The DC Metro Therapy Blog
The holidays are supposed to be about connection. But when you’re living with chronic pain, they become a masterclass in pretending you’re okay when really, you’re struggling. Chances are you know this script by heart: the dismissive comments (‘you look fine!’), the pressure to participate fully, the guilt when you
What if your therapist told you that spending less time in bed could help your depression? It might sound counterintuitive, especially when exhaustion already feels crushing. But for many people struggling with both insomnia and depression, it’s true. When depression and insomnia coexist, long nights of lying awake become fertile
Do family gatherings make you feel anxious? You’re at a get-together, heart racing, palms sweating. A well-meaning family member notices and says, “Just relax! It’s Thanksgiving!” Instantly, you feel worse. Now you’re anxious and ashamed that you can’t just “snap out of it.” “Just relax” might be the most common
Another night, another nightmare. You’re exhausted, but you dread going to bed because you never know if tonight will bring another dream that jolts you awake—heart racing, sheets damp, afraid to fall back asleep. While everyone else sleeps, you’re stuck in a loop that leaves you tired, tense, and wondering
It’s 5 PM on a Tuesday in October and you can barely keep your eyes open. By 10 PM, when you finally crawl into bed, you’re wide awake. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with sleep when the seasons shift. As a therapist who specializes in
“I’m not a sleep specialist. How much can I actually do?” If you’ve ever thought this when a client brings up insomnia, you’re not alone. Many skilled therapists feel unsure about where their role ends and where a referral should begin. You want to help — but you also don’t
You were finally starting to feel hopeful. The chronic pain flares that had been ruling your life were becoming less frequent. You’d been diligent with your pain management routine, following every piece of advice, staying consistent with your treatments. Then it happened. A pain flare-up that made you feel like
If you’ve been feeling emotionally numb (like you’re going through the motions without really feeling anything) you’re not alone. And more importantly, you’re not broken. Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I know I should feel something about this, but I just… don’t”? Maybe you sat through a movie that
You love your partner—but you dread going to bed together. Maybe it’s the snoring. Or the tossing and turning. Or the 3 a.m. phone glow. Maybe one of you needs white noise while the other needs silence. Or maybe your partner loves going to bed early while you naturally feel