Erica Basso, LMFT

Ask A Therapist: I'd Love Help on Processing Some of My Partner's Behavior

Exploring the differences in emotional maturity between partners. 

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Licensed Therapists share their mental health tools, insights, and answers to a wide variety of mental health topics in weekly blogs and interviews. The Frame blog also features mental health advocates sharing their therapy journeys because every story is worth talking about. Frame is here to listen. 

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Dear Therapist: &nbsp;I’m happy in my relationship but I don't love everything about him - he treats me really well, but he has fights with friends and never seems to want to be the bigger person (i.e. ignoring them at parties, texting them rude messages). I don’t know how much this bothers me, as I can usually see and agree with his anger, just not how he handles it.
<a href="https://client.tryframe.com/therapists/818" rel="noopener" target="_blank" style="color: #ff6943;">Frame Therapist Erica Basso weighs in…</a> I’m hearing that you are overall happy in your relationship, although you are noticing a pattern of behavior from your partner that seems to raise some concern for you and you’re not sure the extent to which this bothers you. I’m wondering if you’re also seeing a difference in the level of emotional maturity between you and your partner and how that may bleed into parts of your relationship that directly affects your bond as a couple. The length of your relationship may be helpful to consider here. I am curious how long you’ve been with your partner or how long you’ve known him for. Is this a new behavior or something that you have witnessed before? If this is a newer relationship, often couples have a period of being on their “best behavior” - treating their partner well, but after some time other parts of their personality that they have kept ‘hidden’ tend to come out. Could this possibly be what you are seeing now? In addition, could your partner be struggling with his mental health and that could explain his behavior towards his friends?
I’d encourage you to reflect on what happens internally when you see your partner responding to situations with friends in this manner. What thoughts or feelings arise for you? Do you experience any physical sensations in the body? Does he remind you of anyone from your past? It would be useful to consider how you as a couple generally hash out disagreements or fights together. Are the conversations effective, where both you and him are heard by each other? If there is no conflict, reflect on why that may be. While conflict is normal and can be a healthy part of relationship building, it’s all about how respectful it is done.
As referred to above, individuals in a couple relationship can have varying degrees of emotional maturity. How have you talked about this with your partner before? We can validate others’ feelings, but not the behaviors they exhibit. Is he able to express more vulnerable feelings in regards to fights with his friends? What do disagreements with his friends signify for him? This may open up dialogue to access more information on his emotional maturity levels and what is leading to his behaviors.
You mentioned he treats you well and you are happy, but you don’t love everything about him. It is normal not to love every part of our partners, yet still be in a healthy relationship. We’re all human and evolving at different rates, afterall. Emotional intelligence is definitely a skill that is learned. I’d encourage you to identify whether or not you both share the same values and what his behavior could possibly mean down the road if it never changed. Would it eventually change how you see him or respect him? These are important questions to identify just how much this is important to you. I hope that helps.
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About the therapist: Erica Basso is a Licensed Marriage &amp; Family Therapist practicing statewide in California. She helps guide women in overcoming anxiety, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome. Learn more about Erica, and how to get in touch, by visiting <a href="https://client.tryframe.com/therapists/818" rel="noopener" target="_blank" style="color: #ff6943;">her Frame profile here.</a>&nbsp;
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Dear Therapist: &nbsp;I’m happy in my relationship but I don't love everything about him - he treats me really well, but he has fights with friends and never seems to want to be the bigger person (i.e. ignoring them at parties, texting them rude messages). I don’t know how much this bothers me, as I can usually see and agree with his anger, just not how he handles it.

https://8349570.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/8349570/Image%20Templates%20%2856%29.png

Dear Therapist: &nbsp;I’m happy in my relationship but I don't love everything about him - he treats me really well, but he has fights with friends and never seems to want to be the bigger person (i.e. ignoring them at parties, texting them rude messages). I don’t know how much this bothers me, as I can usually see and agree with his anger, just not how he handles it.

Alex Pack, LMFT

11 Tips to Boost Your Mental Health

When we have limited power over “things” that affect our mental health, sometimes we need to focus our attention on what we can control. Here are 11 tips and strategies for better mental health. 

