Field Notes From The Valley
A Psychiatrist’s Observations on Women, Tech Culture, & the Human Experience
I'm Not Catching Feelings: Unpacking the Stories We Tell Ourselves About Love
In the landscape of modern dating, we often find ourselves crafting careful narratives about emotional detachment. As an integrative psychiatrist, I've observed a profound pattern in how we navigate intimate connections – the delicate dance of pretending we haven't "caught feelings."
This exploration delves into the stories we tell ourselves about emotional vulnerability, examining how our attempts to control natural attachment responses might be creating unexpected challenges in our pursuit of meaningful connections. Through a compassionate lens, we'll unpack the cultural narratives that shape our approach to dating and discover pathways toward more authentic emotional experiences.
Drawing from both clinical insights and narrative therapy approaches, this piece invites you to consider: What if catching feelings isn't a weakness to be prevented, but evidence of our innate capacity for human connection?
Read more to explore how we might write new, more empowering stories about love and attachment while honoring both our need for safety and our desire for genuine connection.
When Failure Becomes Me
When striving for success leaves you feeling like a failure it can feel like failure becomes you. Lets look at how this might happen and ways to re-write your narrative.
Letting People In, Is it a Season, Reason, or Lifetime?
In our lifetime, we encounter various people who play different roles—some are fleeting, some serve a purpose, and a few last a lifetime. As we become more aware of our boundaries and prioritize our well-being, it's essential to discern who fits into each category. With the superficiality of social media and past experiences shaping our interactions, many find forming new connections daunting. This blog explores how to navigate these relationships, balancing openness with discernment, and understanding the impact of boundaries to cultivate meaningful and lasting connections.
How Are You Protecting Your Relationships From the “isms?”
Let’s think together how racism, sexism, ableism, and other -isms impact our intimate personal relationships. We can begin to see how these larger societal systems of oppression impact how we treat each other.
Building Healthy Connections: Moving Beyond the Facade of Invincibility within Familial Relationships
Creating richer relationships within our families requires work from all members of the family. Being able to lay down the mask of invincibility to expose vulnerability often requires work with a family therapist.
The Superwoman Schema, Hormonal Changes, and Mental Health: Breaking Stereotypes and Seeking Care in BIWOC Communities
Hormonal changes affect mood and mental health for women of color. Let's acknowledge and address these challenges. Everyone deserves support and care when it comes to their well-being.