Generated by Rank Math SEO, this is an llms.txt file designed to help LLMs better understand and index this website. # Makin Wellness Pennsylvania Online Therapy > Makin Wellness is a Pittsburgh-founded online therapy and counseling practice (founded 2017 by Sara Makin, M.S.Ed, LPC, NCC) offering secure video therapy with licensed therapists for individuals, couples, teens and children across Pennsylvania. Commercial insurance and self-pay are accepted. ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://www.makinwellness.com/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages. ## Posts - [ADHD in Girls: The Missed Signs That Every Parent Must Know](https://www.makinwellness.com/adhd-in-girls-missed-signs-for-parents/): ADHD in girls often hides behind daydreaming, emotional overwhelm, and a quiet sense of never quite measuring up, not the hyperactive behavior most parents are taught to watch for. The signs tend to cluster around three areas: inattention that looks like carelessness, internalized frustration that mimics anxiety or depression, and a slowly eroding sense of identity built on years of falling short without understanding why. Because these struggles happen internally, girls are diagnosed at significantly lower rates than boys, often not until adolescence or adulthood. Recognizing what ADHD actually looks like in your daughter is the first step toward getting her the support she deserves. - [How To Set Boundaries: Your Top 5 Most Important Relationships](https://www.makinwellness.com/how-to-set-boundaries-in-a-relationship/): In this blog post, we will discuss how to set boundaries in five different types of relationships: in romantic relationships, with family members, parents, and friends, and at work. We will also provide specific tips on how to do this effectively. - [ADHD and Sleep: Why Your Brain Won’t Shut Off (and What to Do About It)](https://www.makinwellness.com/understanding-adhd-and-sleep-issues/): The connection between ADHD and sleep is complex. The same brain patterns that make it hard for you to focus during the day can make it even harder to quiet your mind at night. Understanding this connection is an important step toward finding solutions that actually work.  - [ADHD Awareness Month: 3 Ways to Spin Plates Well with Others](https://www.makinwellness.com/adhd-awareness-month-spin-plates-3-ways/): ADHD Awareness Month takes place every October and helps raise awareness about Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), challenge common myths, and connect people with information and support. It matters because ADHD can look very different from the stereotype many people grew up with, particularly for women who may have spent years wondering why everyday responsibilities seem harder than they should. If you've been fighting through everyday life alone with ADHD, wondering why it feels so much harder for you than it seems to be for everyone else, ADHD Awareness Month exists to provide you with a boost of support that can make all the difference.  - [Grief Support: How Can Counseling Help You Cope With Loss?](https://www.makinwellness.com/grief-support-grief-counseling-can-help/): Grief support can help you cope with the emotional, physical, and practical changes that follow a loss. Grief counseling gives you a safe space to talk about what happened, understand your reactions, and find ways to carry your loss without carrying it alone. Online grief counseling can make that support easier to access from home. - [Limerence vs Love: 8 Revealing Signs to Spot the Difference and Break the Cycle](https://www.makinwellness.com/limerence-vs-love-break-the-cycle/): Limerence is an intense, involuntary longing for another person that can involve obsessive thoughts, a strong desire for reciprocation and emotional dependence on how that person responds to you. Unlike healthy love, limerence can begin to consume your thoughts, feelings and behaviors, often causing you to idealize the other person or experience significant mood changes based on their attention or perceived rejection. Factors such as insecure attachment, trauma, low self-esteem, brain chemistry, and even social media may contribute to limerence. Recognizing these patterns can help you better understand limerence vs love and determine whether your feelings are rooted in a healthy connection or an obsessive cycle that may be worth addressing with an online therapist. - [Online ADHD Treatment: How Can You Get the Support You Need From Home?](https://www.makinwellness.com/online-adhd-treatment-7-helpful-facts/): What is online ADHD treatment? - [Stimming ADHD: What It Is, Examples, and When to Get Support ](https://www.makinwellness.com/stimming-adhd-examples-causes-support/): Stimming (self-stimulatory behavior) is incredibly common in people with ADHD. It includes things like leg bouncing, pen clicking, humming, skin picking, and even mental loops like replaying conversations. These behaviors help your brain regulate dopamine and manage focus, emotions, and sensory needs. While most stimming is healthy and helpful, if it's causing physical harm, relationship strain, or shame, you may want to work with an online therapist who specializes in ADHD and can help you develop strategies that work with your brain, not against it. - [ADHD Symptoms In Women: 6 Signs It’s Not Just Your Stress](https://www.makinwellness.com/adhd-symptoms-in-women-6-signs-not-stress/): ADHD symptoms in women often look nothing like the stereotypes. They show up as executive dysfunction (challenges with planning, prioritizing, and managing time), emotional overwhelm, chronic disorganization, and a deep internal restlessness that others rarely see. The most effective support comes through specialized online therapy that understands how ADHD uniquely impacts women's lives. - [How to Outsmart a Manipulator: 6 Steps to Recover Your Power and Prevent Abuse](https://www.makinwellness.com/6-step-guide-to-outsmarting-a-manipulator/): To outsmart a manipulator, you must first recognize their tactics, then refuse to play their game. This means learning to identify manipulative language and behavior, maintaining confident body language, asking clarifying questions that force them to restate aggressive words, and staying grounded in facts rather than emotions.  - [3 Signs That Therapists for Family Issues Can Help You](https://www.makinwellness.com/signs-therapists-for-family-issues-can-help/): Family issues can shape your relationships, emotional health, and sense of identity for life. Whether you're navigating conflict with your parents, adjusting to a blended family, carrying the weight of your family of origin, or wondering how to support a loved one through a challenging season, working with online therapists for family issues can help you move forward with greater clarity and hope. Online therapy offers a safe, compassionate space to better understand your family story, strengthen healthier patterns, and discover that you do not have to carry everything alone. - [9 Informative Signs of Anxious Avoidant Attachment](https://www.makinwellness.com/anxious-avoidant-attachment-signs/): Anxious avoidant attachment, also called disorganized attachment, is a relationship pattern in which you long for close connection yet also feel afraid of it. You may want intimacy and support, yet find yourself pulling away when relationships become emotionally vulnerable. This attachment style often develops from inconsistent, frightening, or unpredictable caregiving experiences during childhood. The encouraging news is that attachment styles are learned, meaning they can change over time. With greater self-awareness and support from a qualified online therapist, many people learn to build more secure, trusting, and fulfilling relationships. - [Fearful Avoidant Attachment: 3 Steps to Reclaim Your Crown](https://www.makinwellness.com/fearful-avoidant-attachment-3-steps/): Fearful avoidant attachment is an attachment pattern where you deeply desire close relationships while also feeling afraid of them. If this sounds familiar, know this from the very beginning: these patterns often develop for understandable reasons, and they are not permanent. Through greater self-awareness, supportive relationships, and online therapy, you can gradually move toward more secure, peaceful ways of relating to others. - [An Apology Without Change Is Manipulation](https://www.makinwellness.com/an-apology-without-change-is-manipulation/): If you've found yourself wondering whether an apology without change is manipulation, you're asking an important question.  - [Can a Therapist Help With Anxiety? What to Expect From Anxiety Therapy](https://www.makinwellness.com/can-a-therapist-help-with-anxiety/): If you've been asking yourself, "Can a therapist help with anxiety?" you're not alone. Just like many people, you could be wondering whether online therapy can actually make a difference, especially if you've been feeling anxious for a long time. - [Life Transitions Counseling: Why Major Life Changes Can Feel So Overwhelming](https://www.makinwellness.com/12-crucial-facts-life-transitions-counseling/): Life transitions counseling helps people cope with the emotional impact of major life changes. It gives you a safe place to talk through your fears, expectations, and challenges while learning healthy ways to manage stress. You can also explore how to stay connected to your values, relationships, and sense of identity as your life changes. - [4 Attachment Styles in Relationships: Creating Safe Nests](https://www.makinwellness.com/4-attachment-styles-in-relationships/): Attachment styles in relationships are patterns of emotional connection that influence how you experience trust, intimacy, vulnerability, and emotional safety with other people. These patterns often begin in your earliest relationships and can continue shaping your romantic relationships, friendships, family dynamics, and parenting. They explain why different people react differently to the same relationship situation, and may influence how safe you feel with closeness, conflict, trust, and emotional vulnerability. The good news is that attachment styles are learned, not permanent. Through self-awareness, supportive relationships, and intentional growth, you can move toward greater security and healthier connections. - [Relationship Issues in 2026: When Love Becomes Toxicity](https://www.makinwellness.com/relationship-issues-when-love-becomes-toxic/): Relationship issues are not always explosive or obvious. Sometimes, they begin quietly, through repeated moments where your needs become smaller, your voice carries less weight, and love starts feeling expected instead of freely given. Over time, unhealthy relationship patterns can lower your self-esteem and leave you feeling disconnected from yourself. Recognizing these patterns can help you strengthen boundaries, rebuild your sense of identity, and move toward healthier relationships where love does not require you to disappear. - [How To Improve Self Esteem: 10 Practical Ways To See Yourself Differently](https://www.makinwellness.com/how-to-improve-self-esteem-practical-tips/): Strong self-esteem empowers you to see and value yourself in the best, truest light possible. Many people search for practical ways to learn how to improve self esteem in everyday life. - [What Is Self Esteem? Genuinely Valuing Yourself in 2026](https://www.makinwellness.com/what-is-self-esteem-valuing-yourself/): If you have ever wondered, “What is self esteem?” you are not alone. It’s a common question with huge applications.  - [OCD Therapist: How the Right Specialist Helps You Take Back Control](https://www.makinwellness.com/pennsylvania-ocd-therapist-makin-wellness/): What is the role of an ocd therapist?  - [Online OCD Therapy: How Virtual ERP Gives You Specialist Care From Anywhere](https://www.makinwellness.com/online-ocd-therapy/): For most people with obsessive-compulsive disorder, the hardest part of getting help isn't admitting they need it — it's finding a clinician who is actually trained to treat it. OCD specialists are rare. They tend to cluster in academic medical centers in a handful of large cities, and the waitlists run long. If you live in a smaller market, or you've already tried two or three local therapists without progress, the math has felt impossible. Online OCD therapy changes that math. - [Healing From Trauma Together: 7 Caring Ways To Support Your Partner And Yourself](https://www.makinwellness.com/healing-from-trauma/): Supporting a partner healing from trauma requires empathy, boundaries, and patience. In this guide, you’ll learn 7 practical, therapist-informed ways to help your partner navigate triggers, manage difficult days, and seek professional support – while also protecting your own mental health. - [Flipping Power Dynamics in Relationships in 2 Unique Realms](https://www.makinwellness.com/flipping-power-dynamics-in-relationships/): Power dynamics in relationships shape how you experience connection, identity, and emotional health. These dynamics show up most clearly in two areas of your life: your family and your community. When these dynamics feel balanced, they support your growth and help you to feel secure. When they feel unbalanced, you may feel unseen, overwhelmed, or disconnected from yourself. As you begin to recognize these patterns, you can move toward relationships that feel more steady, supportive, and life-giving. - [5 Types of Relationship Dynamics and 11 Effective Ways To Improve Them ](https://www.makinwellness.com/relationship-dynamics-10-improvements/): Relationship dynamics refer to patterns of communication, behavior, and emotional interaction between people. These patterns can be healthy or unhealthy and often develop over time, influenced by factors such as attachment style, communication habits, and past experiences. Understanding the meaning of relationship dynamics and reviewing real-life relationship dynamics examples can help individuals improve their relationships and build stronger connections. - [Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for OCD: How It Helps You Break Free From Obsessive Thoughts](https://www.makinwellness.com/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-for-ocd/): The good news is that OCD is highly treatable. One of the most effective approaches is cognitive behavioral therapy for OCD, especially a specialized form called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which helps you reduce compulsions and respond differently to intrusive thoughts and anxiety. - [EMDR Therapy for OCD: Can It Really Help?](https://www.makinwellness.com/emdr-therapy-for-ocd-facts-benefits-to-know/): Do you want to know if EMDR therapy for OCD works? The International OCD Foundation and many therapists say EMDR can be useful for some people with OCD— especially when symptoms are connected to trauma, anxiety, distressing memories, or emotionally triggering experiences. While Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is still considered the gold standard for OCD treatment, EMDR therapy may help reduce the emotional intensity and fear responses that often fuel obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. - [Navigating Cultural Identity to Super Bloom in 2026](https://www.makinwellness.com/navigating-cultural-identity-in-2026/): Cultural identity refers to how your background, traditions, environment, and experiences shape who you are. You may notice your cultural identity in how you think, connect, communicate, and view the world. At times, it can feel grounding. At other times, it can feel confusing or heavy. As you begin to understand your cultural history more clearly, you can move toward a more grounded, integrated version of yourself – one that allows you to grow without losing where you came from. - [How to Practice Mindfulness Daily: 6 Mindfulness Meditations](https://www.makinwellness.com/how-to-practice-mindfulness/): Mindfulness is the practice of focusing your attention on the present moment without judgment, and learning how to practice mindfulness daily can improve your mental health, reduce stress, and increase emotional balance. Simple techniques like mindful breathing, body scans, and guided meditation help you become more aware of your thoughts and reactions. Over time, this awareness makes it easier to manage challenges like anxiety, overthinking, and intrusive thoughts, allowing you to feel more grounded, focused, and in control of your daily life. - [How to Handle