Maplewood Counseling & Blogging

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.

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.

“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.

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. ...

We hear it everywhere these days: "Be authentic." "Be yourself." "Take off the mask and live free." The idea is seductive. Authenticity...

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.

Imagine this: You’ve spent your whole life learning how to play tennis. The racket feels natural in your hands. You understand the rhythm...

When love costs too much, boundaries can save you. Read how to reclaim your peace—by saying no with compassion.