LifeStance Insights

If you’ve ever scrolled through TikTok or Instagram and suddenly questioned whether your partner might be “toxic” or “gaslighting” you, you’re definitely not alone. According to LifeStance’s survey, “Navigating Mental Health in the Age of Social Media,” a whopping 52% of respondents have started doubting their relationships—wondering if they are “toxic”—and it’s all thanks to a new phenomenon called “therapy speak.” The survey, conducted by LifeStance in partnership with Researchscape International, revealed how platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X are impacting the way we view our romantic partnerships.  What Does Toxic Relationship Mean? So, what does “toxic” mean in this context? A toxic relationship typically involves patterns of behavior that cause emotional, mental, or even physical harm. This might look like a partner who constantly belittles you, exerts excessive control—such as dem...

Starting college is an exciting experience and for many young people, it is the first time they live with a roommate. Sharing close quarters means daily interactions, and if your roommate begins showing signs of depression, it can have an impact on you as well. With studies showing that 44% of college students experience depression, the likelihood of living with someone exhibiting symptoms of depression is fairly high. Living with a roommate who is experiencing depression can be difficult to navigate, especially when balancing their needs with your own well-being. Mental health experts Kimberly Curtis, LPC, CADC, and Suzanne Mosaliganti, PsyD, offer insights on how to recognize the signs of depression in a roommate, provide support, and establish healthy boundaries to protect your mental health. How To Recognize The Signs of Depression in Your Roommate It’s not always obvious when someone is struggling with depression. You might think your roommate is just “going through somet...

Why We're So Hard on Ourselves As a therapist, I’ve observed that nearly everyone struggles with critical thoughts about themselves at some point. This tendency isn’t random or a personal failing—it’s connected to our fundamental human need for connection. We are social beings, hardwired for belonging. Our brains constantly scan our environment, assessing whether we fit in. This vigilance leads us to judge, criticize, and compare ourselves to others. When we perceive differences that might threaten our sense of belonging, our minds often respond with harsh self-judgment. This inner critic can be relentless, telling us we’re “not good enough,” “a loser,” or that we don’t belong. When we believe these thoughts, they don’t just stay in our heads—they manifest in our behaviors and emotions. How Critical Thoughts Affect Our Well-Being These thoughts don’t remain con...

As a licensed professional counselor, my work across various therapeutic settings—from private practice to residential treatment facilities—has cultivated my passion for and expertise in understanding eating disorders and their complex origins. My experience treating adults with eating disorders has shaped my approach to treatment and fueled my dedication to this specialized field. Today, I want to share some insights about the often-overlooked connection between trauma and eating disorders, and how addressing both is essential for healing. How Do Eating Disorders Develop? When patients ask me why someone might develop an eating disorder, I explain that there isn’t a single cause—eating disorders are multifaceted conditions with various contributing factors. Many eating disorder myths suggest these conditions are simply about vanity or control, but the reality is much more complex. Some of the most common factors I’ve observed in my clinical practice include: Soc...

If you’ve been watching Season 3 of HBO’s hit show “The White Lotus,” you’ve probably noticed southern socialite Victoria Ratliff (played by Parker Posey) popping a certain pill as casually as most of us might pop a breath mint. Her drawling pronunciation of “lorazepam” has become almost as memorable as her increasingly concerning habit of washing it down with white wine at dinner. But what exactly is this medication that’s getting so much screen time, and should we be concerned about how it’s being portrayed? A board-certified psychiatrist, Dr. Sabitha Aligeti, MD, provided insights to separate Hollywood fiction from medical reality. Lorazepam on Screen: The 'White Lotus' Way vs. Real Life In the luxury Thai resort of “The White Lotus,” Victoria treats lorazepam like it’s part of her vacation essentials. Need to relax before a massage? Pop a lorazepam. Feeling a bit anxious at dinner? Lorazepam w...

Relationships can be complicated, and the ways people transition between them even more so. One particularly harmful pattern that has gained attention in recent years is known as “monkey branching.” We explore the psychology behind this behavior, its impact on both parties involved, and whether relationships that begin through monkey branching can be sustainable in the long term. What Is Monkey Branching? Monkey branching occurs when someone in a committed relationship begins to cultivate romantic or emotional connections with other potential partners while still maintaining their current relationship. The term stems from the image of a monkey swinging from branch to branch, never letting go of one branch before having a firm grip on the next—helping ensure they never fall. In relationship terms, this means someone is essentially lining up their next partner before ending their current relationship, creating an overlap that often involves emotional, and sometimes ph...

A 2023 study in the Journal of Marriage and Family revealed a stark statistic: approximately one in four adults experience estrangement from a parent. Specifically: 6% of respondents reported estrangement from their mother 26% reported estrangement from their father Average age of estrangement: 26 for mothers, 23 for fathers This means roughly one in four adults experience estrangement from a parent. We explored more around this topic by talking with our clinicians—Dr. Jill Waite, PhD, a licensed therapist with a Doctorate in Philosophy in clinical psychology and Dave Lovely, LSW, a licensed social worker based in Illinois—on the common causes leading to parental estrangement and how best to approach reconciliation. What Drives Family Estrangement? Family estrangement does not happen in a vacuum. It is rarely the result of a single disagreement or misunderstanding; rather, it emerges from a complex interplay of psychological, emotional, and relational factors that build up ov...