Siobhan Strickhart, LPC Psychotherapy & Counseling

08/16/2026

I was a Blink-182 fan (see next photo for my childhood bedroom wall lol), so I was already interested in watching Travis Barker’s *Louder Than Fear*. I usually don’t have expectations for documentaries, but this kept my attention (and my husband’s!) the entire time.

The documentary was filmed over nine years, from 2017 to 2026, which I think adds so much to it because you’re seeing different parts of Travis’s life unfold over time.

I thought this did a great job showing people how trauma doesn’t just disappear because time passes, or because someone looks successful and has it all together from the outside.

For Travis, the loss of his mom, addiction, the plane crash, losing friends, survivor’s guilt, and the physical trauma his body endured show how deeply layered trauma can be. The documentary does such a good job of showing how those experiences can continue to impact someone years later.

As a trauma therapist, this is something I talk about so often. We don’t always realize how much we’ve adapted around what happened to us until we start looking at the bigger picture.

And while my former Blink-182-loving self definitely appreciated this one, you absolutely do not need to be a Blink-182 or Travis Barker fan to get something out of it.

It’s raw, vulnerable, incredibly human, and definitely worth watching.

07/19/2026

The older I get, the more I realize that who we are is made up of tiny moments.

The traditions we create.
The conversations we remember.
The people we love.
The ordinary days we almost rushed through.

These are a few things that have shaped me.

I'd love to know...
What's something small that's become a big part of who you are?

07/15/2026

Every account has its people.

Maybe mine is for you if you're trying to become the parent, partner, friend, or person you've always wanted to be.

If you're learning that boundaries aren't selfish.

If you're healing from experiences that shaped you.

If you're choosing memories over things.

If you're realizing that growth doesn't have to be perfect to be meaningful.

If that's you, welcome.

I think you're going to like it here.

06/25/2026

Summer is here. :)

Vacations, beach days, BBQs, and time with family can make it seem like everyone is carefree and enjoying every minute. But what we see isn't always the full picture.

Life doesn't stop just because it's summer.

Anxiety doesn't disappear. Stress doesn't take a vacation. Relationship struggles, grief, burnout, and feeling overwhelmed don't suddenly go away because the weather is nice.

Just like we continue taking care of our physical health, our mental health deserves the same attention.

This summer, try to:
• Keep a consistent sleep schedule.
• Spend time outside and move your body.
• Take breaks from social media when you need them.
• Stay connected to people who help you feel supported.
• Give yourself permission to slow down and rest.
• Reach out for help if you're struggling.

Your mental health matters in every season. You don't have to wait until things feel "bad enough" to take care of yourself.

06/16/2026

You’re not lazy.
You’re not unmotivated.
And you’re probably not lacking discipline.

Sometimes what looks like procrastination is actually mental overload.

When your brain has been carrying too much for too long, even simple tasks can feel exhausting.

✨ Signs you might be mentally overloaded:

• You feel tired even after resting
• Everyday tasks feel heavier than they should
• You keep putting things off, even things you want to do
• You jump from task to task but struggle to make progress
• Your mind feels constantly “on”

Mental overload isn't always loud. Sometimes it looks like scrolling, avoiding, forgetting, zoning out, or feeling stuck.

Your nervous system may be asking for support—not more pressure.

The goal isn't to push harder. It's to notice what your mind and body have been carrying and give yourself permission to slow down, reset, and prioritize what truly matters.

06/15/2026

High achiever, but always exhausted?

Many people think complex trauma always looks obvious. But sometimes it hides behind success, productivity, and being the person everyone can count on.

For some people, achievement becomes more than ambition. It becomes a way to feel safe.

A way to avoid criticism.

A way to earn approval.

A way to prove, over and over again, "I am enough."

What often gets praised from the outside can feel very different on the inside:

📲 Difficulty disconnecting from work

📆 Feeling anxious when there's nothing to do

📈 Measuring your worth by your productivity

😔 Guilt when resting

⚡ A nervous system that rarely feels settled

The goal of therapy isn't to stop being driven or ambitious.

The goal is to learn that your value doesn't come from what you accomplish, produce, or achieve.

Your worth was never something you had to earn.

You are worthy because you exist.

You are a human being, not a human doing.

💬 Did any of these resonate with you?

05/29/2026

I have recommended this book several times over the past few days and thought I'd share in case anyone else would benefit from reading it.

Many people think OCD is about being organized, liking things neat, or being particular. We often hear people say things like "OMG I'm so OCD when it comes to .

This book challenges those misconceptions and offers a deeply personal look at the intrusive thoughts, rituals, shame, fear, and exhaustion that can come with OCD.

'Because We Are Bad' by Lily Bailey, brings you inside the mind of experiencing what it is like living with OCD.

One of the things I often tell clients is that knowledge can reduce shame. When we understand what is happening in our minds and nervous systems, we can begin responding with compassion instead of self-criticism.

Whether you live with OCD, love someone who does, or simply want a better understanding of what OCD actually looks like beyond the stereotypes, I highly recommend this read.

05/28/2026

Some feelings don’t cancel each other out.
You can feel grateful and overwhelmed.
Hopeful and exhausted.
Healing and still hurting.

We tend to think in more black or white terms, but what if you made space for both emotions?

Two things can be true at the same time.
And learning to hold both with compassion instead of judgment is something we work on in therapy.

Interested in changing how you think? Simply reach out (link in bio) and schedule your free consultation. :)

05/26/2026

Years ago, when I was interning, we would often watch *Inside Out* during group therapy.

I remember thinking even then how well it captured emotions in a way that felt accessible and understandable. It gave people language for experiences that can sometimes feel hard to explain.

Years later, I took my daughter to see *Inside Out 2* in the movies. And over the past few weeks, my youngest has been asking to watch “Joy” every single day.

It’s funny watching it now from a different season of life.

As a therapist, I notice how beautifully it portrays emotions. Fear isn’t the enemy. Sadness has a purpose. Anger communicates something. Joy matters, but she doesn’t have to run the whole show.

As a mom, I think about how important it is for kids to grow up understanding that emotions are not bad. They are not something to avoid, push away, or feel ashamed of.

Because so many of us grew up learning exactly that.

"Don’t cry."

"You’re overreacting."

"Calm down."

"Be grateful."

Many of us learned early on that certain emotions felt more acceptable than others.

Then we become adults trying to understand why we disconnect from ourselves, shut down, overthink, people please, or feel overwhelmed by emotions when they show up.

Emotions carry information.

Learning and understanding your emotions is so important. It helps us understand ourselves and others. It helps us understand how to respond to them.

Funny how a children’s movie can keep teaching us something new years later.

05/25/2026