Counseling Blog | LGBTQ+ Couples & Individuals

November 21, 2025 by Alan Zupka

Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II: Key Differences and What They Mean for Treatment

Understanding Bipolar I and Bipolar II: A Path Toward Awareness and Balance

Bipolar disorder is a complex mood condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide. While many people have heard the term—or may be living with it themselves—fewer understand that there are actually two main types: Bipolar I and Bipolar II. Recognizing the difference is not only crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment, but also for deepening one’s personal understanding of the challenges and strengths that come with this condition.

In my work, I help clients explore their experiences with bipolar disorder through a lens of curiosity and self-compassion. By understanding how their stories have been shaped by mood fluctuations, relationships, and societal perceptions, individuals begin to reclaim a sense of agency and balance in their lives.

What Is Bipolar I?

Bipolar I is defined by the presence of manic episodes lasting at least seven days, or by symptoms so severe that hospitalization may be required. Mania often involves an elevated or irritable mood, decreased need for sleep, impulsive decision-making, rapid speech, racing thoughts, and an inflated sense of confidence or energy.

Although depressive episodes frequently occur, they are not required for a Bipolar I diagnosis. From a CBT perspective, it is helpful to identify patterns of thought and behavior that maintain these intense cycles, and to build strategies that support stability, structure, and self-awareness. Mindfulness practices can further assist in grounding the body and mind during periods of heightened emotion.

What Is Bipolar II?

Bipolar II is more common and typically involves hypomanic episodes—which are less intense than full mania—along with major depressive episodes. While hypomania may feel energizing or productive, it is often followed by significant emotional and physical fatigue during depressive phases.

In therapy, I guide clients through understanding both sides of this pattern. Through narrative therapy, we explore how bipolar disorder has influenced the stories they tell about themselves. At the same time, positive psychology helps them identify resilience, creativity, and adaptability that may emerge even amidst challenges. Together, we cultivate mindful awareness of mood shifts, allowing clients to respond thoughtfully rather than react automatically.

Why Understanding the Difference Matters

Both Bipolar I and Bipolar II are treatable with a combination of therapy, medication management, and lifestyle adjustments, but the approaches vary slightly.

Bipolar I often requires closer medical supervision and stabilization strategies to manage the intensity of manic episodes.
Bipolar II typically benefits from therapeutic support that focuses on preventing and managing depressive episodes, alongside maintaining healthy routines and recognizing early signs of mood change.

When we approach bipolar disorder collaboratively—integrating medical care with psychological and emotional insight—we create space for empowerment, not shame. My goal is to help clients see that their diagnosis does not define them; it is one part of their story, and that story can evolve toward balance and well-being.

Taking the Next Step

If you believe that you or someone you care about may be experiencing symptoms of Bipolar I or II, I invite you to reach out. In my practice, I provide a compassionate and structured space to help you understand your experiences, develop healthy coping skills, and reconnect with the strengths that support your growth.

Together, we can work toward a more stable and meaningful life—one built on awareness, acceptance, and mindful self-direction.

November 17, 2025 by Alan Zupka

Supporting a Loved One With Bipolar Disorder

Supporting Loved Ones Living with Bipolar Disorder

Supporting a family member or friend can be one of the most meaningful parts of life. Yet, when that person lives with bipolar disorder, it can also bring challenges that require patience, understanding, and care. Educating yourself about the condition—its patterns, emotional cycles, and available treatments such as therapy—can make a tremendous difference. In this article, I offer an overview of bipolar disorder and share ways to compassionately support your loved one while also maintaining your own well-being.

Understanding the Bipolar Experience

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by dramatic shifts in mood, energy, and behavior. These shifts typically alternate between episodes of mania or hypomania—marked by elevated energy, impulsive decision-making, and euphoria—and periods of depression, which may involve sadness, fatigue, and feelings of hopelessness.

From a narrative therapy perspective, it is essential to remember that bipolar disorder does not define a person’s identity or worth. Each individual has a story that extends far beyond their diagnosis. Recognizing that story—complete with strengths, resilience, and meaning—helps both you and your loved one relate to the condition with compassion rather than fear or frustration.

Through mindfulness, we learn to meet these emotional shifts with awareness instead of reaction. Observing what arises—both within ourselves and in our loved ones—can help reduce emotional intensity and increase understanding.

Practical Ways to Offer Support

While you cannot control your loved one’s journey, you can create a foundation of stability and care. Consider the following approaches, grounded in CBT and Positive Psychology:

Encourage consistency in therapy and medication management. Remind your loved one that support and structure are part of healing, not limitations.
Learn to recognize early warning signs. Subtle mood changes often precede larger shifts. Gentle awareness can help prevent crises or encourage timely intervention.
Promote stability through routine. Predictable rhythms in sleep, meals, and social connection can reduce stress and support emotional regulation.
Practice patience and compassion. During difficult moments, pause before reacting. Remember that mood fluctuations are symptoms, not character flaws.
Attend to your own well-being. Supporting someone with bipolar disorder can be emotionally draining. Joining a support group, practicing mindfulness, or seeking therapy for yourself can help you maintain balance and prevent burnout.

Your care does not need to come at the expense of your own peace. Both you and your loved one deserve space to grow, heal, and experience joy.

Therapy as a Pathway to Healing

With the right balance of professional care, self-awareness, and supportive relationships, individuals living with bipolar disorder can lead meaningful and fulfilling lives. As a therapist, I help clients and families navigate these challenges through collaborative storytelling, cognitive restructuring, and mindfulness-based strategies that foster resilience and emotional stability.

If you or someone you love is living with bipolar disorder, therapy can provide guidance, education, and hope. I invite you to reach out to me to learn how we can work together toward a more balanced and empowered life.

