No matter how many times you tell yourself you’re awesome, if you don’t believe it—those words fall flat. They don’t land in your body. They don’t change your feelings. They don’t shift your behavior. They’re just words you whisper to yourself in the mirror while a louder voice in the back of your mind mutters, “Yeah right.”

When most people think about relationships, they think about the ones they have with others — their spouse, children, colleagues, or friends. But the truth is, every single one of those relationships is shaped by the one you have with yourself.

Every relationship begins with hope.

Most people think of transparency as “telling the truth.” But in therapy — and in life — transparency goes deeper than words. It’s about courage.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve already tried holding everything together. You’ve built a career, supported your family, or managed responsibilities that most people couldn’t even imagine carrying.