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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
Letting Go Without Leaving: How to Support Others While Letting Natural Consequences Do the Teaching
We all want the best for the people we care about. When we see them making choices that might lead to hurt or failure, it’s natural to want to step in and protect them from pain. But overprotecting can sometimes unintentionally prevent important lessons and growth. Finding the right balance between offering support and allowing someone to face the natural consequences of their actions is one of the most challenging and valuable aspects of caring for others.
Stacey Alvarez
4 days ago15 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
4 days ago31 min read
People-Pleasing vs. Honoring Responsibility: Finding the Nuanced Balance in Healing
Many people in recovery or personal growth eventually run into a confusing dilemma: Am I doing this because it’s the right thing, or because I’m afraid of disappointing someone? On the surface, people-pleasing and taking responsibility can look almost identical. Both involve care for others, both may include apologizing or making amends, and both can influence how we show up in relationships. But underneath, the difference is profound.
Stacey Alvarez
Sep 821 min read
100 Common Codependent Behaviors
Codependency is a complex and often misunderstood pattern of relating that centers on an unhealthy reliance on others for approval, identity, and emotional stability. Rather than maintaining a clear and autonomous sense of self, people struggling with codependency may find their self-worth and emotional well-being entangled with the needs, feelings, or approval of those around them. This dynamic can lead to sacrificing personal boundaries and suppressing authentic feelings.
Stacey Alvarez
Aug 1118 min read
When Accountability Never Comes: Choosing Boundaries That Honor You
Holding space for someone who refuses to take accountability can feel like trying to hold water in a sieve, no matter how much compassion, patience, or clarity you offer, it leaks right through. The effort is exhausting. Conversations loop back on themselves. Promises are made but not followed through. Apologies, if they happen at all, are hollow or short-lived. Over time, it becomes easy to question your own reality, especially when you’re the one doing all the emotional hea
Stacey Alvarez
Jul 2826 min read
When Understanding Isn’t Enough: Rethinking How You Communicate Your Needs in Relationships
In any close relationship, the longing to be understood runs deep. We want our partners to get us—to see where we’re coming from, to feel our pain, to grasp why something matters so much. When we feel hurt, unseen, or dismissed, the instinct is often to explain, to clarify, to try again, believing that if they could just understand, everything would get better.
Stacey Alvarez
Jun 2618 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 219 min read
The Four Horsemen: Four Communication Habits That Erode Relationships
Conflict is part of every relationship. But the way we handle conflict can either build trust or quietly break it down.
Stacey Alvarez
May 1317 min read
How Fear Leads to Suspicion in Codependent Relationships
Codependency is a complex and deeply ingrained pattern that often revolves around the need for approval and the fear of rejection.
Stacey Alvarez
Apr 1414 min read
The Cost of Keeping Score: How Scorekeeping Harms Relationships
While it may seem like a practical approach to achieving equity, scorekeeping harms relationships and can undermine trust and intimacy.
Stacey Alvarez
Apr 615 min read
The Role of Emotional Intolerance in Codependent Relationships
Emotional intolerance is often heightened in codependent individuals who fear that addressing conflict could disrupt the relationship.
Stacey Alvarez
Mar 1510 min read
Boundaries: It’s About You, Not About Controlling Others
Boundaries are about protecting your well-being, not about trying to control or change someone else’s behavior.
Stacey Alvarez
Feb 1010 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 513 min read
Approval Addiction: Codependency and Struggle for Acceptance
For individuals struggling with codependency, the need for external validation can become a primary source of emotional sustenance.
Stacey Alvarez
Dec 22, 202411 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
Nurturing Foundations: Building Trust in Your Relationships
Building trust is the cornerstone of nurturing a strong and lasting relationship. Trust forms the foundation upon which all other aspects of
Stacey Alvarez
Nov 4, 202413 min read
Beyond Illusion: Codependency and Idealization of Relationships
People who are codependent tend to prioritize the needs, emotions, and problems of others above their own...
Stacey Alvarez
Oct 6, 202413 min read
Is It a Preference or Control? Examples to Guide You
The distinction between sharing a preference and exerting control can sometimes be unclear, leading to misunderstandings.
Stacey Alvarez
Sep 15, 202410 min read
Is It a Preference or Control? How to Tell the Difference
The balance between expressing personal preferences and exerting control is delicate but crucial because it helps maintain mutual respect.
Stacey Alvarez
Sep 15, 202414 min read
The Impact of Deflection on Honest Communication
Deflection in arguments is a common tactic used to divert attention away from the main issue, often to avoid responsibility.
Stacey Alvarez
Aug 11, 202410 min read
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