A Mental Health Expert Tells Us How To Stay Stress-Free This Holiday Season
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.