As we enter Summer 2022, there’s an understandable need for tips and strategies for better mental health. Just for starters, we’ve hit two years of a global pandemic, and now Californians are monitoring warfare in Europe. When we have limited power over “things” that affect our mental health, sometimes we need to focus our attention on what we can control. With that in mind, here is a list of 11 tips to boost your mental health.

<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Sleep: Sleep helps our body and mind recover, which we need in order to live healthy lives. We should be mindful of any changes in our sleep patterns (i.e. sleeping more than usual or sleeping less than usual). Sleep can act as a mirror - it can reflect our mood, stress, and anxiety levels. Tip: If you’re having difficulty falling or staying asleep, instead of trying to force yourself to sleep, consider getting out of bed and doing something soothing before returning to bed. </li>
<li>Exercise: I recognize that there are different factors that affect one’s ability to exercise. However, I think it’s still important to mention the benefits of exercise on our mental health. Even light aerobic exercise (like a walk around the neighborhood) can help reduce levels of stress hormones and increase natural “happy chemicals” in our brain, which can help improve our mood and make our experience of stress feel more manageable. </li>
<li>Diet: Just to be clear, diet does not equal “dieting”. Diet literally refers to the food we eat. The kinds of food we eat, as well as the amount of food, affects our mental wellbeing. Food gives us vital nutrients that we need to survive. This is a big reason why food insecurity is a huge deal, but that’s for a larger conversation. Be mindful of any changes in appetite (i.e. is it bigger or smaller than usual). This is another way our body gives us more information regarding our mood, stress, and anxiety levels. </li>
<li>Social Support: The pandemic has disrupted the way in which most of us receive social support from friends, family members, loved ones, and other communities we are a part of. Humans are social beings - we need to feel connected to something other than ourselves. Isolation is one of the most common threats to mental wellbeing. Reaching out to people for support requires courage, but social support is incredibly important. If you’re struggling to feel connected, you can search for local support groups via websites like Mental Health America and NAMI. </li>
<li>Boundaries: Just as I stressed the importance of social support and connection, we also need to talk about boundaries. Boundaries essentially help us protect our self-worth, emotional wellbeing, and our relationships. They are necessary for healthy relationships with friends, loved ones, family members, and work. Boundary setting can be difficult for many of us, but remember that they are not selfish or mean. They are fundamental to healthy relationships and a healthy life. </li>
<li>Limiting Media Intake: In 2022, you can get the news through your television, computer, tablet, phone… heck, even your watch. Staying informed is okay, but be mindful of the impact on your mental health. Finding a healthy balance is key. </li>
<li>Mindfulness: More people are using mindfulness and meditation than ever before - and for good reason. For decades, empirical evidence suggests that a mindfulness practice can help reduce anxiety and stress. Mindfulness teaches us how to relate to our feelings and thoughts in a less judgmental and reactive way. Thus making it easier to be present, more grounded, and more connected. Check out several guided mindfulness meditations on tryframe.com.&nbsp; </li>
<li>Journaling: Journaling allows our thoughts, feelings, worries, and concerns to live somewhere else other than our mind. Sometimes our internal world can feel like a big tangled mess, and journaling can help us detangle things in a way that feels more manageable. You can start by writing in a notebook or simply just opening up a note on your phone - whatever works best for you. </li>
<li>Tiny Steps Technique: Accomplishing tasks when we’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious can be really challenging. With the tiny steps technique, you start by choosing a task and breaking it down into not just small, but tiny steps. For example, let’s say I want to go for a jog. Tiny steps could look something like: 1) Grab my running shoes from the closet 2) Take out my workout clothes 3) Drink some water and so on. It might seem silly, but this technique can be massively effective when we’re feeling overwhelmed. </li>
<li>Empathy: Empathy is one of the most powerful tools a person can use. It is our ability to understand how and why others feel the way they do. What we are starting to understand more and more is that our ability to understand others also helps us have empathy and compassion for ourselves. Talk about a win-win. </li>
<li>Small moments of joy: With everything that’s going on in the world and everything that you have been through over the past two years, the little things in life that bring you joy make a world of difference. Maybe it’s that morning cup of coffee, or the sitcom you watch before bed, or some weird thing your pet does… whatever it is, take a moment to pause next time and appreciate the joy you feel.</li>
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--- About the author: <a href="https://client.tryframe.com/therapists/568" rel="noopener" target="_blank" style="font-weight: bold; color: #ff6943;">Alex Pack</a> is a licensed marriage and family therapist based in Los Angeles. He works with anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship problems, as well as building self-esteem and developing a healthier sense of self. He believes that through collaborative work, healing is possible. You can connect with Alex directly via <a href="https://client.tryframe.com/therapists/568" rel="noopener" target="_blank" style="color: #ff6943;">his Frame Therapy profile here</a>. Reach out to schedule a free intro call.&nbsp;

