 Can you believe it's the middle of May already? Sis, life can be fun and joyful, but other times it can get pretty heavy. When it’s heavy, it can affect how you think, how you feel, how you show up for yourself and others. But how do you know when it's time to call in some extra support? How do you know when it's time for therapy? There are many signs, but lets just talk about a few.
1. When Everyday Functioning Feels Like a Struggle We all have our off days, but when getting out of bed, going to work, or even taking care of basic things feels like climbing a mountain, that’s a sign. If your daily life feels like survival mode more often than not, it might be time to consider therapy. Therapy isn’t just for crisis moments—it’s for getting your life back. 2. When Emotions Feel Unmanageable Sis, do you find yourself crying uncontrollably, quick to anger, or so anxious it makes it hard to breathe. If you're finding it hard to manage your emotions, therapy can help you sort through them. Your feelings are valid, but you don’t have to carry them alone. 3. When Trauma Won’t Let You Go Trauma has a way of sticking around long after the event has passed. If you’re finding it hard to move past something that happened, whether it was last year or a decade ago, therapy can help you process it. You don’t have to live with that weight forever. 4. When Relationships Feel Like a Battle Honey, do relationships seem like a struggle? Whether it’s with your partner, your kids, or even your friends, if you’re finding it hard to communicate, set boundaries, or simply connect, therapy can help you get to the root of it. 5. When Coping Skills Are Unhealthy Do you find yourself reaching for a glass of wine or substances when life gets challenging? If you find yourself reaching for unhealthy habits to cope, or you feel like you don’t have the skills to manage life’s stresses, therapy can help you build that toolbox. Ready to Take the Next Step? It’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and there’s no better time to prioritize your well-being. Therapy is a tool that can help you break free from the things that hold you back. If you see yourself in any of these signs, maybe it’s time to take that step. You deserve healing, Sis. You deserve peace. And you don’t have to do it alone. At Peaceful Thoughts Therapy, I’m here to walk with you on that journey. Reach out today to take that first step. You don’t have to do it alone, Sis. Stay tuned for Part 2—where we’ll dig even deeper into more signs that therapy might be the right move for you.
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 It’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and as a therapist, I’m all about promoting mental wellness. Today, I want to share a story I’ve never forgotten—my very first therapy session.
I was 18 and had just started college. I was struggling in so many areas—dating someone who didn’t treat me well, adjusting to college life, juggling a part-time job, learning how to live with a roommate, and trying to find my place in the world. In high school, I never dated. Partly because my mother didn’t allow it, and partly because no one ever asked me out. I didn’t think too much about it—most of my friends weren’t dating either. But the moment I stepped onto my college campus, that changed. On the first day, a football player approached me and asked for my number. A girl who never dated, was not going to turn down that offer!! I was so excited—someone was finally paying attention to me. We started dating, but I quickly sensed something wasn’t right. He was sweet sometimes, but other times he was critical and mean. Other women on campus warned me about him, but I didn’t listen. I thought, someone finally loves me and I wasn’t going to let that go. I began falling apart. I felt sad, overwhelmed, stressed out, sad and anxious. I cried every day. My hair started falling out. Thankfully, I had access to good health insurance through my part-time job, which included 10 free EAP sessions. I was a psychology major, and I figuredd if I wanted to be a therapist, maybe I should try therapy myself. So I made the call. My first therapist was a kind woman named Connie. She gently asked me why I was staying in a relationship I didn’t feel good about. I didn’t have an answer—just an “I don’t know.” As we talked more, the deeper truth came to the surface: my fear of abandonment and low self-esteem. I was chasing the love I never received from my father. That relationship was filling a painful gap I didn’t even realize existed. That was the beginning of my father wound healing journey. Even though I only saw Connie for a few sessions and didn’t break up with my boyfriend until two years later, she never judged me. She listened, supported me, and planted the seed that whispered, “You deserve better.” And for that, I will always be grateful. Since then, I’ve returned to therapy at different points in my life. And yes, even as a therapist, I still go to therapy. We never stop growing. Connie’s impact on me helped shape the therapist I am today. I always strive to make my clients, especially those coming for the first time—feel safe, seen, and heard. If you’re not feeling like yourself lately or you’re stuck in indecision, feeling overwhelmed, or struggling in your relationships, know that therapy can help. You don’t have to do this alone. Our DAUGHTERS CONNECTED support group starts May 7th—a space for women healing from father absence, abandonment, and the pain of never feeling “enough.” Or maybe it’s time to start your own therapy journey—just like I did. Either way, healing is possible. And you deserve it.  Happy March Ladies!! March is Women’s History month and I am here for it! This month, I have been celebrating all the women who have paved the way. But Sis, let’s not forget about women like you, who are paving your own way every single day. There are a lot of powerful women to be celebrated. Harriet Tubman, Oprah Winfrey, Viola Davis, Michelle Obama, and you too!! My Story: From Playing it Safe to Walking in My Purpose. I was raised by a strong, single mom who taught me resilience and a strong work ethic. After my father left the family, I needed stability and a sense of safety. I made decisions in my life to fulfill those needs. I went to a college close to home. I found a stable county job, with a check and pension. After a few years, I realized the job misaligned with my personal values. I knew I wanted something more. I was tired of playing it safe. After I became a licensed marriage and family therapist, I thought about working for the county again. After deep reflection, my heart wanted to become an entrepreneur. My college professors discouraged us from opening our own private practice, stating “you won’t make much money doing that.” Although I didn’t know many business owners, I knew I wanted to be my own boss. Thank God I stumbled across a social media group of therapists who were thriving in private practice. I saw that it was doable. After reading a few business books, and gaining a boost of self-love and confidence, I opened Peaceful Thoughts Therapy. For almost 10 years, I have been running a successful business helping women learn to love themselves and cultivate fulfilling relationships. You don’t have to be a business owner, actor, artist, or “one of the first___”, to be women’s history. You are women’s history and let’s discuss how to celebrate it!! Own Your Own Story Everything you have been through is your history. Triumphs and tribulations are part of your legacy. Don’t downplay your journey. Take Up Space I work with women every day that carry a lot of shame. They say to me, “I’m too much”, or “I’m being overdramatic.” No, you are not. You are being you. Continue to speak up and step into the room like you belong there. Celebrate All of Your Wins Sis, if you crush a goal, celebrate it! From waking up on time, to crushing your presentation, to just making it through the day, celebrate it!! Women’s history is about the past, present and future. You are making history by being you. You are making history by making mistakes and learning from them. You are making history by walking this self-love journey which will change future generations. Let us celebrate you! What is one way you have made history in your life?  Happy New Year, Queens!
