Author: Jor-El Caraballo

Talkspace Therapist

What’s the Deal with Emotional Affairs (According to a Therapist)

Author By Jor-El Caraballo, Talkspace Therapist
Posted:
Two people holding hands

Emotional affairs are non-sexual, but intense emotional actions with someone outside of a committed relationship. They’re arguably more easily facilitated with the help of modern technology like dating apps or social networks. Unlike prior decades, those who have affairs don’t only relegate themselves to people in their direct proximity (such as work), but may establish real connections with others in far away places.

Emotional affairs are a type of infidelity (cheating). However, everyone has different opinions on what constitutes cheating, so there’s a lot of variation in what might be characterized as an emotional affair. Continue reading What’s the Deal with Emotional Affairs (According to a Therapist)

My Child is Trans, How Can I Best Support Them?

Author By Jor-El Caraballo, Talkspace Therapist
Posted:
Kid walking

Raising a child is not an easy process. It requires a lot of dedication and sacrifice. Parenthood is filled with great expectations for one’s child, and often requires a lot of hard work and support. This is wonderfully captured in a quote by journalist Maria Shriver:

“Having kids — the responsibility of rearing good, kind, ethical, responsible human beings — is the biggest job anyone can embark on. As with any risk, you have to take a leap of faith and ask lots of wonderful people for their help and guidance. I thank God every day for giving me the opportunity to parent.”

While parenting can be one of the most rewarding parts of the human experience, it can also be a challenge. Many parents face obstacles such as economic concerns and emotional barriers while trying to do their best to raise happy, healthy future adults. Continue reading My Child is Trans, How Can I Best Support Them?

3 Ways to Make the Good Parts of the Holidays Last All Year

Author By Jor-El Caraballo, Talkspace Therapist
Posted:
Two women meet a Santa under a California pier

The holiday season is a special time of year. Many people are celebrating both religious and cultural holidays in a concentrated few weeks. These celebrations help promote the “holiday spirit” where we often honor some of our most sacred values. But what if you could make the good parts of the holidays last all year long?

You can!

While there is no one way to celebrate the holiday season, here are some suggestions that overlap different traditions and cultures that you may want to incorporate in the coming year. Continue reading 3 Ways to Make the Good Parts of the Holidays Last All Year

A Therapist’s Guide to Getting Unstuck

Author By Jor-El Caraballo, Talkspace Therapist
Posted:
A man touching a wall of gum

Feeling “stuck” is an awful feeling. Stuck can quickly turn to feeling hopeless and helpless. When you can’t achieve the things that you want, the internal dialogue can quickly turn to criticism and self-blame. But, it doesn’t have to be that way.

If you’re looking to make some important changes in your life, here are some thoughts to get you unstuck.

Continue reading A Therapist’s Guide to Getting Unstuck

Do Things Truly Get Better When You Come Out as LGBTQ?

Author By Jor-El Caraballo, Talkspace Therapist
Posted:
a woman with black nail polish holds rainbow candles

Coming out is the process of acknowledging both internally and socially that you are LGBTQ.

Unfortunately, we live in a world in which “coming out” is still demanded of LGBTQ folks, as heterosexuality is seen as the default (read: normal) sexuality. As a result, we often push people to come out, especially publicly.

Let’s explore some of the nuances of coming out, and how this important step in an LGBTQ individual’s life can be both beneficial and challenging.

Continue reading Do Things Truly Get Better When You Come Out as LGBTQ?

A Therapist’s Guide to Cohabitation

Author By Jor-El Caraballo, Talkspace Therapist
Posted:
Plastic dog and cat figurines phase in and out of colorful walls

Cohabitation is the practice of living with another person while in a relationship, typically of a romantic or sexual nature.

Cohabitation is relatively common these days, with some past estimates (from 2012) indicating that as many as 7.8 million couples were living together, unmarried. This number has dramatically increased in the past few decades as our culture has shifted from a more religious and conservative stance to a more progressive and practical (though anxious) one.

It’s almost more uncommon to meet a couple who hasn’t taken the proverbial “test drive” in cohabiting before marriage. It’s a relatively practical solution to difficult emotional problem — how two people can coexist peacefully and happily under the same roof.

Continue reading A Therapist’s Guide to Cohabitation

The 12 Best Ways to Spend a Mental Health Day (According to a Therapist)

Author By Jor-El Caraballo, Talkspace Therapist
Posted:
Man laying in hammock with dog laying head on lap

Everyone has their own way of embracing self-care and addressing their mental health. It’s important for your mental well-being and can provide a valuable reset that leaves you more positive and productive going forward. Today, we’re sharing some secret tips from a therapist on the best way you can spend your mental health day.

Continue reading The 12 Best Ways to Spend a Mental Health Day (According to a Therapist)

A Therapist’s Guide to Talking to Friends and Family About Mental Health

Author By Jor-El Caraballo, Talkspace Therapist
Posted:
Two people having coffee sitting across from each other

Seeking mental health services isn’t easy. It might be even more difficult to open up to your friends and family about how you’ve been struggling to manage your mental health. Starting the conversation, however, has a lot of potential benefits — most notably increased family support and reassurance. When you’re deep in anxiety or depression, this extra support could make a huge difference.

Unfortunately, societal stigmas have made it difficult for those living with mental health concerns to receive support. In an ideal world, we would all be proactive in looking out for one another. Even well-intentioned family members or friends don’t take the time to check in, sometimes due to ignorance around mental health topics, other times because they’re preoccupied with their own concerns.

But, if you’re willing to begin the conversation with your loved ones about your struggles then this post might help them better understand and support you.

Continue reading A Therapist’s Guide to Talking to Friends and Family About Mental Health

Is it Possible (or Necessary) to Get Relationship Closure?

Author By Jor-El Caraballo, Talkspace Therapist
Posted:
Man standing in doorway under disco balls

Closure is a relationship trope that we often see play out in blockbuster movies. When a couple breaks up, we often see the partners individually (and often collectively) try to seek what they call “closure.” In many scenarios, it is depicted as light-hearted and funny, but if you’ve lived through a breakup yourself, you know the process of getting closure can be painful.

We see this desire for closure play out in our own relationships when we experience a separation or break up. When a relationship ends, we are sometimes left feeling heartbroken and often confused. In an effort to make sense of such a horrible disruption, we seek understanding. We seek comfort and solace. We seek closure.

Continue reading Is it Possible (or Necessary) to Get Relationship Closure?