The Wellness Diary
Insights, advice, new research, tips and tricks, and new resources to help you with your mental health journey.
Stress Management That Works: A Guide for CEOs, Professionals, and Leaders
Stress doesn’t have to control your life. For CEOs, professionals, and anyone struggling with overwhelming demands, this guide explores the best ways to manage stress effectively. From time management to mindfulness and therapy, discover practical tools that reduce anxiety, prevent depression, and build resilience.
25 Powerful Parenting Methods to Support Trans Kids
Parenting a trans child is a journey of love, resilience, and learning. Many parents want to support their child but struggle with questions, societal pressures, or fears of “doing it wrong.” As a mental health professional, I’ve worked with families navigating the complexities of gender identity alongside race, disability, and sexuality. This article explores practical parenting methods that empower trans kids to thrive—while also strengthening family bonds and building a safe, affirming home.
10 Compassionate Ways to Talk About Changes in Intimacy During Pregnancy
Pregnancy brings not only physical and emotional shifts but also changes in intimacy. As a mental health professional, I’ll help you normalize these changes, avoid resentment, and explore 10 supportive ways to talk about intimacy openly with your partner.
Finding Friends Who Share Your Political and Moral Beliefs: A Guide to Healthy Connections
Finding meaningful friendships can feel especially challenging in today’s polarized world. When your political and moral values differ from those around you, conversations may become stressful, invalidating, or even isolating. Over time, this misalignment can take a toll on your mental health, increasing feelings of loneliness or depression. In this blog, we explore why shared values matter in friendships, how to reflect on your core beliefs, and practical ways to meet people who align more closely with your worldview. By approaching connection intentionally, you can cultivate supportive, values-driven relationships that foster belonging and emotional well-being.
Overcoming Body Dysmorphia: Therapy, Coping Tools, and Hope for Recovery
Body dysmorphia, or body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), goes far beyond everyday insecurities about appearance. For those who struggle, the mirror becomes a source of constant distress, fueling obsessive thoughts, anxiety, and even depression. In this blog, we’ll explore what body dysmorphia really is, how it impacts mental health, and the steps you can take to begin healing. From evidence-based therapies like CBT to everyday coping strategies, discover that recovery is possible—and that support is closer than you think.
Being the Black Sheep of the Family: Mental Health, Depression, and Healing Strategies
Being the black sheep of the family can feel lonely, painful, and overwhelming. Many people in this role struggle with depression, anxiety, and self-worth as they navigate rejection, constant criticism, or simply feeling misunderstood. This article explores what it truly means to be the black sheep, the psychological toll it can take, and how therapy, boundary-setting, and self-compassion can help you heal and embrace your authentic self.
The Silent Wound: The Hidden Dangers of Vicarious Trauma from Violent Videos Online
In today’s digital world, violent videos spread faster than ever before. But each view comes with an invisible cost: vicarious trauma. From shootings to attacks on public transit, exposure to graphic violence online can leave deep psychological scars—even if you weren’t there. Here’s what every viewer needs to know, from a mental health professional’s perspective.
The Dangerous Drift: Mental Health Professionals, Political Violence, and the Loss of Empathy
When mental health professionals celebrate violence, we betray our calling. The assassination of Charlie Kirk exposed deep fractures in our field, with some therapists cheering instead of condemning. As healers, our duty is to model empathy, curiosity, and healthy dialogue—not perpetuate division.
How to Cope with Gen Z in the Workforce: A Guide for Anxious Managers
Gen Z is entering the workforce in large numbers, and managers across generations are feeling the pressure. From new communication styles to shifting cultural norms, managing this generation can create stress and uncertainty. As mental health professionals, we know that with awareness and practical tools, managers can turn anxiety into opportunity, fostering healthier workplace relationships across generations.
How to Turn Fear into Motivation
Anxiety doesn’t have to hold you back—it can fuel your success. Learn how to reframe fear into motivation, discover science-backed strategies to channel stress into energy, and explore real-life examples of people who turned anxiety into growth.
How to Handle Crucial Conversations and Conflict Resolution in Relationships
Handling crucial conversations in relationships is challenging, but avoiding them only deepens conflict. This guide reveals proven communication strategies, emotional regulation techniques, and conflict resolution skills to build healthier, more connected relationships.
The Spiritual Meaning of a Breakup: Soulmates, Karma & Healing Lessons
Breakups often feel like devastating endings, but from a spiritual perspective, they are profound beginnings. Every relationship—whether soulmate, karmic, or twin flame—serves as a mirror for our soul’s evolution. When a relationship ends, it invites us into deeper self-discovery, healing, and alignment with our higher path. By viewing heartbreak through the lens of reincarnation, soul development, and self-actualization, we can transform pain into wisdom and loss into liberation.
What to Do if You Notice a Friend Is Unconsciously Competitive With You?
Friendships are meant to be supportive, yet sometimes subtle competitiveness creeps in. If you’ve noticed a friend who unconsciously compares themselves to you, it can feel confusing or even hurtful. At Meridian Counseling, we believe these moments can be powerful opportunities for growth, boundaries, and deeper self-understanding. Here’s how to recognize unconscious competition in friendships and respond in a way that protects your peace while preserving the relationship.
Coming Home: The Emotional Impact of Moving Back to Your Hometown
Moving back to your hometown can feel both comforting and unsettling. As a therapist, I’ve seen how this transition stirs up nostalgia, identity shifts, relationship dynamics, and opportunities for healing. Discover how to navigate the emotional layers of returning home with compassion and clarity.
Strength and Sweetness: 7 Proven Ways Therapists and Leaders Can Balance Boundaries with Compassion
As both a therapist and a leader of a large practice, I’ve learned that true strength isn’t about shutting down or hardening. Real strength is clarity of values and boundaries. Real sweetness isn’t people-pleasing—it’s showing up with warmth and empathy. Here’s how you can cultivate both.
Brain Rot Is Ruining Gen Z’s Minds: 10 Ways to Stop It
Brain Rot” isn’t just a meme—it’s a real mental health concern among Gen Z. As therapists at Meridian Counseling, we see firsthand how constant screen use rewires attention, mood, and motivation. Learn how to reverse the damage and support your child with empathy, insight, and action
The Shocking Identity Crisis of Motherhood – 13 Ways to Cope & Reclaim Yourself
Pregnancy and motherhood don’t just change your body—they transform your identity. This in-depth guide explores the emotional, mental, and psychological shifts many women experience during this time, offering professional insight and practical ways to cope and thrive through the transition.
Breaking Stigma: Mental Health & Therapy in Mormon Culture – The Shift Beyond LDS Support
The Mormon community is experiencing a cultural shift in how mental health is understood and addressed. Once primarily relying on church leaders for counseling, many members now turn to licensed therapists outside the LDS Church. This shift reflects a growing acceptance of professional mental health care, a desire for specialized treatment, and the recognition that faith and therapy can coexist in powerful, life-changing ways
The Hidden Cost of Beauty: How Beauty Bias Affects Women’s Friendships & Relationships
Beauty is often praised as a gift, but for many women, it’s a double-edged sword. While society rewards attractiveness with attention and opportunities, it also subjects women to jealousy, exclusion, and bullying—especially from other women. This article dives deep into how beauty bias shapes relationships and friendships, revealing its often hidden emotional toll.
The Emotional Toll of Friendship Breakups: Coping With Loss and Healing
Friendship breakups can leave behind a deep ache that’s hard to explain. Whether sudden or long overdue, these endings can feel as devastating as romantic separations—yet they’re often overlooked. In this post, we explore the emotional toll of friendship breakups, why they hurt so much, and how to begin the healing process with compassion and clarity.