top of page
Search
Maplewood Counseling & Blogging


The Purity Closet: Queerness, Suppression, and the Sacred Work of Coming Out
What happens when queerness collides with purity culture? For many, the result is soul-deep shame. In this reflective piece, a therapist explores how suppression begins in the body, why coming out can feel like a cliff, and how reclaiming your identity becomes sacred, healing work.

Emily Hansen
16 minutes ago4 min read


Love Beyond Binaries
Humans love tidy boxes—but identity isn’t tidy. This blog explores how binary thinking limits connection, how language can liberate us, and why honoring queerness is a return to nature, not a rebellion against it. If you've ever asked, “Why so many labels?”—this one’s for you.

Emily Hansen
Jun 63 min read


“I Swear I’m Into You, I Just Can’t Stop Thinking About the Dishes."
“I swear I’m into you, I just can’t stop thinking about the dishes.” Sound familiar? If you’re living with ADHD, sex can bring up distraction, anxiety, sensory overwhelm—or all of the above. This post dives into what it means to bring your full neurodivergent self into the bedroom, and how to find pleasure, connection, and self-compassion along the way.

Emily Hansen
May 284 min read


High Achieving, Anxious, and Burnt Out? Same.
A neurospicy look at masking, burnout, and the part of you that's trying to be perfect. I have a perfectionist part. Maybe you do, too. ...

Emily Hansen
May 213 min read


The Myth of "Just Be Yourself": Living Between Masks
We hear it everywhere these days: "Be authentic." "Be yourself." "Take off the mask and live free." The idea is seductive. Authenticity...

Emily Hansen
May 73 min read


Let’s Talk About Sex (Yes, Really): The Healing Power of Sex Therapy
Wondering if it’s okay to talk about sex in therapy? It absolutely is. In this post, a certified sex therapist shares why discussing sex, intimacy, desire, and sexual concerns in therapy is essential for healing, building confidence, and improving relationships.

Emily Hansen
Apr 283 min read


When the Game Doesn’t Fit: Masking, Autism, and the Cost of Playing Along
Imagine this: You’ve spent your whole life learning how to play tennis. The racket feels natural in your hands. You understand the rhythm...

Emily Hansen
Apr 83 min read


When Love Costs Too Much: Reclaiming Yourself Through Boundaries
When love costs too much, boundaries can save you. Read how to reclaim your peace—by saying no with compassion.

Emily Hansen
Apr 82 min read
bottom of page