By Sarah Bruck, Therapist in Knoxville, TN. When you leave a toxic relationship, everyone talks about the relief, the self discovery, the weight off your shoulders. But what no one talks about is what comes after. Like how you second-guess every decision. Or how you replay every red flag and […]

By Sarah Bruck, Therapist in Knoxville, TN. Have you ever felt like your heart’s racing, your thoughts are out of control, and no amount of affirmation and positive self talk seems to work? Take a breath. You are not broken and the world is not ending. Your nervous system is […]

Understanding What Your Therapist Really Means—In Plain Language Have you ever been in a therapy session or scrolling through mental health Instagram when your therapist (or a well-meaning quote) says something like: “Let’s explore that trigger.” “Just stay within your window of tolerance.” “You need to start holding space for […]

Let’s be honest—some days our emotions feel like a perfectly blended smoothie of sadness, anxiety, gratitude, and confusion… topped with a sprinkle of existential dread. Whether you’re crying over a sweet commercial or feeling oddly irritable without knowing why, those moments of “emotional everythingness” are more common than you think. […]

In a world that often glorifies self-discipline, productivity, and perfection, many people fall into the trap of believing that the harsher they are with themselves, the more they’ll grow. “If I just push myself harder,” we think, “I’ll finally get it right.” But psychological research—and real-world experience—tells a different story: […]

Grief is one of the most universal human experiences—and yet, it can feel incredibly isolating. Whether you’ve lost a loved one, ended a significant relationship, or are mourning a life that no longer looks the way you expected, grief has a way of reshaping everything. It touches not only our […]

Body Acceptance: Root Causes, Why It Matters, and Therapeutic Interventions That Help In a culture saturated with unrealistic beauty standards and toxic messages about worth and appearance, cultivating body acceptance has become both a powerful act of resistance and a path to healing. For many, struggles with body image go […]

Addressing Women’s Mental Health Through Targeted, Evidence- Based Therapy Women experience unique psychological stressors across the lifespan, shaped by complex biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. In therapy, creating a space that honors and responds to these layered experiences is critical in supporting women’s mental health and overall well-being. Understanding the […]

Supporting a partner who is struggling with anxiety or depression can be incredibly challenging—and deeply meaningful. As a therapist, I often work with individuals navigating this experience, and the truth is: you don’t have to be a mental health expert to make a difference. In this post, we’ll explore practical […]

Counseling After a Breakup Breakups can be heartbreakingly painful—whether it ended suddenly or after months of uncertainty. Even when a relationship wasn’t healthy or right for you, the emotional aftermath can feel overwhelming. That’s where therapy can help. At Elevated Counseling, I work to support individuals through life’s transitions—including the […]