Articles & Resources

Choosing private-pay psychiatric care is often a deliberate decision. Many adults arrive at this choice after experiencing long wait times, limited access, or brief appointments that do not allow for meaningful discussion. Private-pay care allows for time, attention, and individualized treatment planning. It prioritizes quality of care over volume and creates space for collaborative decision-making. At Empathy Therapy, Dr. Mark Chofla works with adults who want a thoughtful

Mental health care is rarely about a single appointment. For many adults, meaningful progress comes from consistent, ongoing support over time. Regular care allows space to understand patterns, refine treatment, and build trust in the therapeutic relationship. Consistency matters especially for adults managing anxiety, mood changes, ADHD, or long-term stress. When care is fragmented or rushed, important details can be missed. A stable care relationship helps ensure that treat

Winter can affect mental health in quiet but significant ways. Shorter days, limited sunlight, disrupted routines, and increased isolation often combine to create emotional fatigue. Many adults notice changes in mood, motivation, or concentration during this season, even if they usually feel steady. For some people, winter brings increased anxiety or low mood. For others, it amplifies stress that has been present all year. These experiences are common and do not mean somethin

Renewal is often misunderstood. Many people imagine it as a dramatic reset or a sudden transformation. In reality, renewal is usually quieter. It is a return to steadiness. A reconnection with parts of yourself that were pushed aside during periods of stress, illness, loss, or survival. For adults navigating mental health concerns, renewal rarely happens all at once. It unfolds gradually, through moments of clarity, consistency, and support. After a Long Stretch of Holding Th

Healing does not begin with advice. It begins with being heard. When a person feels truly listened to, their nervous system settles, their thoughts become clearer, and their emotions become easier to understand. Being heard is not a small moment. It is the foundation of therapeutic work. A patient wrote,  “He helped me a lot. I need someone to pay attention and to tell me when I do not make sense. I need help. He is helping.”  (-Healthgrades Client Review). This kind of conne

Many people enter treatment with the hope that progress will be clear and immediate. They imagine waking up one day with a sudden shift in mood, energy, or perspective. In reality, progress in mental health often unfolds in ways that are subtle, steady, and deeply meaningful. Progress may look like noticing a thought that once passed by unquestioned. It may look like pausing before reacting. It may look like getting through a difficult moment without falling into an old patte

Many adults move through life believing that their productivity, ambition, or attention to detail is simply part of their personality. Over time, these traits may become the very things others praise: being dependable, organized, or high-achieving. Yet for many people, anxiety is quietly running the show beneath what appears to be motivation. Anxiety often pushes people forward long after their energy is depleted. It can make rest feel unsafe and can turn simple tasks into ur

Holidays often bring mixed emotions. For some people, this season brings joy, connection, and comfort. For others, it can highlight loss, loneliness, or the pressure to appear cheerful when that does not match how they truly feel. It is normal for the holidays to feel different each year. Life changes, relationships shift, and our emotional needs evolve. When expectations no longer fit your current reality, it can help to slow down and create space for reflection. Making Room

Hope rarely arrives as a dramatic moment. It is often quiet, almost easy to overlook. It shows up in small decisions, gentle shifts, and moments when you give yourself permission to try again. Hope can be the choice to get out of bed when everything feels heavy. It can be a single deep breath before taking the next step. It can be the decision to reach out for support, even when you feel worn down. Many people believe that hope is something you either have or do not have. The

As Thanksgiving approaches, many people try to focus on gratitude. It can be comforting to pause and reflect on what we appreciate. But when you are struggling with stress, anxiety, or depression, gratitude can sometimes feel forced. You might know what you are thankful for and still feel low or disconnected. This does not mean you are ungrateful. It means you are human. Emotional well-being is more complex than a single practice or mindset. Why Gratitude Sometimes Falls Shor

The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving can bring a mix of excitement and exhaustion. Between work deadlines, travel, family expectations, and shifting routines, even joyful moments can feel overwhelming. Many people notice that this season heightens their anxiety, tension, or sense of imbalance. It can be easy to focus on preparing for everyone else and lose track of what you need. If your emotions feel scattered or your sleep patterns have changed, your mind and body may be si

As the days grow shorter and the light changes, many people notice shifts in mood, focus, or motivation. For some, it feels like slowing down. For others, it can bring irritability, fatigue, or sadness that seems to come from nowhere. These changes are common and are often linked to how light, sleep, and daily routines affect our internal rhythms. When daylight decreases, it can influence mood-regulating hormones and energy levels, especially for those who are already managin

For many people, mental health care feels divided. One provider prescribes medication. Another provides therapy. You share your story more than once, and the connection between insight and treatment can get lost along the way. At Empathy Therapy, care is designed differently. Dr. Mark Chofla offers both psychiatry and therapy within the same practice, so each appointment builds on the last. This consistency allows for a deeper understanding of how life experiences, emotions,

It can be hard to tell where stress ends and anxiety begins. For many adults, what starts as pressure at work, home, or school slowly builds into restlessness, tension, or trouble sleeping. Over time, the mind and body stay on alert even when there is no immediate reason to be. This experience is common, and it is one of the main reasons people seek psychiatric care. The challenge is not only reducing stress but understanding what keeps it going. Why Stress and Anxiety Overla

For many adults, ADHD is not just about focus. It can affect work, relationships, organization, and even self-esteem. When routines break down or stress builds up, it often feels like there is no time to slow down long enough to find real help. Online psychiatry has made it easier to get started. It allows adults to receive care from home, in an environment that feels safe and flexible. What matters most, though, is not just convenience. It is about finding a provider who und

The end of summer can feel like more than a change of season. For many adults, August and September bring shifts in pace, responsibility,...

When people talk about ADHD, they often focus on attention or focus struggles. What is less often discussed is how frequently ADHD and...

For most people, psychiatric care means one provider for medication and another for therapy. This can create gaps in care. Information...

August is often framed as a reset, a time to gear up, refocus, and launch into new routines. But for many people, the promise of a...

Hot weather can affect more than physical comfort. During periods of extreme heat, many people report increased irritability, anxiety,...