Pacific Coast Therapy Blog Page

The Power of Deep Breathing

When someone is upset why does everyone say to “just take a deep breath”? Let’s face it, when we are in the midst of a highly emotional moment the last thing you would want to hear is “calm down, take a deep breath.” Well, if we were able to take some deep belly...

A Note from Pacfic Coast Founder Kaila Hattis

I have always felt a strong purpose in helping others. I’ve known that I wanted to be a therapist since I was 14 years old. Now, being a therapist in Santa Cruz, where I was born and raised, feels incredibly special. When founding Pacific Coast Therapy, I reflected on...

Thoughtful Counselor Podcast | PCT’s Kaila Hattis & Emily Behrs

BODY POSITIVITY IN COUNSELING: WORKING WITH TEENS WITH EATING DISORDERS In this episode of The Thoughtful Counselor Podcast, Dr. Megan Speciale interviews Emily Behrs, AMFT, and Kaila Hattis, LMFT, about using a body-positive framework for working with teens who...

Back to School Tips to Reduce Anxiety for Parents and Kids

As summer time comes to a close and the beginning of the school year approaches, there may be many different feelings arising from both parents and students. Some students may feel really excited that they get to see their friends at school every day, nervous about...

TIPP Skills

Everyone can be prone to bouts of strong, difficult emotions like anger, sadness, grief, anxiety, shame, and more. When we feel these strong emotions, our sympathetic nervous system, commonly referred to as our fight, flight, or freeze responses, is activated. When...

What Happens When You Call In For Therapy?

Choosing to seek therapy may range on a spectrum from an easy, no-brainer decision, to a very complex, scary decision. The thought of being authentic and vulnerable with a stranger can feel overwhelming. In many cases, it can be daunting, and even uncomfortable....

Signs It’s Time To Seek Postpartum Depression Treatment

Nearly one in every nine women suffers from postpartum depression following the birth of a child. You may have heard the term “baby blues”, which some people consider to be synonymous with postpartum depression. Some symptoms to look out for that are consistent with...

Growing Pains: Challenges Teens Face Just Because They’re Teens

Adolescence can be the most awkward and difficult time in one’s life. First, there's puberty which brings changes in hormones, body image, and mood. This can cause confusion and even distress in teens, especially if they do not know how to communicate their...

Relationship Green Flags: Getting to Know Your Partner’s Love Language

Pop culture and social media present love and relationships to be nearly unattainable. You see influencers on social media going on extravagant dates. Romantic comedies feature the hottest people falling in love in the most idyllic, perfect scenarios. In reality,...

Signs It’s Time to Seek OCD Treatment

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) involves three main components: obsessions, emotions, and compulsions. An obsession is characterized as an intrusive, unwanted thought, image, and/or urge that occurs repeatedly and is out of a person’s control. These thoughts,...