Veterans Day: Honoring Service—and the Strength It Builds
Every Veterans Day (November 11), we pause to honor the people who wore the uniform. The public often hears about the invisible wounds of war—PTSD, depression, moral injury, traumatic brain injury, suicide risk. Naming those realities matters. But there’s another side of the story that deserves equal attention: for many, military service also cultivates protective…
Real-life “NPCs”: why people sometimes move on autopilot — and what you can do about it
You’ve probably joked about people who seem like video-game characters: they show up, follow a script, react the same way every time, and vanish. Calling someone an “NPC” (non-player character) is funny — but there’s a real, simple explanation behind that feeling: most of us run a lot of our lives on autopilot. That’s not…
Parenting Our Childhood Instead of Our Children
The other day in session, I heard a phrase that stopped me in my tracks:“Parents are parenting their childhood instead of their children.” It wasn’t from a book or podcast — it came directly from a client.And what made it even more interesting is that, like many of my clients, this person is also a…
Falling in Love with AI: A Psychotherapist’s Perspective
As a psychotherapist, I’m already noticing a rise in clients discussing emotional attachment—even romantic feelings—toward artificial intelligence (AI) companions and chatbots. While this may sound like science fiction, recent studies show that people can and do develop bonds with AI that resemble human relationships. For some, this brings temporary comfort. For others, it exposes deeper…
5 Minutes to Change the Way You Stress
I’m a big fan of Dr. Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist at Stanford University who has done remarkable work explaining how the brain and body interact. Recently I watched one of his presentations on fear, and he mentioned a study that really stuck with me: just five minutes a day of voluntary stress can dramatically reduce…
CBT for Chronic Pain: A New Service at Navarro Counseling
I’m excited to share that I have officially completed training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP) and received my certification. As someone who has personally lived with chronic pain, I know how deeply it affects not just your body, but also your emotions, thoughts, and daily life. That’s why I am so grateful…
Navarro Counseling Now Offering EMDR-focused Therapy
I am thrilled to announce that I have completed my EMDR Core Skills Training and can now offer this transformative therapy at Navarro Counseling. My own EMDR experience was life-changing, allowing me to reprocess hidden memories. EMDR helps with both major and minor trauma, facilitating healing and emotional control.
A Parent’s Punishment Blog: The Coincidence We Can’t Ignore
The post highlights alarming trends in youth mental health, suggesting a potential link to social media use. Suicide rates have surged significantly, along with increases in depression, self-harm, and bullying. The author urges parents to reflect on these statistics and their implications for children’s well-being and mental health.
Understanding ‘Ignorant Selfishness’ in Kids
The content discusses “ignorant selfishness” in children, highlighting that this behavior often stems from their developmental stage rather than malice. Parents are encouraged to understand these behaviors, adopt practical strategies, and establish clear boundaries to foster connection. The piece emphasizes the importance of nurturing emotional awareness in children while also ensuring parental self-care.
By Ray Navarro MS
Beat the Weekend Heat: Mental Health Tips for South Florida This Friday & Beyond
As South Florida braces for another scorching weekend (July 25–27), with daytime highs climbing into the mid‑90s and heat indices topping 105°F, it’s more important than ever to recognize how extreme heat affects our minds—not just our bodies—and leverage our Sunshine State perks to stay cool, connected, and calm. 1. Heat & Anxiety High temperatures trigger…
My pain is my teacher
My pain is my teacher, But I don’t know why it has to be, it just does. My pain gives me lessons that I don’t want. Sometimes I feel it does it just because, but when I look deep, I know it’s not true. It’s just hard to tell because it feels like a taunt.…
Psychedelic‑Assisted Therapy: The Promise of Psilocybin for Treatment‑Resistant Depression
Psilocybin, the active component in magic mushrooms, is gaining attention for treating resistant depression. Recent FDA breakthroughs with formulations like COMP360 and CYB003 have shown promising results in clinical trials, demonstrating rapid relief and lasting effects. Psilocybin therapy combines doses with psychotherapy, facilitating new perspectives and enhancing mental health.
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