https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/ Plain-language clinical writing from My Mental Climb on couples therapy, sex therapy, EMDR, trauma, attachment, ADHD, and mental health. Written by Christina Mathieson, LMFT, and team. en-us Copyright My Mental Climb Marriage & Family Therapy Inc. Sun, 10 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT 1440 https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/neuroscience-of-heartbreak/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/neuroscience-of-heartbreak/ Sun, 10 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT Heartbreak is not just emotional. It is a nervous-system event with a clear neurobiological footprint. A therapist on why breakups hurt physically and what the body actually needs to recover. Christina Mathieson, LMFT heartbreak neuroscience trauma breakup nervous-system https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/glimmers-and-the-nervous-system/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/glimmers-and-the-nervous-system/ Fri, 08 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT Glimmers are everywhere on TikTok, often framed as small moments of joy. That isn't quite what the term means clinically. A look at where it came from, what it actually does in the body, and why it matters for trauma work. Christina Mathieson, LMFT nervous system polyvagal trauma EMDR glimmers triggers https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/how-to-set-boundaries-in-relationships-without-ultimatums/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/how-to-set-boundaries-in-relationships-without-ultimatums/ Fri, 01 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT What therapists actually mean by a boundary, the most common mistake that turns boundary-setting into a power struggle, and what makes the work go sideways or land cleanly in real relationships. Christina Mathieson, LMFT boundaries communication couples relationships individual-therapy https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/rejection-sensitivity-in-adhd-relationships/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/rejection-sensitivity-in-adhd-relationships/ Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:00:00 GMT Rejection-sensitive dysphoria in ADHD doesn't run as a solo problem; it runs as a couples-system pattern. Here's what the cycle looks like from both sides, and what actually helps in the room. Christina Mathieson, LMFT adhd rejection-sensitivity rsd couples neurodivergent couples-therapy https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/what-ted-lasso-and-shrinking-got-right-about-therapy/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/what-ted-lasso-and-shrinking-got-right-about-therapy/ Mon, 27 Apr 2026 16:00:00 GMT Two prestige TV shows have done more for the cultural normalization of therapy than a decade of public-health campaigns. A clinician's read on what Ted Lasso and Shrinking actually got right, where they take artistic license, and why the visibility matters. Christina Mathieson, LMFT mental-health-stigma pop-culture individual-therapy https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/discernment-counseling-when-one-partner-wants-out/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/discernment-counseling-when-one-partner-wants-out/ Sat, 25 Apr 2026 16:00:00 GMT When one partner is leaning out and the other wants to stay, regular couples therapy often fails. Discernment counseling, a short, structured approach designed exactly for this bind, helps both of you get clarity before committing to a direction. Christina Mathieson, LMFT couples-therapy discernment-counseling separation divorce ambivalence https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/chatgpt-isnt-your-therapist/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/chatgpt-isnt-your-therapist/ Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:00:00 GMT AI chatbots can help you prep questions, reflect between sessions, and learn about a diagnosis. They can't challenge you, hold relationship, or regulate your nervous system. A clinician's honest framework for using both. Christina Mathieson, LMFT ai-and-therapy chatgpt mental-health technology therapy https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/emdr-vs-cbt-for-trauma-which-is-right-for-you/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/emdr-vs-cbt-for-trauma-which-is-right-for-you/ Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:00:00 GMT EMDR and trauma-focused CBT are both first-line treatments for PTSD, but they work differently, take different amounts of time, and suit different people. Here's the decision you're actually making. Christina Mathieson, LMFT emdr cbt trauma ptsd comparison https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/fawning-isnt-kindness-the-fourth-trauma-response/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/fawning-isnt-kindness-the-fourth-trauma-response/ Mon, 20 Apr 2026 16:00:00 GMT Fawning, the fourth trauma response after fight, flight, and freeze, looks like kindness but comes from threat. Understanding the mechanism is the first step out. Christina Mathieson, LMFT trauma fawn-response nervous-system cptsd people-pleasing https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/what-is-high-functioning-anxiety/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/what-is-high-functioning-anxiety/ Sun, 19 Apr 2026 16:00:00 GMT High-functioning anxiety isn't a formal diagnosis, but it describes a real and widely experienced pattern: chronic anxiety that hides behind achievement, composure, and the appearance of having it all together. Christina Mathieson, LMFT anxiety high-functioning-anxiety perfectionism burnout