Tired vs. Sleepy: Why the Difference Matters for Your Sleep Treatment
It’s 11 PM. You’ve been dragging yourself through the day, completely drained, dreaming of the moment you can finally crawl into bed. Your body feels exhausted—every muscle aches, your brain feels foggy, and you can barely keep your eyes open during your evening routine. But then something strange happens. The moment your head hits the […]
Why Won’t My Anxiety Go Away? And What Actually Works Instead
You’ve tried everything — meditation apps, deep breathing, positive thinking, cutting out caffeine — and still, the anxiety is there. Maybe it even feels worse. If you’re stuck in a cycle of anxious thoughts and symptoms that won’t quit, you’re not alone. Many people ask, “Why won’t my anxiety go away?” despite doing all the […]
When Your Pain Isn’t Believed: The Impact of Illness Invalidation on Chronic Pain
Have you ever left a doctor’s appointment feeling dismissed, unheard, or like your pain doesn’t matter? Maybe you’ve been told your tests are “normal” while your body screams otherwise, or heard these words: “It’s probably just stress.” If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and more importantly, your pain is real. The experience of having […]
Neuroplasticity and the Vicious Cycle: How Anxiety Rewires the Brain to Fuel Chronic Pain
If you live with chronic pain and anxiety, you know how deeply these experiences can affect your day-to-day life. The connection between these two conditions has been widely studied, with research showing that neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to adapt and change—plays a key role in how anxiety and pain reinforce each other. In this article, we’ll […]
4 Sleep Mistakes That Are Keeping You Awake (And How to Sleep Better)
You’ve tried everything to sleep better—new mattresses, melatonin, cutting caffeine, even counting sheep. Yet somehow, you’re still lying awake, staring at the ceiling, wondering what else you could possibly do. The truth is, most people aren’t doing anything wrong. But even with the best intentions, it’s easy to fall into sleep habits that quietly sabotage […]
Finding the Deeper Meaning of Anxiety: Is it a Signal?
Does living with anxiety sometimes feel like you’re constantly fighting an invisible battle? Maybe you’ve tried everything: deep breathing, mindfulness, challenging anxious thoughts. Yes, these tools can help turn down the volume in the moment, making daily life more manageable. But what happens when that anxiety keeps coming back, sometimes even stronger than before? What […]
Why ‘Fake’ Treatments Sometimes Work for Pain: The Brain-Body Connection in Pain Management
Have you ever felt true relief from pain after trying something you weren’t sure would work? Maybe it was a mindfulness practice, a guided visualization, or even a sugar pill. It might have surprised you—how could something so simple make a difference? The truth is: there is real science behind why certain treatments that seem […]
Political Anxiety and Insomnia: How to Rest When the World Feels Restless
As a sleep therapist in the DC Metro area, I have a unique perspective on how politics affects our mental health. Here in Washington, politics isn’t just something that happens on TV—it’s woven into the fabric of our community. Many of my clients work in politics, government, or adjacent fields, and even those who don’t […]
Light Sleeping: Why It Happens and How to Sleep Deeper
Have you ever felt like the lightest noise wakes you up? Maybe you’re the person who hears every creak in the house while your partner sleeps through a thunderstorm. Or you find yourself waking multiple times a night, struggling to get back to sleep, only to feel exhausted the next day. If this sounds familiar, […]
ISTDP for Lasting Chronic Pain Management
You’ve tried everything for your chronic pain—doctors, medications, physical therapy, and even traditional talk therapy—but nothing seems to provide lasting relief. The pain lingers, disrupting your daily life, relationships, and emotional well-being. What if your pain isn’t just physical, but also connected to unprocessed emotions? Research shows that emotional suppression can heighten pain perception and […]