A blog from Kind Therapy
Writing about therapy, relationships, and the things we carry.
Plain-language articles on couples therapy, anxiety, boundaries, grief, men’s issues, and online therapy — written by Robert Russell, AMFT, and the Kind Therapy team in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Articles are written to inform, not to diagnose.
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53 articles
PATH Groups: A Different Way to Experience Therapy and Connection
PATH Groups are small, therapist-led groups where people can better understand their emotional and relational patterns, experience genuine connection, and practice responding differently.
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You Want to Stop Watching Porn. So Why Do You Keep Going Back?
Maybe you’ve told yourself this was the last time. Maybe your spouse discovered your pornography use and you’ve seen firsthand how much it hurt them. Maybe nobody knows, but you’re tired of hiding…
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How to Repair Your Relationship With Your Child After Yelling
You yelled. You lost your patience. You said something more harshly than you intended. Maybe you saw your child’s face change immediately and thought, I shouldn’t have said that. Or maybe it wasn’t…
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“Who Started It?” Is Usually the Wrong Question: Understanding the Cycle That Keeps Couples Stuck
It usually sounds something like this: “I wouldn’t get angry if she would stop criticizing me.” And her response? “I wouldn’t criticize him if he would actually talk to me.” He says: “I’d talk to you…
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The Power of Group Therapy: Healing Through Connection
Discover how group therapy reduces isolation and builds lasting connection. Kind Therapy guides clients through shared struggles with Emotionally Focused.
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Why Men Wait Until Crisis to Seek Therapy
Discover why men delay therapy until things fall apart. Kind Therapy explores the roots of avoidance and how to recognize when professional support matters.
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Online Therapy and Anonymity: Fostering Deeper Change Through Private Virtual Sessions
In today’s fast-paced world, access to mental health support is more crucial than ever. Online therapy offers a uniquely private and comfortable solution, allowing individuals to engage with mental health support from the comfort and anonymity of their homes. This article will explore how online therapy functions, its benefits, and how its inherent privacy can … Read more
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What to Look for in an Online Therapist in Tennessee: Your Essential Guide Before Booking
Finding the right online therapist in Tennessee can be a daunting task, especially with the myriad of options available. This guide aims to simplify your search by outlining essential factors to consider before making a booking. You will learn about understanding therapeutic approaches, navigating costs, and identifying trusted platforms. Many individuals struggle with mental health … Read more
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Online Therapy in Tennessee: Who It’s For, How It Works, and More
Online therapy, also known as teletherapy or e-therapy, has emerged as a convenient and effective way to access mental health support. In Tennessee, this modern approach to therapy is gaining popularity, offering flexibility and accessibility to individuals across the state. This comprehensive guide will explore everything you need to know about online therapy in Tennessee, … Read more
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Effectiveness of Online Couples Therapy
Online couples therapy has emerged a viable alternative to traditional in-person counseling, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This article explores the effectiveness of online couples therapy, specifically for couples in Tennessee, and what they should know before embarking on this journey. The rapid adoption of teletherapy, particularly during the pandemic, has also … Read more
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Find the Best Marriage Counselors in Middle Tennessee Today
Find Your Ideal Marriage Counselor Choosing the right marriage counselor in Middle Tennessee starts with clear priorities and realistic expectations, whether you’re searching for couples therapy in Murfreesboro marriage therapist. This guide walks you through how to evaluate credentials, evidence-based approaches, local availability, and the practical logistics that affect outcomes. You’ll get a concise checklist … Read more
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Couples Therapy vs Individual Therapy: Which to Choose?
