Clairville Therapy Group

No one talks enough about how becoming a mother can feel like losing parts of yourself. Maybe your creativity, friendships, confidence, or body feel distant. You’re still you, but parts have gone quiet. This isn’t about regret. It’s about grief,  the quiet, unspoken kind. Grief for the freedom you once had. Grief for the version of you who wasn’t always thinking ten steps ahead for someone else. Grief for spontaneity, rest, even boredom. Motherhood Can Be Beautiful and Overwhelming You can love your child deeply and miss your old self. You can be grateful and exhausted, fulfilled and unseen, all at once. These truths don’t cancel each other out. They live side by side. But when we don't acknowledge them, shame grows in the silence. The Pressure to Be "Everything" There’s a cultural pressure to lose yourself in motherhood, to be endlessly selfless, constantly available, and grateful at all times. This can leave little space for your own needs, identity, or g...

 Not all anxiety looks like rapid breathing or spiraling thoughts. In women, it often shows up as: – Over-preparing for everything – People-pleasing to avoid conflict – Trouble sleeping even when exhausted – Avoiding decisions or social plans You might appear “high-functioning” on the outside, but feel tense and overwhelmed inside. Therapy can help you understand your patterns and create room to breathe again. 🌀 Journal Prompt: What part of your anxiety do others rarely see—but impacts you the most? www.clairvilletherapygroup.com

In many couples, one person tends to retreat while the other pushes harder to connect. It’s not a character flaw, it’s a dance rooted in attachment. This dynamic can feel frustrating and lonely for both people. The pursuer feels ignored. The withdrawer feels overwhelmed. At Clairville Therapy Group, we help couples understand and shift these patterns so both people feel safe and seen. 🌀 Try This Together: Pause an argument and ask, “What do you need right now to feel calmer with me?” www.clairvilletherapygroup.com

It’s easy to blame yourself when you’re irritable, unfocused, or withdrawing from loved ones. But often, the “problem” is prolonged stress, and your nervous system is doing its best to cope. Chronic stress can look like: – Reactivity in your relationship – Forgetting simple things – Feeling numb or shut down – Constant fatigue, even after sleep If this resonates, know that your body is not betraying you. It’s protecting you. Therapy can help you reset your stress responses and reclaim calm. 🌀 Reflection Prompt: What small signals has your body been sending that you might be overlooking? www.clairvilletherapygroup.com

Sundays can bring up a mix of dread, pressure, or the urge to overhaul everything. But healing happens in rhythm not extremes. Here are 3 simple rituals to build into your Sunday: Mental Check-In: How am I feeling physically, emotionally, and socially? Gratitude Debrief: Share one small thing that brought comfort this week with your partner or journal. 5-Minute Reset: Tidy one small area, stretch, or go outside. These aren’t fixes, they’re foundations. When you show up gently for yourself, you build a life that’s sustainable, not just productive. 🌙 Today’s Invitation: Choose one ritual and make it yours. www.clairvilletherapygroup.com

Struggling to do things that “should” be easy? That’s not laziness it’s often a nervous system in overdrive. Anxiety, depression, trauma, and burnout can all show up as: Brain fog Low motivation Shame for not doing “more” Instead of pushing through, try asking: “What would this look like if it felt 10% easier?” Therapy can help you understand your patterns and build habits that don’t rely on willpower alone. 🌿 Micro-Goal: Pick one thing today that feels doable. Celebrate completing it—even if it’s just brushing your teeth. www.clairvilletherapygroup.com

Some couples fight often. Others never raise their voices but feel miles apart. Both are signs something’s stuck. Conflict-avoidance isn’t peace. It’s often: Fear of being rejected. Belief that “talking makes it worse.” A childhood pattern of walking on eggshells. We all carry attachment styles from early relationships that shape how we relate now. Therapy helps couples understand these dynamics and find new ways to connect—even during conflict. 💬 Ask Yourself: “Am I expressing my needs, or hoping my partner reads my mind?” www.clairvilletherapygroup.com

