Willow Tree Healing Center LLC

03/06/2026

Feeling mentally drained and wondering why you can't seem to get motivated? These signs of emotional exhaustion can help you recognize burnout and understand what your mind and body might need. https://wix.to/K1KSRVp

By Mary Willoughby Prentiss, Therapist | Online Therapy in VirginiaIf you’ve been feeling unmotivated, drained, or like everything takes more effort than it should, you might be wondering:“Why can’t I just get it together?”Many women assume something is wrong with them when their energy disa...

02/02/2026

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is more than just “winter blues.”

If you notice that every fall or winter your energy drops, your mood shifts, and everything feels heavier—it may be seasonal depression, not a personal failing.

SAD can show up as:
• Low mood or numbness
• Exhaustion, even with more sleep
• Difficulty staying motivated
• Increased irritability or overwhelm
• Wanting to withdraw or hibernate

For moms and caregivers, this often comes with guilt: “I should be able to handle this.” But seasonal changes affect brain chemistry, sleep rhythms, and emotional regulation—especially during already demanding seasons of life.

The good news? Seasonal Affective Disorder is very treatable.

Online therapy can help you:
✔ Understand your seasonal patterns
✔ Build realistic routines for low-energy months
✔ Reduce self-criticism and emotional overload
✔ Feel more steady—even when days are short

I offer online therapy for adults and moms in Virginia, with a compassionate, practical approach that meets you where you are.

👉 Read more about SAD and how therapy can help here: https://wix.to/uAz93pc

As the days get shorter and the weather turns colder, many people notice a dip in their mood or energy. For some, this shift goes beyond the “winter blues” and becomes Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)—a form of depression that follows a seasonal pattern, most commonly beginning in fall or win...

01/19/2026

Anxiety doesn’t just affect individuals; it profoundly impacts mothers. It often goes unnoticed or minimized, with many attributing symptoms to the chaos of motherhood. But there’s support! Discover the signs, causes, and how therapy can help. Read more about it here: https://wix.to/DIN6Gkr

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health concerns for mothers — yet it often goes unnoticed or minimized. Many moms chalk their symptoms up to exhaustion, overwhelm, or just “life with kids.” But anxiety in motherhood is real, treatable, and deserves support.This article explores how an...

12/11/2025

🌿 Feeling more overwhelmed than usual lately?
So many moms and women I work with quietly carry a mental load that no one else sees — the planning, the worrying, the anticipating everyone’s needs before your own.

If you’ve been feeling overstimulated, snappy, or just done, it doesn’t mean you’re failing.
It means you’re human… and you’re carrying too much alone.

Therapy can help you:
✨ Get out of survival mode
✨ Build healthier boundaries
✨ Feel less reactive with your kids or partner
✨ Reconnect with yourself again
✨ Create real space to breathe

I offer virtual therapy anywhere in Virginia, with specialties in EMDR, IFS, PCIT, trauma, and perinatal mental health.

If you’re ready for some support, you can schedule online anytime. 🤍

Searching for online mental health therapy in Virginia for yourself, your child, adolescent, or college student? If you are needing help in these difficult times, Willow Tree Healing Center is here to help.

12/08/2025

"Parenting can be overwhelming, especially during busy weeks. Even just 5 minutes of deep breathing or a short check-in with your child can make a big difference. I’m currently accepting new clients if you’d like support navigating stress and family challenges.

12/02/2025

✨ Now accepting a few new daytime clients ✨

If you’ve been thinking about starting therapy but evenings feel impossible, I have flexible daytime openings available.
I specialize in supporting moms, parents, and anyone feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or navigating behavior challenges with kids.

💻 Online sessions (Virginia)
🌿 Support that’s straightforward, compassionate, and down-to-earth
📅 Daytime availability

If you’re ready to get started or want more information, send me a message or visit my Psychology Today page.

