How does one become more mindful? In a fast-paced, demanding world, it can feel almost impossible to slow down or make room for one more thing.

I like to think of mindfulness the same way you would entering any new space: through a doorway. Finding a doorway into the present moment, through which you begin slowing things down.

Romantic fiction isn't going anywhere: It's projected to remain at the top in annual book sales. What role can romance books play in individuals' and couples' ideas about love and relationships? And how can we address their potential pitfalls?

As an avid reader of romance and a couples therapist, the answers to these questions can be delicate and nuanced.

In Austin, many of the adults we work with at Wild Oak Therapy are high-functioning professionals, parents, caregivers, and leaders. From the outside, life looks stable. Successful, even. But inside? There’s anxiety, irritability, grief that hasn’t had room to breathe, a nervous system that rarely feels settled.

When conflict escalates between parents, children often become the emotional container for what adults cannot metabolize. They absorb tension. They sense loyalty binds. They internalize what was never meant for them. And as a result, they suffer quietly. So let’s talk about what kids need the most during a divorce.

Grief is supposed to come in waves, soften with time, maybe follow linear stages, and eventually make room for “closure.” At least, that’s what many of us are taught. But for a lot of people, grief doesn’t follow that script at all. Instead, it shows up sideways—years later, in ways that are confusing, uncomfortable, and easy to judge yourself for. If you’ve ever thought, “I should be over this by now,” you’re not alone and you’re not doing grief wrong.