If you are in crisis or immediate danger, please call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Writing on Therapy & Mental Health

Honest, plain-language writing about what therapy is actually like, how EMDR works, and the questions people carry long before they ever contact a therapist. Written by Maria Boncyk, LCSW from fifteen-plus years of clinical practice.

Starting TherapySeptember 12, 2026

How to Find an LGBTQ-Affirming Therapist in New York

A rainbow flag on a directory profile is not a screening process. A licensed therapist explains what affirming care should mean, the questions to ask in a consultation, the red flags, and what New York and Massachusetts law does and does not cover.

Maria Boncyk, LCSWRead
EMDRSeptember 10, 2026

Does EMDR Work Over Video? What the Evidence Says

EMDR involves eye movements, so it is fair to ask how that survives a screen. An EMDR-trained therapist walks through how virtual sessions actually work, what the research now shows, and why an app is not the same thing.

Maria Boncyk, LCSWRead
AI-Free TherapySeptember 5, 2026

Is Your Therapist Using AI? What to Ask About Your Notes

AI note-takers have moved into therapy offices faster than most clients realize. A licensed therapist explains what the data actually shows, why it is a confidentiality question, and the five questions to ask your own therapist.

Maria Boncyk, LCSWRead
Starting TherapyJuly 23, 2026

What Is Therapy Really Like? What to Expect in Your First Session

A licensed therapist walks you through exactly what happens before, during, and after a first therapy session, from the free consultation to the paperwork to what you actually talk about, so the unknown stops being a reason to wait.

Maria Boncyk, LCSWRead
Starting TherapyJuly 16, 2026

Signs You Might Benefit from Talking to a Therapist

Constant exhaustion, a shrinking life, relationships that keep hurting the same way: a licensed therapist describes the real-world signs that therapy could help, including the ones high-functioning people are best at explaining away.

Maria Boncyk, LCSWRead
EMDRJuly 9, 2026

What Is EMDR? A Plain-Language Guide

EMDR sounds strange until someone explains it properly. An EMDR-trained therapist breaks down how eye movements help the brain reprocess painful memories, what a session actually involves, and who the research says it helps.

Maria Boncyk, LCSWRead
Starting TherapyJuly 2, 2026

Is Therapy Worth It? Common Questions Answered

Does therapy actually work, how long does it take, and what does it cost with insurance factored in? A therapist answers the practical questions people weigh before starting, with straight numbers and no sales pitch.

Maria Boncyk, LCSWRead

Reading Is a Start. Talking Helps More.

If something you read here felt familiar, that recognition is worth paying attention to. A free 25-minute consultation is an easy, unpressured next step.