Start My Wellness

01/20/2026

As a parent, it’s not always easy watching your child navigate school, sports, and all the pressures of being a young athlete.

That’s why our Athletic Mindset program focuses on helping kids build confidence, handle stress, and thrive both on and off the field.

Learn more about supporting your young athlete here: https://startmywellness.com/2026/01/supporting-student-athletes-beyond-the-game-building-confidence-under-pressure/

Discover how Athletic Mindset supports student-athletes with confidence, performance anxiety, and emotional resilience through guided group sessions.

01/19/2026

Personna (Serenity) Hover, Master Social Worker, Ferndale, MI, 48220, (313) 921-6532, Therapy isn’t about something being “wrong” with you — it’s a mature choice to invest in your healing and growth. I understand therapy can feel taboo, especially in minority and faith-rooted communities w...

01/15/2026

Young athletes today face more pressure than ever — from competition, academics, social media, and expectations from all directions.

Athletic Mindset is a 12-session online group program designed to help students in grades 6–12 develop the mental skills and emotional resilience needed to perform at their best — both on and off the field.

This performance enhancement group focuses on:
✔️ Building genuine confidence
✔️ Managing social media pressure
✔️ Handling comparison and self-doubt
✔️ Improving communication with coaches
✔️ Developing long-term mental toughness

Led by a former professional athlete and a sports-focused therapist, this program gives kids tools they can use for life.

📧 To sign up: sports@startmywellness.com

🔗 Learn more: https://startmywellness.com/athletic-mindset/

A 12-session online program helping young athletes build confidence, manage pressure, and develop mental resilience.

01/09/2026

You leave a meeting with your boss feeling small, even though nothing overtly wrong was said. You replay the conversation all day, wondering why it affected you so deeply and why you didn’t speak up.

In therapy, you have space to slow down and understand where that reaction comes from—past experiences, unspoken fears, or patterns you’ve learned to carry. With that awareness, you begin to respond with more confidence and self-compassion instead of self-doubt.

Psychotherapy helps turn moments like these into opportunities for growth rather than quiet pain you carry alone.

I am available for new patients, please feel free to reach out for a consultation. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/zalman-pollack-ferndale-mi/1512277

12/26/2025

New Podcast Episdoe!

Former professional basketball player Paul Haynes and sports-psychology therapist Matt Clinton share insights on the powerful connection between physical health and mental well-being.

Drawing from elite athletic experience and clinical practice, they discuss how movement, nutrition, and training habits influence confidence, focus, and emotional resilience—especially for youth athletes navigating pressure both on and off the court.

▶️ Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/qZ1RHD2D2vs

12/03/2025

Health Anxiety vs. Health Consciousness

Do you find yourself constantly worrying about symptoms, Googling “what ifs,” or seeking endless reassurance? That’s health anxiety. Health-conscious living looks different — it means listening to your body, practicing wellness, and making choices without fear.

Learn how to shift from worry to trust: https://startmywellness.com/2025/11/health-anxiety-vs-being-health-conscious-how-to-tell-the-difference/

For compassionate, evidence-based support, schedule a session with Sara Diesel and start your journey toward calm: https://startmywellness.com/therapist-near-me/sara-diesel/

Understand the difference between health anxiety and being health conscious, with tips for treatment and cognitive restructuring.

12/02/2025

Healing isn’t one-size-fits-all — and that’s what makes the journey so meaningful. I love supporting the whole person (body, mind, and spirit) and shaping therapy around your unique story. With over a decade as a psychotherapist and 25 years as a social worker, I blend a variety of approaches like DBT, CBT, solution-focused, and psychodynamic work. I’m also finishing my EMDR certification so I can offer even more support for trauma healing.

My space is supportive, collaborative, and judgment-free — a place where individuals, couples, and families can show up exactly as they are. If you’re curious about working together, send me an email. I’d be honored to support you on your journey to wellbeing.

12/01/2025

New Podcast Episode!

Join Dr. Anton Babushkin, Dr. Bill Bloom, and special guest Dr. Charles Starkman for a powerful conversation on understanding eating disorders and the path toward healing.

Dr. Starkman shares insights from years of clinical experience, exploring the roots of disordered eating, the impact of identity and culture on body image, and how connection and trust foster true recovery. Together, they discuss evidence-based treatments, relational healing, and what it really takes to support individuals on their journey toward wellness.

If you’re a mental health provider, someone supporting a loved one, or simply interested in learning more, this episode offers deep compassion and practical wisdom.

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q51csXd0V64

11/24/2025

IFS (Internal Family Systems) offers a gentle way to understand your emotions by getting to know your “parts” with compassion. Our latest article shares how slowing down and listening inward can bring more clarity, grounding, and self-kindness into your daily life.

If you’d like support as you explore this work, Derrick Martinez, LCSW is a therapist who practices IFS and offers a warm, welcoming approach. Schedule a consult with Derrick today: https://startmywellness.com/therapist-near-me/derrick-martinez/

IFS isn’t about fixing yourself — it’s about coming home to every part of you.

🔗 Read more in the full article: https://startmywellness.com/2025/11/ifs-internal-family-systems-for-beginners-meeting-your-parts-with-compassion/

Explore internal family systems therapy, parts work, and self-leadership psychology for trauma healing and personal growth.

11/20/2025

Many adults reach an autism diagnosis later in life, and the clarity it brings can be deeply validating. Our latest article explores when an adult autism assessment may be helpful and what the evaluation process actually looks like.

From masking exhaustion and sensory sensitivities to long-standing social challenges, the assessment process helps adults understand lifelong patterns with compassion and accuracy. It also opens the door to meaningful support, workplace accommodations, healthier communication, and strategies that make daily life more manageable.

Gaining this insight isn’t about labeling—it’s about understanding yourself more fully and accessing the tools that help you thrive.

🔗 Read more in the full article:

Learn what to expect from adult autism assessment, ASD testing, and autism spectrum evaluations designed for neurodivergent adults.