Do you ever feel like no matter how much you do, it’s never quite “enough”? That’s perfectionism talking and it’s exhausting. Perfectionism isn’t always about high standards. Sometimes it looks like: Procrastination because starting feels overwhelming. Constant self-doubt. Difficulty resting, even when you're tired. Perfectionism often develops from early experiences of needing to achieve to feel safe, accepted, or valued. In therapy, we explore where these patterns began and how to loosen their grip. We practice shifting from perfection to presence. 🌱 Today’s Practice: Choose one task to do “good enough”—then walk away. Let that be a win. www.clairvilletherapygroup.com

  Postpartum Mental Health: Beyond the Baby Blues The early days after giving birth are often painted as joyful and glowing. But for many women, they’re messy, exhausting, and lonely. You may feel: Sad or anxious without knowing why. Overwhelmed by intrusive thoughts. Detached from your baby or yourself. These aren’t signs that you’re a bad mother—they’re signs that you’re struggling, and that’s okay. Postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are real, treatable, and common. You deserve support that meets you with compassion, not judgment. Therapy can help you reconnect to yourself and find steadier ground. 🤱 Reminder: You’re not failing. You’re human. And you don’t have to do this alone. www.clairvilletherapygroup.com

  "You're Not Hearing Me!" — Fixing the Disconnect in Couple Communication "You're Not Hearing Me!"  Fixing the Disconnect in Couple Communication Most couples don’t struggle because they don’t love each other. They struggle because they don’t feel understood . Common reasons communication breaks down: Listening to respond, not to understand. Making assumptions. Letting unresolved resentment build up. A powerful tool you can try is the “I feel, I need” script: “I feel [emotion] when [situation], and I need [specific need].” Example: “I feel overwhelmed when I’m the only one handling bedtime. I need us to talk about sharing this routine.” It sounds simple—but it shifts conversations from blame to collaboration. 🗣️ Try This Tonight: Use the script in a low-stakes conversation. It builds emotional muscle over time.

 Not Just Tired: Recognizing Burnout in Women Many women are juggling full-time jobs, caregiving responsibilities, emotional labour in relationships, and trying to keep it all together. It’s no wonder burnout shows up, but often, it doesn’t look like what you’d expect. Instead of feeling “exhausted,” you might feel: Irritable over small things. Detached from people or things you used to enjoy. Guilty for not doing “enough.” Unmotivated but constantly busy. Burnout in women often flies under the radar because we push through. But rest isn’t weakness—it's repair. Therapy can help you understand where your energy is going, what’s depleting you, and how to set boundaries that protect your peace.

By  Yolanda Testani, RP | Clairville Therapy Group Relationships are meant to bring us joy, connection, and support. However, for some, the thought of navigating a relationship can trigger feelings of anxiety. Relationship anxiety can manifest in many ways — from worrying about your partner’s feelings towards you to constantly questioning the stability of the relationship. If you’re experiencing relationship anxiety, you’re not alone. It’s a common struggle that many people face, but the good news is that it’s something you can manage and overcome with the right tools and support. What is Relationship Anxiety? Relationship anxiety is the feeling of unease or worry within a romantic relationship. It often involves fear of rejection, fear of abandonment, or excessive worry about how the relationship is progressing. This anxiety can occur during the early stages of dating or even in long-term relationships. Some people with relationship anxiety may feel like they’re walking on eg...

By Yolanda Testani, RP | Clairville Therapy Group Boundaries are an essential part of maintaining healthy relationships, but they’re often overlooked or misunderstood. Many people think of boundaries as something negative — walls that push people away — but in reality, boundaries are protective measures that allow us to take care of ourselves while maintaining positive, respectful connections with others. In relationships, whether they’re with a partner, family members, or friends, boundaries help you preserve your mental health, foster mutual respect, and create space for personal growth. What Are Boundaries? Boundaries are limits we set for ourselves and others to protect our emotional, physical, and mental well-being. They define what we are comfortable with and what we are not, helping us to communicate our needs, desires, and limitations clearly. Boundaries are not about controlling others but rather about taking responsibility for your own needs and respecting the needs of t...

