Christi Young, LPC

Family relationships become complicated when someone you love continues to support, rescue, or protect a family member who is actively struggling with substance use. You may genuinely appreciate your parent and recognize the good they have done while also believing that some of their choices are contributing to an unhealthy family pattern. These truths can exist together. From a counseling perspective, healthy boundaries do not require you to stop loving or respecting your pa

Sometimes the healthiest response to a difficult workplace is to leave. But leaving is not always necessary, possible, or desirable. You may need the income, benefits, schedule, experience, or stability the position provides. You may even enjoy the work itself while struggling with the environment around it. Perhaps coworkers are competitive, jealous, critical, argumentative, or quick to gossip. Maybe personalities clash, people take things personally, or tension seems to fol

When depression and anxiety feel heavy, don’t demand that you completely transform your life this week. Begin smaller. Take a walk, drink water, eat something nourishing, or spend a little time outside. Call someone you trust, turn off your phone for a while, or simply play with your children and allow yourself to be present in the moment. Write down what is worrying you, pray honestly about what you are carrying, or read one Psalm and sit quietly with its words. If you have

Some people describe anxiety as feeling nervous or worried. Others experience it as a constant sense that their peace could disappear at any moment. They may find themselves thinking, "Something is about to go wrong," or "My peace is about to be threatened." Living with this expectation can make it difficult to fully enjoy the present because part of the mind is always preparing for the next problem. Mood swings and irritability often develop when a person has been carrying c

Relationship With Her Mother Some daughters deeply want connection with their mothers, but every attempt to open up feels painful, discouraging, or emotionally unsafe. You may walk away from conversations feeling dismissed, criticized, misunderstood, or emotionally alone. Over time, this can make it difficult to trust your mother with your heart. Wanting a better relationship while also feeling hurt can create an exhausting emotional tension: “I love my mom.” “I want closenes

Some breakups happen slowly. Others arrive like a storm with no warning. One day you are planning your future, texting every morning, imagining holidays and milestones together — and the next day the relationship is over. When a breakup blindsides you, it can feel emotionally disorienting. Your mind may replay conversations, search for clues, and ask questions that seem impossible to answer. For college students, this pain can feel even heavier because relationships are often

It can feel especially confusing when a friendship that used to feel mutual suddenly shifts. This isn’t a case of “they’ve always been this way.” It’s a noticeable change: They used to reach out They used to make plans Time together felt more balanced And now, over the past few months: You’re the only one initiating They don’t suggest spending time together The energy of the friendship feels one-sided That shift matters—and it deserves a thoughtful response. 1. Acknowledge t

For many people, bedtime is when the mind gets the loudest. You finally slow down—and suddenly your thoughts speed up: Replaying conversations Worrying about tomorrow Questioning decisions Imagining worst-case scenarios Instead of rest, your mind shifts into overdrive. If this happens to you, you’re not alone. Racing thoughts at night are one of the most common symptoms of anxiety. Why Your Mind Races at Night During the day, your brain is occupied—tasks, conversations, respo

Not everyone responds to criticism with words. For some, the reaction is quieter—feeling hurt, internalizing the message, and pulling away. If you tend to withdraw when your mother is critical, you may not argue or defend yourself. Instead, you might: Go silent Replay the interaction later Feel heavy, anxious, or “not enough” Avoid future conversations This response is not weakness—it is often a learned way of protecting yourself when speaking up has felt unsafe, ineffective,

When Someone Keeps Bringing Up What You Don’t Want to Discuss There are moments in relationships when someone wants to talk about something you are not ready, willing, or able to discuss. It may be too personal, too painful, poorly timed, or simply not appropriate. Many people feel stuck in these situations—torn between wanting to be kind and feeling the need to protect their peace. Emotionally, this is where boundaries and assertiveness work together. Why Boundaries Matter S