As we enter Summer 2022, there’s an understandable need for tips and strategies for better mental health. Just for starters, we’ve hit two years of a global pandemic, and now Californians are monitoring warfare in Europe. When we have limited power over “things” that affect our mental health, sometimes we need to focus our attention on what we can control. With that in mind, here is a list of 11 tips to boost your mental health.

https://8349570.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/8349570/Image%20Templates%20%2812%29-1.png

As we enter Summer 2022, there’s an understandable need for tips and strategies for better mental health. Just for starters, we’ve hit two years of a global pandemic, and now Californians are monitoring warfare in Europe. When we have limited power over “things” that affect our mental health, sometimes we need to focus our attention on what we can control. With that in mind, here is a list of 11 tips to boost your mental health.

Janet Bayramyan, LCSW

Ask A Therapist: How To Talk to My Parents about My Bicultural Relationship

A therapist's advice on how to communicate with your parents, or older generations. 

Dear Therapist: My family has been living in America for 15 years and I am now away at college. I’ve finally met this amazing guy. He respects me, makes me laugh so much, and I am excited about him. We are getting closer to summer vacation and I would like for him to come visit me, which also means he would need to meet my parents. They are very conservative and traditional and have always made comments and been disapproving of me dating anyone who is not brown. Do you have any advice on how I can get my parents to see him for who he is? How should I handle this?
Frame Therapist <a href="https://client.tryframe.com/therapists/883" style="color: #ff6943;">Janet Bayramyan</a> weighs in… I am so happy to hear you've met an amazing guy! Congratulations and so happy to hear about your new relationship. I really hear, though, how challenging it may feel to have him meet your family, particularly if your family is very conservative. First off, an important note to point out is that we cannot control how others view us and our lives. In a perfect world, our friends and our loved ones would be supportive whether they agreed or disagreed with our decisions. This is not likely how it is for most people, so what can help is to understand that you cannot control or change the opinion of others, including your family. If you come in with the notion that you don't need to change them or their opinion, it may actually feel quite freeing to come in with the understanding that they are who they are. If you feel strongly about your relationship, and you and your partner support each other, your family will take note of that.&nbsp;
I would also recommend working on setting some ground rules and boundaries with your family. Whether or not your family agrees or disagrees with your decision within your partnership, it is important that they respect your partner. I would encourage you to inform your family to treat your partner with respect, and to give him a chance. You can also work on speaking with your partner on what would help them feel more comfortable in an uncomfortable situation. It could help to identify a safe word, and if either of you states this word, it means it's time to leave or an indication that one of you needs support.&nbsp;
Given that your family are immigrants, immigrants take some time to acclimate to the U.S. and to American traditions of dating all types of cultures. If you try to convince your family to change, they may respond with heightened resistance, as they may feel a need to hold onto their values. I would recommend that if your family has a negative or hostile reaction, then have a plan for you and your partner to have a plan B for the evening or something fun scheduled for later so that the day can have some positivity associated with it.
At the end of the day, if your family loves you, and wants you in their lives, then they will have no choice but to accept your decision. It may not happen at first, but over time if your relationship withstands challenges and perseveres with respect and love, they will have no choice but to be understanding and respect it. If they are not, it sounds like it is their own issue, and their own need to work on themselves and their internalized prejudice.
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About the therapist: <a href="https://client.tryframe.com/therapists/883" rel="noopener" target="_blank" style="color: #ff6943;">Janet Bayramyan</a> is a licensed therapist, licensed in CA, FL and SC. Janet specializes in working with trauma survivors, those with challenges in their relationships and family dynamics utilizing EMDR and Brainspotting therapies. Janet believes in everyone's internal resiliency and innate ability to heal. Follow Janet on instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/therapy_with_janetb/?hl=en" rel="noopener" target="_blank" style="color: #22374b;">@therapy_with_janetb</a> 
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<hr>
Welcome to our weekly content series "Ask a Therapist" featuring real user-submitted questions, and the follow-up answers from Frame Therapists. We believe that everyone can benefit from hearing how people, just like them, get through their struggles, learn and grow.
Have a question you'd like to "Ask a Therapist"?&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2C_GF53LITwD2RmCLnKSpKTN4SuSlh22lcqjXPFT9k8dMOg/viewform" rel="noopener" target="_blank" style="color: #22374b;">Submit Your Question Here</a>
** This blog series is not suited for people who are in immediate crisis. If you are in crisis, please call National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255) or contact Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.&nbsp;

