Renee Calhoun, LMFT Renee Calhoun, LMFT

When Cutoff Isn’t The Goal: A Call for Accountability, Connection & Healing

Cutoff is rarely the goal in parent–child relationships. Most adult children are not asking their parents to carry blame, but to acknowledge the pain that existed and to heal together. When accountability is avoided, both parents and children experience a kind of living grief. But when it is embraced, that grief can become a bridge back to connection, repair, and relationship.

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Renee Calhoun, LMFT Renee Calhoun, LMFT

So, You Don’t Have ADHD? Here’s What It’s Like for Those Who Do

ADHD is what happens when your brain forgets time exists, treats choosing socks like a major life decision, and suddenly becomes a productivity machine five minutes before a deadline. This article explains the ADHD brain with humor, real-life examples, and a whole lot of validation.

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Couples & Family Relationships, Book Club Renee Calhoun, LMFT Couples & Family Relationships, Book Club Renee Calhoun, LMFT

Book Club Review: No Bad Parts

Have you ever thought, “Part of me wants to change jobs but another part wants to stay where it’s safe”? Many people experience these inner conflicts. In this article, therapist Renée Calhoun shares insights from a therapist-led book club on No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz and explains how Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy helps people understand the different “parts” of themselves with curiosity and compassion.

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Book Review: The Happiest Kids in the World

What if raising happy children is not about doing more but about doing less? In this review of The Happiest Kids in the World, we explore how Dutch parenting prioritizes independence, connection, and balance to raise confident and resilient children.

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Renee Calhoun, LMFT Renee Calhoun, LMFT

To the Mom Who Made the Birthday Magic Happen

You did it, mama. Another birthday. Another year of keeping your child alive, loved, and held together in ways no one else fully sees. This isn’t just about cake and candles. It’s about the invisible work, the late nights, the mental load, and the quiet moments where you wonder if you did enough. I see you. And what you’re doing matters more than you know.

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Renee Calhoun, LMFT Renee Calhoun, LMFT

Letter to the One Watching It All Unfold

When an affair goes public, the impact reaches far beyond the couple. This trauma-informed letter speaks to adult children, teens, friends, and bystanders navigating the emotional fallout of someone else’s betrayal, offering validation, clarity, and guidance for processing what they’re feeling.

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Renee Calhoun, LMFT Renee Calhoun, LMFT

AI Won’t Replace You. But Stagnation Might.

AI isn’t here to replace you. It can’t replicate presence, intuition, or the human connection that therapy requires. But if you’re stuck, avoiding growth, or offering surface-level work, something else might take your place. This is a direct, honest look at what it means to evolve as a therapist in a world that’s changing quickly.

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Renee Calhoun, LMFT Renee Calhoun, LMFT

You’re Halfway Through Summer, Mama…and You’re Doing Better Than You Think

You’re halfway through summer and if no one has said it yet, you’re doing great. The snacks, the rides, the chaos, the constant requests, it’s a lot. And if you’re feeling pressure to make every day magical, this is your reminder that you don’t have to. The simple, messy, unplanned moments are where the real magic lives.

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Book Club Review: The Body Keeps The Score

A therapist reflects on reading The Body Keeps the Score in a book club filled with clinicians and explains why she is no longer recommending it to clients. While the book contains critical insights about trauma and the nervous system, it is dense and difficult for many readers. The biggest takeaway is simple but powerful. The mind and body are not separate systems. They are integrated, and healing requires caring for the nervous system as well as our thoughts.

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Renee Calhoun, LMFT Renee Calhoun, LMFT

Letter to the Person Considering Medication Assisted Treatment

If you are considering medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opiate recovery, this compassionate guide breaks down methadone, Suboxone, and Vivitrol in simple, relatable terms. Learn how treatment works, what to expect, and why choosing support is not weakness but strength.

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Renee Calhoun, LMFT Renee Calhoun, LMFT

To the First Responders: The Helpers Who Keep Us Breathing

To the first responders, the ones who answer the calls no one else wants to hear, who step into chaos while everyone else steps back, this is for you. You hold more than people realize. You carry stories, moments, and weight that doesn’t just disappear when the shift ends. And still, you show up.

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Renee Calhoun, LMFT Renee Calhoun, LMFT

To the One Living with Chronic Illness

If you live with chronic illness, even getting to an appointment can feel overwhelming. This article explains how virtual therapy can provide mental health support from the comfort of home, without added pressure or expectations.

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Parenting Stress & The Mental Load Renee Calhoun, LMFT Parenting Stress & The Mental Load Renee Calhoun, LMFT

How to Navigate Pennsylvania Medicaid and Mental Health Services Without Losing Your Mind

Navigating Pennsylvania Medicaid for mental health services can feel overwhelming for families. This guide explains how Medical Assistance works, who qualifies under PH-95, how behavioral health coverage is managed, and how Medicaid can work alongside private insurance to reduce financial stress while ensuring children receive the care they need.

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Renee Calhoun, LMFT Renee Calhoun, LMFT

A Letter to the Mom Crying in Her Black SUV

To the mom crying in her black SUV between errands and pickup lines, you are not failing. You are carrying more than anyone can see and it makes sense that your tears finally found their way out. You are not invisible. You are worthy of support and softness and a life that gives you space to breathe again.

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