Elizabeth Mabbott, LPC

When most people hear the word depression, they picture someone who is crying constantly, unable to get out of bed, or overwhelmed by sadness every moment of the day. While that can certainly be true for some people, depression often looks very different. Many people with depression continue going to work. They take care of their children. They smile during conversations. They attend family gatherings. They answer emails. They pay the bills. From the outside, everything appears normal....

Why Validation Feels So Powerful Most people enjoy receiving validation. A compliment from a friend. Recognition at work. Praise from a parent. Positive feedback from a partner. These experiences feel good because human beings are wired for connection. From the earliest stages of life, our brains learn that acceptance, belonging, and approval help us feel safe. In healthy amounts, validation is not a problem. In fact, it is an important part of human relationships. Healthy validation can:...

How to Set Boundaries Without Feeling Guilty Many people understand that boundaries are important. They know they need to stop overcommitting. They know they need to protect their time and energy. They know they need to stop saying yes when they really want to say no. Yet when the moment arrives to actually set a boundary, something happens. Guilt shows up. Suddenly, what seemed like a reasonable decision feels uncomfortable. Questions start running through their mind: Am I being selfish?...