Dear Therapist: My family has been living in America for 15 years and I am now away at college. I’ve finally met this amazing guy. He respects me, makes me laugh so much, and I am excited about him. We are getting closer to summer vacation and I would like for him to come visit me, which also means he would need to meet my parents. They are very conservative and traditional and have always made comments and been disapproving of me dating anyone who is not brown. Do you have any advice on how I can get my parents to see him for who he is? How should I handle this?

https://8349570.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/8349570/Image%20Templates%20%2822%29-1.png

Dear Therapist: My family has been living in America for 15 years and I am now away at college. I’ve finally met this amazing guy. He respects me, makes me laugh so much, and I am excited about him. We are getting closer to summer vacation and I would like for him to come visit me, which also means he would need to meet my parents. They are very conservative and traditional and have always made comments and been disapproving of me dating anyone who is not brown. Do you have any advice on how I can get my parents to see him for who he is? How should I handle this?

Rodman Walsh, LMFT

Signs of Depression + Tools to Combat It

Signs & signals of depression, and key tools to combat it. 

It can be hard to always identify and pinpoint what we are feeling and experiencing. It can be even harder to know what to do about it. 
There are certainly additional ways to address mental health including spirituality and community support that can also reconnect and reinvigorate us. When needed, explore all the resources at your disposal.
Signs &amp; Signals of Depression: - Depression is more than just sadness, feeling down, or "having the blues." - Depression will often impact daily functioning and mood, and can be caused by genetic predisposition, stress, and other external factors (situational, relational, life circumstances) and biological factors. - A depressive episode can last anywhere from 2-weeks all the way up to 2-years in more severe cases Here are common signs: - Loss of pleasure in activities or things you used to enjoy - Increased irritability or low frustration tolerance - Fatigue, lethargy, lack of energy - Sleep disturbances, including oversleeping or insomnia - Social withdrawal &amp; isolating - Feelings of hopelessness or emptiness - Feelings of excessive guilt or worthlessness - Inability to get out of bed or initiate tasks - Suicidal thoughts and/or thoughts of death - Loss of appetite or overeating - Excessive weight gain or weight loss&nbsp; Tools to Combat Depression: Focus on sleep hygiene: Consistency is important and getting proper, quality sleep is key as sleep can affect mood and energy. Aim to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.&nbsp;
Get outside: Going for a 20-30 min walk every day (even if you don't want to) is helpful to change your environment and introduce movement/exercise into your day.&nbsp;
Complete daily self-care activities: Even when some tasks feel overwhelming or daunting, come back to the basics: get out of bed, shower, change your clothes, brush your teeth, eat a healthy meal. Set yourself up by taking care of yourself in a positive way to see what you can get to next.&nbsp;
Avoid alcohol &amp; substances: Although this may seem like a tempting coping mechanism at times, alcohol is a depressant and substances also deplete our brains and bodies of chemicals linked to mood and energy.
Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, partner: Suffering in silence can feel very isolating and compound on feelings of guilt, shame, and negativity. 
Speak to a therapist: Many forms of therapy treat depression and it can be beneficial to have the support and structure to assist you.&nbsp;
Talk to your doctor: You doctor can often provide referrals and resources in addition to prescribing you medication if you choose.&nbsp;
<a href="https://client.tryframe.com/therapists/246" rel="noopener" target="_blank" style="color: #ff6943;">- Rodman Walsh, LMFT</a>
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About the author: <a href="https://client.tryframe.com/therapists/246" rel="noopener" target="_blank" style="color: #22374b;">Rodman Walsh</a>&nbsp;is a California based Therapist whose specialities cover relationship issues, personality disorders, general anxiety, and more.&nbsp;<a href="https://client.tryframe.com/therapists/246" rel="noopener" target="_blank" style="color: #ff6943;">Click here to read more content from Rodman </a>and schedule a free introductory call.&nbsp;&nbsp;
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It can be hard to always identify and pinpoint what we are feeling and experiencing. It can be even harder to know what to do about it.

https://8349570.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/8349570/Image%20Templates%20%2852%29.png

It can be hard to always identify and pinpoint what we are feeling and experiencing. It can be even harder to know what to do about it.

