Blog – Medens Health

How Are You Coping? A Look at Healthy vs. Unhealthy Coping Strategies

We all have our ways of getting through hard moments, but not all coping strategies are created equal. Some help us regulate our emotions and bounce back stronger. Others might offer quick relief but end up making things worse in the long run. And most of us, without realizing it, use a mix of both.

Erin Kerns Vazquez

April 10, 2025

Self Care Deep Dive

Effective self-care isn’t just an occasional treat—it’s a daily practice. It’s about how you take care of your body, your emotional health, your relationships, your sense of purpose, and your boundaries at work or school. And the truth is, we often let our self-care slip when life gets overwhelming… which is when we need it most.

Erin Kerns Vazquez

April 3, 2025

Mindfulness: Your Secret Weapon for Mental Health

Mindfulness is a term that gets used a lot in mental health, but what does it actually mean? At its core, mindfulness is about being fully present in the moment—aware of your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without judgment. While the idea may sound simple, truly engaging in the present can be difficult, especially in today’s fast-paced world.

Erin Kerns Vazquez

March 27, 2025

What to Do When the Therapeutic Relationship Breaks Down

Therapy is meant to be a space where you feel supported, understood, and empowered to work through challenges. At the heart of this process is the therapeutic alliance—the bond between you and your therapist. But what happens when that bond starts to weaken? If you’re struggling in your therapeutic relationship, you have options.

Erin Kerns Vazquez

March 20, 2025

Understanding Trauma Bonding

When you think about strong emotional bonds, you might picture deep love, loyalty, and trust. Unfortunately, these intense connections can also be built on cycles of mistreatment. This is the reality of trauma bonding—a psychological attachment that forms in toxic relationships, keeping people trapped in harmful dynamics.

Erin Kerns Vazquez

March 13, 2025

When Do Triggers Cross the Line? Understanding Personal Responsibility in Healing

Emotional triggers are a natural part of being human. When we experience something that reminds us of past pain or trauma, it can activate an intense emotional reaction—sometimes one that feels overwhelming. But what happens when our response to triggers starts to shift from managing our own reactions to expecting others to change their behavior to avoid triggering us?

Erin Kerns Vazquez

March 6, 2025

What to Do When You’re Being Invalidated

Have you ever opened up about something important to you, only to hear “You’re too sensitive,” “That’s not a big deal,” or “You’re overreacting”? If so, you’ve experienced invalidation—when someone dismisses, minimizes, or rejects your feelings instead of acknowledging them.

Erin Kerns Vazquez

February 27, 2025

Living on the Outside: When Someone Cuts You Out of Their Life

Few things are as painful and confusing as realizing someone you care about has cut you out of their life. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or romantic partner, being shut out with little or no explanation can leave you feeling lost, hurt, and searching for answers.

Erin Kerns Vazquez

February 20, 2025