Author: Embracing You Therapy

What Is Post-Traumatic OCD?

An Asian American woman is sitting in a dark room with her arms wrapped around herself. She is holding a tissue in one hand as she has a distressed facial expression.

You may have heard of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and you may have heard of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). OCD is characterized by intrusive and compulsive thoughts and behaviors. The thoughts are typically the obsession, and the behaviors are the compulsion utilized to cope with the thoughts. PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by a […]

When ADHD and Depression Coexist

A young woman is sitting on the floor of a dark room. She has a sad facial expression as she holds her head with her arm.

Individuals with ADHD may experience symptoms of depression as a result of the challenges and frustrations associated with managing their ADHD symptoms. The constant struggle to meet expectations, difficulties with focus and organization, and interpersonal issues can contribute to feelings of sadness, low self-esteem, and a sense of inadequacy. When ADHD and depression coexist, the […]

How Does a Fear of Failure Play Into Social Anxiety?

An african american woman is standing in the hallway of an office building covering her face with her hands. In the distance we see her two coworkers having a conversation together.

Social Anxiety comes with many fears, such as fear of rejection or fear of judgment. Among those fears that we see most powerful in our therapy practice in Woodland Hills is the fear of failure. You may think of failure when it comes to tasks; therefore, it may seem unusual for fear of failure to […]

How to Cut the Cord to Break Free from Toxic Relationships & Rediscover Yourself

An African American couple is standing at the beach, facing their backs to one another. Both of their arms are crossed and they are looking away from each other.

Relationships play a significant role in our lives, shaping our experiences, emotions, and overall well-being. While healthy relationships can uplift and support us, toxic relationships can have the opposite effect, draining us of our energy, self-esteem, and happiness. If you think about a toxic relationship objectively, you may feel the solution is simple: don’t engage […]

Let’s Talk About The Taboo Thoughts in OCD

A young woman is sitting in her dimly lit home. She is wearing an orange long sleeve cardigan and she has brown long hair. She is covering her face with her hands.

A key feature of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is having obsessions, but not everybody knows what that might mean. The stereotype about OCD is that the “obsession” part is with wanting things clean and/or organized. While some people may focus on an organization or may compulsively clean and/or organize as part of their OCD, that is […]

What is Skin-Picking and How Can I Get Help?

In this image, we see a close-up view of a womans' hands. Her hands are placed on her lap as she fidgets with her thumbs together.

Have you ever heard of Skin-Picking Disorder, otherwise known as Excoriation? Do you struggle with it? If you find yourself picking at scabs, rashes, or the skin around your nails, you might have had times where you caused healing to slow or drew blood. Even if you find the behavior distressing, you still might not […]

Roommate No More: Navigating the Post-Baby Roommate Phase with Your Partner

A married couple is laying in their bed with their newborn baby in between them. The parents are kissing the baby on both sides of the babies cheek.

While the joy of becoming parents is unparalleled, it also introduces a new set of challenges that can test the strength of a relationship. Most couples complain that their relationship has transitioned from being romantic partners to feeling like mere roommates who are focused solely on parenting duties. While it is natural for priorities to […]

Trichotillomania: You Are Not The Only One Doing It

A young woman is sitting in a dark room on the floor with a distressed look on her face. She is holding her head with her arm as she holds the back of her head.

There are some struggles that are universal. It may feel like we all struggle with anxiety or motivation, or relationship issues. It may seem like there is a social media post or an online blog about these “common” mental health issues to be found everywhere. It is true that most people experience a lot of […]

Do You Struggle with First Date Nerves? Learn How to Manage Them In 3 Easy Steps

A young interracial couple is at a date at a restaurant sitting across from each other. The man is facing the camera backwards, as the woman sits in front of him smiling.

The first date – an exciting yet nerve-wracking experience that can make even the most confident individuals break into a cold sweat. Whether you’re meeting someone new or finally going out with that special someone you’ve had your eye on, first-date nerves can take a toll on your confidence and overall enjoyment. But fear not! […]

Do You Like Your Body? 3 Ways to Have Body-Acceptance

A group of 3 women are sitting on the floor posing for their photo to be taken. They are all wearing lingerie. The woman on the left is a Hispanic woman smiling, in the middle is an African American woman, and on the right is an Asian American woman with vitiligo.

Struggling with your body image is a universal experience and simultaneously a deeply personal one. Many of us have been socialized to see our bodies as flawed and to join together to lament our “failings” as a way of bonding and supporting one another. We hear stories about how our bodies “should” look from every […]