Selene Burley, LMFT

Ask A Therapist: How Can I Get My Friend To Open Up?

Learn how to evaluate the types of friendships you currently have, and how to best communicate with each one. 

Dear Therapist: There’s a particular friend in my friend group who we call “the cheerleader” of the group.&nbsp; She always shows up for friends, she’s super supportive, very driven in her career, and really fun to be around. Along with this however, she’s always presenting as “positive” / “happy go lucky” / “everything is fine!” We lived together for 2 years and I was excited to finally get to a deeper level, something other friends have commented on to me privately that they’ve never really been able to do. During our time as roommates, even when she went through something like a breakup or heartbreak (both of which I witnessed!), she wouldn’t reveal any sadness or moments of weakness. I always made sure to tell her I was there to listen / talk / cry together.. Whatever she needed but nope, she just marched on like an energizer bunny with a smile on her face. I really value vulnerability in my friendships so I’m stuck on this one because she is such a loving, dedicated friend. It makes me sad because I want her to know it's okay to feel other emotions. How do you even broach this topic? Is it my place to keep reminding her of this? Or do I just drop it?
<a href="https://client.tryframe.com/therapists/625" rel="noopener" target="_blank" style="font-weight: bold;">Frame Therapist Selene Burley</a> weighs in: Friendships can be complex and at times messy. It sounds like you really are struggling with not getting that vulnerable side of her. A good place might be to reflect on what type of friendship you have. Let’s go over the three types of friendships you generally find yourself in. First type is usually a friendship that grew because there was a reason you met. Maybe through work, small group at a gym, neighbors, school. Then you have friends that are there for a season, your priorities shift, certain challenges present that may make that relationship end but they served a purpose for a time in your life. Last you might be looking at a forever friendship. These are your no matter what, these are the friends that whether the storm with you through life, and you share more than you would than with an acquaintance. The way you view the friendship might not align with hers. So re-evaluate the friendship. What do you usually look for in a friend? Does this person possess those qualities?&nbsp;
It sounds like you really enjoy the friendship and the loving nature of your friend. This might be a good time to shine light on and understand that not everyone expresses themselves the same way. Maybe for her it was not considered the norm to share insight into her life outside of her home. For some households sharing outside of family can be seen as taboo and just simply something that is not done. For others it is just overall challenging to express those feelings and something that they might not have worked on yet or unable to ever get to that level of expression. I would suggest simply asking her if that is something that she would ever feel comfortable with. Sometimes asking the other person how would it look like to them if you were being supportive can take away the mystery, remember it does not have look like what it may look like for you. A good way to communicate might be “I statements”, which might look like “I feel” (insert emotion) when you (fill in the blank). It is important to use this type of communication with a soft tone, this helps shift the focus on to you and can reduce any feelings of blame from the receiving party.
It is important to understand that we all view life through our own lens and what might seem like an event that should have brought sadness it might have been great relief for them. Do you normally go to others instead of the person you are having conflict with? This can lead to triangulation and will not help ease what you are feeling, if anything it amplifies those feelings because those people may just be validating your emotions and you may continue to avoid resolution.&nbsp; So just be honest and let her in on what you have been feeling, allow her space to say what she needs to express. She might have things to share too. If you feel overwhelmed, maybe write down a few key points that you would like to address before going in and remember big deep breathes. If you start to feel yourself become highly emotional excuse yourself for a minute, check your breathing and continue the conversation when ready. The hardest conversations are usually with friends and family, but they still need to happen, you can’t control what response you will get but at least you were vulnerable and said what was in your heart.&nbsp;
--- About the Therapist: <a href="https://client.tryframe.com/therapists/625" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Selene Burley</a>, is a LMFT &amp; the owner of Brighter Thinking Therapy. She is located in California and provides telehealth therapy across the state to adults struggling with depression, anxiety, and those along their path to managing stressors that can present during the transitions of becoming parents.
<hr>
Welcome to our weekly content series "Ask a Therapist" featuring real user-submitted questions, and the follow-up answers from Frame Therapists. We believe that everyone can benefit from hearing how people, just like them, get through their struggles, grow and change.
Have a question you'd like to "Ask a Therapist"?&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2C_GF53LITwD2RmCLnKSpKTN4SuSlh22lcqjXPFT9k8dMOg/viewform" rel="noopener" target="_blank" style="color: #ff6943;">Submit Your Question Here</a>
** This blog series is not suited for people who are in immediate crisis. If you are in crisis, please call National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255) or contact Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741

