Mental Health

By Lex Enrico Santí, LCSW, MFA, DSW-S. Clinical Director, A Key Therapy LCSW, PLLC. Co-founder, The Quad. In the 1840s, whenever Ezra Cornell came home to Ithaca between telegraph ventures, the town's merchants and mechanics brought him their bills: groceries, notions, the family's shoes, some unpaid for years. He was stringing lines from New England to Wisconsin. He asked for more time, made a small payment, or offered a note. His biographer Philip Dorf explains that the for

Reflection on Mourning in the Shadow of a Giant at Cornell By Lex Enrico Santí, LCSW, MFA On September 9, 2019, the Cornell community lost Dr. Greg Eells, the former director of Counseling and Psychological Services. Though his passing by suicide came at a moment of transition—just as he was beginning a new chapter at the University of Pennsylvania—it sent quiet shockwaves through our campus and across higher education. Six years later, his absence is still deeply felt. Greg’

Lex Enrico Santí, LCSW MFA I tell this story a lot, purposefully, as beginning a meditation project is brutal and stories and while stories failed meditation are plentiful, little talk comes as to why the meditation practice fails. When I first started meditating, about ten years ago, I wanted to do it “right.” I thought it meant sitting still, breathing slowly, keeping my mind focused on the breath or the body. I thought it meant reaching some version of quiet. With my dog P

There was a moment in my life when everything on paper looked right. I had built a career I was proud of—one that had taken me around the world and given me incredible experiences. I was the Coordinator of Travel Safety, a role I had poured myself into. I was the sole architect of a travel safety registry, collaborated with private organizations, helped guide new technology in the field, and became a sought-after speaker at conferences. It was exciting work—urgent, impactful,

Lex Enrico Santí, A Key Therapy LCSW, PLLC (With gratitude to Matt Kahn) In my practice, one of the teachings I return to most often—particularly with clients struggling with self-doubt, anxious thinking, or intrusive thoughts—is a talk by Matt Kahn titled The Will of the Heart. In this deeply compassionate lecture, Matt unpacks what he calls the most self-defeating phrase in the human language: “I hope this doesn’t happen.” The first time I heard this I was taking a drive to

Lex Enrico Santí, A Key Therapy LCSW, PLLC The intricate relationship between gut health and mental well-being has garnered significant attention in recent years. Emerging research suggests that the state of our digestive system can profoundly influence our psychological health, particularly concerning anxiety. This connection is often referred to as the gut-brain axis, a complex communication network linking the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. While I am a licensed the

Lex Enrico Santí, LCSW, MFA As a therapist working on a college campus, I see daily the battle between the heart and the mind play out in students, faculty, and staff. Academia is a space that deeply values intellect—the ability to analyze, critique, and rationalize. In many ways, this environment conditions people to depend on their minds above all else, often at the expense of their hearts. I work with students and professors who are deeply entrenched in this way of being,

Lex Enrico Santí, LCSW, MFA Ramakrishna, the great Indian saint, often told the story of the three robbers as a metaphor for the different forces that shape our lives. As a social worker at Cornell, I saw parallels between this story and the challenges students faced in understanding themselves, navigating external expectations, and ultimately striving toward personal freedom. Sri Ramakrishna The Story of the Three Robbers A traveler is making his way through the forest when

Lex Enrico Santí, LCSW, MFA What is Dharma? Dharma is a concept deeply embedded in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, often translated as "duty," "righteousness," or "the path." But it is more than just a job or a moral guideline—it is the unfolding of one’s true nature in alignment with the greater harmony of the world. As Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita, "It is better to live your own dharma imperfectly than to live another’s well." Dharma is not about choosing the right pr

Lex Enrico Santí, LCSW, MFA I have been on the path of yoga, seemingly, all my life. I have enjoyed sharing perspectives and the spiritual path as part of my method of supporting clients and connecting what it means to be a being who is working on themselves in this lifetime. I don't always get it right--and the path of trying to work on yourself is fraught with pitfalls. Here is some of what I have learned of being on the yogic path. Yoga, in its truest sense, is not merely

