Rachelle Bloksberg

Yes, it is normal to cry in therapy. It is also okay to laugh in therapy. Therapy is a safe place to be yourself.

The therapeutic relationship is an essential part of effective therapy. Your therapist is right for you if you feel comfortable enough to talk about anything. You should also feel like you are making progress. A therapy session is more than just chatting with a friend. If your therapist is a good... more

Alzheimer's can make relationships extremely difficult. It's hard not to take what loved ones with Alzheimer's say personally. If you're a caregiver, try to find some respite. Being "on" all the time to keep your loved one safe is exhausting. Time away doing something you enjoy can help alleviate... more

There are never too many issues to address in counseling. You can take things one step at a time.You are not a machine. There will never be a time like there is with a car where it's beyond the point of repair. You are not "broken," so you don't need to be "fixed."You have survived sexual abuse and... more

Grief is complicated. Healing from grief takes time. Three months is not very long when it comes to grief. Grief has no set time frame. It takes as long as it takes. The hurt you feel is proof of how important it was for you to have your friend in your life. The hurt can be overwhelming. It can hurt... more

Rape can cause you to shut down and be unable to feel. It is a defense mechanism and is a normal response to a traumatic experience. There is nothing wrong with you. It's not your fault. You are not a sociopath. You are a victim. You need professional mental health support to heal.A therapist with... more

It is good to hear you are serious about your sobriety. Maintaining confidentiality and professional distance while living in a small community can be difficult. There are alternative programs to support your sobriety online. They offer an extra layer of privacy compared to in-person meetings. You... more

Sobriety is about more than willpower. You need to know what you want. Think about what you want your life to be like. Think about how your relationship would be different without alcohol. Sobriety is about doing what you really want to do instead of drinking. Once you know what you really want, you... more

Peace is often connected to self-worth and self-esteem. Think back. What were you doing or thinking differently when you felt at peace? Think about how you interacted with others. Think about how you thought about yourself. What would you like to do again?A big part of being at peace is being... more

Successfully controlling anger is often linked to a mindset change. Pushing people away when you're angry can be a defense mechanism that keeps you and them safe. They may be hurting you and causing your anger, and your instinct is to get them away. On the other hand, you could be protecting them... more

Guilt is a feeling that comes from thinking you did something bad. You may be thinking drinking is bad for you. What is it that you want? Who do you want to be? You mentioned you get angry when you drink. How would you rather be around people? You have cheated on your boyfriend. What kind of... more