Have you ever felt like your self-worth is tied to your bank account? Or that peace will finally come once you earn just a little more? In this blog, we explore how deep-seated money beliefs can quietly shape our stress, shame, and spending habits—especially in high-cost-of-living places like California—and how healing begins with awareness and self-compassion.

Financial avoidance isn't a failure—it's often a protective response to overwhelm, anxiety, or past money wounds. Especially in California's high-cost, high-pressure environment, it’s easy to feel stuck in shame or freeze. At Koru Financial Therapy, we help individuals and couples gently unpack their money stories, especially when ADHD or relational stress is part of the picture. Through trauma-informed care, including ART and ACT modalities, healing is possible, starting with compassion.