Author name: Tara Amanna

A woman in therapy, engaged in discussion with a professional therapist.
OCD

The “Just Right” Trap: How OCD Can Make You Feel Like Something is Always Off

OCD

We live in a world that often praises perfection. We’re told that being “particular” is a strength and that having high standards is the key to success. But for many of my clients, the drive for things to be perfect isn’t a choice—it’s a relentless, exhausting requirement. It isn’t about being neat or tidy; it is a deep, internal ache that tells you something is “off” until it is corrected. This experience is often referred […]

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teens

When “Doing Your Best” Feels Like It’s Never Enough

teens

As a parent or a student, you know the feeling all too well. It’s the heavy silence that hangs in the car after a test grade comes back, or the late-night tears over a math assignment that seems impossible to finish. There is a paralyzing fear for many young people today that one “B” will somehow unravel their entire future. If you are a teenager feeling this pressure, I want you to know that I

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OCD

OCD and Perfectionism: How ERP Therapy Can Help You Break the Cycle

OCD

If you struggle with OCD and perfectionism, you may feel like your mind is constantly demanding more from you. Things don’t just need to be done.  They need to be done perfectly. You might find yourself rechecking, overthinking, or redoing tasks until they feel “just right.” And even then, the relief doesn’t last long. This isn’t simply about having high standards. OCD and perfectionism are driven by anxiety and a deep discomfort with uncertainty. Your

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social anxiety

How CBT and Exposure Therapy Can Help You Break Free from Social Anxiety

social anxiety

If you’re dealing with social anxiety, you probably already know how exhausting it can be.   You may find yourself overthinking conversations before they even happen to make sure everything sounds okay and that no one will judge you or become upset.  You constantly replay conversations, especially if you get a sense that someone judged you or you said something wrong.  Sometimes you may avoid social situations all together so that you do not feel any

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Anxiety

The Emotional Cost of Masking Anxiety in Daily Life

Anxiety

Many people living with anxiety become experts at hiding it. They show up to work, attend social events, and carry out daily responsibilities while quietly struggling inside. Masking anxiety allows someone to appear calm and capable even when they are overwhelmed.  And often times when that person is alone, the mask is off, and they silently struggle. While masking can sometimes help people navigate stressful situations, constantly hiding anxiety can come with a significant emotional

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OCD

Harm OCD: Why Violent Thoughts Don’t Make You Dangerous

OCD

Many people feel frightened the first time they experience violent or disturbing thoughts. Thoughts about harming someone, losing control, or doing something terrible can make someone question their character or morality. For people struggling with Harm OCD, these experiences can be especially distressing. However, understanding what these thoughts actually mean is an important step toward reducing fear and stigma. What Is Harm OCD? Harm OCD is a subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder that involves intrusive fears

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OCD

Using Humor To Help Loosen the Grip of OCD Thoughts

OCD

If you live with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), you know that your brain can be a bit of an overzealous alarm system. It takes a tiny, “what if” seed and grows it into a full-scale psychological thriller before you’ve even finished your morning coffee. When you’re caught in a cycle of intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, life feels heavy, rigid, and quite frankly exhausting. But what if I told you that one of the most effective

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Anxiety

Anxiety: Practices to Help Untangle Fear From Fact

Anxiety

Anxiety has a powerful way of blurring the line between what might happen and what is actually happening. If you struggle with generalized anxiety, you probably know this feeling well. Your mind moves quickly.  It scans for danger, predicting outcomes, replaying conversations, and preparing for worst-case scenarios. Even when there isn’t clear evidence of a problem, your body can react as if something is wrong. The heart races. Muscles tense. Sleep becomes harder. And over

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OCD, Uncategorized

Utilizing ERP and ACT Techniques for OCD Therapy

OCD, Uncategorized

Living with OCD can be exhausting in ways that are hard to put into words. You may feel trapped in your own mind, caught between intense anxiety and an urgent need to feel “certain” or “safe.” You might know that what you’re doing doesn’t truly help in the long run, yet stopping feels impossible or even frightening. Many people with OCD worry they will be misunderstood, judged, or pushed too quickly. If that’s been your

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Anxiety

CBT for Anxiety

Anxiety

Anxiety.  Endless hours of worrying that can so easily consume you every single day.  Anxiety is draining.  It makes you tired, but then you cannot sleep because your brain won’t shut down.  It makes you irritable and sometimes completely sick to your stomach.  Your thoughts may race with “what ifs,” and even simple daily tasks can feel overwhelming.  Anxiety is like that annoying little gnat that we can never get rid of.  Or at least