Jenny Maenpaa
Supporting Yourself and Loved Ones Through ...

May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to reflect on the significance of mental health and the support systems needed for those of us who are grappling with negative aspects of it. Mental health struggles can be isolating, overwhelming, intensely confusing, and often invisible to the naked eye. Yet, amidst the darkness, there can be light in the form of empathy, understanding, and unwavering support from loved ones. When we speak about mental health, we often only highlight the down sides of mental health struggles, and forget to mention the incredibly positive impact taking care of and supporting our mental health can have. 

Supporting Yourself and Loved Ones Through Mental Health Challenges: A Guide for Mental Health Awareness Month
Jenny Maenpaa
Navigating Climate Anxiety: Acknowledging Fear ...

Navigating Climate Anxiety: Acknowledging Fear and Taking Action

In recent years, a new term has entered our collective vocabulary: climate anxiety. This phenomenon reflects the growing concern and fear many people feel about the current and future state of our planet. As the consequences of climate change become increasingly apparent, more of us are experiencing heightened levels of stress, anxiety, and despair. The sense of impending doom can be overwhelming, so we’ve gathered some info and tips on how to acknowledge these feelings, support yourself through them, and find ways to cope and take action.

Navigating Climate Anxiety: Acknowledging Fear and Taking Action
Jenny Maenpaa
Unraveling the Misconceptions: Understanding ...

Unraveling the Misconceptions: Understanding Neurodivergence in ADHD and Autism

April 2nd is World Autism Day, and since we work with many adults with diverse diagnoses, we wanted to shed some light on neurodivergent conditions like Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and how they’re commonly misunderstood. You probably know plenty of neurodivergent people and don’t even realize it, or maybe you’ll see some of your own traits in this blog! The term neurodivergent is an umbrella term that describes people who have different neurological abilities from those who are considered “typical” (though we don’t love that terminology since everyone’s brains are wildly different from one another!), which includes both ADHD and ASD. These conditions, though widely recognized, are often surrounded by misconceptions that can lead to stigma and alienation. 

Unraveling the Misconceptions: Understanding Neurodivergence in ADHD and Autism
Jenny Maenpaa
“We get it, you’re afraid of women. You should ...

Here’s my 5-step beginner’s plan for dismantling the patriarchy.

“We get it, you’re afraid of women. You should be.”

difficult emotions

Setting Healthy Boundaries: What Self-Help Books Gloss Over and How To Stay on Track

Setting Healthy Boundaries: What Self-Help Books Gloss Over and How To Stay on Track

Setting Healthy Boundaries: What Self-Help Books Gloss Over and How To Stay on Track

The art of setting boundaries is one that many struggle with, but is a necessary and fundamental life skill that leads to healthy assertiveness, self-confidence, agency, and a positive self-image. Before we can set boundaries, we must identify the behaviors we deem acceptable and those we do not, and make decisions from there that prioritize our well-being without harming others. Essentially, boundaries connect the space where our individuality ends and the realm of others begins. Mastering this skill empowers us to navigate interpersonal dynamics with clarity and ensures a healthy balance between our own personal needs and social interactions that involve others. The good news is that setting boundaries is a skill, and like any skill, it can be learned, practiced, and honed. Even better, the techniques for boundary setting are quite straightforward once you know where to begin.

Can Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Help with My Anxiety?

Can Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Help with My Anxiety?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: What is it, how does it work, and can it help my anxiety?

The demands and uncertainties of daily life can often take a toll on our mental health, especially as we kick off the new year, work/school responsibilities pick back up, and the holidays come to an end. During this time, the need for effective tools to alleviate anxiety becomes increasingly crucial. In our practice, many therapists are trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a widely recognized and evidence-based therapeutic approach, which stands at the forefront in empowering our clients to manage and overcome anxiety. What does it really mean and is it the right therapy for you?

Mental Health Resources for Black History Month

Mental Health Resources for Black History Month

Black History Month 2023 has arrived! We believe in the fundamental importance of engaging in anti-racist work and acknowledging and addressing the obstacles that members of the Black Community face daily and in their search for mental health care and support. We believe that therapy and medical care should be accessible to everyone and something that all people can feel comfortable and confident using to feel and live their best. It is our responsibility as socially just and anti-racist therapists to engage in work everyday to enhance our anti-racist practice, educate ourselves, and work to provide supportive therapeutic spaces and opportunities for everyone. 

I’m Considering Beginning or Restarting Therapy - What Can I Expect?

I’m Considering Beginning or Restarting Therapy - What Can I Expect?

Beginning or returning to therapy can be a nerve-wracking experience. Taking this step is something to be proud of. You are engaging in conscious and intentional work to ask for help and to begin to build a stronger support system and understanding of yourself. While therapeutic experiences differ across practices and providers, we can provide you a glimpse into what you can expect when you begin online therapy here at the New York City Psychotherapy Collective.

Emotional Intelligence: The What, Why, & How of Improving Your EQ

Emotional Intelligence: The What, Why, & How of Improving Your EQ

Lately, emotional intelligence has gotten a lot of hype in the professional world, but it remains a vastly underrated skill. The term is thrown around in business articles and human resource managers trying to make the right hire. Still, critical pieces of the conversation are skipped over, such as what it really is, why it matters, and what steps you can take to develop the skill. If you're ready to see how improving your emotional intelligence can improve areas of your life, you’re in the right place because below we're sharing the details with you.

How to Be Happy When Life Doesn't Look Like You Want

How to Be Happy When Life Doesn't Look Like You Want

Do you keep waiting to be happy until you have the life of your dreams? Are you working hard to get all your ducks in a row so everything will be perfectly in place in life and you can finally enjoy yourself? Do you feel like there is a list of tasks you need to cross off before having what you want in life? Stop! You don't have to wait until you have enough, feel like enough, have accomplished enough, and have met all the other "enoughs" in your mind to find joy and fulfillment in life.

Is Toxic Positivity Hurting You? Learn to Embrace Difficult Feelings

Is Toxic Positivity Hurting You? Learn to Embrace Difficult Feelings

The past two years have been challenging for everyone, and we have all worked to deal with the impact of the constant uncertainty of the world in our own way. We worked to do our best to remain optimistic despite the rollercoaster of emotional situations placed in our path. As a result, many of us are experiencing overwhelm and burnout in 2022.