Blog – Medens Health

What to Do When the Therapeutic Relationship Breaks Down

Therapy is meant to be a space where you feel supported, understood, and empowered to work through challenges. At the heart of this process is the therapeutic alliance—the bond between you and your therapist. But what happens when that bond starts to weaken? If you’re struggling in your therapeutic relationship, you have options.

Erin Kerns Vazquez

March 20, 2025

Understanding Trauma Bonding

When you think about strong emotional bonds, you might picture deep love, loyalty, and trust. Unfortunately, these intense connections can also be built on cycles of mistreatment. This is the reality of trauma bonding—a psychological attachment that forms in toxic relationships, keeping people trapped in harmful dynamics.

Erin Kerns Vazquez

March 13, 2025

When Do Triggers Cross the Line? Understanding Personal Responsibility in Healing

Emotional triggers are a natural part of being human. When we experience something that reminds us of past pain or trauma, it can activate an intense emotional reaction—sometimes one that feels overwhelming. But what happens when our response to triggers starts to shift from managing our own reactions to expecting others to change their behavior to avoid triggering us?

Erin Kerns Vazquez

March 6, 2025

What to Do When You’re Being Invalidated

Have you ever opened up about something important to you, only to hear “You’re too sensitive,” “That’s not a big deal,” or “You’re overreacting”? If so, you’ve experienced invalidation—when someone dismisses, minimizes, or rejects your feelings instead of acknowledging them.

Erin Kerns Vazquez

February 27, 2025

Living on the Outside: When Someone Cuts You Out of Their Life

Few things are as painful and confusing as realizing someone you care about has cut you out of their life. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or romantic partner, being shut out with little or no explanation can leave you feeling lost, hurt, and searching for answers.

Erin Kerns Vazquez

February 20, 2025

Intuition vs. Anxiety: How to Know the Difference

Both intuition and anxiety can send strong emotional signals, and if you have a history of overthinking or past trauma, it can be even harder to know which one to trust. If you’ve ever wondered whether to trust your gut or challenge your thoughts, this guide is for you.

Erin Kerns Vazquez

February 13, 2025

The Impact of Hormones on Mental Health

Most people associate hormones with physical changes like puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. But hormones can fluctuate at any point in our lives, and they play a crucial role in our mental health.

Erin Kerns Vazquez

February 6, 2025

How to Break Free From Guilt and Shame

Have you ever replayed a mistake over and over in your mind, feeling like you can’t move past it? Or maybe you’ve caught yourself thinking, “I’m such a failure” after something goes wrong. These feelings are familiar to many people, and they fall into two distinct categories—guilt and shame. Many people carry these heavy emotions long after the moment has passed, leading to anxiety, depression, and self-doubt.

Erin Kerns Vazquez

January 30, 2025