https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/adult-adhd-what-late-diagnosis-actually-looks-like/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/adult-adhd-what-late-diagnosis-actually-looks-like/ Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:00:00 GMT Late ADHD diagnosis in adults, especially women, has become a cultural phenomenon for real reasons. Here's what it actually looks like, why it was missed, and how to tell self-recognition from self-diagnosis. Christina Mathieson, LMFT adhd adult-adhd late-diagnosis neurodivergent women https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/understanding-trauma-how-the-nervous-system-responds-and-why-healing-begins-with-safety/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/understanding-trauma-how-the-nervous-system-responds-and-why-healing-begins-with-safety/ Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:00:00 GMT Trauma isn't only about what happened to you; it's about how your nervous system responded. A look at both the obvious and hidden ways trauma shapes daily life, and why healing begins with safety. Jalyse Stewart, A.M.F.T. trauma nervous-system emdr healing https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/the-season-of-giving-navigating-holiday-gifting-stress/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/the-season-of-giving-navigating-holiday-gifting-stress/ Mon, 08 Dec 2025 16:00:00 GMT The holidays can trigger anxiety, overwhelm, and inadequacy, especially around gifting. A therapist's guide to setting boundaries, reframing expectations, and focusing on connection over perfection. Christina Mathieson, LMFT holidays anxiety stress boundaries https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/one-hour-a-week-can-save-your-relationship-heres-how/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/one-hour-a-week-can-save-your-relationship-heres-how/ Mon, 17 Nov 2025 16:00:00 GMT The Gottmans' Weekly State of the Union Meeting is a simple ritual that helps couples pause, reconnect, and nurture their relationship intentionally. One hour a week can change everything. Christina Mathieson, LMFT gottman couples communication relationships https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/conflict-isnt-the-problem-communication-is-tips-for-conflict-resolution-from-a-therapist/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/conflict-isnt-the-problem-communication-is-tips-for-conflict-resolution-from-a-therapist/ Fri, 15 Aug 2025 16:00:00 GMT Conflict isn't a sign of failure; it's a natural part of any relationship. A therapist's three-step framework for moving from 'Me vs. You' to 'Us vs. the Problem.' Michelle A. Cortez, MA, A.M.F.T. communication couples conflict relationships https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/exploring-the-idea-of-separate-bedrooms-in-relationships/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/exploring-the-idea-of-separate-bedrooms-in-relationships/ Fri, 21 Mar 2025 16:00:00 GMT Sleeping in separate bedrooms can be a healthy choice for some couples, and a warning sign for others. A therapist's look at when it works, when it masks deeper issues, and how to tell the difference. Christina Mathieson, LMFT couples intimacy sleep relationships https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/navigating-relationships-with-avoidant-partners-insights-from-a-therapist/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/navigating-relationships-with-avoidant-partners-insights-from-a-therapist/ Tue, 18 Mar 2025 16:00:00 GMT If your partner has an avoidant attachment style, understanding where those patterns come from can bridge even the widest emotional gaps. Therapist-approved tips for building secure connection. Christina Mathieson, LMFT attachment couples relationships communication https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/breaking-the-stigma-how-therapy-empowers-your-mental-climb/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/breaking-the-stigma-how-therapy-empowers-your-mental-climb/ Thu, 13 Mar 2025 16:00:00 GMT Cultural and family narratives keep many people away from therapy long past the point where it would have helped. A clinician's read on the actual barriers, the ones that aren't real, and how to think about whether to start. Christina Mathieson, LMFT therapy mental-health stigma https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/understanding-emotional-trauma-and-its-impact-on-relationships/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/understanding-emotional-trauma-and-its-impact-on-relationships/ Mon, 03 Mar 2025 16:00:00 GMT Emotional trauma doesn't just live inside us; it shapes how we connect, trust, and love. A therapist's guide to recognizing trauma responses and rebuilding relationships through healing. Christina Mathieson, LMFT trauma relationships healing couples https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/cognitive-behavior-therapy-cbt-and-sex-therapy/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/cognitive-behavior-therapy-cbt-and-sex-therapy/ Fri, 07 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT How CBT, usually thought of as a depression and anxiety tool, actually does some of its most useful work in sex therapy. A look at what shifts when negative thought patterns get put on the table. Christina Mathieson, LMFT sex-therapy cbt sexual-anxiety intimacy https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/what-even-is-eft/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/what-even-is-eft/ Tue, 14 Jan 2025 16:00:00 GMT Emotion-Focused Therapy puts feelings front and center. A plain-language guide to how EFT works, what a session looks like, and why it's powerful for individuals, couples, and families. Christina Mathieson, LMFT eft couples emotions