2025 is here! This is the year I turn 50,—yes, 50!—and it’s got me reflecting, realigning, and ready to pour my energy into what truly matters to me. Last year was all about planting seeds. I launched my YouTube channel, Peaceful Thoughts with Mpho, where I share tips and real talk for women navigating father abandonment, self-doubt, and confidence struggles. I also introduced my Loving You Fully self-love course, a 28-day journey to reconnect with joy and confidence. And the Gentle Reflections journal. It’s been such a powerful tool for slowing down and nurturing growth. What’s New in 2025?Sis, this is the year of intentional living. I’m stepping away from Instagram to connect with you in ways that feel more authentic and meaningful to me. Here’s what I’m excited about:
Stay ConnectedEven though I’ve stepped away from Instagram, we can still keep in touch:
Peace and Self-Love, Mpho  If you’ve experienced the pain of being abandoned by your father, you are not alone. The pain runs deep. Along with this pain are fears that sometimes feel like they are engraved deep in your soul. Let’s take the time to talk about the three biggest fears that hold so many women back from living the fullest life they deserve. More importantly, I’ll share how to begin to overcome these fears.
Fear #1: The Fear of Not Being Liked Let’s be real, Sis—when a parent abandons you, especially a father, it can make you question your worth. You may feel like you’ve got to bend over backward to keep people around, constantly worrying, “Do they like me?” This can show up as people-pleasing, where you put everyone else’s needs above your own. You might be the friend who always says “yes,” even when you’re exhausted, or the partner who doesn’t set boundaries out of fear of pushing someone away. Ultimately, you just want to be liked. How to Tackle It: Start by reconnecting with what you need. Every time you’re about to say “yes,” take a breath and ask yourself, “Am I doing this because I want to or because I’m afraid they won’t like me if I don’t?” Practice saying “no” in small ways to feel your power without sacrificing your authenticity. Remember, your people will be there for the real you, not just the “yes” version of you. If you really struggle with saying “no”, try saying “let me get back to you.” This gives you a bit of time to practice saying “no”. Fear #2: The Fear of Making Mistakes I hear about this fear in my clients all the time. What if I “get it wrong” or “make a mistake.” Because if you mess up, maybe you’ll be judged or left behind, right? This fear can keep you locked into perfectionism, doubting every choice you make, afraid that one wrong move could prove you’re unworthy. How to Tackle It: Try to embrace mistakes as part of growth. Perfection is overrated and, let’s face it, it’s impossible. If you are perfect, then what? What do you have to strive for if you know everything? Start small: try a new hobby where you’ll likely make mistakes, like learning an instrument or taking up painting. These “imperfect” steps remind you that mistakes won’t hurt you, they are part of your journey. Take the pressure off yourself Sis, you’re human—and that’s more than enough. Fear #3: The Fear of Betrayal Girl, this one can feel heavy. If you’ve been let down before, especially by someone who was supposed to be a rock in your life, it’s hard to trust again. You might find yourself holding back in relationships, or maybe you feel like you always have one foot out the door, just in case. You think, “they can leave me at any time, just like my daddy.” How to Tackle It: Start by building trust with yourself first. Acknowledge the progress you’ve made and the strength it took to get here. Next, is there someone in your life that you do trust? Another relative? A close friend? Why do you trust them? Gradually let safe, supportive people into your world. Open up little by little, sharing your feelings or asking for help when you need it. Remember, healing from betrayal does not happen overnight. It takes time. Take baby steps toward trusting again. Sis, these fears are real, and they’re valid. However, they don’t define you. The journey to overcoming these fears is about self-compassion, patience and learning to love yourself no matter what. Remember, you don’t have to do this alone. Talk to a therapist, and surround yourself with people who remind you that you are worthy of love, joy, and connection. You’ve got this, Sis. Feel free to join our community by subscribing to our newsletter. Join our FREE 7-day challenge designed specifically for resilient daughters like you. It's time to rewrite your daddy story and shower yourself with the love you deserve! |
AuthorI am a therapist who helps loves motivating women to transform their inner voice of self-doubt and self-criticism into a powerful voice of positive self-talk, self-trust and self-love. I help individuals recognize their inner worth, build their self-esteem and speak their truth. Archives
May 2025
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