Ashton Sullivan

I'm so sorry that you have been haunted by the past for so long. It must have been incredibly difficult to open up about something so dark and vulnerable. But by shedding light on it you have already taken the first step toward healing. Trauma can wreak havoc on relationships if it isn't healed... more

I'm so sorry you're going through this! I think there is almost always someone in the family who becomes the scapegoat and ends up feeling this way sadly. Please know that you are NOT the problem! It sounds like you need to be heard and understood but maybe your family has their own stuff going... more

Since no one can prove that there is a higher power (meaning we cannot observe "God" with our senses), the decision to believe is a choice you make. When something can't be proven true, you get to choose what belief system works best for you. Some questions to reflect on might be:1.) What does... more

I'm sorry that you feel this way despite all you do and as hard as you try. No wonder you're feeling worn out and hopeless! If you're doing your best and it's still not good enough then it's reasonable to expect that you would end up feeling burnt out. It's like there's no more fuel to keep your... more

Wow, that's tough. It's understandable to feel trapped when the people you depend on are mistreating you. While you can't change your parents, fortunately you can work on changing yourself and your situation.Often, the clients I work with feel trapped when there are actually things they can do to... more

First of all, it’s a strength that you are openly seeking help for this problem. As others have said, it would be best to get a therapist you can work with because as humans we heal in relationship with others. Here are a few things I would explore and suggest working on:1.) Questions to explore... more

Aside from seeing a therapist to help you work through the feelings and events that might have resulted in the self-hatred, I recommend a few things:1.) Draw a line down the page in a journal to make two columns. In the first column, write down your negative thoughts. On the other side in the... more

I can't tell you how many times I've heard people talk about terrible things that have happened to them yet they don't shed a tear. Is that normal? Well, yes, but not exactly healthy. It's normal because they've been conditioned this way. If you feel shame around crying, then you most likely... more

I would look up therapists who speak to what you are going through on their website or directory listing and seem to align with your values (some people want a therapist of the similar faith, gender, or cultural background). I'm not saying that they should have these traits but for some people that... more

You can never have too many issues to address I'm counseling! In fact, I wish more people would come in sooner than later (or not at all) but I always say better late than never. I think you will discover how everything you're experiencing makes sense when you connect the dots with your therapist... more