therapy https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/who-can-benefit-from-emdr-therapy/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/who-can-benefit-from-emdr-therapy/ Sun, 12 Jan 2025 16:00:00 GMT EMDR therapy helps people process and overcome traumatic experiences, but who is it actually for? A look at the groups who benefit most from this approach to healing. Christina Mathieson, LMFT emdr trauma anxiety ptsd https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/how-the-gottman-method-can-help-increase-intimacy-respect-and-affection-in-your-relationships/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/how-the-gottman-method-can-help-increase-intimacy-respect-and-affection-in-your-relationships/ Tue, 07 Jan 2025 16:00:00 GMT Based on four decades of research, the Gottman Method offers practical tools for improving communication, handling conflict, and deepening emotional connection in your relationship. Christina Mathieson, LMFT gottman couples intimacy communication https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/it-ends-with-us-domestic-violence-and-emdr-healing/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/it-ends-with-us-domestic-violence-and-emdr-healing/ Sun, 05 Jan 2025 16:00:00 GMT After watching the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's novel, a therapist reflects on how the movie portrays domestic violence dynamics while omitting any mention of therapeutic intervention. Michelle Payton, LCSW emdr trauma domestic-violence intimate-partner-violence https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/understanding-love-and-desire-insights-from-emily-nagoski-and-gottman/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/understanding-love-and-desire-insights-from-emily-nagoski-and-gottman/ Tue, 24 Dec 2024 16:00:00 GMT Emily Nagoski's accelerators and brakes. Gottman's Four Horsemen. Two bodies of research that reshape how we think about desire, connection, and lasting love. Christina Mathieson, LMFT sex-therapy gottman desire couples https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/juggling-holiday-dynamics/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/juggling-holiday-dynamics/ Sun, 22 Dec 2024 16:00:00 GMT The holiday season is often a time of joy and togetherness, but it can also bring the challenge of balancing new family traditions with cherished generational ones. A therapist's reflections on juggling traditions, time between families, grief, and supporting those without family during the holidays. Christina Mathieson, LMFT holiday-stress family-dynamics grief traditions https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/unwrapping-holiday-anxiety-a-therapists-perspective-on-navigating-festive-stress/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/unwrapping-holiday-anxiety-a-therapists-perspective-on-navigating-festive-stress/ Sat, 21 Dec 2024 16:00:00 GMT Holiday anxiety isn't just stress about the season. It's a stack of specific pressures (financial, social, family-of-origin) hitting at once. A clinician's read on what's actually driving it and what helps. Christina Mathieson, LMFT holiday-stress anxiety boundaries mental-health https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/mindfulness-techniques-and-sex-therapy/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/mindfulness-techniques-and-sex-therapy/ Fri, 13 Dec 2024 16:00:00 GMT Mindfulness can be a powerful tool in sex therapy, helping individuals and couples become more present, reduce performance anxiety, and experience greater pleasure and intimacy. Christina Mathieson, LMFT sex-therapy mindfulness intimacy https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/finding-the-right-therapist-key-considerations-and-warning-signs/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/finding-the-right-therapist-key-considerations-and-warning-signs/ Sat, 07 Dec 2024 16:00:00 GMT Therapists are human, and not every human is a fit for every other human. What to look for in a therapist, and the signs it might be time to find someone new. Michelle Payton therapy mental-health finding-a-therapist https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/navigating-sociopolitical-tension-during-the-holidays/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/navigating-sociopolitical-tension-during-the-holidays/ Mon, 02 Dec 2024 16:00:00 GMT Political and sociopolitical tension has reshaped family gatherings for many people. A clinician's practical guide to preparing for tense conversations, knowing when to disengage, and protecting your mental health without sacrificing the relationships that matter. Christina Mathieson, LMFT holiday-stress family-dynamics sociopolitical-tension boundaries https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/8-steps-to-emotional-healing-after-a-breakup/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/8-steps-to-emotional-healing-after-a-breakup/ Mon, 29 Jul 2024 16:00:00 GMT Most breakup-recovery advice is generic. The specific work of healing from a relationship ending has clinical layers that get missed. A therapist's framework for what actually moves you forward, and what to watch for if it's taking longer than it should. Christina Mathieson, LMFT breakups individual-therapy grief relationships https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/rekindling-the-spark-the-role-of-couples-therapy-in-revitalizing-your-relationship/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/rekindling-the-spark-the-role-of-couples-therapy-in-revitalizing-your-relationship/ Fri, 19 Jul 2024 16:00:00 GMT When the connection in a relationship dims, the issue is rarely a missing 'spark.' A clinician's read on what 'fading' actually means, and what couples therapy actually does