November 14, 2025 by Alan Zupka

Insomnia and Other Sleep Disorders: Causes, Risks, and Treatment Approaches

Restoring Rest: Understanding and Healing Sleep Disorders

Up to 45 percent of people experience a sleep disorder at some point in their lives. Yet, many struggle in silence, minimizing the impact of sleepless nights on their physical and emotional well-being. When left unaddressed, chronic sleep difficulties can lead to profound consequences—affecting mood, memory, concentration, and even immune function. Over time, disrupted sleep may increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, obesity, or diabetes.

As a therapist, I help clients explore the relationship between their sleep, their thoughts, and their stories about rest and control. If you find yourself struggling to get the restorative sleep you need, it is important to know that help is available—and that meaningful change is possible.

Exploring the Causes of Sleep Disorders

Sleep problems can stem from a variety of sources. Stress, irregular sleep schedules, and excessive screen exposure can disrupt the body’s natural rhythm. Medical conditions such as sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome may also play a role.

From a Narrative Therapy perspective, I often invite clients to explore the “story” they tell themselves about sleep—whether it is one of helplessness, frustration, or fear—and to begin rewriting that story with self-compassion and agency. In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), we look closely at how thoughts and behaviors reinforce sleeplessness, identifying patterns such as overthinking at night or associating the bed with anxiety rather than rest.

Through mindfulness, clients learn to observe the sensations, thoughts, and emotions that arise around bedtime without judgment, cultivating a more peaceful relationship with the present moment. This shift helps calm both body and mind, paving the way for more natural, restorative rest.

Paths Toward Restorative Sleep

One of the most effective treatments for insomnia is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). This approach focuses on reshaping beliefs and routines that interfere with sleep. I often work with clients to:

Develop consistent sleep and wake times.
Create relaxing pre-sleep rituals.
Limit caffeine, alcohol, and late-night screen exposure.
Incorporate gentle exercise and mindful breathing.
Reframe anxious thoughts that surface at bedtime.

In some cases, short-term medication or supplements like melatonin may support these changes, though I always emphasize building long-term habits that sustain rest naturally. The goal is to empower you to view sleep not as a struggle but as a relationship you can nurture through awareness and intention.

Reclaiming Rest and Well-Being

If insomnia or another sleep disorder has left you exhausted, irritable, or disconnected, you are not alone—and you do not have to face it in isolation. In therapy, I help clients restore balance to both mind and body by strengthening their sense of self-efficacy and promoting a compassionate understanding of their struggles.

You deserve to feel rested, alert, and capable of living fully. Together, we can explore what has been keeping you awake and develop the skills to help you sleep—and live—more peacefully.

Reach out today to begin the process of restoring your rest and reclaiming your well-being.

November 10, 2025 by Alan Zupka

The Tie Between Our Social Environment and Mental Health

Creating an Environment that Nurtures Mental Wellbeing

Have you ever noticed how much your surroundings shape your emotional state? The people you interact with, the communities you belong to, the media you consume, and the culture of your workplace all influence your mental and emotional health. Each of these elements contributes to the story you live every day. From a narrative therapy perspective, I often remind clients that they have the power to edit and reshape their stories. The environment you choose to cultivate becomes the backdrop for your personal growth, healing, and fulfillment.

Taking responsibility for your emotional well-being begins with recognizing that your mental health is, in many ways, in your own hands. You deserve to live in a space—both internal and external—that supports your best self.

Building an Environment to Thrive

If your goal is to feel balanced, fulfilled, and emotionally strong, consider the following areas for reflection and change:

1. Building Positive Social Connections

Surround yourself with relationships that make you feel supported and valued. Positive social connections can buffer against depression, anxiety, and burnout. From a cognitive-behavioral perspective, they also provide opportunities to challenge negative thought patterns through shared perspective and encouragement. When you connect with compassionate people, you are reminded of your own worth and resilience.

In my practice, I help clients explore the stories they tell about belonging and connection. Many discover that by shifting the narrative—from “I am alone” to “I am learning to build trust”—they open themselves to deeper, more meaningful relationships.

2. Removing Negative Influences

Just as positivity strengthens you, negativity can deplete you. A toxic workplace, strained family dynamics, or excessive time spent on social media may be shaping your emotional experience more than you realize. From a mindfulness standpoint, awareness is the first step. Notice what triggers tension, fatigue, or self-doubt, and then create boundaries that protect your peace.

In positive psychology, the goal is not to avoid discomfort entirely, but to intentionally choose experiences that promote growth and gratitude. Each time you remove a harmful influence, you make space for something that helps you thrive.

3. Taking Practical, Compassionate Steps

This process does not unfold overnight. Real, lasting change happens through consistent effort and self-compassion. You might start by:

Building supportive networks through friends, family, or community involvement
Reducing your exposure to toxic environments when possible
Seeking therapy if emotional stressors begin to feel overwhelming

In cognitive-behavioral therapy, we view these small, intentional actions as ways of strengthening new, healthy patterns of thought and behavior. Each choice becomes a statement of self-respect and agency.

Creating the Story You Want to Live

The environments you choose and the relationships you nurture become chapters in your life story. As you work toward creating a space that aligns with your values and goals, remember that you are the author of that story. Mindfulness helps you stay grounded in the present, while positive psychology encourages you to focus on what is working well rather than what is missing.

Begin Your Next Chapter with Support

If you are ready to build a healthier, more supportive environment for yourself, I am here to help. In therapy, I guide clients through life transitions, self-discovery, and personal growth using an integrative approach that combines narrative therapy, CBT, mindfulness, and positive psychology. Together, we can identify what strengthens you, release what no longer serves you, and help you move toward the life you want to live.

You do not have to do this alone—book a session with me today and begin writing a new chapter grounded in balance, meaning, and hope.

Remain Curious