from the Couch

If this Thanksgiving feels different — heavier, quieter, or just not like years past — give yourself permission to breathe, to shift, and to choose what you truly need this season.

The holidays can stir up loneliness, grief, and quiet pressure to “be joyful.” In this week’s Notes from the Couch, we explore the layers of grief — not just loss through death — and how small joys can bring steadiness in an unsteady season.

 The holidays can bring love and connection — and also guilt, tension, and pressure to “just go along.” Boundaries aren’t about shutting people out; they’re about protecting your peace. You get to decide who and what gets a seat at your table.

This season can bring both joy and heaviness — gratitude mixed with grief, connection alongside loneliness. You don’t have to wait until life feels polished to reach out for help. Therapy isn’t for the “put-together” version of you — it’s for the human one.