Mental Health and Financial Wellness: Why Your Emotions Deserve a Seat at the (Budgeting) Table

Money Isn’t Just Math, It’s Mental Health

Money isn’t just about numbers—it carries our fears, values, memories, and hopes. Every dollar spent, saved, or invested can reflect a deeper story about who we are, what we’ve been through, and where we’re headed. If you’ve ever felt a wave of shame after checking your bank account or spiraled into overthinking after a splurge, you're far from alone.

Financial wellness isn't just about spreadsheets and savings goals. Money is emotional and deeply intertwined with our mental and overall well-being.

Signs Your Finances Might Be Impacting Your Mental Health

Here are a few common ways money-related stress may be affecting you:

• Feeling guilt or shame after making purchases—even essentials
• Avoiding bills or ignoring your bank accounts
• Feeling uncomfortable discussing money with loved ones
• Struggling to plan for the future due to financial uncertainty
• Noticing mood swings around payday or when bills are due

These aren’t “just money problems.” They’re valid emotional responses—worthy of exploration, not dismissal.

When Mental Health and Money Meet

Let’s start with a truth that often gets overlooked: your mental health and financial well-being are deeply connected.

For many clients I work with—whether you're managing anxiety, living with ADHD, navigating romantic relationships, or healing from trauma—money isn't just a number. It’s often tied to safety, control, freedom, and identity.

Maybe your spending habits were shaped by growing up in a household where money was tight. Or perhaps you're navigating cultural or family expectations around how you earn, spend, or save. Budgeting might even feel overwhelming or impossible.

Whatever your experience, your financial habits don’t define your worth. You're not "bad with money." You're a human navigating complex realities with the tools you have—and that’s okay.

Are Your Spending Habits Aligned with Your Values?

One powerful shift I support clients with is moving toward values-aligned spending.

We all make purchases out of stress, pressure, or habit. But when spending doesn’t reflect your core values, it can leave you feeling disconnected or regretful.

If you’re unsure what your values are, that’s a great place to start in therapy. Together, we can clarify what truly matters to you—and build a life (and budget) that reflects those priorities.

When your spending aligns with your values, even small financial decisions begin to feel more intentional, more empowering, and more like you.

Boundaries, Budgets, and the People Around You

Money often shows up in our relationships—in subtle and not-so-subtle ways.

You might feel pressure to keep up with friends who earn more, agree to outings that stretch your budget, or feel judged for prioritizing your mental health over a higher-paying job. This is where financial boundaries become essential.

In therapy, we can practice how to communicate your financial needs and limits clearly and compassionately—and reflect on whether those relationships are respectful and aligned with the future you want.

You deserve to make money decisions that feel good emotionally, not just look good on paper.

What’s Holding You Back?

Sometimes, the biggest barriers to change are internal.

• Are you afraid of failing if you try to take control of your money?
• Do you fear how others might react if you succeed?
• Are you carrying shame that isn’t yours to carry?

These are deep, emotional questions—and you don’t have to explore them alone. Therapy provides a safe, supportive space to untangle these fears with gentleness, honesty, curiosity, and vulnerability.

Therapy as a Tool for Financial and Emotional Healing

If you're financially struggling, therapy might feel like a luxury. That’s why I talk openly with clients about sliding scale options, community resources, and working together in a way that honours both your mental health and financial reality.

Our work together might include:

• Identifying core money beliefs (e.g., “I’m bad with money”)
• Exploring how systemic barriers impact access and opportunity
• Clarifying your values to guide financial decisions
• Building tools to regulate emotions tied to money stress
• Addressing shame, fear, and self-sabotage
• Setting realistic, compassionate goals, like starting a “no-shame” budget

This isn’t about fixing you. It’s about making space for your full humanity—including the parts that are scared, stuck, or still learning.

Rewriting Your Money Story, One Step at a Time

There’s no one-size-fits-all path to financial wellness. Healing your relationship with money is a journey, not a destination. One that requires patience, care, and the willingness to both learn and unlearn.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, ashamed, or avoidant when it comes to your finances, know this: it’s never too late to begin again.

In therapy, we’ll move at your pace to gently unpack the emotional layers beneath financial stress—and begin crafting a new money story that reflects your values, supports your healing, and helps you build the life you deserve.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

You don’t have to face financial stress alone. Book a session today to start building a healthier relationship with your money—and yourself. Together, we’ll explore your financial goals and help you take control of your financial future.