Affirming Relationships

If your elementary- or high school-age child has said something like: “I don’t feel like a girl.” “I think I’m a boy.” “Can you use they/them for me?” “I want a different name.” It can stop you in your tracks. You may feel protective. Confused. Afraid of doing the wrong thing. You may wonder whether this is a phase, whether you’re supposed to correct it, or whether affirming it somehow makes it permanent. Maybe you've already responded and are now wondering: Am I doing the ri

Let’s be honest: things are hard . They’ve been hard for a while, and in 2026 they remain hard in very specific, targeted ways for trans people — especially trans kids and teens. If you’ve been paying attention to the news, social media, or political discourse, you’ve likely seen it: trans people treated like a debate, a threat, or a problem to solve. So let’s say this clearly and without caveats: Trans people are not the problem. Your identity is real. You deserve safety, di

Ever bought a box of whole-grain cereal and found candy inside? At first glance, it looks like you’re getting something wholesome,...

Holiday or not, the best gifts remind your partner they’re accepted, valued, and loved. These ideas go beyond consumerism, tying into...

Navigating Rejection, Setting Boundaries, and Reclaiming Your Right to Be Fully You For many queer, neurodivergent, or otherwise...

For late-identified queer, neurodivergent, deconstructing humans If you’ve ever looked around your life—your home, your relationship,...

In politics, the “pivot” is a skill. A candidate is asked a tough question, and instead of answering it directly, they pivot to what...

Religious trauma doesn’t end when you leave the church. It lingers in the body—in the bedroom—in the questions you’re afraid to ask. But...

How to Decide Whether to End Contact with a Friend or Family Member Deciding to go no contact with a friend or family member is a deeply...

Let’s Talk About Loneliness When someone asks if I'm an introvert or an extrovert, I say I'm an extrovert with social anxiety. I want...

When I learned the word “Collectivistic” in my social work graduate program’s Feminist Theory class I felt overjoyed.  I had found this...

In every relationship, there are moments when we choose to stay silent rather than speak up, thinking it’s easier to avoid conflict....

Hey there, person on the internet (or cat that has successfully developed opposable thumbs, entered their owner’s computer, and found...

If you're a trusted insider (friend, family member, or professional in the "helping" professions) to a neurodivergent or LGBTIA+ person...

Therapy speak has gotten WAY more mainstream. Maybe the pandemic, or TikTok, or (this is a fun thought) the degradation of...

Sometimes life throws us into situations that cause us to feel like a foreign object. You just don't fit in. In that environment, humans...

Guilt is often uncomfortable. We tend to think it means we've done something wrong. Could it help us connect with values & boundaries?

navigating relationship frustration Hey Hey Hey Fellow Human, I talk about relationships a lot. I'm not a relationship or couples'...

One surprising way to strengthen relationships. I'd like to share with you some insider-info on my life. Are you ready for it? Here it is:...