What We’re Hearing in the Therapy Office Lately

At Co & Associates, we sit with people at some of the most vulnerable points in their lives. While every story is unique, many clients have been naming similar struggles lately — often quietly, often with a sense of shame they don’t deserve.

These themes aren’t a sign that something is “wrong” with them or you. They are understandable responses to the world we’re currently living in...where so many people seem to be barely functioning and slipping back into survival mode.

Here’s what we’re hearing.

Feeling Disconnected

Many clients describe feeling disconnected — from themselves, their partners, their children, circle of friends or their sense of purpose. Even when life looks “fine” on the outside, internally there’s a feeling of being emotionally distant or numb.

Disconnection is often a protective response to stress, not a personal failure.

Overwhelm With the World Around Us

The pace and intensity of the world right now is overwhelming. News cycles, financial pressures, global uncertainty, and constant stimulation leave little space to regulate or rest.

Many people feel like they’re always “on,” with no safe place to land. There's an information overload with no actual shutting it off, unless we totally tune out the world.

Dopamine & Social Media Cycles

Clients often talk about turning to social media for relief — and then feeling worse afterward. Dopamine-driven habits can offer short-term distraction but often increase anxiety, comparison, and emotional depletion over time.

This isn’t about willpower. It’s about nervous systems under strain.

Feeling Stuck

A common theme is feeling stuck: wanting change but not knowing how to move forward. This can show up as low motivation, procrastination, or a sense of being frozen.

When the nervous system is overwhelmed, clarity and movement often shut down.

Children Caught in the Middle

Many parents carry deep guilt and pain about children being impacted by adult conflict — whether due to separation, co-parenting challenges, or unresolved relational tension.

Parents aren’t failing — they’re often navigating complex emotional dynamics without enough support or too often relying on the opinions and experiences of friends, rather than seeking clear, informed and professionally supported guidance.

The Impact of Undiagnosed Mental Health

We also see the toll that undiagnosed or unaddressed mental health concerns can take on loved ones. Partners and family members may feel confused, resentful, or exhausted while trying to hold everything together.

Support and understanding can change these dynamics significantly.

Frustration With Repeating Relationship Cycles

Many clients express frustration with recurring patterns in relationships — the same arguments, the same disconnection, the same outcomes despite genuine effort.

These cycles are often rooted in attachment, communication patterns, and unmet emotional needs — not a lack of caring.

What stands out most to us is this: people aren’t broken. They’re tired. They’re carrying too much on their own. Not knowing who to turn to or that they are safe enough to even ask for help.

Therapy isn’t about fixing what’s “wrong” with you. It’s about creating space to understand what’s happening beneath the surface — with compassion and support.

If any of these experiences resonate with you, you’re not alone. And you don’t have to navigate this by yourself.

At Co & Associates, we hold space for these conversations every day — with care, curiosity, and without judgment. Support is not a sign of failure.

It’s an act of courage.

Written by: Garion Sparks-Austin Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist Founder & Director of Co & Associates

If this topic resonates with you, our therapists at Co & Associates are here to help you explore attention, regulation, and nervous system health in a compassionate, evidence-informed way.

Disclaimer

The information shared in this blog post is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment.