Sheena Maharaj, MFT Associate

Image credit (Google Images) To all our life savers/first responders and their families, thank you for your heart, your service, your sacrifices, and all that you do. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! #Christmasatthehospital #christmasatthestation

Image credit (The Gottman Institute). Dr. Gottman talks about 4 apocalyptic horsemen with respect to couple relationships. We often don’t realize they’re there and how much damage they can do until we seek counseling and learn more about them. Here are the 4 horsemen and how to counteract them in your relationship. If you notice even one of these 4 in your life, it may be a good idea to seek relationship therapy and resolve the issues before they grow larger and eventually out of hand. #4apocalyptichorsemen #gottmanmethod #couplescounseling #relationshipsupport #savingmarriages #saveyourrelationship #loveheals #elkgrovetherapist #healthyrelationships #emotionalsafety #vulnerability

Listening truly appears to be a lost art these days. In many cases, even those with whom we share the most intimate relationship tend to be preparing to respond as opposed to hearing the other person out. We don’t always have to have something to say about everything someone else says. Sometimes people verbalize their thoughts and feelings so it holds less power over them, not to enlist someone to fix their problem or find them a solution. Thushealing takes place when people... are HEARD. Next time someone talks to you, become aware of your own tendencies. Are you too busy preparing a response and not really listening, or are you becoming defensive because you don’t agree? If you find yourself in this pattern, I invite you to take a breath, step back from the mental dialogue, and just listen. You’ll be amazed how much support the other person will perceive that you provided, and you may also find yourself less exhausted from interacting with others. Let’s make it a point to make positive changes in our lives a little bit at a time every day to make this world a better place to be. #listentounderstand #loveheals #feelheard #supportoneanother #elkgrovetherapist #learnnewskills #bekindalways #judgeless See more

Every therapist, in fact, nearly everyone who is a healing professional, can relate to the statement that grief is a frequent visitor to our practices. When I sit with a grieving client on their path to healing in sessions, grief also sits in the room with us. Actually, grief is a visitor who comes in many different guises, thus making herself quite difficult to recognize at times. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross provided us with a model of the stages of grief that can be experienced i...n any given order and the stages can be repeatedly experienced for any given length of time. One may experience all, some, or perhaps even just one of the stages during their grieving process. No matter what your reason, your story deserves to be heard. You deserve to be seen. I would like to invite you to contact me to learn more about how I can support you. #grief #seasonofmiracles #healing #love #youdeservetobeseen #therapy #counseling #loveheals #elkgrovetherapist See more

With the Holidays around the corner, many people experience grief in a variety of ways. For some, the holidays bring back memories of a deceased loved one, and the realization of spending the most memorable times of the season alone trigger intense emotional pain. For others, maybe this is the first holiday after a separation or divorce. Loss and grief are among the most powerful emotions we can experience. If you’re experiencing recurring grief, the feelings can certainly be... confusing because you thought you’d gotten past the point of the tumult. This can certainly make you feel as though you are actively grieving all over again. This experience is known as an anniversary reaction or anniversary grief. Symptoms include but aren’t limited to anxiety, anger, and difficulty sleeping, including waking up early or falling asleep. Recurring grief can also manifest as what would also fall under symptoms of depression. If you have lost a loved one or lost an important relationship with a significant other and are experiencing grief-whether new or recurring, please reach out. My practice is local to Elk Grove and Sacramento, CA. Sending you all positive, consoling thoughts and hopes for beautiful holiday miracles. #griefandloss #griefsupport #loveheals #counseling #therapy #unshakablehope #holidays #holidaygrief #holidaygriefsupport #anniversarygrief

Perfectionism. It stems from a deep-seeded fear of not being good enough, not being enough, and not being acceptable unless you and everything you do, everything associated with you, is perfect. Perfection is an unrealistic standard that is hardly possible to reach. The desire for perfection leaves us exhausted and questioning our fitness in the eyes of others as someone worthwhile. A good rule of thumb is that unless we accept ourself, we can’t expect anyone else to. Society... often makes us think that we have to be positive all the time, that to be strong we have to be okay all the time no matter what we are going through. Today I’d like to challenge you all to show your strength through accepting all your emotions, by telling yourself it’s okay not to be okay sometimes, and assimilating the idea that sensitivity can also be a sign of strength, not a weakness. #emotionalsafety #selfacceptance #itsokaynottobeokay #itsokaynottobeperfect #therapy #counseling #unshakablehope See more

For all my amazing, resilient clients who have struggled with infertility: Creating our own family with the one we love is a dream many of us harbor our entire lives. Once we find the one and are ready to begin the next biggest step in our personal lives, we get ready for our hopes and dreams to start coming true. However, we are usually ill prepared to face the struggle that comes with infertility. It seems like a lonely path in which the longing, emptiness and burning pain ...is only fully understood by you and your partner. You are not alone. Studies show that about one in 8 people struggle with infertility and there is support. Let go of the shame and embrace the struggle that is a part of your journey. It’s your story and your journey. And it will also become that of the new life you either have or will one day bring into this world. #elkgrovetherapist #fertilityawareness #infertilitysupport #yourstoryyourjourney See more

