Alisa Hafkin, LCSW

02/02/2026

Constant connectivity through smartphones, social media, and streaming can overstimulate the brain, making it harder to focus, relax, and process emotions. It can leave you feeling stressed, anxious, or alone, even though you’re “connecting” with friends and community members. Taking breaks from tech, setting limits, and practicing mindfulness can help you feel more grounded and in control.
https://alisahafkin.com/2026/01/technology-drain-how-to-combat-the-negative-effects-of-tech/

01/28/2026

When it comes to serious conversations, face-to-face or phone discussions are usually far more effective than texting. Text can strip away tone, emotion, and nuance, which can easily lead to misunderstandings and hurt feelings. I often work with clients on building better communication skills so they feel confident having important conversations in person.

Texting works well for logistics or light check-ins, but emotional or complex conversations often need a phone call.

01/20/2026

Co-dependency in a marriage can make one partner feel responsible for the other’s happiness, often at the cost of their own well-being. This pattern can create frustration, resentment, and a sense of inadequacy. Therapy helps couples see these patterns, explore where they come from, and find healthier ways to connect without overcompensating.

Often couples therapy starts with one spouse or partner coming to my office with a laundry list of complaints about the other.  They do not feel appreciated, they feel they do everything for the relationship and feel “less than” in … Continue reading →

01/12/2026

If you want your New Year’s resolutions to truly stick, it helps to focus on your overall health. By taking the time now to build healthy habits, you can create lasting change instead of relying on quick fixes that fade by February. I work with clients to set realistic goals and develop strategies that make meaningful improvements to daily routines and long-term wellness, and I would be happy to help you start the year on the path to a healthier, happier you.

This new year, look beyond diet and exercise and add health goals to your resolution list. AMA member physicians share health-related resolutions to add.

01/06/2026

Even though it’s chilly out, taking a quick break outdoors can have a big impact on your mental and physical health. Sunlight helps lift your mood and regulate sleep, while being in nature reduces stress and clears your mind. Just a few minutes outdoors can leave you feeling calmer, more energized, and ready to tackle the rest of your day.

Evidence shows that going outside, even if just for a short time, is tremendously beneficial to our mental health.

12/23/2025

One of the most powerful changes you can experience in life is learning to treat yourself with compassion. Self-compassion is important because it helps us respond to our own struggles with kindness and understanding, which reduces stress, boosts resilience, and improves both mental and emotional health. Learning to treat yourself with compassion can take time and guidance, often with the support of a therapist, but as you practice it, life begins to feel easier, calmer, and more fulfilling.

It's no secret that suffering and difficult times are part of life. And it's never too late for a transformational shift. Self-compassion can help.

12/17/2025

Having meaningful friendships can greatly improve your mental and physical health by helping you feel supported, less stressed, and more confident. Meeting new people as an adult can feel challenging, but taking small steps such as joining a class, volunteering, or attending a club can help you connect with like-minded people. If anxiety or fear makes reaching out difficult, I can work with you to develop strategies and provide guidance so you can build meaningful and lasting connections.

Friendships boost both your physical and mental health. Learn how they help and discover ways to make new friends.

12/11/2025

The journey through infertility can feel overwhelming, with hope and disappointment coming in waves, and the stress sometimes feeling as intense as a major life crisis. While difficult, it’s completely normal to feel grief, anxiety, or isolation. Seeking support from a therapist, support group, or trusted loved one can lighten the emotional load. Taking care of your emotional well-being alongside infertility treatments can help you stay resilient, navigate setbacks, and hold onto hope throughout the process.

Navigating the Emotional Highs and Lows of Fertility Journeys

12/05/2025

Generational trauma is the passing of emotional wounds from one generation to the next, often shaping behaviors and patterns without people realizing why. It can show up as repeated cycles, anxiety, relationship struggles, or intense emotional reactions that seem to run in the family. These wounds are difficult to heal on your own, which is why therapy is important, but it is never too late to begin healing and breaking generational cycles.

Generational trauma refers to psychological wounds that are passed down through family lines, often unconsciously.

11/24/2025

Parenthood is amazing, but it can really take a toll on romance since so much energy goes to the kids and daily life. Couples can start feeling more like roommates than partners, and that distance can be frustrating. Therapy can help you reconnect, communicate better, and find ways to bring intimacy and fun back into your relationship.

Commitment remains steady. The rest does not.

11/20/2025

Everyone makes mistakes, but dwelling on them can keep you stuck in regret, while learning from them can help you grow. Recognize your feelings, forgive yourself, and focus on what you can do differently in the future instead of getting lost in “what ifs.” Treat yourself kindly and do things that lift your mood so you can move on and find peace.

Feeling stuck in regret? Discover how self-compassion and intentional steps can help you find hope, healing, and lasting peace.

11/11/2025

Now that daylight savings time has ended for the year, you may notice your routine and sleep feel off, which can leave you tired and moody. The lack of sunlight during the day can also make some people feel more down or low-energy. It’s pretty normal to feel a shift in your mood, but getting outside for light, sticking to a routine, and taking care of your sleep can help you adjust.

Abandoning the twice-per-year switch to and from daylight saving time could greatly reduce strokes and obesity cases, a new study finds.