Lex Enrico Santí, LCSW, MFA I love podcasts, I think they're great, really. Lately, I’ve found myself exhausted by a particular brand of podcast storytelling—one that centers white sadness, nostalgia, and pain, only to ultimately arrive at… nothing. These stories follow a well-worn formula: a young podcaster embarks on a deeply personal journey, tracing the roots of some tragic figure from their past. Maybe it’s their mother’s ex-lover, a punk rocker turned drug dealer who wa

By Lex Enrico Santí, MFA, LCSW Painful memories can feel like a knife in the heart, a persistent and sharp reminder of something unresolved. But what if that pain could soften? What if, instead of a stabbing wound, it became something gentler—like the sensation of rubbing an old scar? This is the essence of samskara, the deep impressions left by past experiences that influence our present lives. Through narrative therapy and creative writing, we can work with these impression

By Lex Enrico Santí, LCSW, MSW – A Key Therapy LCSW PLLC In an age dominated by technology, the challenges of mental health have shifted, particularly with respect to phone addiction, gaming addiction, and the rapid rise of anxiety and depression in the digital age. Understanding these mental health issues requires a comprehensive approach that examines both modern and ancient perspectives on the mind. This article seeks to connect two seemingly disparate frameworks: the He

How to Write a Letter to Someone Who Hurt You: A Guide to Letting Go Writing a letter to someone who has hurt you can be one of the most powerful tools for healing and closure. It allows you to express your emotions, take control of your narrative, and begin the process of letting go. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps of writing that letter—whether you choose to send it or keep it as a personal reflection. This exercise can help you find peace, regain your self-r

Stories Shape How We Heal By: Lex Enrico Santí, LCSW, MFA -- A Key Therapy PLLC We all tell stories about our lives—whether it's the embarrassing thing we did in high school, the details of a recent breakup, or the job we didn’t get. These stories shape how we see ourselves and, sometimes, how we get stuck in negative loops. That's where Narrative Therapy comes in—a form of therapy that doesn't just ask what happened but focuses on how we tell our stories. Narrative Therapy l

As children, across various cultures, races, and genders, many of us found ourselves competing in one simple game—holding our breath underwater. Whether in lakes, swimming pools, or oceans, the goal was always the same: to outlast the other kids in this self-imposed contest. Based on my informal tally of childhood experiences shared through anecdotes, interviews, and personal memories, this game is nearly universal. It crosses borders, transcending age, ethnicity, and gender—

Author: Lex Enrico Santí, LCSW, MFA Introduction Anxiety and depression, two of the most prevalent mental health conditions, are often perceived negatively due to their debilitating effects. However, a growing body of research suggests that these conditions may have evolutionary underpinnings that conferred survival advantages to our ancestors. This paper explores the interconnection between anxiety, depression, and their potential genetic utility, proposing that these mental

Reposted from CrossFit Pallas Blog By Lex Enrico Santí, LCSW, MFA I began my yoga practice when I was fearful, and I began CrossFit when I was depressed. Reflecting on this, I realize that there is something to the intersection of these seemingly opposite practices. As a yoga instructor in a community of CrossFitters, I embarked on a journey to blend the two practices together, creating a holistic system that interweaves body and mind awareness. I believe that if this system

In 2018, I chanced upon a cinematic masterpiece that profoundly resonated with me, artfully weaving together a tapestry of life elements I hold dear. "On Yoga: The Architecture of Peace" swiftly ascended to become the most transformative movie I have ever encountered, leaving an indelible mark on my consciousness. This film transcends mere entertainment; it is an enlightening odyssey that I sincerely recommend every reader to embark upon. The film introduces us to Michael O'N

I write a monthly blog post for Pallas Fitness about the intersection of yoga and CrossFit. I repost the blog entries here. Has it been really another year of the CrossFit Open? We sit now; bodies still sore and the experience of the open is now somewhat behind us. We reflect, we rejoice and we set out for another year of fitness. I have been at Pallas since “the old gym” a topic for another blog entry, and I recently sat down and put together that my first Open must have be