Couples or Individual Therapy: Find Your Fit Deciding between individual and couples therapy starts with a clear look at what each approach aims to change. Individual therapy centers on one person’s mental health, coping skills, life history, and behavior patterns. Couples therapy focuses on how partners relate to one another communication, conflict cycles, and shared … Read more
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Top Signs to Seek Couples Therapy in Murfreesboro Now
Recognize Relationship Distress Now Couples counseling is a guided, structured process where partners work with a trained therapist to improve communication, repair trust, and reconnect emotionally. This article outlines clear warning signs that you and your partner might benefit from therapy, explains how counseling helps, and offers practical next steps for getting support. Many couples … Read more
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Improve Your Marriage: Online Christian Counseling Solutions
Restore Connection in Marriage Frequent fights often signal deeper breaks in how partners relate – missed needs, poor listening, and blame loops can turn small disagreements into ongoing conflict. This guide lays out practical, evidence-informed communication moves you can try at home to lower argument frequency, rebuild trust, and reconnect. Read on to learn what … Read more
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Enhance Your Relationship with Murfreesboro Therapy Options
Rekindle Your Connection Together Couples therapy helps partners repair communication, rebuild trust, and restore emotional connection through focused, goal-oriented treatment that targets the interaction patterns causing distress. This guide explains how Murfreesboro couples therapy addresses common relationship problems, why Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is often a primary approach, what services are available locally, and practical … Read more
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Discover the Impact of Individual Therapy in Murfreesboro, TN
Transform Your Life with Therapy Individual therapy is a focused, one-on-one partnership where a trained clinician and a client work together to reduce distress, learn practical skills, and create lasting change. Research and clinical experience show that therapy helps by spotting unhelpful patterns, teaching evidence-based tools, and strengthening everyday coping so people see real improvements … Read more
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Strengthen Your Relationship with Murfreesboro Marriage Therapy
Transform Your Relationship with Kind Therapy At Kind Therapy we partner with couples who want clearer communication, rebuilt trust, and a renewed sense of connection. Using evidence-based couples counseling across Middle Tennessee, we focus on practical skills and measurable change. This page explains who benefits from couples therapy, how Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) works, which … Read more
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Essential Steps to a Strong Union: Find Local Counseling
Build a Stronger Marriage Together Premarital counseling is a focused, collaborative process where engaged couples meet with a therapist to build the habits and shared expectations that support a healthy marriage. Sessions concentrate on evidence-based areas communication, conflict repair, money management, intimacy, and family planning so couples enter marriage with clearer agreements and concrete tools. … Read more
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Signs You Need Marriage Counseling: Get Local Help Today
Recognize When to Seek Help It’s common to put off help until problems feel too big to handle. Marriage counseling, when used early, is a focused, time-limited process that helps couples reconnect and manage conflict before patterns become entrenched. This guide lays out the most common warning signs of relationship distress, practical advice on when … Read more
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Improve Your Marriage: Top Murfreesboro Therapy Options
Resolve Marriage Conflicts Effectively Conflict resolution in marriage means using clear, structured steps to handle disagreements, reduce escalation, and reconnect. Left unmanaged, recurring conflicts chip away at intimacy, raise stress, and slowly erode trust. This article lays out therapist-informed, practical strategies couples can use at home: better communication habits, ways to regulate emotion during arguments, … Read more
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Navigating Divorce and Co-Parenting Well: A Therapeutic Roadmap
Divorce is one of life’s most painful transitions—and when children are involved, the process can feel even more complex. At Kind Therapy in Murfreesboro, we specialize in helping couples move from conflict and confusion to clarity and collaboration. This therapeutic plan outlines how we help families navigate divorce while prioritizing emotional healing, stability, and child-centered … Read more
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Navigating Family and Relationship Tension This Holiday Season | Therapy in Murfreesboro, TN
Kind Therapy | Individual, Couples, and Family Counseling in Murfreesboro, Tennessee Preparing Emotionally for the Holidays The holidays are supposed to bring joy and togetherness—but for many people in Murfreesboro, TN, they also bring stress, tension, and emotional exhaustion. Family gatherings can reopen old wounds, highlight differences, or trigger patterns that make it hard to … Read more
