Sequoia Counseling Center
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I’ve been noticing a lot lately that so many of us have the idea that we’re supposed to be perfect before we deserve good things. We’re supposed to be more regulated, less anxious, more confident, more assertive, less negative, bounce back from hard things in a minute, and so on.  It seems like these messages sneak in slowly and quietly through conversations with well-meaning friends and family members, movies, books, advertisements, and what I think might be the biggest culp

The human brain is inundated with vast amounts of data every second. To manage this overwhelming influx, the brain employs various shortcuts such as chunking (grouping information) and unconscious bias—tools that help us quickly determine what is relevant for our survival and what can be disregarded. As a result of these mental shortcuts, what we consciously perceive is only a small, filtered portion of the reality that originally enters our minds. This selective awareness me

It seems like the holidays have a way of always sneaking up on us. One minute it’s pumpkin-spice season and the next thing we know, there are twinkling lights everywhere, Christmas playlists in every store, kids running on sugar highs while parents are running on fumes, and everyone asking, “So… any exciting plans for the holidays?” For many people, this time of year feels warm and magical. For others, especially those who are grieving, it feels like walking through a place

As humans, we are all connected by what are called universal longings or universal needs. Examples of these needs might be safety, stability, connection, love and belonging, and purpose. When these needs struggle to be met whether due to societal culture, isolating events, or relationship issues, technology presents as a seemingly harmless solution. We might turn to social media apps, designed to interact with the reward centers in our brains, stream a movie or TV series for

The holiday season can be a wonderful time filled with celebration, family, and tradition. However, it's also notorious for bringing stress, anxiety, and overwhelming expectations. Whether you’re hosting gatherings, shopping for gifts, or balancing work and family, holiday stress can creep in and dampen your enjoyment. Data from the American Psychological Association indicates that 89% of individuals report heightened stress levels during this period, and approximately 64% of

When we begin therapy, we often want to focus on what's happening right now — the anxiety, the relationship struggles, the patterns...

A Calling I Never Expected When I lost my job in June of 2017, I was feeling discouraged and disoriented. My career up until that point...