Boundaries have recently become quite the vogue topic in many dating spheres. However, gay men often struggle setting, enforcing, and maintaining healthy boundaries in dating relationships. Why? Well, the answer is different for everyone. But often, individuals in the LGBTQ+ community have been so invalidated in social and familial relationships that when someone comes along who appears to be offering the very validation and connection we have been looking for, for so long, we are willing to do anything to make it work. That desperation leads to a dissolution of our much-needed boundaries, and eventually, self-respect.

February Position of the Month: Flex and Fondle

March’s highlighted position of the month is the Flex and Fondle. Hopefully things are beginning to calm down for you and yours after the chaos that ensued for many with the freak winter storm that swept much of the nation and state. Here’s to carving out some connecting time with your partner(s) for some much-needed sexual connection.

February Position of the Month: Straddle Up

February’s highlighted position of the month is the Straddle Up. With COVID still being spread fairly rapidly, remember that if you or your partner are not feeling well, you might consider delaying sexual engagement. As a healthy sex practice, please continue to wash your hands before and after a sexual experience. Plus, if it helps you both to feel more comfortable, start your shared sexual experience by taking a shower together!

Three Symptoms of Depression You May Be Overlooking

hat’s a lot of people in emotional pain. There’s a pretty good chance that you know someone who has depression or has suffered from depression in the past. Would you know it if you saw it? Could you recognize depression in the people around you?

Ten Signs Your Child Needs Child Therapy

Children face many obstacles as they grow such as school challenges, social issues, bullying, life transitions, etc. Each of these can rock one’s world that can lead to heightened anxiety or depression. All too often our child’s wellbeing is only associated with physical health while mental health and anxiety are overlooked. If your child was physically injured or sick, you would bring them to the doctor. If your child was failing a class, you would get them tutoring.

Mom, I Think I’m Gay… Sexual Identity Development for LGBTQ Teens and How Parents Can Help

When you look back on your teenage years, do you have memories of confidence, fun, happiness, and connection? Yes? Well lucky you! For most, the teenage years are a pretty rough time riddled with conflict and shame. There is always conflict with parents who are trying to do their best, with friends who are doing whatever it takes to survive, and within our inner selves as we begin the journey of figuring out who we are and what this life is really all about.

How are you coping? A Mental Wellness Check-in

Raise your hand if you are feeling frayed. Fatigued. Restless. Edgy. Gloomy. As we continue along the path of living our lives mostly at home, the signs of wear are showing up in therapy. In addition to the “usual” anxious and depressed experiences, we are hearing words like “unsettled,” “lazy,” “unmotivated” and “disconnected.” Even the folks who were initially quite comfortable with the separateness and social shelter of stay-home orders are starting to feel the impact.

Talking to Your Children About Race

If you have not talked with your children about race, now is the time. The topic can be sensitive, enlightening, and uncomfortable, but it is imperative to create a dialogue for the ones that will soon run this world, and hopefully, make it a more inclusive and peaceful one. It may be difficult to know how to start the conversation. Here’s how:

June Position of the Month: Navel Gazing- From Our Certified Sex Therapist

It’s officially June which means it is time to celebrate Pride across the world. While many Pride parades and celebrations have been postponed across the nation (including our own Houston Pride Parade) due to COVID-19, we are still celebrating you at Heights Family Counseling. June’s position of the month is the Navel Gazing. How many people enjoy being able to make eye contact while orally pleasing a partner? This is not an uncommon experience, but can be made more difficult to do when offering oral pleasure to a partner in a traditional position.

Working Through Depression: Symptoms & Treatment

When people share their experiences with depression with me, the most common theme I hear is a sense of feeling “heavy,” as though they are carrying a ginormous weight on their shoulders. Another visual often shared is a feeling of walking through knee-deep mud. That ubiquitous experience of heaviness is the proverbial shot in the foot that often interferes with a person’s ability to recover from depression.

The Power of Self-Care: It’s NOT selfish, It’s NOT indulgent IT’S NECESSARY

“If the airplane cabin loses pressure, oxygen masks will drop from the ceiling. Place the mask over your nose and mouth before helping others.” You know the drill – put your mask on FIRST. Even though our instincts often guide us to take care of EVERYONE else first, or at least those closest to us. Especially our family, right?

Getting Stuck in Therapy

What to do in counseling when you feel like you are not making progress.

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