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How Attachment Wounds Show Up in Our Intimate Relationships
Understanding the Roots of Our Relationship Patterns Every one of us carries an invisible blueprint for love — our attachment style. It forms in childhood through our earliest experiences of connection, comfort, and trust. When those early experiences are inconsistent, neglectful, or painful, we can develop attachment wounds — emotional injuries that quietly shape how … Read more
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Kind Therapy Marks One Year of Growth, Expands Focus on EFT-Informed Couples Counseling in Middle Tennessee
MURFREESBORO, Tenn., October 18, 2025 – /PressReleasePoint/ – Kind Therapy, a locally owned counseling practice founded by Robert Russell, AMFT, is celebrating its first year serving couples and individuals across Murfreesboro, Franklin, and the greater Middle Tennessee area. With offices in both cities, the practice has become known for its Emotionally Focused approach—helping couples move … Read more
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From Trauma and Fear to Paranoia: Understanding the Link and How to Heal
Unprocessed trauma and persistent fear can take a serious toll on our mental health. Many trauma survivors – including those with PTSD or complex trauma – struggle with hypervigilance (always being “on alert”) and even feelings of paranoia in their daily lives. In other words, the same survival instincts that once protected you can become … Read more
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Mindful Self-Compassion: A Path to Healing
Practicing self-compassion is more than just being kind to yourself—it’s an evidence-based way to support your mental health and emotional resilience. For therapy clients in Murfreesboro and beyond, learning mindful self-compassion techniques can be a transformative addition to the healing journey. In this article, we’ll explore what self-compassion is, why it matters for your mental … Read more
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Four Pathways to Emotional Renewal
How Kind Therapy helps you manage anxiety & depression, heal trauma & grief, grow self‑worth, and rediscover joy. Why write this post? Almost every new client who walks through our Kind Therapy doors in Murfreesboro arrives with one (or all) of these four care goals in mind: Below you’ll find a practical roadmap for each … Read more
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Is It Really Just Anxiety?
Understanding the Overlooked Impact of ADHD If you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, stuck in cycles of procrastination or burnout—and traditional strategies aren’t helping—there may be more going on beneath the surface. At our Murfreesboro counseling office, we regularly see individuals who come in for anxiety counseling, depression support, or relationship therapy, only to discover that undiagnosed … Read more
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Facing Marriage Problems? You’re Not Alone—And You’re Not Stuck.
At Kind Therapy, we’ve worked with countless couples in Murfreesboro and beyond who come to us saying, “We feel more like roommates than partners.” Others share, “It’s like we’re speaking different languages,” or, “We just don’t connect the way we used to.” If you’re reading this because something feels off in your relationship, we want … Read more
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Do We Need Couples Therapy? 7 Questions Murfreesboro Partners Should Ask
Every couple faces rough patches, but how do you know if you could truly benefit from couples therapy? If you and your partner in Murfreesboro have been struggling with your relationship, it’s wise to periodically check in on its health. Here are seven key questions to ask yourselves. Your answers can help you decide whether … Read more
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How Marriage Counseling Can Rekindle Connection
Every relationship goes through seasons of closeness and distance. If you and your partner have been feeling more like roommates than soulmates lately, you’re not alone. Over time, stress, miscommunication, and life changes can slowly chip away at the spark you once had. The good news is that marriage counseling in Murfreesboro can help rekindle … Read more
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5 Signs It’s Time to Start Therapy
It’s not always easy to know when to reach out for help. Many people hesitate to see a therapist, wondering if their struggles are “big enough” to warrant counseling. If you’re in Murfreesboro, TN and have found yourself searching for a therapist in Murfreesboro, TN or questioning whether therapy might make a difference, this post … Read more
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A Day in the Life with Boundaries: A Deep Dive into Chapter 16 of Boundaries
What Life Looks Like When You Finally Set Boundaries Imagine waking up and feeling calm instead of overwhelmed. Imagine moving through your day without resentment, guilt, or exhaustion—because you’ve learned to protect your time, energy, and peace. This isn’t a fantasy. This is what life looks like when you have healthy boundaries. In Chapter 16 … Read more