about it. Christina Mathieson, LMFT couples intimacy communication relationships https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/the-role-of-narrative-therapy-in-overcoming-lifes-challenges/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/the-role-of-narrative-therapy-in-overcoming-lifes-challenges/ Sat, 13 Jul 2024 16:00:00 GMT Narrative therapy is one of the most useful but underexplained approaches in modern clinical practice. A clinician's plain-language guide to what it actually does, when it fits, and how it differs from other talk therapy. Christina Mathieson, LMFT narrative-therapy individual-therapy modalities https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/how-sex-therapy-can-enhance-your-relationship/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/how-sex-therapy-can-enhance-your-relationship/ Wed, 03 Jul 2024 16:00:00 GMT What surprises most couples in sex therapy isn't what they learn about sex. It's how much else changes in the relationship that has nothing to do with sex at all. Christina Mathieson, LMFT sex-therapy couples intimacy https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/sex-therapy-101/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/sex-therapy-101/ Mon, 10 Jun 2024 16:00:00 GMT What sex therapy actually is, and what it isn't. A plain-language introduction to who it's for, what happens in session, and how to know if it's the right next step. Christina Mathieson, LMFT sex-therapy intro https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/beyond-boundaries-emdrs-transformative-reach-in-mental-health-recovery/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/beyond-boundaries-emdrs-transformative-reach-in-mental-health-recovery/ Tue, 28 May 2024 16:00:00 GMT EMDR is best known as a trauma and PTSD treatment, but a growing body of research shows it's effective for several other conditions where unprocessed memory underlies the symptoms. Where it helps, where it doesn't, and how to know if it might fit. Christina Mathieson, LMFT emdr anxiety depression addiction chronic-pain https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/celebrity-endorsements-shine-light-on-emdr-therapys-healing-potential/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/celebrity-endorsements-shine-light-on-emdr-therapys-healing-potential/ Tue, 28 May 2024 16:00:00 GMT Prince Harry, Sandra Bullock, Jameela Jamil, and others have publicly credited EMDR with their healing. A clinician's read on what their stories reveal about how trauma treatment is changing, and what's worth paying attention to. Christina Mathieson, LMFT emdr trauma mental-health-stigma https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/why-exercise-should-be-prescribed-for-mental-health/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/why-exercise-should-be-prescribed-for-mental-health/ Sun, 14 Apr 2024 16:00:00 GMT While the benefits of exercise for physical well-being are well-documented, its profound impact on mental health often goes unrecognized. Recent research supports the transformative effects of exercise on mental well-being. Michelle Payton, LCSW exercise mental-health depression anxiety https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/emdr-unveiled-a-guided-journey-through-healing/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/emdr-unveiled-a-guided-journey-through-healing/ Tue, 19 Mar 2024 16:00:00 GMT Michelle Payton, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and EMDR Therapist, explores how Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing facilitates healing from various forms of trauma. Michelle Payton, LCSW emdr trauma healing https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/prioritizing-mental-health-in-the-workplace-strategies-for-success/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/prioritizing-mental-health-in-the-workplace-strategies-for-success/ Sun, 10 Mar 2024 16:00:00 GMT Most workplace mental health advice is too generic to actually move the needle. A clinician's take on what burnout actually looks like in high-functioning professionals, why the standard advice often fails, and what tends to work in practice. Christina Mathieson, LMFT workplace-mental-health burnout high-functioning-anxiety individual-therapy https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/embracing-your-authentic-self-the-importance-of-counseling-for-lgbtq-individuals/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/embracing-your-authentic-self-the-importance-of-counseling-for-lgbtq-individuals/ Wed, 24 Jan 2024 16:00:00 GMT Most therapists list themselves as LGBTQ+ affirming. Far fewer have done the substantive training that makes it real. A clinician's perspective on what affirming therapy actually looks like in practice, and how to tell the difference. Christina Mathieson, LMFT lgbtq affirming-therapy identity https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/how-therapy-can-strengthen-your-relationships/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/how-therapy-can-strengthen-your-relationships/ Wed, 17 Jan 2024 16:00:00 GMT Therapy can transform your relationships, but only if it changes how you relate to yourself first. Where the work usually actually happens, and what shifts in your closest relationships when it does. Christina Mathieson, LMFT individual-therapy couples relationships https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/communication-sex-therapy/ https://www.mymentalclimb.com/blog/communication-sex-therapy/ Sun, 07 Jan 2024 16:00:00 GMT The communication challenges in sex therapy aren't the same as in couples therapy. They're specific, and they're the ones most couples have never had a chance to practice. Christina Mathieson, LMFT sex-therapy couples communication