Hot take: the least interesting thing about you is your body. In my latest blog, I share why body comments - yes, even the ‘nice’ ones - can do more harm than good, and what to say instead. I also share why body comments aren’t harmless, how they can impact mental health, and what you can say instead to create spaces that truly feel safe and supportive.
Parenting with love sometimes slips into micromanaging. This post explores why we try to control, how it impacts kids, and simple ways to step back without stepping away — so your child builds confidence while knowing you’re still their safe place.
Influencing can look dreamy — brand deals, big followings, creative freedom — but the pressure to perform is real. This post unpacks perfectionism, comparison culture, and burnout in young adults, and offers simple steps for balance, boundaries, and support so life offline feels as full as your feed.
Two women, one family, and a whole lot of unspoken rules. If you want a healthy mother/daughter in law relationship, you are not alone — this bond is tender, layered, and totally workable. Here’s a grounded, step-by-step guide from a Newport Beach LMFT with over 20 years of experience supporting Orange County families.
A perfection-seeking partner isn’t trying to make life hard — they’re wrestling with deep fears of failure and judgment. This post shows you how to meet that anxiety with curiosity, protect your own peace through clear boundaries, and build a partnership where both of you feel understood.
A romantic moment at a Coldplay concert turned into a viral betrayal — but the real story is emotional disconnection, something many couples quietly face. In this post, I explore how relationships unravel over time, why affairs often begin long before they’re visible, and how therapy can help couples rebuild connection.
When you begin showing up more authentically in your family relationships, something beautiful happens. Your vulnerability gives others permission to be vulnerable too. Your acceptance of imperfection creates space for everyone to relax and be themselves. Your willingness to prioritize connection over perfection models healthy relationship skills for your children.
Too busy to feel? Learn how avoiding emotions hides behind packed schedules — and how therapy can help you slow down, check in, and start feeling again.
If you’re a young adult struggling with perfectionism, you’re not alone. That pressure to be flawless, to have everything figured out, to always be “on” – it’s a heavy load to carry. And while striving for excellence can be a beautiful thing, perfectionism can slowly drain the joy and meaning from your life.
As a couples therapist, I see the same patterns over and over again — partners arguing about the thing, when the thing isn’t the problem. In my latest blog, I explain the deeper emotional drivers of conflict and what actually helps couples repair. If you’re ready for deeper, more effective conversations in your relationship, I’m here to help. Learn more @shelbycastile.com ~♡