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How to Measure Success with Boundaries: A Deep Dive into Chapter 15 of Boundaries
Are Your Boundaries Actually Working? Here’s How to Tell. Setting boundaries is one thing. Maintaining them and seeing real change? That’s another. At first, you might doubt yourself. Maybe people are upset, relationships feel strained, or you even feel guilty for putting yourself first. But that doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re growing. In Chapter … Read more
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Resistance to Boundaries: A Deep Dive into Chapter 14 of Boundaries
Why People Push Back When You Set Boundaries—And How to Stand Firm So you’ve finally decided to set some boundaries—great! But then… the pushback starts. People guilt-trip, argue, or try to wear you down. Suddenly, setting boundaries feels harder than just saying yes. Sound familiar? In Chapter 14 of Boundaries, Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. … Read more
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Boundaries and God: A Deep Dive into Chapter 13 of Boundaries
Spiritual Boundaries: Freedom, Not Control For many people, faith and boundaries seem at odds. They’ve been told that loving God means saying yes to everything, that self-sacrifice is always the answer, or that setting limits is selfish. But here’s the truth: God created boundaries. He respects free will, holds people accountable, and calls us to … Read more
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Boundaries and Your Self: A Deep Dive into Chapter 12 of Boundaries
The Art of Saying No to Yourself We talk a lot about setting boundaries with other people—but what about the boundaries we set for ourselves? If you’ve ever struggled with self-discipline, self-care, or overcommitting, this chapter will hit home. In Chapter 12 of Boundaries, Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend dive into the power … Read more
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Boundaries and Work: A Deep Dive into Chapter 11 of Boundaries
Work is supposed to be challenging, fulfilling, and meaningful—but for many people, it’s also stressful, overwhelming, and boundaryless. From overcommitted schedules to unclear job expectations, a lack of boundaries in the workplace can lead to burnout, frustration, and even resentment. In Chapter 11 of Boundaries, Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend dive into how … Read more
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Boundaries and Your Children: A Deep Dive into Chapter 10 of Boundaries
Raising kids is a beautiful, exhausting, and often overwhelming journey. Parents want their children to grow into responsible, self-sufficient, and loving adults—but how do we make that happen? In Chapter 10 of Boundaries, Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend explain why teaching kids boundaries isn’t just a parenting technique—it’s essential for raising healthy, well-adjusted … Read more
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Boundaries and Your Spouse: A Deep Dive into Chapter 9 of Boundaries
Marriage is one of the most intimate relationships we’ll ever experience, but it’s also one where boundaries can easily blur. Love, commitment, and togetherness are essential—but what happens when one or both partners lose their sense of individuality? In Chapter 9 of Boundaries, Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend explore the importance of healthy … Read more
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Boundaries and Your Friends: A Deep Dive into Chapter 8 of Boundaries
Friendship should be a source of joy, support, and mutual care—but what happens when it becomes one-sided, exhausting, or full of hidden expectations? In Chapter 8 of Boundaries, Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend explore the role of boundaries in friendships—why we struggle to set them, what happens when we don’t, and how we … Read more
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Boundaries and Your Family: A Deep Dive into Chapter 7 of Boundaries
Family. They love us, support us, and know us better than anyone. But sometimes, they also guilt us, control us, or make us feel obligated in ways that leave us drained. In Chapter 7 of Boundaries, Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend explore why setting boundaries with family is so hard—and why it’s absolutely … Read more
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Common Myths About Boundaries: A Deep Dive into Chapter 6 of Boundaries
Setting boundaries isn’t just hard—it’s often misunderstood. Maybe you’ve been told that having limits means you’re selfish, or that true love means never saying no. But here’s the reality: these are myths that keep people stuck in burnout, resentment, and unhealthy relationships. In Chapter 6 of Boundaries, Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend break … Read more
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The 10 Laws of Boundaries: A Deep Dive into Chapter 5 of Boundaries
Ever feel like life is just happening to you? Like no matter how hard you try, you keep running into the same relational struggles—people overstepping, guilt creeping in, exhaustion setting up camp? Here’s the thing: boundaries work just like gravity—whether you know about them or not. In Chapter 5 of Boundaries, Dr. Henry Cloud and … Read more