A huge part of managing your anger is learning when to stop speaking or trying to discuss the hot topics. Although one may feel in the moment that it is cathartic to say whatever comes to mind to get a one up on the other person or to hit a sore spot for temporary satisfaction, words can be just as damaging as actions if not more. Words from the mouth and bullets shot out of a gun can not be retracted. Remember that. Words have a lasting impact on people and they mean thi...ngs. If you don’t wish to destroy your relationship, only say what you mean and mean what you say. Be in control of your emotions. Don’t let your emotions control you. When you feel you’re becoming emotionally escalated, stop and take a break. Reconvene to have a calm and civil conversation after cooling off-and don’t forget to do so. Resolving issues effectively is the key to a lasting and healthy relationship. If you’re in need of skills to do so, counseling may be a good confidential, judgment-free option to discuss what you may perceive as shortcomings. #loveheals #angermanagement #healthyrelationships #emotionalsafety #beasafeperson #bebravelyvulnerable #counseling #therapy See more

People pleasing is a false sense of obligation to make everyone else around you comfortable....but at the cost of your own feelings and their importance. The most difficult part of working with this tendency is the cultural aspect that has conditioned the individual into perceiving this tendency as the right way to be as a result of cultural norms and values. In other words, for many, this is just a part of culture a definition of respect and a good upbringing. Recognizing... the adverse effects of this thief of personal joy is sometimes the greatest part of the challenge. While respecting others and their feelings is important, trying to manage them and minimizing or completely disregarding your own is not okay. There is a line in the sand that should never be crossed. For those struggling with balancing this perception of an obligation with trying to find your voice and inner joy, you are not alone. The people pleasing tendency is a frequent visitor in my practice and rears its head in the room during sessions often. If you identify with this tendency and would like to see a positive change, there is help. #selflove #loveheals #bekind #bekindtoyourself #elkgrovetherapist #peoplepleasing #codependency See more

We hear this so often, that we must forgive in order to heal. However, this in itself is a process. We cannot forgive until and unless we reach an emotional point at which we are ready to do this. When a deep wound is freshly inflicted, it is highly unreasonable to think that forgiveness can be reached right away. However, with time, all things are possible. Even what seemed impossible at first. Yes it is important to forgive so we aren’t impeding our own healing process, but it’s also important to give ourselves the time to reach that point. #trustyourhealingprocess #forgivebutneverforgetthelesson #healingtakestime #healing #forgiveness #therapyisgoodforthesoul #counseling #support

Domestic violence: Its a very real problem and it’s not as rare as many believe. It can take many forms such as Physical abuse Financial abuse Sexual abuse Emotional/Mental abuse ... In the US, a woman is beaten every 9 seconds. 15% of victims are men. Women with disabilities are 40% more likely to experience intimate partner violence. These are scary statistics and there’s more. Domestic violence is a serious problem that needs to be plucked out from the root. When we are in a relationship with someone, we do all we can to see the best in them and give them the benefit of the doubt when undesirable things happen. However, we have to set boundaries. We have to be firm about keeping them and value our safety above all else. Leaving a situation with domestic violence involved is not easy and can easily be as fatal as staying. Therefore, we need a safety plan. Please talk to your nearest healthcare/mental healthcare/ women’s shelter professional today if you’re experiencing domestic violence and need help. #safetyfirst #valueyourself #enddomesticviolence #healthetrauma #seeksupport #loveheals #awareness #beproactiveaboutyoursafety See more

As a mental health clinician, I am very often faced with the question by my clientsshould I take medication? My answer is always the same. If you believe you may benefit from medication, this conversation is best to have with your medical doctor. Often times, medication can help significantly in managing symptoms and be a part of the bridge to healing. However, getting to the roots of issues is arguably the most important part of the healing process. Depression and anxiety can be immensely difficult to manage without medications, but they are not cures to the problem. #gettotheroot #bekindtoyourself #psychotropicmedications #mentalhealthmatters #yourstorymatters #loveheals #journeytohealing #therapy #counseling

Church hurt. What breaks my heart the most about this is the fact that so many people sever ties with the most loving Lord because of pain inflicted by humans. Part of my passion in working with people is walking with them on their journey toward a loving and deeper relationship with God. What we need to do most is pray and read The Word in our moments of pain, and that’s exactly what we stop doing so often. This does nothing but hinder our healing. As Christians, forgiveness... is a huge part of the faith. It is also integral to the fullness of healing. It comes in its own time and it doesn’t mean that the pain disappears, but without letting go of the anger, the pain also never lets us go. The Lord tells us to call on Him in the day of trouble and to speak the truth in love. Judging all churches based on one is also an error of judgment. Just as one bad relationship doesn’t mean every relationship is the same. If you have been a victim of church hurt and would like to work toward healing, please contact me to set up an appointment. See more