habits, and how we might create healthier, more balanced sources of joy in our lives.

Anxiety and depression can feel overwhelming, affecting not just your mind but your body, relationships, and overall quality of life. While traditional therapy and medication are effective for many people, a holistic approach can complement treatment by addressing the whole person, mind, body, and lifestyle.