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How Boundaries Are Developed: A Deep Dive into Chapter 4 of Boundaries
Ever wonder why setting boundaries feels so hard? Maybe you grew up in a home where saying no was met with guilt trips, or where your needs weren’t considered important. According to Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend, our ability to set and maintain boundaries is developed over time—starting in childhood. In Chapter 4 … Read more
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When Boundaries Go Wrong: Understanding Boundary Problems (Chapter 3 of Boundaries)
Ever felt like you’re either doing too much for others or feeling completely disconnected from people? Chances are, your boundaries are out of balance. In Chapter 3 of Boundaries, Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend break down four common boundary problemsthat cause stress, resentment, and emotional exhaustion. Let’s unpack them—and figure out how to … Read more
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What Does a Boundary Look Like? A Deep Dive into Chapter 2 of Boundaries
Ever had that moment when your phone buzzes, and you just know it’s someone asking for something you don’t have time or energy for? But instead of saying no, you respond with: “Sure, I can do that!” And just like that, you’ve added one more thing to your plate, even though your plate was already … Read more
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When Life Feels Out of Control: Why We Need Boundaries
We’ve all had days where we feel like we’re running on fumes. Days when the to-do list is endless, the phone won’t stop buzzing, and saying no feels impossible. That’s exactly where we meet Sherrie—the main character in Chapter 1 of Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend. Sherrie is a people-pleaser, over-giver, and chronic … Read more
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Marriage Beyond The Blur: Rediscovering Connection and Intimacy in Your Relationship
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy for marriages to get lost in the blur of daily life. Between work, family obligations, and personal responsibilities, couples often find themselves drifting apart, feeling disconnected and overwhelmed. This blog post is dedicated to helping couples move past the haze and rediscover the deep connection and intimacy that brought … Read more
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Making the Most Out of Therapy: Evidence-Based Advice for a Transformative Experience
Embarking on a journey of therapy can be one of the most rewarding decisions you make for your mental and emotional well-being. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or simply seeking personal growth, therapy offers a supportive environment to explore your thoughts and feelings. However, to truly maximize the benefits of therapy, there … Read more
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The Cost of Therapy
The Cost of Therapy: An Investment in Your Future Seeking therapy can feel like a significant financial commitment. However, investing in a qualified therapist is not just about addressing immediate mental health concerns; it’s about preventing far more costly consequences in the future. In conclusion, while the upfront cost of therapy might seem high, it’s … Read more
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Tighten the Knot
Techniques for a Stronger Marriage Marriage is a journey that sometimes requires a bit of navigational help. Couples therapy is a powerful tool for strengthening the bonds of matrimony. Here’s what it can offer: If you feel your marriage could benefit from such improvements, consider reaching out for couples therapy. It’s a proactive step towards … Read more
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When Therapy Works
Identifying a Good Therapist is about Finding the Right Match: Finding the right therapist is a crucial step in your mental health journey. Success is most likely when you feel your therapist is someone who aligns with your needs and personality. Here are five positive indicators of your ideal therapist: In summary, a good therapist … Read more
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Written to inform, not to label
These articles describe emotional, relational, and mental health experiences in plain language — what they can look like, what may be contributing, and what working on them in therapy can involve. They reflect how Kind Therapy thinks about care: no diagnosing from a distance, and an honest picture of what therapy actually asks of you.
Nothing here tells you what you have. Reading a description that feels familiar is useful information, and it is not the same as an assessment. Only an individual conversation with a qualified professional can do that.
Kind Therapy Guides provide general educational information about emotional, relational, and mental health topics. They are not intended to provide a diagnosis, establish a therapist-client relationship, or replace individualized evaluation or treatment from a qualified healthcare or mental health professional.
If you are in immediate danger or experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm, seek immediate assistance. In the United States, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or call 911 in an emergency.