This blog is for you if you’ve felt like your worth depends on your looks even when that sounds absolutely ridiculous to say out loud. As a therapist in Detroit who specializes in self-worth, body image, and relationships, I want you to know that I hear versions of this all the time. You’re not alone and it isn’t your fault.

My name is Ashley Hudson and I am teen and young adult therapist in Orange County, California.  I work with teens and young adults who have never dated before, learning how to date, and are struggling with anxiety on how to start dating. Below I will help you define what dating means to you, the roadblock and scariness of starting to date, where to start if you have never dated before, and strategies to use.

It can be agonizing to not know if the person you love is feeling the same about you. As a therapist in Detroit, I hear clients struggle with these types of questions all the time. It can be both exhilarating and terrifying to  be on the lookout for signs and clues that someone loves you.

As if that weren’t difficult enough, it’s even harder when you don’t feel like you can talk to anyone about how you’re feeling.  You might not yet be ready to share your truth with your friends or partner. In this blog, I’ll share some information to help you understand why you’re feeling this way and what to do about it.

There’s no trick here – external validation is exactly as it sounds. External validation is when you receive positive feedback from people around you. This can be from friends, family members, coworkers, strangers on the internet, or romantic partners. You might be reading this in hopes of learning how to stop needing external validation. I hear all the time that people feel “addicted” to validation and feel a sense of shame for what they describe as needing constant validation. You might feel pressure to stop relying on others and to increase your own confidence.