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Insights and Resources for Your Mental Health Journey
Welcome to my blog, where I share valuable insights, tips, and resources to support your mental health and well-being. From managing stress and anxiety to building stronger relationships, my articles are designed to empower you with the knowledge and tools you need to live a fulfilling, balanced life.
Explore my latest posts and take a step toward positive change today.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is for general educational and informational purposes only. The information on this blog is not meant or implied to be a substitute for professional mental health treatment or any other professional advice.
Authentic Living Therapy
Serving California from San Jose
Are Parents Always Responsible for Narcissistic Adult Children or Family Estrangement?
Public conversations about children and outcomes tend to circle one urgent question: Who failed? Was it the parents? The schools? Society? The child themselves? This demand for attribution is rarely neutral. It carries an implicit need to assign responsibility, locate fault, and restore a sense of order in the face of discomfort. Ambiguity feels intolerable, so the conversation narrows until someone can be blamed or absolved.
Stacey Alvarez
Jan 539 min read
Assertive, Not Aggressive: Understanding the Difference and Why It Matters
In many social and professional settings, assertiveness—the ability to express your thoughts, needs, and boundaries confidently—can be misinterpreted as aggression, especially if others are uncomfortable with direct communication. Many people struggle with being assertive because they don’t want to make others uncomfortable. But here’s the truth: Other people’s discomfort with directness is not a reason for you to shrink yourself.
Stacey Alvarez
Dec 14, 202516 min read
The Armor of Moral Superiority: Protecting Pain, Avoiding Healing
At first glance, moral superiority can feel empowering, providing a clear sense of identity, purpose, and justice in a world full of complexity and moral ambiguity. Yet, beneath this apparent strength, moral superiority often functions as a protective shield, a defense mechanism that masks unresolved pain, insecurity, and inner conflict. This defensive posture can prevent authentic self-reflection and healing by externalizing fault and avoiding responsibility.
Stacey Alvarez
Dec 8, 202524 min read
Anger as a Normal Part of Healing, But Is It Okay to Stay There?
Anger is often treated as a “negative” emotion, something to suppress, control, or feel ashamed of. Yet for many survivors of trauma, abuse, or relational betrayal, anger is not only natural but also an essential and normal part of the healing process. Society frequently tells us that anger is dangerous, inappropriate, or a sign of weakness.
Stacey Alvarez
Nov 17, 202521 min read
Supporting Sobriety: The Critical Role of Mentorship, Coaching, and Work
The path to recovery is often nonlinear, marked by periods of progress and setbacks. While detoxification and clinical treatment address the physiological and psychological aspects of addiction, they represent only the beginning of a lifelong process. The deeper work of rebuilding a life, restoring purpose, reconnecting with community, and creating stability, often begins after treatment ends.
Stacey Alvarez
Nov 10, 202523 min read
The Risks of Relying on AI for Therapy and Why Human Connection Still Matters
The rise of artificial intelligence is transforming nearly every industry, and mental health care is no exception. From therapy apps and chatbots to clinical tools that analyze patterns in speech and behavior, AI is making its way into how we understand and support emotional well-being. But as these technologies evolve, they raise an important question: Can AI truly play a role in therapy?
Stacey Alvarez
Nov 3, 202521 min read
Caring Without Carrying: Why Emotional Detachment Can Be Necessary
Emotional detachment is often misunderstood, misrepresented, and sometimes vilified. At its core, emotional detachment is the conscious choice to create distance from the overwhelming emotional experiences of others, not as a form of rejection, but as a protective, boundary-setting tool. It is not about shutting down your heart, numbing your feelings, or turning off compassion. Rather, it is about maintaining clarity, preserving your well-being, and refusing to be consumed by
Stacey Alvarez
Sep 27, 202531 min read
The Psychology of Stalking
Stalking is best understood not as a single act, but as a pattern of repeated, unwanted attention, contact, or surveillance that invades another person’s life. Unlike romantic persistence or healthy pursuit, stalking is rooted in control, obsession, and intrusion, not in genuine love or care. It strips away a person’s sense of safety by turning ordinary spaces like home, work, school, or even the online world into places where they feel watched, followed, or targeted.
Stacey Alvarez
Sep 18, 202534 min read
Understanding School Shootings – Causes, Prevention, and Healing
Despite the intense media coverage and public concern surrounding school shootings, there are several persistent myths that distort understanding and hinder effective prevention.
Stacey Alvarez
Sep 1, 202527 min read
How ADHD Impacts Relationships: Understanding the Challenges and Opportunities
Understanding how ADHD impacts and influences relationships is key to fostering healthier, more supportive connections.
Stacey Alvarez
Jun 2, 202519 min read
The Illusion—and Legacy—of “Old Happy”
Old Happy becomes an illusion we cling to, a legacy passed down to preserve harmony at the cost of honesty.
Stacey Alvarez
May 21, 202522 min read
Emotional Regulation, Processing, and Resolution: Understanding the Differences
Emotional regulation, emotional processing, and emotional resolution each play a distinct role in how we experience and heal from emotional pain. Understanding the differences between them can be the key to moving from simply surviving emotions to truly healing them.
Stacey Alvarez
May 1, 202518 min read
Transactional Parenting: The Costs of Conditional Love and Approval
Transactional parenting is a parenting style where interactions between parent and child are driven by a system of rewards and punishments.
Stacey Alvarez
Mar 23, 202514 min read
Balancing Love and Limits: Supporting a Suicidal Loved One Without Enabling
Supporting a loved one who struggles with suicidal thoughts or threatens suicide is a complex and deeply challenging experience.
Stacey Alvarez
Feb 10, 202529 min read
Relationship Crossroads: Signs It's Time for Couples Counseling
Recognizing when to seek help is a crucial step towards achieving a healthier, more fulfilling partnership.
Stacey Alvarez
Jan 5, 202513 min read
Calm in the Chaos: Helping Someone Manage Intense Emotions
Emotional dysregulation can feel overwhelming, both for the person experiencing it and for those trying to offer support.
Stacey Alvarez
Dec 22, 202419 min read
Spotting Red Flags: 22 Indicators of Emotional Immaturity
Emotionally immature relationships or friendships can be draining, confusing, and ultimately unfulfilling, and is a significant barrier to..
Stacey Alvarez
Nov 24, 202419 min read
The Transformative Power of Self-Compassion
At its core, self-compassion involves treating oneself with the same kindness, care, and understanding that one would offer to others.
Stacey Alvarez
Aug 4, 202412 min read
The Interplay Between Shaming and Bullying
While they may manifest in different forms, both shaming and bullying share common roots in the exertion of dominance over others.
Stacey Alvarez
Jul 28, 20249 min read
Effective Time Management Strategies for ADHD
Did you know that individuals with ADHD often perceive time differently, making traditional time management strategies less effective for th
Stacey Alvarez
Jul 21, 20248 min read
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