How Can I Find Balance Between Holding Strong Values and Letting Go of Overcontrol? | LGBTQ Therapy and Emotional Resilience in NYC
Eric M Hovis Eric M Hovis

How Can I Find Balance Between Holding Strong Values and Letting Go of Overcontrol? | LGBTQ Therapy and Emotional Resilience in NYC

This blog post titled "How Can I Find Balance Between Holding Strong Values and Letting Go of Overcontrol? | LGBTQ Therapy NYC and Emotional Resilience in NYC" explores the challenges faced by individuals, particularly those from fundamentalist backgrounds, in balancing deeply held values with emotional flexibility. It discusses how early moral conditioning can lead to overcontrol and a rigid view of right and wrong, affecting both self-worth and relationships with others. Through practical tools like reframing responsibility, practicing compassion, and mindfulness, the post guides readers toward finding emotional freedom, honoring their values, and letting go of unrealistic expectations. This journey is especially relevant for LGBTQ individuals seeking to navigate their world with greater emotional resilience.

Read More
Why Am I So Focused on Right or Wrong? Unpacking the Influence of Early Moral Conditioning in LGBTQ Therapy in NYC
Eric M Hovis Eric M Hovis

Why Am I So Focused on Right or Wrong? Unpacking the Influence of Early Moral Conditioning in LGBTQ Therapy in NYC

This blog titled "Why Am I So Focused on Right or Wrong? Unpacking the Influence of Early Moral Conditioning in LGBTQ Therapy in NYC" explores how early moral conditioning, particularly from fundamentalist backgrounds, can lead to overwhelming feelings of responsibility and ethical perfectionism. It discusses how this conditioning affects LGBTQ individuals, creating identity conflicts and stress. The post explains how therapeutic approaches like EMDR and mindfulness can help reframe these responses, allowing individuals to find balance, embrace compassion, and let go of unrealistic expectations. With practical exercises and an emphasis on self-compassion, readers are guided to live in alignment with their values without being burdened by the weight of the world.

Read More
What Are the Unique Mental Health Needs of LGBTQ+ Individuals in NYC?
Eric M Hovis Eric M Hovis

What Are the Unique Mental Health Needs of LGBTQ+ Individuals in NYC?

This blog post titled "What Are the Unique Mental Health Needs of LGBTQ+ Individuals in NYC?" explores the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, including identity-related stress, discrimination, and social isolation, while highlighting the importance of LGBTQ therapy in NYC. It discusses the transformative potential of therapeutic approaches like EMDR, IFS, and mindfulness-based CBT, emphasizing how specialized LGBTQ Therapy in NYC can help clients build resilience, navigate complexities, and foster a sense of belonging. Start your journey of healing with an affirming therapist who deeply understands your experiences—book a consultation today to reclaim your mental health.

Read More
Understanding Trauma Responses from Religious Abuse: Insights from LGBTQ Therapy in NYC
Eric M Hovis Eric M Hovis

Understanding Trauma Responses from Religious Abuse: Insights from LGBTQ Therapy in NYC

This blog post titled "Understanding Trauma Responses from Religious Abuse: Insights from LGBTQ Therapy in NYC" explains how religious abuse uniquely impacts LGBTQ individuals, leading to complex trauma and common responses like fight, flight, freeze, and fawn. It offers insights into healing through LGBTQ-affirming therapies such as EMDR, IFS, and experiential techniques, while also encouraging resilience through community and self-acceptance. If you’re seeking support for religious trauma, LGBTQ Therapy in NYC provides a safe space for healing and growth.

Read More
How to Use Tapping to Relieve Stress and Anxiety
Eric M Hovis Eric M Hovis

How to Use Tapping to Relieve Stress and Anxiety

This blog, titled "How to Use Tapping to Relieve Stress and Anxiety," explores Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) as a powerful tool for relieving anxiety, especially for LGBTQ+ individuals in NYC engaged in EMDR Therapy NYC. Combining modern psychology with acupressure, EFT helps release tension, promote self-acceptance, and regulate the nervous system. This post provides a step-by-step guide to using tapping, discusses how it fits into a broader trauma-informed treatment plan, and shares client experiences that demonstrate its effectiveness. Whether you're facing everyday stress or deeper emotional challenges, EFT can be an accessible way to find relief and reconnect with your body.

Read More
The Fine Line between Avoidance and Rest: Finding Balance in Self-Care
Eric M Hovis Eric M Hovis

The Fine Line between Avoidance and Rest: Finding Balance in Self-Care

This blog post, "The Fine Line Between Avoidance and Rest: Finding Balance in Self-Care," explores how to distinguish between restorative rest and avoidance. It discusses how avoidance often masquerades as rest but ultimately leads to increased stress and anxiety, whereas true rest is rejuvenating. The post offers strategies for finding balance, such as setting intentions, practicing self-compassion, and using therapy for support. Therapy, including LGBTQ therapy NYC, helps individuals understand their motivations and break free from avoidance patterns, creating healthier ways to cope and thrive.

