When Rejection Sensitivity Looks Like Perfectionism in Kids and Adults: The Hidden Cost of People Pleasing
Some children look like they are doing everything right.
They follow the rules, work hard in school, rarely push back, and seem deeply motivated to make adults happy. Teachers love them. Parents feel proud. From the outside, it can look like confidence, responsibility, and maturity.
Read More
Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD): Why It Is Often Misunderstood and How to Support Your Child
Some children feel things deeply.
They react strongly to criticism, shut down quickly after small disappointments, or seem overwhelmed by the possibility that someone is upset with them. Parents often describe walking on eggshells, unsure how such small moments can lead to such big emotional responses.
Read More
Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA): A Neurodivergent Lens for Parenting and Support
If you have a child who seems to resist everyday demands in a way that feels intense, emotional, or even confusing, you are not alone. Many parents come into our practice feeling exhausted, unsure of what they are doing wrong, and worried about their child’s future.
Read More
Therapy Isn’t Just for Crisis: Why Middle‑Aged Men Often Benefit More Than They Expect
As a therapist, I often hear middle‑aged men say things like, “I don’t really know what I’d talk about,” or “I’m not falling apart—I just feel off.” My favorite version is: “My wife thinks I should come.” (She’s often not wrong.)
Read More
New Year, Same You (And Honestly, That’s a Good Thing)
Every January, we’re hit with the same sparkly slogan: “New Year, New You!”
As if the clock strikes midnight and suddenly we transform into people who love meal prepping, have color-coded closets, and wake up at 5 a.m. “just because.
Read More
A Guide to Couples Therapy at Heights Family Counseling
Couples come to therapy for many reasons, including communication difficulties, conflict, stress, life transitions, betrayal, parenting challenges, or feeling disconnected. The purpose of therapy is to help you
Read More
A Parent Guide to Play Therapy
Play therapy is a developmentally grounded approach that gives children a space to express feelings, explore experiences, and build new skills through the language that comes most naturally to them: play. Children grow emotionally and socially when they have room to try out ideas, express fears and wishes, and work through challenges in symbolic and creative ways.
Read More
Holiday Blues: Why They Show Up—and How to Care for Yourself Through Them
Every year around this time, something interesting happens in my therapy room. While the world insists we should be merry, bright, grateful, and full of joy… many people quietly feel the opposite. Instead of excitement, they feel dread. Instead of connection, they feel lonely. Instead of nostalgia, they feel sadness, irritability, stress, or a heaviness they can’t shake.
Read More
Helping Children Through Big Life Changes: How Play Therapy Supports Emotional Growth
Change is a natural part of life, but for children, transitions like divorce, moving, or changing schools can feel overwhelming. These experiences can stir up big emotions—sadness, anxiety, confusion, or even anger—that children may not have the words to express. At Heights Family Counseling, we understand that children communicate differently than adults, which is why play therapy can be one of the most effective ways to help them process and heal during times of change.
Read More
November Position of the Month: The Bridge
As the year winds down and couples begin to shift into a season of reflection, connection, and warmth, November offers the perfect opportunity to explore intimacy in new ways. Physical closeness can help partners stay grounded through the busyness of the holiday season. Trying new positions can also bring excitement, curiosity, and play back into the relationship. One position that blends strength, openness, and connection is The Bridge.
Read More
How to Choose the Right Evaluation: AD/HD, Psychoeducational, or Comprehensive
When a child or teen is struggling—with attention, school performance, behavior, or social/emotional functioning—parents often face a key question: What kind of evaluation do we need? At Heights Family Counseling, we offer three main types of evaluations. Knowing how they differ will help you pick the one that fits your family’s needs and budget.
Read More
Why Premarital Counseling Is One of the Best Investments You Can Make in Your Relationship
As a therapist, I often meet couples after years of built-up hurt, miscommunication, or misunderstanding — when resentment has taken root and repair feels hard. But one of the most rewarding parts of my work is seeing couples before that point — in the hopeful, sometimes nervous, but deeply connected stage of engagement. That’s where premarital counseling comes in.
Read More