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Online Therapy in Virginia: How It Works and Who It Helps
From Arlington to Roanoke, what virtual therapy in Virginia actually looks like: who it helps, how the first call works, and the one rule about where you have to be.
Renee Rugile
Aug 112 min read
Why Life Transitions Knock You Sideways, Even the Ones You Chose
A transition is not the same thing as a bad event. That is the part people get stuck on. You took the promotion. You had the baby you wanted. You moved to the house with the yard. You finally left the marriage that was not working. These are things you chose, and often things you worked hard for, and somehow you are standing in the middle of your own life feeling unmoored. Then comes the second layer, which is usually worse than the first. What is wrong with me that I am not
Renee Rugile
May 122 min read
Finding a Therapist in Tennessee: What to Look For and What to Skip
Telehealth means you are no longer choosing from therapists within a thirty-minute drive of you in Tennessee. What is worth looking for, and what you can safely skip.
Renee Rugile
Feb 92 min read
What Is ACT Therapy, and Why I Use It for Anxiety and Perfectionism
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy stops arguing with anxious thoughts and asks a better question instead. Why ACT works so well for anxiety and perfectionism.
Renee Rugile
Nov 10, 20252 min read
The People-Pleasing Trap: Why Yes Comes Out When You Mean No
People-pleasing is not a bad habit. It is a survival strategy, and it usually got installed early. Why yes arrives before you decide, and what to practice instead.
Renee Rugile
Aug 18, 20252 min read
How to Know If Your Teen Needs Therapy
Most parents who call me do not open with a symptom. They open with a feeling. Something is off, and I cannot name it. That instinct is usually worth listening to. You have known this person their whole life. You notice the change before anyone else does. Adolescence is supposed to include moodiness, privacy, and pulling away. That is developmentally normal and it is not by itself a reason to worry. What matters is not whether your teen has changed. It is whether the change i
Renee Rugile
Jun 16, 20252 min read
Does Online Therapy Actually Work? What to Expect from Virtual Sessions
Yes, online therapy works, and for many people it works better. What virtual sessions are actually like, what you need, and the one real limitation.
Renee Rugile
Apr 14, 20252 min read
Perfectionism vs. High Standards: How to Tell the Difference
High standards are about the work. Perfectionism is about you. Two quick tests to tell which one is running, and what actually helps.
Renee Rugile
Feb 10, 20252 min read
Getting Through the Holidays When Your Family Is Complicated
If your family is complicated, the holidays are not a break. Three things that help you get through December without abandoning yourself.
Renee Rugile
Dec 2, 20242 min read
High-Functioning Anxiety: When Everyone Thinks You're Fine
High-functioning anxiety looks like competence from the outside. Here is what it actually feels like, and four places to start if you recognize yourself in it.
Renee Rugile
Oct 7, 20242 min read


Three Loving Ways to Set Boundaries
Boundaries are rules that we set for ourselves that align with our personal values. Boundaries can differ from over person to another and...
Renee Rugile
Mar 14, 20222 min read


4 life lessons that every therapist wants their clients to hear
The New Year is often a time to set goals and re-ignite drive. Setting goals can be helpful, but it is important to take time to honor...
Renee Rugile
Feb 7, 20222 min read


Black Mental Health Matters
Black history month is an annual celebration that takes place during the month of February. It is a time to celebrate all of the great...
Renee Rugile
Jan 20, 20223 min read
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