Read More
What Is Progressive Muscle Relaxation and How Does It Help with Tension?
Eric M Hovis Eric M Hovis

What Is Progressive Muscle Relaxation and How Does It Help with Tension?

This blog post, "What Is Progressive Muscle Relaxation and How Does It Help with Tension?", explores how Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) can help LGBTQ+ individuals release chronic physical tension and reduce stress. It explains how PMR works, provides a step-by-step guide to practice it, and discusses its benefits in trauma recovery, particularly alongside EMDR Therapy NYC. Learn practical ways to integrate PMR into your self-care routine and overcome common challenges to experience lasting relief from tension.

Read More
How Can Therapy Help LGBTQ+ Clients Navigate Family Conflict?
Eric M Hovis Eric M Hovis

How Can Therapy Help LGBTQ+ Clients Navigate Family Conflict?

This post, "How Can Therapy Help LGBTQ+ Clients Navigate Family Conflict?", explores effective strategies for LGBTQ+ individuals dealing with ongoing family conflict, particularly from afar. It discusses the importance of differentiation—being emotionally and psychologically independent—and how therapy helps clients regulate their emotions, embrace flexibility, and develop meaningful boundaries. Learn how LGBTQ Therapy NYC and EMDR Therapy NYC can support you in managing these complex relationships and building resilience.

Read More
How to Use “Calm Place” Visualization to Manage Overwhelm and Flashbacks in EMDR Therapy in NYC
Eric M Hovis Eric M Hovis

How to Use “Calm Place” Visualization to Manage Overwhelm and Flashbacks in EMDR Therapy in NYC

"How to Use Calm Place Visualization to Manage Overwhelm and Flashbacks" explores how Calm Place Visualization, a key tool used in EMDR Therapy in NYC, can help individuals—especially those with a history of trauma—manage overwhelming feelings and flashbacks. It provides a step-by-step guide to creating a mental refuge that offers safety, describes how the technique can reduce emotional intensity during distress, and offers practical tips to make it a part of daily life. Therapy support is recommended for deeper healing and guidance in this practice.

Read More
Can I Reclaim Spirituality After Religious Trauma? LGBTQ Therapy in NYC Explains How
Eric M Hovis Eric M Hovis

Can I Reclaim Spirituality After Religious Trauma? LGBTQ Therapy in NYC Explains How

"Can I Reclaim Spirituality After Religious Trauma? LGBTQ Therapy in NYC Explains How" explores how LGBTQ+ individuals can rediscover spirituality following religious trauma. It explains the impact of such trauma on one's spiritual connection and how therapy can provide a safe space for redefining beliefs. The post offers practical steps for reclaiming spirituality, such as exploring new practices, releasing fear of divine punishment, and viewing spirituality as empowerment. LGBTQ Therapy in NYC helps individuals heal past wounds and rebuild a supportive spiritual connection.

Read More
Should I Visit My Family Over the Holidays? LGBTQ Therapy in NYC Can Help
Eric M Hovis Eric M Hovis

Should I Visit My Family Over the Holidays? LGBTQ Therapy in NYC Can Help

The blog post "Should I Visit My Family Over the Holidays? LGBTQ Therapy in NYC Can Help" explores the complexities LGBTQ+ individuals face when deciding whether to visit family during the holiday season. It addresses the emotional challenges of re-entering family spaces that may not be accepting and offers insights to help navigate this difficult decision. The blog provides practical strategies for setting boundaries, identifying social supports, and shifting perspectives on family dynamics. It also emphasizes the importance of building resilience and finding joy, even amidst challenging circumstances. LGBTQ Therapy in NYC, including EMDR, is presented as a powerful resource for healing past wounds and making empowered decisions.

Read More
Feeling Triggered by the Political Climate? Strategies from an LGBTQ Therapist in NYC
Eric M Hovis Eric M Hovis

Feeling Triggered by the Political Climate? Strategies from an LGBTQ Therapist in NYC

This blog post, titled "Feeling Triggered by the Political Climate? Strategies from an LGBTQ Therapist in NYC," explores the deep emotional toll that political stress takes on LGBTQ+ individuals and offers a pathway to healing beyond mere coping. As a licensed mental health counselor specializing in LGBTQ Therapy in NYC, I share both personal and professional insights into how political triggers often reopen old wounds of discrimination and trauma. Through a trauma-informed approach integrating EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and experiential therapy, I help clients move from anxiety and emotional reactivity to a place of resilience and empowerment. This post outlines strategies for reclaiming perspective and agency, balancing activism with self-care, and engaging in deep healing work rather than remaining stuck in indignation. If you’re ready to move beyond surface-level coping and step into true healing, visit my website or schedule a free consultation to learn how LGBTQ Therapy in NYC can support you.

