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  • Book A Session!
    • English - Book a Session
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  • Staff
    • Jessica Darling, LMFT
    • Dan Katz, LCSW
    • Marti Tourville, LMFT
    • Sharon "Sherri" Broome, Asw
    • Mishell Knoess, ASW
    • Elena Diaz, ASW >
      • Elena Diaz - Russian Language
    • Juen Arzadon, AMFT/APCC >
      • Juen Arzadon - Filipino Language
    • Maureen Hornyak, ASW
    • Christi Dodson, AMFT
    • Molly "Leandra" McNeal
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11/24/2025 0 Comments

How to Add More Laughs to Your Day (Even When Life Is a Hot Mess)

Picture of 3 people sitting on a sofa, side by side, holding their sides because they are laughing so hard while there is a mess of clothes, twinkle lights and pillows strewn across the floor
​Let's be real – life can feel like a complete dumpster fire sometimes. Between work stress, family drama, financial pressures, and whatever fresh chaos the universe decides to serve up, finding reasons to laugh might seem about as realistic as finding a unicorn in your backyard.
​

But here's the thing: humor isn't a luxury you can only afford when everything's going perfectly. It's actually one of your most powerful tools for getting through the tough stuff. And the best part? You don't need a comedy special or a perfect life to add more laughs to your day.

​Why Your Brain Craves Laughter (Even When Everything Sucks)

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11/19/2025 0 Comments

Hidden Struggles: Why Depression Can Be Harder to Spot in High-Achievers

Picture of woman sitting in chair in front of desk, open laptop, but woman is holding a rose and looking at the rose instead of the laptop.
Depression in high-achievers is a tough subject to talk about. It might be natural to think that successful people, those climbing the career ladder, excelling in school, or managing multiple responsibilities with apparent ease, have it all figured out. But that's not always the case.

As therapists, we see this pattern regularly: accomplished individuals who appear to thrive externally while experiencing significant emotional distress internally. This phenomenon, often called "high-functioning depression," represents one of the most misunderstood forms of mental health struggles.

The Neuroscience Behind High-Functioning Depression

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11/19/2025 0 Comments

When Trauma Mimics Bipolar or Borderline Personality Disorders: Why Differential Diagnosis Matters

Picture of a woman sitting on a bench among a field of colorful wildflowers with shapes labeled
Mental health diagnosis isn't always straightforward. Sometimes what looks like one condition is actually something completely different underneath. This is especially true when it comes to trauma and how it can masquerade as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder (BPD).

As someone who's worked in mental health for years, I've seen this mix-up happen more times than I can count. A person comes in thinking they have bipolar disorder because of their intense mood swings, or they've been told they have BPD because of their emotional struggles. But when we dig deeper, we often find that trauma is the real culprit behind their symptoms.

The Great Imitator: How Trauma Masks Itself

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11/17/2025 0 Comments

Why Do We Cry When We're Not Sad? The Surprising Science Behind Tears of Anger and Joy

Picture of five teens sitting in a bit of a pyramid shap while huddled around a coffee table in a living room and crying tears of joy
You know that feeling when you're watching your favorite team win the championship and suddenly tears are streaming down your face? Or when you're so frustrated with your boss that you find yourself crying in the bathroom stall? If you've ever wondered why your body seems to have its emotional wires crossed, you're definitely not alone.
​

It might be natural to think that tears only come from sadness, but that's not always the case. The truth is, crying is way more complicated than we give it credit for, and understanding why can actually help us make sense of our own emotional responses.

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11/3/2025 0 Comments

Is Eye Rolling Really That Disrespectful? What Couples Need to Know

There is a man and a woman sitting on a sofa. The woman has her arms crossed and the man has an open posture.  They seem to be in a deep discussion.

Eye rolling in relationships is one of those behaviors that seems almost harmless on the surface. We've all done it – that automatic response when our partner says something that frustrates us or when we feel overwhelmed by an argument. But here's the thing: what feels like a small, instinctive reaction is actually one of the most damaging things you can do to your relationship.
As a therapist, I've seen countless couples where eye rolling has become a toxic pattern that slowly erodes their connection. The truth is, eye rolling isn't just annoying – it's a form of contempt that relationship experts consider a serious red flag.
​

What Eye Rolling Really CommunicatesWhen you roll your eyes at your partner, you're not just showing frustration. You're communicating something much deeper and more hurtful: "I don't respect you, and what you're saying is stupid."

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    The various therapists at Inspired Life Counseling contribute to this blog.  Please look for the author of each individual blog to be listed at the bottom of the page for each post.  Thank you.

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(530) 809-1702
[email protected]
Locations: 
​​1025 Village Lane, Chico CA 95926  
1610 West Street, Ste 4, Redding CA 96001

Inspired Life Counseling is NOT a crisis center and is not equipped with the necessary tools to help in an emergency.  Please click below for more information if you or your loved one is in crisis: Crisis Information.  
Crisis Information

By texting Inspired Life Counseling at ( 530) 809-1702, you agree to receive conversations (external) messages from Inspired Life Counseling.  We are NOT a crisis response.  If you are in a mental health crisis or feel you are a danger to yourself or someone else, please contact 911.  If you would like to no longer receive SMS correspondence Reply STOP to opt-out; Reply HELP for support; Message & data rates may apply; Messaging frequency may vary. Visit https://www.inspiredlifechico.com/contact to see our privacy policy and our Terms of Service.

MISSION: To provide a tranquil and healing space in which people in our community can find calmness internally through the relaxing atmosphere, along with respectful and engaging therapy conversations.  To contribute to happier and more secure families by helping individuals, couples, and teens heal within and thereby creating different ways of engaging with themselves, the world, and those they love.

VISION: Creating a new kind of therapy experience in the Chico and Redding areas in which therapists have smaller caseloads, giving them the flexibility to spend more time with clients as needed - longer sessions, phone calls, client-centered advocacy.  Creating a space in our community where clients can go between sessions to sit, linger, and re-center themselves when they're having difficult days.  A place to belong while they heal their hearts and relationships.  A therapy office that embodies the unconditional love of Christ, no matter what a person's gender identity, romantic disposition, or previous life hardships, experiences, or actions might have been.  To be a safe place.

Inspired Life Counseling
Inspired Life Counseling is owned and directed by ​Jessica Darling, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #104464. ​​
​
Office Hours: By Appointment                                            Contact us!
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