When you hear “eating disorders,” what is the image that pops into your mind? Perhaps it is the image of an extraordinarily thin young woman who works out excessively. Or perhaps a teen girl who picks at her food and runs to the bathroom during meals. But these images only tell one story out of many. This Eating Disorder Awareness month, I want to highlight the most misunderstood eating disorder. What Are Eating Disorders? So, what are eating disorders? Eating disorders are c

It is one of life’s most joyous moments, holding and meeting your newborn baby for the first time. In that singular moment your life as you knew it before will never the same. You know the extraordinary lengths you would go to protect your child, that this love you feel for that baby is unlike anything you’ve ever felt for anything or anyone before. So why is it that all of a sudden you are consumed with these unwanted and distressing “What if” thoughts that involve harm comi

Whether you call it the winter blues, seasonal depression, or SAD, winter can be hard on many people. Shorter days, colder weather, and disrupted routines can all take a toll on mood and energy. While feeling a bit more down during the winter months is common, that doesn’t mean these feelings should be dismissed. Seasonal mood changes can be serious, real, and worthy of support. Let’s explore what Seasonal Affective Disorder is, why it happens, common symptoms to watch for, a

The holiday season comes with its own blend of excitement, stress, and emotional intensity. For many, it is a time of connection and celebration. But for others, the season can also bring heightened pressure, loneliness, or a sense of being overwhelmed. During this time, alcohol is often woven into social gatherings, traditions, and routines - making it easy for consumption to increase without noticing. Over the past few years, data has shown that drinking patterns have shift

Oh, the holiday season. This time of year is full of food talk, family time, and gift-giving pressure. And as the holidays get closer, so does the pressure to lose weight.  Every year, like clockwork, the headlines appear: “How to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain!” “Burn Off That Pumpkin Pie!” “Detox Before the New Year!” This rhetoric pops up in ads, on social media, and even in casual conversations.  Between “Turkey Burn” and “12 Days of Fit-mas” workouts and the “Jingle Bell” and

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) has become one of the most trusted, research-supported therapies for healing trauma, reducing anxiety, and strengthening a person’s sense of self. But many people still wonder how it works - especially because it can feel so different from traditional talk therapy. What Is EMDR? EMDR was developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Francine Shapiro, who famously noticed something surprising during a walk in the park: as she

Have you ever noticed that the more you try to get rid of  difficult thoughts or feelings, the stronger they seem to become? Maybe you’ve told yourself not to worry, not to feel sad, or not to think about something painful—only to find it’s still there. You’re not alone. Most of us spend a lot of energy fighting our inner experiences, hoping that if we could just think differently or feel less, life would be easier. But what if the goal wasn’t to get rid of those thoughts and

Earlier this month, our team at Speakeasy Therapy had the honor of serving as captain for The Climb: Team NW Chicago, Postpartum Support International’s annual event raising awareness for perinatal mental health. For me, my  “why”  has always been about creating connection — spaces where parents, caregivers, and families don’t have to carry the weight of mental health struggles alone. As both a therapist and a mom, I’ve seen firsthand how isolation can take hold quietly, even

The Switch Witch first appeared in the early 2000s but has gained increasing popularity since 2015 with the release of The Switch Witch and the Magic of Switchcraft, a children’s book by mom Audrey R. Kinsman. In her story, the Switch Witch visits homes on Halloween night to collect candy for her broom. In exchange, she leaves behind a toy or prize. At first glance, it seems like a harmless and even magical tradition, but her magic might have an unintended consequence for our

September is Suicide Prevention Month. Ah yes, the “S” word—suicide. A word often spoken in hushed tones, or avoided altogether, out of...

When I received a late-night message that my son’s school would be holding Safety Week, I teared up. What might seem like a simple,...

Mindfulness has become a buzzword in recent years, but at its heart, it is a timeless practice: bringing awareness to the present moment...

Summer often brings more flexibility for daytime therapy sessions, but once the school year begins, families may find themselves...

June is Pride Month—a time of visibility, celebration, and resistance for the LGBTQ+ community. But for queer and trans people,...

In my very first relationships course (wow—almost 15 years ago now), I remember a professor saying something that stuck with me: “The...

We check our phones multiple times a day—but how often do we check in with ourselves? Our brains and bodies send us notifications too:...

If your compassion doesn’t include yourself, it’s incomplete. – Jack Kornfield Whether we are exploring what self-compassion is; better...

If you haven't had the chance to listen to the full podcast, here is a quick preview! There are three objectives to my writing: 1. To be...

We all know the common definition of a speakeasy. However, I chose the name Speakeasy Therapy because of the etymology. Speakeasies...