Read More
How to Use Bilateral Stimulation to Calm Your Nervous System
Eric M Hovis Eric M Hovis

How to Use Bilateral Stimulation to Calm Your Nervous System

The blog post titled "How to Use Bilateral Stimulation to Calm Your Nervous System" explains how Bilateral Stimulation (BLS), a therapeutic technique used in EMDR Therapy in NYC, can help individuals manage anxiety and calm the nervous system by engaging both sides of the brain. The post introduces BLS methods such as eye movements, the "Butterfly Hug," knee tapping, and using bilateral music with headphones, emphasizing that BLS works most effectively when combined with other grounding exercises, visualizations like the "Calm Place," or breathing techniques. It also provides practical instructions and tips for using BLS safely, cautioning that it should not be used alone, as it may trigger trauma memories, and highlights the importance of professional guidance through EMDR Therapy in NYC to ensure its effective and safe use in building emotional resilience.

Read More
Why Deep Breathing Is Key to Managing Anxiety
Eric M Hovis Eric M Hovis

Why Deep Breathing Is Key to Managing Anxiety

Anxiety can be a constant presence in our lives, especially for LGBTQ+ individuals navigating the pressures of NYC, where social anxiety, discrimination, and identity-related stressors compound daily experiences. Deep breathing is a simple yet powerful tool that helps regulate the nervous system by calming the body’s stress response. Whether through techniques like box breathing, 4-7-8 breathing, or diaphragmatic breathing, this practice helps us stay grounded, regain control, and build emotional resilience. In LGBTQ Therapy in NYC, deep breathing is one of many tools used to manage anxiety, offering a way to feel more present and connected in challenging moments.

Read More
7 Tips for Managing Holiday Stress as an LGBTQ+ Adult in a Politically Charged Season
Eric M Hovis Eric M Hovis

7 Tips for Managing Holiday Stress as an LGBTQ+ Adult in a Politically Charged Season

The holidays can be an especially stressful time, particularly for LGBTQ+ folks navigating politically charged gatherings and tense family dynamics. Whether it’s dealing with the anxiety of uncomfortable conversations or struggling to find your own joy amidst external pressures, this season can feel heavy. But it doesn’t have to be all overwhelming. By setting boundaries, connecting with your chosen family, and using practical strategies like deep breathing or creating an exit plan, you can protect your peace and prioritize your well-being. LGBTQ Therapy in NYC is also an option if you need extra support in managing holiday stress. At the end of the day, it’s about giving yourself permission to take care of you.

Read More
How Can I Cope with Political Stress? LGBTQ and EMDR Therapy in NYC for Resilience and Growth
Eric M Hovis Eric M Hovis

How Can I Cope with Political Stress? LGBTQ and EMDR Therapy in NYC for Resilience and Growth

The blog post "How Can I Cope with Political Stress? LGBTQ and EMDR Therapy in NYC for Resilience and Growth" discusses the impact of today’s political climate on LGBTQ+ individuals, compounded by past discrimination and trauma. It emphasizes the importance of creating safe spaces to discuss political stress, channeling anxiety into meaningful action, and practicing compassion meditation to reduce internal anger. The post also highlights how LGBTQ and EMDR Therapy in NYC can help heal underlying wounds, build resilience, and empower individuals to manage political stress while finding joy and fostering meaningful connections.

Read More
Can EMDR Therapy in NYC Heal Trauma from Discrimination?
Eric M Hovis Eric M Hovis

Can EMDR Therapy in NYC Heal Trauma from Discrimination?

This blog post titled “Can EMDR Therapy in NYC Heal Trauma from Discrimination?” explores how EMDR Therapy helps LGBTQ+ individuals—especially those with religious trauma—heal from the emotional wounds of discrimination. Drawing on real-life clinical insights and a deeply affirming approach, the post highlights how EMDR reprocesses painful memories, reduces anxiety, and rebuilds self-trust by targeting the root of trauma stored in the nervous system. Tailored for queer adults navigating microaggressions, identity-based rejection, and complex workplace dynamics, this blog shows how EMDR Therapy in NYC can offer lasting relief and a renewed sense of freedom.

Read More
What Is Grounding and How Can It Help After Trauma?
Eric M Hovis Eric M Hovis

What Is Grounding and How Can It Help After Trauma?

This blog post titled "What Is Grounding and How Can It Help After Trauma?" explores how grounding techniques can support LGBTQ+ individuals in NYC who are healing from trauma, anxiety, and identity-based stress. Written by Eric Hovis, a licensed therapist specializing in LGBTQ Therapy NYC, the post offers a deeply personal and professional look at how grounding helps regulate the nervous system, restore a felt sense of safety, and serve as the first step in deeper trauma recovery. With metaphors like “touching grass” and “anchoring,” Eric shares both practical tools and a unique perspective that sets his therapy approach apart.

Read More
How Can LGBTQ Therapy in NYC Help with Identity and Relationship Challenges?
Eric M Hovis Eric M Hovis

How Can LGBTQ Therapy in NYC Help with Identity and Relationship Challenges?

This blog post titled "How Can LGBTQ Therapy in NYC Help with Identity and Relationship Challenges?" explores the unique struggles LGBTQ+ individuals face in New York City—from battling internalized stigma and familial pressures to navigating the complexities of modern relationships—and explains how tailored, trauma-informed therapy can empower you to reclaim your authentic self and build fulfilling connections.

Read More