Emotional Manipulation and How to Find Support with Online Therapy](https://www.makinwellness.com/how-to-handle-emotional-manipulation-6-ways/): How to handle emotional manipulation starts with recognizing unhealthy control tactics, staying calm, setting clear boundaries, and getting support when the pattern continues. Emotional manipulation often uses guilt, fear, confusion, shame, or pressure to influence your decisions. The healthiest response is to trust your own experience, protect your emotional well-being, and seek professional help, such as online therapy, when needed. Research shows that emotionally abusive or manipulative dynamics can significantly affect confidence, anxiety levels, and overall mental health. - [What Are the 4 Types of OCD? A Powerful Look at a Hidden Struggle](https://www.makinwellness.com/types-of-ocd-explained-compassionately/): OCD, at its core, involves intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). While people often refer to four main types of OCD, there are actually multiple subtypes, such as contamination, checking, and intrusive thoughts. The most effective treatment is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). - [How To Tell If Shortness of Breath Is From Anxiety: 7 Proven Ways To Regulate Your Breathing](https://www.makinwellness.com/how-to-tell-if-shortness-of-breath-is-from-anxiety/): Anxiety is a normal emotion to experience and can even be helpful, though there are times it can make life more challenging. In the previous article in this series, we looked at the difference between a panic attack and an anxiety attack. Here, we will examine how to tell if shortness of breath is from anxiety, as well as answering the question, “Can anxiety cause chest pain?” - [Online Therapy for Disorganized Attachment: Overcoming Attachment Trauma in Relationships](https://www.makinwellness.com/online-therapy-for-disorganized-attachment/): Therapy for disorganized attachment helps you untangle the push-pull between craving closeness and fearing it by addressing attachment trauma at its root. - [How to Respond to Gaslighting (And When It’s Time to Seek Help)](https://www.makinwellness.com/how-to-respond-to-gaslighting-guide-support/): Knowing how to respond to gaslighting and when to look for help can save your peace of mind and restore your sense of reality. In this article, we will answer the questions: how to respond to gaslighting, what is gaslighting in a relationship, and what is gaslighting example. - [What Is a Panic Attack vs Anxiety Attack? 6 Ways to Stay Calm and Take Control](https://www.makinwellness.com/what-is-a-panic-attack-vs-anxiety-attack/): If you’ve ever felt your heart unexpectedly start racing, your chest tighten, or a wave of fear come over you without warning, it can leave you feeling confused and unsettled. You might find yourself researching what is a panic attack vs anxiety attack, especially when the experience feels intense and hard to explain. - [Identities and Identity Formation: 6 Emerging Breakthroughs](https://www.makinwellness.com/identities-and-identity-formation/): Identities and identity formation continue evolving throughout your life. Family, culture, school, dating, exploring gender identity, social media, and your career all influence how you understand yourself. While identity exploration can sometimes feel confusing or overwhelming, these experiences also help illuminate the person you are becoming. By reflecting on these influences with curiosity and compassion, you can better understand your identity and move toward a life that aligns with your values. - [From Trauma to Healing: How Online Therapy Supports Narcissistic Abuse Recovery](https://www.makinwellness.com/benefits-narcissistic-abuse-recovery-therapy/): Narcissistic abuse recovery therapy is a specialized form of online counseling designed to help individuals heal from emotional manipulation, gaslighting, and controlling relationship dynamics. It focuses on helping you process emotional trauma, rebuild your sense of self, and break unhealthy relationship patterns. - [Does My Child Need Online Therapy? Signs, Key Questions, and What to Expect](https://www.makinwellness.com/does-my-child-need-therapy-the-6-signs/): If you’re asking does my child need therapy, it helps to understand what online therapy actually does. - [Online Therapy for Emotional Abuse Recovery: Rebuilding Yourself After Abuse](https://www.makinwellness.com/online-therapy-for-emotional-abuse-recovery/): Online therapy for emotional abuse recovery helps you rebuild self-worth, process trauma, and regain emotional stability after a toxic relationship. It provides a safe space to understand what happened, work through lasting psychological effects, and develop healthier relationship patterns. Healing from abusive relationship is possible—with the right support and guidance. - [5 Proven Ways Online Emotional Regulation Therapy Can Help You Regain Control of Intense Emotions](https://www.makinwellness.com/5-benefits-emotional-regulation-therapy/): Online emotional regulation therapy is a type of counseling that we offer at Makin Wellness. Our sessions can help you understand and manage strong emotions using practical coping skills, guided support, and evidence-based techniques. Through secure video sessions with a therapist, you can learn how to recognize emotional triggers, regulate intense reactions, and respond to situations in healthier ways. - [What Is ASD Level 1? Signs, Traits, and Support Strategies](https://www.makinwellness.com/asd-level-1-autism-signs-and-support/): Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder characterized by challenges with social communication and interaction skills, as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors. According to the DSM-5-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition), the severity of Autism is determined by the amount of support you need. If you have ASD Level 1, you generally require some support. Level 2 requires substantial support, and level 3 requires very substantial support.  - [What is Apathy in 2026? (The Enormous Benefits of Caring)](https://www.makinwellness.com/the-apathy-paradox/): Apathy is a state of emotional detachment where you feel little motivation, interest, or concern – often after loss, prolonged stress, or emotional overload. Although you may experience apathy as a way to cope when your emotions feel overwhelming, staying in that state too long can lead to isolation and disconnection from yourself and others.  - [Identity Formation: 7 Theories Behind Your Backbone](https://www.makinwellness.com/identity-formation-7-theories-adolescents/): Identity formation refers to how you come to understand who you are, what matters to you, and how you fit into the world around you. This process starts early in life, becomes especially intense during adolescence, and continues to evolve during adulthood. Psychologists have developed several theories to create an identity formation definition, each offering a different lens on how your sense of self takes shape. Learning about these theories can help you recognize patterns in your thoughts, relationships, and choices, along with understanding why your identity formation may feel fluid rather than fixed. - [How To Build Confidence With 10 Highly Effective Exercises](https://www.makinwellness.com/how-to-build-confidence-effective-exercises/): Learning how to build confidence involves practicing intentional confidence building exercises that strengthen self-trust, skills, and mindset over time. Proven ways to build self-confidence include journaling, taking small steps, trying new challenges, prioritizing self-care, focusing on your strengths, practicing kinder self-talk, managing social media use, using music for motivation, building supportive relationships, and seeking professional support when needed. - [How to Overcome Symptoms of Childhood Trauma in 2026  ](https://www.makinwellness.com/childhood-trauma/): Childhood trauma can continue to affect your thoughts, relationships, and behavior well into adulthood – often in ways you don’t immediately recognize. Unprocessed childhood trauma may lead to anxiety, low self-esteem, chronic stress, or self-sabotaging patterns meant to protect you from emotional pain.  - [What Is Retroactive Jealousy? 4 Direct Ways To Conquer It](https://www.makinwellness.com/what-is-retroactive-jealousy-practical-steps/): Retroactive jealousy is a pattern of intrusive thoughts and emotional distress centered on a partner’s past romantic or sexual relationships, even when those relationships pose no current threat. - [How Social Media Affects Self Worth: 5 Hidden Ways It Shapes Your Identity](https://www.makinwellness.com/how-social-media-affects-self-worth/): That’s why understanding how social media affects self worth can empower you to step out of automatic patterns and develop greater intentionality.  - [Sociopath Vs Psychopath: 7 Detailed Differences Between Them](https://www.makinwellness.com/sociopath-vs-psychopath-the-7-differences/): Like many people, you might mistakenly believe these terms describe the same condition, yet they are distinct disorders with critical differences in their characteristics and behaviors. Understanding the differences between sociopath vs psychopath is essential for accurate understanding – not to mention your physical and emotional health. - [Compartment Psychology: 4 Ways to Stay Productive Without Avoiding What Matters](https://www.makinwellness.com/compartment-psychology-stay-productive/): You may be wondering whether it is healthy to set your emotions aside or whether doing so will eventually create more distress. This is where using healthy compartment psychology could offer you great benefits.  - [Overcome Relationship Insecurity: 9 Signs It’s Time To Leave](https://www.makinwellness.com/overcome-relationship-insecurity-tips/): Relationship insecurity can be caused by many different things, but it is often the result of feeling abandoned, neglected, or not good enough. There are signs that indicate your relationship is unhealthy and you may be feeling insecure for a reason. - [Why Do I Hate Myself? 5 Deeper Reasons This Feeling Develops — And How to Move Forward](https://www.makinwellness.com/why-do-i-hate-myself-5-deeper-reasons/): Hating yourself can feel like it appeared suddenly, almost without warning. One day, you may notice a quiet dissatisfaction with who you are. Over time, that feeling can deepen into persistent self-criticism, shame, or a heavy sense that something about you is fundamentally wrong. You may find yourself asking, ‘Why do I hate myself so much?’, especially when there is no clear event that seems large enough to explain the intensity of that feeling. - [Talking About Big Feelings: 80 Words To Describe Emotions](https://www.makinwellness.com/words-to-describe-emotions-vocabulary/): You’re in a discussion with a friend, and they ask how you feel about a particular situation you’re going through right now. You may know how you feel inside, yet struggle to find the right words to express your feelings. Sometimes, choosing the right words to describe emotions can mean the difference between being understood and being misconstrued.   - [Accepting Death: Working Through The 6 Stages Of Grief](https://www.makinwellness.com/accepting-death-6-stages-of-grief/): Death is a challenging concept to process, and it can be especially hard when someone you love dies. Grief is the natural reaction to loss, and it can take time to work through all of the different stages. Even though there’s no right or wrong way to grieve, accepting death can be an important part of your mental health journey. - [The Surprising Subtlety Of Enmeshed Relationships: The Best Way To Recognize Them and Reclaim Yourself](https://www.makinwellness.com/the-subtlety-of-enmeshed-relationships/): ‘Enmeshed’ is an adjective that can describe patterns in your relationships that feel confusing, overwhelming, or emotionally consuming. Enmeshment is when you feel deeply connected to the people in your life, and at the same time, unsure where you end and the other person begins. - [Main Character Syndrome: 8 Ways to Step Out Of Your Own Spotlight](https://www.makinwellness.com/main-character-syndrome-out-of-the-spotlight/): Acting as if you are the protagonist in a novel or movie is clearly nothing new, yet it is also true that the social and relational aspects of main character syndrome (MCS) have been greatly magnified by the advent of social media. - [5 Actionable Steps to Become Less Emotionally Unavailable](https://www.makinwellness.com/how-to-become-less-emotionally-unavailable/): If these questions resonate with you, you could be emotionally unavailable. Today, we will answer the question, “What does emotionally unavailable mean?”, why you might become emotionally unavailable, and what the signs are, as well as how to become less emotionally unavailable.  - [What Is Deindividuation and Why Does it Matter in 2026?](https://www.makinwellness.com/what-is-deindividuation-why-it-matters/): If so, you’re not alone. This experience is far more common than many people realize, and psychology offers a clear explanation for it: deindividuation. - [How Do Guys Feel When Their Girlfriend Cries? 5 Surprising Scientific Insights](https://www.makinwellness.com/how-do-guys-feel-when-their-girlfriend-cries/): So if you are wondering, ‘How do guys feel when their girlfriend cries?’, the answer is pretty straightforward: much the same as the reverse situation – at least internally. Despite this research, the myth of the universal “emotionally unavailable guy” persists in wider culture. Why is that? - [80 Journal Prompts For Kids To Process Big Emotions](https://www.makinwellness.com/80-journal-prompts-for-kids/): One way to do that is by using journal prompts. Journal prompts for kids can be a helpful tool for helping your child process these big feelings. These questions are designed specifically with children in mind, helping them explore their emotions and engagingly reflect on their lives. - [What is a Platonic Relationship? 3 Clear Perspectives](https://www.makinwellness.com/what-is-a-platonic-relationship-perspectives/): The moment you pause and ask yourself, “What is a platonic relationship?” you’re inviting yourself into a rich exploration of how healthy, meaningful, non-sexual friendships can function in practice – as well as gaining clarity about the potential dark side of platonic relationships. - [60 Acts of Service Examples To Love Your Partner Well](https://www.makinwellness.com/relationship-acts-of-service-examples/): What does that mean, and how might that affect your relationship? In this article, we will delve into the world of acts of service and provide you with plenty of practical acts of service examples. - [4 Stages in the Cycle of Abuse and How to Heal](https://www.makinwellness.com/cycle-of-abuse/): The cycle of abuse can feel gradual over time until you suddenly realize how bad things have gotten. In understanding what the cycle of violence and abuse includes, you may be able to recognize it sooner and find safety quickly. - [Conquer Abandonment Trauma with 5 Solid Steps](https://www.makinwellness.com/how-to-conquer-abandonment-trauma/): If so, you may be suffering from abandonment trauma. - [Parentification Trauma: 6 Empowering Ways To Recover](https://www.makinwellness.com/parentification-trauma-ways-to-recover/): Today, we will be looking at how parents can cause parentification trauma and how it affects their children. - [Conflict Avoidance: 5 Practical Ways To Learn and Cope](https://www.makinwellness.com/conflict-avoidance/): This is how conflict avoidance can feel, and it’s more common than you might think, especially in close relationships. - [Monogamy Meaning: Understanding Commitment and Connection in Modern Relationships](https://www.makinwellness.com/monogamy-meaning-understanding-commitment/): In this article, we’ll explore the monogamy meaning, what monogamy means for mental and emotional health, and why it remains one of the most fulfilling relationship models, even in our fluid, fast-paced world. - [Dismissive Behavior: 5 Surprising Strengths And Weaknesses](https://www.makinwellness.com/dismissive-meaning-strengths-weaknesses/): According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, dismissive means “serving to dismiss or reject someone or something regarded as unworthy of serious attention”.  - [How to Stop Overreacting and Finally Gain Control Over Your Emotions](https://www.makinwellness.com/how-to-stop-overreacting/): Sometimes you overreact because you want to  communicate something important — and if your overreaction is consistently causing more harm than good, it’s time to find a new way to communicate and learn how to stop overreacting. - [The Asexual Spectrum: 5 Proven Tips for Self-Acceptance](https://www.makinwellness.com/asexual-spectrum-self-acceptance-tips/): Many people grow up in societies where sexual attraction is treated as the default, often leaving those who identify on the asexual spectrum feeling invisible or misunderstood. Yet emerging research makes it clear: you are not alone, and you are not “missing” anything essential. You are a complete, valuable person who deserves love, respect, and meaningful connection — whether or not you experience sexual attraction. - [How to Destroy the Preferred Weapons of People with Narcissism](https://www.makinwellness.com/people-with-narcissism-preferred-weapons/): The distinguishing behaviors of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) are not always exclusive to those with diagnosed NPD. . We’ve all encountered someone who seems overly self-centered or difficult to interact with, and occasionally you may find yourself exhibiting the same behaviors. With this being said, you may be facing a bigger concern when these traits become extreme and pervasive. They may indicate Narcissistic Personality Disorder. People with narcissism have an exaggerated sense of self-importance, often requiring grand gestures of positive attention and showing little regard for others’ feelings. - [Explore The Top 10 Popular Vagus Nerve Exercises To Reduce Anxiety](https://www.makinwellness.com/10-vagus-nerve-exercises/): In this article, we’ll explore what the vagus nerve is, why it’s crucial, the top 10 vagus nerve exercises, and the health benefits you can expect from practicing these exercises. - [What is Covert Narcissism? A Balanced Look, Plus 7 Ways To Get Help ](https://www.makinwellness.com/covert-narcissism-balanced-perspective/): Narcissism. It seems like the word is everywhere: politics, Hollywood, the music industry, and big (and small) business. While you can define narcissism by the baseline behaviors of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), there are different types of narcissism based on specific behaviors. Covert narcissism is our topic for today.  - [What Is The Burnt Toast Theory? (6 Ways To Crush Your Day)](https://www.makinwellness.com/what-is-the-burnt-toast-theory/): Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Even so, we're not here to talk about that. So what does the burnt toast theory have to do with your mental health? - [Resisting Weaponized Incompetence: 3 Ways to Respond with Examples](https://www.makinwellness.com/resisting-weaponized-incompetence/): In recent years, the phrase weaponized incompetence has become a buzzword in conversations about household labor, workplace dynamics, and relationship struggles. The term describes the behavior where one person pretends that they are unable to perform a task properly, as a way to manipulate those around them into fulfilling their responsibilities for them. This leaves others responsible for more than they should be, and resentment can fester. - [The 6 Practical Coping Skills for Depression](https://www.makinwellness.com/9-coping-skills-for-depression/): Note: It is essential when learning coping skills for depression that you build a toolbox of different techniques to utilize when your symptoms spike. What works today may not always work the same another day. It may mean you need something different today, and that’s okay. - [Overstimulated Meaning: 6 Common Types of Overstimulation and How to Navigate Them](https://www.makinwellness.com/overstimulated-meaning-6-types/): Understanding the overstimulated meaning and learning how to navigate overstimulation is about recognizing your own personal limits and learning how to take care of yourself in a world that is constantly giving you more input. - [Discover What Being Self Deprecating Reveals About You, and How To Overcome It](https://www.makinwellness.com/discover-what-being-self-deprecating-reveals/): If you look beneath the surface, self deprecating remarks can reveal something deeper about how you see yourself. They might be a sign of low self-worth, internalized criticism, or fear of showing your true abilities. Over time, these seemingly small self deprecating comments can shape how you think, feel, and live. - [Psychotherapist vs Psychiatrist: 7 Simple Ways They Are Different](https://www.makinwellness.com/psychotherapist-vs-psychiatrist-differences/): Both psychotherapists and psychiatrists help people; they just go about it in different ways. Whether you’re looking for a career path, wondering which one could best support you, or simply curious about the differences between a psychotherapist vs psychiatrist, this article will help you make that distinction.  - [What Does Depression Feel Like? (6 Big Ways to Improve It.)](https://www.makinwellness.com/what-does-depression-feel-like/): Depression can manifest in many ways and can be experienced by anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background.  