  By Yolanda Testani, RP | Clairville Therapy Group Becoming a mother is one of life’s most profound and transformative experiences. But for some new moms, it also brings a heavy emotional burden. Postpartum depression (PPD) is a condition that affects many women after childbirth, and it can feel isolating and overwhelming. If you’re experiencing PPD, you’re not alone, and there is help available. Understanding what postpartum depression is, how to recognize the signs, and how to seek support can help new moms regain their sense of self and well-being. What is Postpartum Depression? Postpartum depression is more than just “baby blues.” While the baby blues are a temporary feeling of sadness or mood swings that many new moms experience in the first few weeks after birth, postpartum depression is more severe and lasts longer — often for several months. PPD is a medical condition that can affect a mother’s ability to care for herself and her baby. It’s characterized by persistent...

By Yolanda Testani, RP | Clairville Therapy Group Every relationship faces challenges, whether it’s navigating big life changes, dealing with disagreements, or coping with external stressors. Emotional resilience is what allows couples to weather these storms together without falling apart. It’s the ability to stay connected, adapt, and grow stronger, even when life gets tough. But how do you build emotional resilience in your relationship? What is Emotional Resilience in Relationships? Emotional resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks, handle stress in healthy ways, and maintain a positive outlook even when faced with adversity. In relationships, it’s about being able to navigate conflict, setbacks, and difficult emotions while still maintaining a strong bond with your partner. Resilient couples are able to face challenges together, learn from their experiences, and emerge stronger. They don’t avoid or deny their emotions, but instead, they work through them in a c...

By Yolanda Testani, RP | Clairville Therapy Group You might look like you have it all together on the outside. You’re getting things done, managing your responsibilities, and keeping up with the demands of work, family, and life. But inside, you feel like you're running on empty, constantly worried, and overwhelmed. This is the experience of high-functioning anxiety — when you’re outwardly successful and seem to be managing everything, but the internal pressure is taking a toll on your mental and physical health. What is High-Functioning Anxiety? High-functioning anxiety is a form of anxiety where someone is able to maintain outward appearances of competence and stability, but internally they’re battling constant worry, fear, and self-doubt. It’s the feeling of being on edge, even when you appear calm and collected to others. While this form of anxiety might not be as easily recognized as more traditional anxiety (where someone may appear visibly anxious or withdrawn), it can ...

By Yolanda Testani, RP | Clairville Therapy Group You’ve probably seen the “love languages” quiz circulating on social media or heard it mentioned in conversations. But while it’s fun to find out if you’re a Words of Affirmation person or a Physical Touch person, the real magic of love languages lies in how you apply this understanding in your day-to-day life and relationships. If you and your partner are speaking different love languages, it can lead to misunderstandings, frustrations, and unmet needs. But if you can learn to speak each other’s love language, it can transform your relationship. What Are the 5 Love Languages? According to Dr. Gary Chapman’s popular theory, there are five primary ways people give and receive love: Words of Affirmation This love language involves verbal expressions of love, praise, and appreciation. Compliments, kind words, and encouragement are key. Acts of Service For people with this love language, actions speak louder than words. Small ...

By Yolanda Testani, RP | Clairville Therapy Group As a mom, there’s a good chance you’ve experienced that familiar pang of guilt. Whether you’re feeling like you're not doing enough for your kids, your partner, or yourself, mom guilt can feel overwhelming and unrelenting. But here’s the truth: Mom guilt isn’t a sign of failure, it’s a natural part of parenting. And while it may never fully disappear, you can learn to manage it so it doesn’t control your life. Why Does Mom Guilt Happen? Mom guilt can arise for many reasons, but it often comes down to expectations — both external and internal. Here are a few common sources: The Pressure to Be Perfect The world (and social media) often holds up an ideal of what it means to be a “perfect” mom. You might feel like you need to juggle everything — a successful career, a spotless home, and well-behaved kids — but that’s simply not realistic. Society’s Expectations There’s a cultural expectation that moms should always be selfle...

