by Christine Lawler LMFT | Mar 11, 2026
Anger is a normal human emotion. It’s not a character flaw, and it doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. In many ways, anger is protective; it alerts us to injustice, boundary violations, disappointment, or feeling unheard. Anger itself is different from aggression. Anger is the internal emotional signal, and aggression is how that anger gets expressed. When anger turns into yelling, shutting down, saying things you regret, breaking trust, or creating tension at home or at work, it can start to feel out of control. Maybe you’ve noticed blowups that escalate faster than you intended. Maybe you calm down later and feel embarrassed, guilty, or confused about why it happened. Therapy for anger management provides a structured, effective way to understand what’s happening beneath the surface, build real regulation skills, and respond differently, without suppressing your emotions or pretending they aren’t there.
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by Christine Lawler LMFT | Feb 18, 2026
Have you ever watched your teenager hover at the edge of a decision about sports, clubs, classes, jobs, then shut down because it feels too big to choose? You’re not imagining it: the pressure teens feel to pick something that they are passionate about can be paralyzing. And with extracurricular expectations creeping into younger and younger ages, many kids absorb this quiet belief: I have to choose the right thing now… or I’ll fall behind.
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by Christine Lawler LMFT | Feb 2, 2026
Having a baby changes everything, and not just in the obvious ways. Yes, your sleep shifts, your schedule revolves around naps and feedings, and your days suddenly feel louder and fuller. But the deeper changes often catch people off guard. After birth, many parents quietly wonder: Who am I now? Will I ever feel like myself again?
Many parents describe a sense of identity disruption: suddenly the roles that once defined them (professional, wife, friend, independent adult) feel overshadowed by the immediacy and intensity of parenting.
Although it takes time, you can feel like you are missing aspects of your previous life while simultaneously learning to love the new identity you’re growing into. Identity shift isn’t always a loss, it’s a transformation. Keep reading to learn more.
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by Christine Lawler LMFT | Jan 21, 2026
Feeling unhappy with your husband is more common than you might think, and it doesn’t automatically mean your marriage is failing. Many women experience periods of frustration, emotional distance, or disappointment in their relationship, often quietly and with a lot of guilt attached. Life changes, unmet expectations, communication breakdowns, and personal growth can all shift how you feel about your partner over time.
The good news? Feeling unhappy is not the end of the story. It can be a powerful signal that something needs attention, and that change is completely possible!
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by Christine Lawler LMFT | Oct 30, 2025
Teenagers are juggling school, friendships, identity, family, and an always on social world. It’s no surprise that mental health concerns are common. In the U.S., recent CDC data show a worrying rise in adolescent distress: around 4 in 10 high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and roughly 1 in 5 seriously considered suicide in 2023. These are the kinds of numbers that make parents, teachers, and clinicians sit up a little straighter.
Let’s talk about some practical things you can do to improve your teenagers mental health. Keep reading to learn more.
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