All articles
Practical writing on what we actually help people work through — anxiety, pressure, motivation, and what gets in the way.
A Guide to Saying "Yes" to Life
In a world that often feels uncertain and fast-paced, it's easy to get caught up in the stress of daily life and forget the importance of embracing new experiences. One of the most important lessons is the value of saying "yes" to life.
Independent Functioning and Living Skills Young Adults Need to Thrive
As young adults move from the comfort of their teenage years into the broader world of adulthood, learning independent living skills becomes essential. These skills are the building blocks of a successful, self-sufficient life. Here's what they are and how to build them.
How to Find a Life Coach
Finding a successful life coach is a journey toward discovering the perfect match for your personal growth and success. It's about connecting with someone who can empower you, guide you, and help you unlock your fullest potential. Here's how to choose the right one.
Life Coaching vs. Therapy: Which is Right for Me?
Many of us will come to a crossroads in our life. Whether it's long-standing mental health issues or a lack of confidence and accountability, so many of us aren't equipped to take control of our lives. Here's how therapy and coaching differ — and why they work best together.
How to Help Young Adults with Failure to Launch Syndrome
The transition to adulthood is inescapable, but some young people make it sooner or more smoothly than others. You may be a parent whose child hasn't left home, or has returned after a setback. Here's what failure to launch really is — and how to help.
The 3 Fears of Social Anxiety
We live in a world of connections — our family and colleagues, the friends we hold dear, the simplest interactions in the checkout line. When those connections feel broken, we can experience what so many people know as social anxiety. Here are its three root fears.
Is Your Kid Stuck? 3 Ways to Unstick Them
Do you feel like your child just doesn't care anymore? You've tried offering them ideas on how to re-engage, you've punished them, rewarded them, and everything in between, but nothing seems to work. Here's what their behavior might really be communicating.
Why You Should Stop Talking About Your Son's "Potential"
We speak with a lot of parents at Valiance. In those early conversations, the vast majority say their son "is a great kid" with "so much potential." Here's why talking about unmet potential may actually be making things worse — and what to do instead.
3 Reasons Why Young Men are Suffering & What to Do About It
There's something happening with this generation of young men. Parents know it. In my experience, Moms especially seem to have a special maternal sense that something's not right with their son. Here are three reasons why — and three things you can do to help.
Anxiety is a Signal, Not a Siren
I think we all avoid a lot more than we like to admit. For example, I'm great at avoiding doing the dishes for just that little bit longer than I should. We all avoid — but for my clients, avoidance is more than just a familiar pattern. It impacts functioning.
Work Backwards: Hit Singles, Not Home Runs
Despite my felt sense that the world is slowly recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, the hangover effects are seemingly incalculable. One interesting phenomenon of note is how the emerging adults I see seem to be overly optimizing to quell their anxiety.
Confidence: Silver Linings, Progress & Climbing with No Ropes
Everyone always talks about "just be yourself", or, "be confident" but what does that even mean, and more importantly, how do I do that? If you're struggling to figure it out, we've got some ideas worth considering.