By Yolanda Testani, RP | Clairville Therapy Group It’s 3 p.m., and you’re still feeling like you haven’t had a break. You’re working through lunch, answering emails in your free time, and juggling home responsibilities too. You tell yourself it’s just a busy week — but deep down, you’re not sure if it’s stress or something more serious. If you’ve been feeling mentally and physically drained for a while, it’s important to know the difference between stress and burnout. Stress vs. Burnout: What’s the Difference? While stress is a natural response to pressure, burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. Stress often feels like a temporary feeling of being overwhelmed. You may feel anxious, on edge, or pressured — but you still have energy to manage and get things done. Burnout , on the other hand, is chronic. It’s when stress becomes all-consuming, leading to feelings of hopelessness, depletion, and a lack of motivation to do any...

By Yolanda Testani, RP | Clairville Therapy Group You’ve probably heard the phrase “mental load,” but what does it really mean? And why, no matter how much help you get, do you still feel exhausted? If you’re juggling work, kids, chores, social events, and everything in between, the mental load is likely wearing you down — even if your partner helps out with some of the physical tasks. What Is the Mental Load? The mental load is the invisible work of thinking about what needs to be done — remembering, planning, and anticipating. It’s the mental checklist that never seems to stop running in the background of your mind. It’s not just about doing things, it’s about noticing them, thinking ahead, and keeping everything together . For example: You’re not just doing laundry; you’re tracking what’s clean, what’s needed, and when the kids’ clothes will fit. You’re not just cooking dinner; you’re planning meals, grocery lists, and when everyone will eat. You’re not just taking ...

By Yolanda Testani, RP | Clairville Therapy Group Infertility is not just a medical condition — it’s an emotional and relational earthquake. Each month can bring a wave of hope, disappointment, grief, and isolation. And yet, for many women and couples, these experiences unfold in silence, behind closed doors, often without the support they truly need. The Grief No One Talks About Infertility is full of losses that don’t always get acknowledged: The loss of the “easy” path to parenthood The loss of time, money, energy, and control The loss of how you imagined this part of your life would go And sometimes, the loss of pregnancies, embryos, or potential futures This grief is real. And it’s valid — even when others don’t understand it or try to minimize it with phrases like “just relax” or “it’ll happen when it’s meant to.” The Strain on Mental Health and Relationships Infertility can affect your identity, your sense of self-worth, and your connection with your partner...

By Yolanda Testani, RP | Clairville Therapy Group Therapy isn’t just for “when things fall apart.” It’s for the quiet struggles , the stuck feelings, the inner voice that says, “I don’t feel like myself anymore.” Whether you’re an overwhelmed parent, a couple stuck in the same argument, or a woman quietly carrying the weight of anxiety or grief — therapy can help you feel less alone and more like you again. Signs It Might Be Time to Reach Out You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. But here are a few common reasons people seek support: You feel burnt out, anxious, or emotionally drained You’re having the same fight over and over in your relationship You’ve gone through a major life transition (loss, baby, separation, health challenges) You’re feeling stuck in patterns you don’t know how to change You’re tired of pretending everything’s okay If something’s interfering with your peace, your self-worth, or your connection with others — that’s enough...

B y Yolanda Testani, RP | Clairville Therapy Group You love your partner. You love your kids. But somewhere between nap schedules, snack negotiations, and endless to-do lists… you lost each other. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. So many couples find that after becoming parents, their relationship feels like it’s running in the background — necessary, but neglected. What Happens After Kids Parenthood changes everything: identity, routines, priorities, sleep, and sex. You shift from being partners to teammates running a small (chaotic) operation. The emotional space that used to be just for the two of you is now filled with logistics and caregiving. Some common changes couples experience after kids: Less intimacy and affection More conflict over parenting, chores, or time Feeling more like roommates than romantic partners Resentment around unequal emotional or physical labour None of this means your relationship is broken. It just means it needs care — an...