Sentient Psychotherapy Blog
Transitions Are Tough. Here’s 10 Tips to Help Ride the Wave
By Joy Ripplinger LMHC Something happens in New York when September rolls in. It’s not just the cooler mornings or the reappearance of balloon pants on the subway. There’s a collective emotional shift, too. The energy quickens, schedules tighten, and suddenly the ease...
Facing AI with Fear, Awe, and Curiosity
It’s 2:07am as I write this. Everyone in my house is asleep; even the cat, who usually insists on pacing across my laptop while I’m trying to work. But tonight, it’s just me and the gentle hum of the air purifier and this gnawing swirl of thoughts. I can’t sleep because I can’t stop thinking about AI. Like most everything that takes up space in my mind and heart, I’m facing AI with fear and awe, hoping I can get to the place that makes everything challenging tolerable: curiosity.
5 Affirming Strategies to Strengthen Self-Love
By Joy Ripplinger LMHC June is Pride Month, and across New York City, rainbow flags are flying high, drag shows are selling out, and queer joy is taking center stage. At Sentient Psychotherapy, we're proud to celebrate LGBTQ+ identities, expression, resistance, and...
New Motherhood Challenges: A Therapist’s Insight
New motherhood is an emotional whirlwind—a mix of overwhelming love, exhaustion, self-doubt, and moments of pure magic. But in today’s world, the challenges of being a new mom feel heavier than ever. It’s not just the sleepless nights, the crying that won’t stop, or...
Transformative Insights: Closing 2024 with Clarity and Purpose
By Joy Ripplinger LMHC As the final weeks of 2024 draw near, it’s the perfect time to embrace transformative insights that can bring clarity and purpose to your year-end reflection. Living and working in New York City often means navigating the relentless hustle, and...
5 Steps to Survive and Thrive Through Holiday Family Gatherings
The holidays are here, and with them comes the inevitable family gatherings. Ah, yes—the food, the fun, the festive spirit… and, of course, the drama. This holiday season, give yourself the gift of gratitude, mindfulness, and self-compassion. After all, if you can make it through a family gathering with your sanity intact, you can conquer anything.
How to Beat Stress When You Can’t Stop Freaking Out
By Joy Ripplinger LMHC Whether it’s an overwhelming workload, a sudden personal crisis, or just the weight of the world feeling a bit too heavy, stress can hit hard and fast. I'm not going to lie: for me, stress is usually subway- or kid-related, but right now, it's...
THE CHALLENGE OF CHANGE
It’s the end of summer, which for me always signals that bittersweet “back-to-school” feeling. On one hand, I’m sad to let go of the longer sunny days, trips to the beach, and summer Fridays long weekends. On the other hand, I look forward to cooler fall weather in New York City, and the structure of the school year for my teenagers. Put more simply, what I struggle with is the challenge of change. If you do too, read on to learn 3 powerful ways to better handle transitions that I hope will provide a more easeful shift from summer to fall for you and your family.
Mindfulness Wins Big at the Olympic Games
By Joy Ripplinger LMHC
Informal mindfulness, or “everyday mindfulness” is an efficient, effective way to reduce the internal experience of stress and anxiety, without the added pressure of having to formally sit down to meditate. You may not be competing in the Olympic Games, but improving your day-to-day focus, attention span and drive can be a serious game changer with the help of informal mindfulness practice.
Bona Fide Coping Skills for Life’s Painful Ups and Downs
By Joy Ripplinger LMHC
In childhood, we have very limited resources and power, like riding a single-speed, fixed-gear bike. Blaming ourselves or blaming others is a very effective way of coping. In adulthood, we have way more resources and personal power to deal with adversity in more adaptive ways. Like riding a 10 speed bike, with practice we can learn to shift gears depending on the road, and enjoy the ride no matter what’s around the corner.