​HELPFUL INSIGHTS

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is one of the most common eating disorders, yet it’s often misunderstood. Unlike other eating disorders, BED isn’t about weight—it’s about patterns of behavior, emotional struggles, and an ongoing cycle of overeating and shame. At Serenity, we approach BED with compassion, recognizing that healing involves mind, body, and spirit. What is Binge Eating Disorder? Binge Eating Disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large amounts of f

Trauma can result from a single event or ongoing experiences such as abuse, violence, neglect, or loss. Common trauma symptoms include anxiety, depression, flashbacks, emotional numbness, sleep problems, and difficulty concentrating. The good news is that trauma is treatable . Trauma counseling offers evidence-based approaches that help individuals heal and regain a sense of safety. What Is Evidence-Based Trauma Therapy? Evidence-based trauma treatments are therapies backed b

Do I have to talk in detail about my trauma? Not necessarily. While EMDR involves bringing a memory to mind, you don’t need to share every detail out loud. Your therapist will guide the process in a way that feels safe and manageable for you. Will EMDR make me feel worse before I feel better? Some people experience temporary emotional or physical sensations during or between sessions as memories are processed. This is a normal part of the healing process, and your therapist w

Reading Unshattered  felt less like evaluating a memoir and more like sitting across from a client who is finally telling the truth without polishing it for survival. I spend my days bearing witness to stories of trauma, mental illness, defeat, and—when conditions allow—repair. Decker’s story resonated with me not because it is exceptional in a sensational sense, but because it is painfully, achingly familiar. A story of triumph over defeat, one step at a time What struck me

As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, many people notice changes in their mood, Seasonal Affective Disorder can improve with just a few changes energy, and motivation. While it’s normal to feel a little less energized during the winter months, some individuals experience more significant emotional challenges known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), often referred to as winter depression. What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)? Seasonal Affective Disorder is a

When life feels overwhelming and relationships within your family seem strained, it can be hard to know where to turn. I want you to know that healing is possible, and it often begins with opening the door to family therapy. Here in Macomb and Oakland Counties, there are compassionate professionals ready to walk alongside you and your loved ones. Together, you can find new ways to communicate, understand each other, and rebuild trust. Family therapy is a gentle, supportive pr

Vaping among teenagers has become a growing concern in recent years. As someone who cares deeply about the well-being of young people, has been personally impacted by teen vaping, I want to share some important insights about teen vaping health risks. It’s natural to feel worried or unsure about this topic, but together, we can explore the facts and find ways to support those we care about. What Are the Teen Vaping Health Risks? Vaping might seem like a harmless alternative t

For many people, the holidays are portrayed as a time of warmth, connection, and celebration. Grief During the Holidays Yet for those who are grieving, this season can feel especially heavy. The contrast between cultural expectations of joy and the inner reality of loss often intensifies emotional pain. As a psychotherapist, I want to name this experience clearly and compassionately: if the holidays are hard for you because of grief, you are not broken, ungrateful, or doing i

Adolescence is a period defined by profound change—physically, socially, emotionally, and psychologically. It’s a time when young people are asking some of life’s most fundamental questions: Who am I? Where do I belong? What feels true to me? For many adolescents today, this includes exploring questions about gender identity. From a psychotherapist’s perspective, gender identity exploration is not only developmentally normal, it can be an important part of a young person’s jo