Danielle Bertini
By: Danielle Bertini, LPC Life transitions can be difficult, and the transition from high school to college is no different. Moving out of your home, sharing a small living space with strangers, and adjusting to new class schedules are among some of the many changes and challenges that come with this transition. All while trying to discover who you are as a person and picking a major/life path for yourself. College can be difficult, but luckily there…
The transition from high school to college can be a stressful experience, for both young adults and parents. Clinical Psychologist Debby Fogelman offers practical ways that parents can help their college-aged children prepare for their new experience on a college campus. Although college is often an exciting time, it can also be a time that comes with a lot of anxiety and self-doubt. Which is normal! Being away from home can sometimes create a false belief that…
By: Danielle Bertini, LPC In Part one of this blog, I discussed the topic of enmeshment within family systems, including what it is and signs for noticing it is occurring. As discussed, growing up in an enmeshed family might mean that you now have replicated enmeshment and codependency in other relationships in your life. In part two of this blog we will discuss four components of reversing enmeshment and becoming a healthier, more authentic version of yourself. …
By: Danielle Bertini Being close with your family is not an inherently negative thing. For me, coming from a large Italian family meant that I was constantly around family, sharing stories, food, and details about my life. So, what does it mean to be too close? Enmeshment within family systems describes a lack of boundaries in which roles and expectations are confused, parents are overly reliant on their children for support, and children are not allowed to…
By: Danielle Bertini, LPC Stepping into a new family role brings a mix of hope, responsibility, and adjustment. Becoming a stepparent often opens the door to meaningful relationships and shared experiences, especially for adults who have never parented before. This season also introduces emotional layers that take time to understand. Daily routines change, expectations grow, and family dynamics expand in ways that feel unfamiliar at first. Many blended families quickly settle into a routine. Others face moments…
By: Danielle Bertini, LPC It’s no secret that the teenage years are difficult, especially in this day and age. Witnessing your teenager go through hardships and not knowing how to help them can cause you to feel helpless and scared. My aim here is to help parents of teenagers struggling with anxiety better understand as well as learn ways to help. So, what is going on with teenagers? During adolescence, massive biological and psychological maturation floods them…
By: Danielle Bertini, LPC How many of us have heard, and probably lived by, “work hard, play hard?” For years this had and has been the ideal quote to live by for young, working professionals. However, it seems like nowadays the “play” part of the phrase is nowhere to be found. Modern culture has created the pressure of succeed-or-you’re-nothing. People are increasingly connecting their identity and their internal value to their work ethic and professional achievements. The…
By: Danielle Bertini, LPC Trust is one of the most important and fundamental building blocks of any sort of relationship, whether it be with a family member, friend, or a romantic partner. In order to foster emotional intimacy, there needs to be a level of trust within the relationship. Yet it is far easier to break and lose trust than it is to build and rebuild it. This process takes time, patience, and work. But it can…
By: Danielle Bertini, LPC It can be hard to come back after a failure. Failure has a way of sticking right to your self-esteem. Psychologist Nicole Martinez discusses, “Often we view failure as caused by internal sources, rather than external ones. This means we blame ourselves for things that are actually external, and out of our control. Taking on that kind of responsibility and view of ourselves can have a very negative impact on our self-esteem, our…
By: Danielle Bertini, LPC Rejection—it’s painful. Whether it’s not being offered a position at a company, not being invited to a friend’s party, or even just having one of your ideas shot down, every “no” feels like a door closed to us. Most people struggle with finding the best way to regroup and recover after any kind of rejection. A 2003 study done by researchers from Purdue University and the University of California, Los Angeles, found that…
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