Mary Willoughby Prentiss, Licensed Professional Counselor, Gloucester, VA, 23061, (804) 294-4206, Do you feel like life’s challenges are overwhelming or you’re constantly stuck in the same struggles? Whether you’re a child, teen, college student, or parent, navigating life’s ups and downs ca...

08/25/2025

Our therapist Mary Willoughby Prentiss just spent a week being trained in Theraplay Level 1. Theraplay is another form of play therapy that focuses on building attachment, self-esteem, and strengthening the bond between parent and child.

03/21/2025

Grieving a Friendship Breakup

💔 Losing a close friend can be just as painful as a romantic breakup—and yet, friendship breakups often go unrecognized. Whether you've grown apart, had a falling out, or simply drifted away, the grief is real and valid.

If you're struggling with moving on, know that you're not alone. Grief isn't just about losing someone to death—it’s also about learning to live without someone who was once a big part of your life.

In my latest blog, I explore why friendship breakups hurt so much, how to navigate the grief, and ways to heal. If you're a woman, a mom, or a college student dealing with this kind of loss, therapy can be a safe space to process your emotions and find a way forward. 💙

https://wix.to/Czfj73H

When we think of grief, we often associate it with death—the loss of someone permanently gone from our lives. But grief can also arise when we lose someone who is still very much alive, especially in the case of a friendship breakup. Losing a close friend can be just as painful, if not more, becau...

03/19/2025

📢 Feeling unseen and unheard? You’re not alone. Therapy can help you regain confidence, build meaningful connections, and express yourself fully.

🌿 Ready to take the first step? Let’s talk. Schedule a session today and start your journey toward being truly seen and heard.

Have you ever felt like you’re talking, but no one is really listening? Like you’re moving through life unseen, unheard, and unnoticed? Feeling invisible can lead to loneliness, frustration, and self-doubt. If this resonates with you, you’re not alone—many people experience this. The good ne...

03/17/2025

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟

Our clinician Mary Willoughby Prentiss is currently in Brainspotting Phase 2 training! 🎉

Brainspotting is a powerful therapy approach that helps process trauma, anxiety, and emotional blocks by accessing deeper parts of the brain where healing happens. This advanced training allows us to better support clients in working through life’s challenges with greater clarity and resilience.

We’re excited to continue growing and offering the best care possible!

03/14/2025

🌿 When Home Feels Like a Cage: Agoraphobia & Stay-at-Home Moms 🌿

Being a stay-at-home mom can feel isolating—but when agoraphobia makes leaving home feel impossible, the struggle becomes even greater. Anxiety, guilt, and loneliness can take over, but you don’t have to go through it alone.

If you or someone you know is struggling with agoraphobia as a mom, know that help is available. Small steps, support, and the right tools can help you break free.

💙 Read more in my latest blog.
💙 Let’s talk—therapy can help! Book an appointment today.


the conversation: https://wix.to/OxBRER8

For many stay-at-home moms (SAHMs), home is both a sanctuary and a workplace—a place of comfort and routine. But for those struggling with agoraphobia, home can also feel like a cage. Agoraphobia in moms is an anxiety disorder characterized by intense fear of situations where escape might be diffi...

03/12/2025

💙 Navigating Anxiety: Practical Tips to Find Your Calm 💙

Anxiety can show up in so many ways—racing thoughts, restlessness, or that constant feeling of "what if?" If you've been struggling, you're not alone. The good news? There are simple, effective ways to manage it.

🌿 In my latest blog, I’m sharing:
✔️ Grounding techniques to help you stay present
✔️ Practical coping strategies for anxious moments
✔️ Ways to challenge unhelpful thoughts

If you’re ready to take small steps toward feeling more in control, check it out here: 👉 https://wix.to/pIN9pPZ

💬 What helps you cope with anxiety? Let’s support each other in the comments! 💙

Your 20s can be an exciting yet overwhelming time. Between career decisions, relationships, financial stress, and the pressure to "have it all figured out," anxiety can often creep in. If you find yourself feeling anxious, you’re not alone—many young adults experience anxiety as they navigate th...