Consciously Creating Your Soul Life

Relationships

The Self-Love Gap

Cheralyn Leeby Ph.D., LMFT on February 18, 2026

A simple nightly love letter can quiet the self-criticism, strengthen emotional resilience, and provide the compassionate words we all need.

A simple nightly love letter can quiet the self-criticism, strengthen emotional resilience, and provide the compassionate words we all need.

Relationships

Situationships and the Fear of Being Single

Cheralyn Leeby Ph.D., LMFT on February 3, 2026

Situationships, the fear of being single, and cultural pressures leave many young adults stuck in ambiguous relationships and longing for real connection.

Situationships, the fear of being single, and cultural pressures leave many young adults stuck in ambiguous relationships and longing for real connection.

Social Media

Creating Family Rituals of Connection in the Age of Screens

Cheralyn Leeby Ph.D., LMFT on December 30, 2025

Families can reduce screen reliance by introducing consistent rituals of connection. Intentional, screen-free moments restore joy, calm, and belonging for children and parents.

Families can reduce screen reliance by introducing consistent rituals of connection. Intentional, screen-free moments restore joy, calm, and belonging for children and parents.

Grief

The Hidden Cost of Comparison

Cheralyn Leeby Ph.D., LMFT on November 19, 2025

Comparison steals more than joy; it can rob us of our right to feel and grieve. Downward comparison can silence our pain and disconnect us from ourselves.

Comparison steals more than joy; it can rob us of our right to feel and grieve. Downward comparison can silence our pain and disconnect us from ourselves.

Social Comparison Theory

The Psychology of the Cancer Bell

Cheralyn Leeby Ph.D., LMFT on July 30, 2025

Once a symbol of triumph, the cancer bell can also trigger distress. Research and patient reports reveal its impact, inspiring more inclusive and personal ways to honor milestones.

Once a symbol of triumph, the cancer bell can also trigger distress. Research and patient reports reveal its impact, inspiring more inclusive and personal ways to honor milestones.

Psychiatry

Mental Health Checkups and a Continuum of Intervention

Cheralyn Leeby Ph.D., LMFT on May 20, 2025

We routinely screen teeth and vision, but not the brain. It’s time for a national system of mental health prevention and care. Early detection can potentially save lives.

We routinely screen teeth and vision, but not the brain. It’s time for a national system of mental health prevention and care. Early detection can potentially save lives.

Sex

The Dangerous Rise of Sexual Strangulation Among Teens

Cheralyn Leeby Ph.D., LMFT on April 22, 2025

Choking, or sexual strangulation, during sex is trending among teens and young adults, but few understand how dangerous and damaging it truly is.

Choking, or sexual strangulation, during sex is trending among teens and young adults, but few understand how dangerous and damaging it truly is.

Relationships

Embracing Detachment: The "Let Them" Theory

Cheralyn Leeby Ph.D., LMFT on March 25, 2025

Shifting focus from external chaos to internal peace, reducing stress, and improving relationships. We can incorporate this approach into our lives.

Shifting focus from external chaos to internal peace, reducing stress, and improving relationships. We can incorporate this approach into our lives.

Relationships

From Screen Time to Sensual Time

Cheralyn Leeby Ph.D., LMFT on February 21, 2025

The "digital mistress" is stealing time, attention, and intimacy. Is tech the new silent threat to relationships?

The "digital mistress" is stealing time, attention, and intimacy. Is tech the new silent threat to relationships?

Emotion Regulation

Damp and Dry January and Emotional Wellness

Cheralyn Leeby Ph.D., LMFT on January 28, 2025

Explore the psychology behind cravings, especially alcohol and chocolate, and learn how to cope with discomfort through mindfulness and inquiry.

Explore the psychology behind cravings, especially alcohol and chocolate, and learn how to cope with discomfort through mindfulness and inquiry.

Awe

Awe in Childhood

Cheralyn Leeby Ph.D., LMFT on December 30, 2024

Without digital distractions, children seem to experience more profound awe, emphasizing the importance of creating opportunities for technology-free wonder.

Without digital distractions, children seem to experience more profound awe, emphasizing the importance of creating opportunities for technology-free wonder.

Stress

How Airports Are Integrating Wellness Initiatives

Cheralyn Leeby Ph.D., LMFT on December 2, 2024

Public spaces can institute measures to help ease stress and improve mood. Some airports are transforming and redefining travel with creative and meaningful wellness initiatives.

Public spaces can institute measures to help ease stress and improve mood. Some airports are transforming and redefining travel with creative and meaningful wellness initiatives.

Personal Perspectives

What If Our Departed Loved Ones Are Just an Inch Away?

Cheralyn Leeby Ph.D., LMFT on October 30, 2024

Personal Perspective: Through Dia de los Muertos rituals, we keep joyful connections alive, honoring our loved ones as enduring presences still shaping our lives.

Personal Perspective: Through Dia de los Muertos rituals, we keep joyful connections alive, honoring our loved ones as enduring presences still shaping our lives.

Relationships

Dating Red Flags for Teens

Cheralyn Leeby Ph.D., LMFT on September 26, 2024

Parents can teach teens to recognize red flags by trusting their gut, understanding personality disorders like ASPD and NPD, and observing behavior to avoid toxic relationships.

Parents can teach teens to recognize red flags by trusting their gut, understanding personality disorders like ASPD and NPD, and observing behavior to avoid toxic relationships.

Emotional Abuse

5 Beige Flags in Relationships

Cheralyn Leeby Ph.D., LMFT on August 26, 2024

This article explores "beige flags" as subtle, early signs that may indicate future abuse like aggression, jealousy, and gaslighting. Recognizing these early can prevent harm.

This article explores "beige flags" as subtle, early signs that may indicate future abuse like aggression, jealousy, and gaslighting. Recognizing these early can prevent harm.

Depression

Sensory Foraging and Mental Wellness

Cheralyn Leeby Ph.D., LMFT on July 30, 2024

Sensory foraging is a holistic approach to combat depression relapse by engaging and exploring the senses in a mindful way. This simple process elevates mood and cognition.

Sensory foraging is a holistic approach to combat depression relapse by engaging and exploring the senses in a mindful way. This simple process elevates mood and cognition.

Attachment

Attachment Styles and Our Material Possessions

Cheralyn Leeby Ph.D., LMFT on June 23, 2024

Do you feel overwhelmed and cluttered with material possessions? How can we better understand our struggles with hoarding behavior in relation to Bowlby's attachment styles?

Do you feel overwhelmed and cluttered with material possessions? How can we better understand our struggles with hoarding behavior in relation to Bowlby's attachment styles?

Domestic Violence

25 Red Flags of Intimate Partner Violence

Cheralyn Leeby Ph.D., LMFT on May 26, 2024

"Your family is toxic. You don’t need to be around those people."

"Your family is toxic. You don’t need to be around those people."

Sexual Abuse

No More 'Quiet on Set'

Cheralyn Leeby Ph.D., LMFT on May 6, 2024

Child sexual abuse remains a persistent and pervasive problem worldwide. Parents must know how to best respond to disclosures so #MeToo can evolve into #NoMore.

Child sexual abuse remains a persistent and pervasive problem worldwide. Parents must know how to best respond to disclosures so #MeToo can evolve into #NoMore.

Caregiving

What Is an End-of-Life Doula?

Cheralyn Leeby Ph.D., LMFT on March 31, 2024

What does a death doula provide, and how do they support the death and dying process? This new field offers invaluable services for patients and families navigating loss and grief.

What does a death doula provide, and how do they support the death and dying process? This new field offers invaluable services for patients and families navigating loss and grief.