Dear Therapist: There’s a particular friend in my friend group who we call “the cheerleader” of the group.&nbsp; She always shows up for friends, she’s super supportive, very driven in her career, and really fun to be around. Along with this however, she’s always presenting as “positive” / “happy go lucky” / “everything is fine!” We lived together for 2 years and I was excited to finally get to a deeper level, something other friends have commented on to me privately that they’ve never really been able to do. During our time as roommates, even when she went through something like a breakup or heartbreak (both of which I witnessed!), she wouldn’t reveal any sadness or moments of weakness. I always made sure to tell her I was there to listen / talk / cry together.. Whatever she needed but nope, she just marched on like an energizer bunny with a smile on her face. I really value vulnerability in my friendships so I’m stuck on this one because she is such a loving, dedicated friend. It makes me sad because I want her to know it's okay to feel other emotions. How do you even broach this topic? Is it my place to keep reminding her of this? Or do I just drop it?

https://8349570.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/8349570/AAT-friends1.png

Dear Therapist: There’s a particular friend in my friend group who we call “the cheerleader” of the group.&nbsp; She always shows up for friends, she’s super supportive, very driven in her career, and really fun to be around. Along with this however, she’s always presenting as “positive” / “happy go lucky” / “everything is fine!” We lived together for 2 years and I was excited to finally get to a deeper level, something other friends have commented on to me privately that they’ve never really been able to do. During our time as roommates, even when she went through something like a breakup or heartbreak (both of which I witnessed!), she wouldn’t reveal any sadness or moments of weakness. I always made sure to tell her I was there to listen / talk / cry together.. Whatever she needed but nope, she just marched on like an energizer bunny with a smile on her face. I really value vulnerability in my friendships so I’m stuck on this one because she is such a loving, dedicated friend. It makes me sad because I want her to know it's okay to feel other emotions. How do you even broach this topic? Is it my place to keep reminding her of this? Or do I just drop it?

Jennifer Oh LCSW

Are You Avoiding Your Feelings?

Are you good at giving advice and accepting others' feelings, but have difficulty allowing others to do the same for you? Here are reasons you might have trouble accepting your feelings. 

<a href="https://client.tryframe.com/therapists/918" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Frame Therapist Jennifer Oh</a> explains... You are someone who is independent, successful, and strong. You might be the nurturing type of friend in the group. You're good at accepting others' feelings and giving good advice but have difficulty allowing others to do the same for you.You might be holding onto unrealistic expectations for yourself in regards to emotional availability and vulnerability. You want others to check in on you but you are scared to ask. I want to reassure you that you can still be strong and ask for help. Asking for help and being vulnerable is a healthy way of communication.

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About the Author: <a href="https://client.tryframe.com/therapists/918" rel="noopener" target="_blank" style="color: #ff6943;">Jennifer Oh</a> is an EMDR &amp; DBT Therapist based in California and a part of the Frame Therapist Community. Follow her for more content <a href="https://www.instagram.com/strongrootstherapy/" rel="noopener" target="_blank" style="color: #ff6943;">@strongrootstherapy</a>

<a href="https://client.tryframe.com/therapists/918" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Frame Therapist Jennifer Oh</a> explains... You are someone who is independent, successful, and strong. You might be the nurturing type of friend in the group. You're good at accepting others' feelings and giving good advice but have difficulty allowing others to do the same for you.

https://8349570.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/8349570/Image%20Templates%20%2812%29.png

Are You Avoiding Your Feelings?

Jennifer Oh LCSW

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April 21, 2022

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Ask A Therapist: How Can I Get My Friend To Open Up?