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The Kids Are Not Okay—And It’s Not Because Therapists Aren’t TryingFamily WellnessKids & Teens

The Kids Are Not Okay—And It’s Not Because Therapists Aren’t Trying

A 2025 study published in JAMA Pediatrics, US Child Mental…
Stephanie Sonntag, CMHCStephanie Sonntag, CMHC
The Cycle of AbuseFamily WellnessCouples Counseling

The Cycle of Abuse

“What happened to Amber?” I remember asking the group. At…
Stephanie Sonntag, LCSWStephanie Sonntag, LCSW
Why Avoiding Stress Makes It Worse (And What Actually Helps)For TherapistsBurnout Prevention

Why Avoiding Stress Makes It Worse (And What Actually Helps)

Imagine a little kid asking you for candy. They ask…
Stephanie Sonntag, LCSWStephanie Sonntag, LCSW
Why Self-Esteem Isn’t Enough (and Why Self-Compassion Works Better)For TherapistsBurnout Prevention

Why Self-Esteem Isn’t Enough (and Why Self-Compassion Works Better)

If you grew up in the 90s like I did,…
Stephanie Sonntag, LCSWStephanie Sonntag, LCSW
A Message to TherapistsFor TherapistsBurnout Prevention

A Message to Therapists

There’s not a shortage of therapists. There’s a shortage of…
Stephanie Sonntag, LCSWStephanie Sonntag, LCSW
Fight RightCouples CounselingFamily Wellness

Fight Right

At a recent therapist consultation, one of the clinicians shared…
Stephanie Sonntag, LCSWStephanie Sonntag, LCSW
Founding NextTherapistFor TherapistsSuicide PreventionOCD

Founding NextTherapist

Content Note: This essay includes discussion of mental illness, hospitalization,…
Stephanie Sonntag, LCSWStephanie Sonntag, LCSW
The New Year Came in Like a Wrecking BallBuilding a Private PracticeTherapist Self-CareBurnout Prevention

The New Year Came in Like a Wrecking Ball

For no reason in particular, I woke up on New…
Stephanie SonntagStephanie Sonntag
Trapped in TraditionFamily WellnessAnxiety

Trapped in Tradition

Recently, a client and I were talking about her yearly…
Therapist, LCSWTherapist, LCSW
It’s Your Holiday Season, Too: A Guide for People-PleasersFamily WellnessBurnout Prevention

It’s Your Holiday Season, Too: A Guide for People-Pleasers

The holidays are supposed to bring joy, connection, and excitement,…
Carey Milne, LMFTCarey Milne, LMFT
The ChatGPT Hangover: Reflections on AI, Emotional Support, and the Soda-in-the-IV ProblemTherapist Self-CareBurnout Prevention

The ChatGPT Hangover: Reflections on AI, Emotional Support, and the Soda-in-the-IV Problem

The Quiet Convenience of an Always-Available Companion Lately, I’ve been…
Stephanie SonntagStephanie Sonntag
Boundaries, Self-Worth, and the Fear of Breaking RelationshipsFor TherapistsAnxietyFamily Wellness

Boundaries, Self-Worth, and the Fear of Breaking Relationships

If you’ve been doing this work long enough, you’ve seen…
Tiana McCallTiana McCall
Cue the Cancellations!For TherapistsScheduling & Admin ToolsTherapist Self-CareBurnout PreventionTherapy Marketing

Cue the Cancellations!

My old supervisor used to say: “December is the month…
Stephanie SonntagStephanie Sonntag
How Society Teaches Men to Disconnect and How Therapy Helps ReconnectFor TherapistsFamily WellnessSuicide PreventionMen

How Society Teaches Men to Disconnect and How Therapy Helps Reconnect

There is a quiet but powerful script many men grow…
Aleks Micic-Alvarez, LCSWAleks Micic-Alvarez, LCSW
Why the Time Change Hits Hard (and Why It’s Not Just You)For TherapistsFamily Wellness

Why the Time Change Hits Hard (and Why It’s Not Just You)

Lately, on the drive to and from my kids’ junior…
Stephanie SonntagStephanie Sonntag
Men’s Mental Health Month: The Hardest Door to Walk ThroughMenFor TherapistsFamily Wellness

Men’s Mental Health Month: The Hardest Door to Walk Through

Men’s Mental Health Month reminds me of the Julia Reagan…
Stephanie SonntagStephanie Sonntag
It’s Movember!For TherapistsFamily Wellness

It’s Movember!

Have you heard of this? There’s a social media trend…
Stephanie SonntagStephanie Sonntag
From Shame to Curiosity: Understanding ADHD Through a Somatic LensFor TherapistsADHDFamily Wellness

From Shame to Curiosity: Understanding ADHD Through a Somatic Lens

Lately, somatic approaches — tuning into the wisdom of the…
Aleks Micic-Alvarez, LCSWAleks Micic-Alvarez, LCSW
From the Inside: ADHD and RelationshipsADHDFor TherapistsFamily Wellness

From the Inside: ADHD and Relationships

In a recent discussion with Jenny Jarvis, CMHC, and practice…
Stephanie SonntagStephanie Sonntag
Being a Therapist Isn’t What People Think It IsTherapist Self-CareBurnout PreventionFor Therapists

Being a Therapist Isn’t What People Think It Is

Most people imagine therapy as a neat one-hour session where…
Aleks Micic-Alvarez, LCSWAleks Micic-Alvarez, LCSW
Myths That Keep Us Silent: Debunking Harmful Beliefs About Best Practices for Suicidal ClientsFor TherapistsKids & TeensFamily WellnessSuicide Prevention

Myths That Keep Us Silent: Debunking Harmful Beliefs About Best Practices for Suicidal Clients

The Myths That Shape Our Approach So many myths about…
Stephanie SonntagStephanie Sonntag
What ADHD Can Look Like in WomenADHDFor Therapists

What ADHD Can Look Like in Women

Lost and Found The number one concern I have if…
Stephanie SonntagStephanie Sonntag
Listening Beyond the Checklist: A Human Approach to Suicide PreventionFor TherapistsSuicide Prevention

Listening Beyond the Checklist: A Human Approach to Suicide Prevention

Every therapist remembers the first time they are touched by…
Stephanie SonntagStephanie Sonntag
The Back to School Whiplash: Helping Kids (and Yourself) Survive the Back-to-School RushKids & TeensFamily Wellness

The Back to School Whiplash: Helping Kids (and Yourself) Survive the Back-to-School Rush

Therapists: Ready for the August Whiplash? You know the drill.…
Stephanie SonntagStephanie Sonntag
Therapist Directories Aren’t Working—Here’s What IsTherapy MarketingScheduling & Admin Tools

Therapist Directories Aren’t Working—Here’s What Is

After completing my final exam for full licensure, I updated…
Stephanie SonntagStephanie Sonntag
Why the Right Match Matters More Than a Full CaseloadBurnout PreventionTherapist Self-Care

Why the Right Match Matters More Than a Full Caseload

My client stares off into the distance. She’s in the…
Stephanie SonntagStephanie Sonntag
From Burnout to Booked: Why Admin Relief is the First StepScheduling & Admin ToolsBuilding a Private Practice

From Burnout to Booked: Why Admin Relief is the First Step

I’m sitting in a session with a client. She is…
Stephanie SonntagStephanie Sonntag