So what does depression feel like? - [Crash Out Meaning: Understanding Emotional Outbursts and How to Address Them in 6 Steps](https://www.makinwellness.com/crash-out-meaning-understanding-outbursts/): Even if the crash out meaning has its origins in popular culture, what it represents is very real: an inner emotional storm that’s waiting to be understood and addressed. With the right help through online therapy, crashing out can become something you leave in the past, rather than letting it take over your life. - [The Faux Pas of the Freudian Slip: What Causes It?](https://www.makinwellness.com/freudian-slips-causes-action-steps/): Ah, Freud. The father of psychoanalysis, mentor to Carl Jung, and the namesake of the Freudian slip. His ideas have been discussed, debated, and displayed from lecture halls to Hollywood movies. It is likely that, in one way or another, you are familiar with some aspect of Freud or his theories. In this article, we will focus on Freud’s concept of the Freudian slip: what it is, how it happens, and whether it is helpful.  - [How Narrative Exposure Therapy Helps You Overcome PTSD and Break Free From Generational Trauma](https://www.makinwellness.com/narrative-exposure-therapy-ptsd/): If you are carrying trauma, Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) is one way you can better understand your journey and take a step forward into wholeness. While trauma affects everyone differently, being able to talk about what you have experienced has been proven to change the way your brain functions and help you process what you have experienced.  - [How to Stop Overthinking: 5 Simple Strategies for a Clear, Peaceful, and Confident Mind](https://www.makinwellness.com/how-to-stop-overthinking/): Fortunately, there are simple strategies you can use for how to stop overthinking and bring clarity back into your life. In this article, we'll explore common obstacles to making decisions and five of the best strategies to overcome them - from mindfulness techniques to cognitive reframing practices - so you can start cultivating peace and tranquility within yourself. Let's get started! - [Overcoming Pathological Demand Avoidance in Adults: 6 Strategies for Success](https://www.makinwellness.com/pathological-demand-avoidance-tips/): You have to get things done today—simple things, like brushing your teeth, attending a meeting, and replying to an email. An overwhelming sense of resistance takes hold, making even the smallest tasks feel burdensome and stressful, causing you to resist them. If this scenario resonates with you, you might be experiencing Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), a behavioral profile increasingly recognized in adults, especially those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). - [Executive Functioning Skills: 7 Tips to Ignite Productivity](https://www.makinwellness.com/executive-functioning-skills/): If so, you may be experiencing challenges with your executive functioning. In this blog post, we’ll explore what executive functioning is, who may struggle with it, tips for enhancing executive functioning skills to help you thrive, and more. - [Demystifying Hormones: How To Increase Dopamine In 5 Ways](https://www.makinwellness.com/5-ways-for-how-to-increase-dopamine/): Do you ever feel like your motivation and enthusiasm could be improved? Do you struggle to find pleasure in the things that used to bring joy? If so, it may be time for you to learn how to increase dopamine levels. - [What Is Gaslighting? Signs, Examples, and 6 Steps to Break Free](https://www.makinwellness.com/what-is-gaslighting/): Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation that pushes you to question your thoughts, memories, and reality. It often happens gradually, so you might not even be aware that it is happening at first.  - [How to Overcome Codependency in Time to Save Your Relationship](https://www.makinwellness.com/how-to-overcome-codependency/): If you are looking for a way to save your relationship, this guide may be just what you’ve been looking for. We will explain what a codependent relationship is, and how to overcome codependency. - [What is ADHD Paralysis? Discover 10 Ways to Rebound](https://www.makinwellness.com/what-is-adhd-paralysis-rebound-ideas/): Whatever the reason, search queries around ADHD symptoms have also become more specific, and have led people to ask questions like, “What is ADHD paralysis?” That’s what we will be focusing on today. - [ADHD Object Permanence: What it Really Means and 7 Essential Tips on Managing It](https://www.makinwellness.com/adhd-object-permanence-and-what-it-really-is/): Though many people describe ADHD object permanence as "out of sight, out of mind," research confirms that individuals with ADHD do not regress in their cognitive understanding of object permanence. This concept, once formed in infancy, becomes a foundational mental model that persists throughout life.  - [ADHD and Social Anxiety: 9 Important Differentiators, Plus 6 Evidence-Based Tips for Growth](https://www.makinwellness.com/adhd-and-social-anxiety-key-differentiators/): That is the focus of our article today: raising awareness around ADHD and social anxiety, encouraging self-compassion, and pushing you (as far as you are comfortable) to engage with practical tips and a support network you can trust, potentially including a licensed therapist committed to caring for you on your growth journey. - [An Explanation of Post Partum Rage And 5 Empowered Ways To Reduce It](https://www.makinwellness.com/post-partum-rage-empowered-ways-to-reduce-it/): Before you have your baby, you may feel excited, nervous, and scared all at the same time. After delivery, you may experience bouts of anger and post partum rage that you didn't expect.