Kelsey Blazak 12/17/24 Kelsey Blazak 12/17/24

Family Stress During the Holidays

There can be lots to look forward during the holiday season—good food, time with loved ones, and maybe even some time off from work. But for many of us, the holidays also bring an increase in stress and anxiety. Between making travel plans, incurring additional expenses, and expectations from family, this time of year can feel like a real pressure cooker.

Kelsey Blazak 12/3/24 Kelsey Blazak 12/3/24

The Therapy Process

The above illustration by artist, Ilaria Urbinati, is one I love and which I feel cleverly depicts the therapy process—specifically, how therapy helps us make sense of our lives and our feelings while nurturing growth. It illustrates the uniqueness of the therapeutic relationship—one in which the client brings their emotions, challenges, and musings into the room and the therapist creates a safe container for all of it to be known and felt.

Kelsey Blazak 11/21/24 Kelsey Blazak 11/21/24

The Guest House

I was recently reminded of a poem I’d heard in grad school which I think illustrates the layered emotional experience of being human. “The Guest House” was written by 13th century mystic and poet, Rumi, who seemed to understood the tendency in us, as people, to fear or avoid our multitude of emotions.

He wrote about being human as a metaphorical guest house and compared emotions to unexpected visitors who show up as messengers or guides for us.

Kelsey Blazak 11/7/24 Kelsey Blazak 11/7/24

Identifying Your Feelings

Kelsey Blazak 10/31/24 Kelsey Blazak 10/31/24

Top 5 Therapy Questions

Whether you’re thinking about starting therapy for the first time or want to revisit therapy, the process of getting started can feel daunting and downright confusing. Unfortunately, this can hold many back from ever getting started. As a therapist in Pasadena who helps those with anxiety, depression, relationships and life transitions, I understand how this process has felt to my clients.

My hope is to clear up some of that confusion and demystify the experience of therapy by covering what are, in my experience, the 5 most-pondered therapy questions.