Finding a Therapist Therapy! Why do I need to go to a complete stranger and open up my deepest darkest secrets? Why would I want to remember the sad or bad things that have happened to me when I’ve worked so hard to keep them tucked away in a box? What if I try it and...
Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs) Study – Physical Problems Due to Unresolved Trauma How scary is this? From 1995-1997, Kaiser Permanente, a huge hospital in Southern California studied over 17,000 patients for this study. It asked questions about abuse and...
It is hard to hear someone we care about suffer so much that they think that suicide is the only answer. We want to provide them comfort and keep them safe. But what if we’re not a trained professional, what can we do? Fortunately, you don’t have to be a trained...
Fred and Ginger sit side by side on the couch. They’ve been arguing a lot the past few months, but right now, she feels a surge of love for him, and reaches for his hand. He pulls it away, and claps for the team playing on the screen. The moment has passed for her,...
Bob’s son, Fred, came out to him the other day. Bob did not hug Fred. He did not say anything. He made a distasteful face, turned his back on Fred, and walked away. The family still eats meals together at the table, but Bob ignores his son for the most part. Bob is at...
Today I am grateful for: My ever-patient husband For the roof over our heads Cuddling cats, who warm my heart A son, who is just about the best kid ever Wonderful clients, whom I may not have otherwise gotten to meet The beautiful sunrise this morning Having enough...
This is a familiar story. You’ve struggled all Monday to keep your happy face on, because Sunday was a bummer in a big way. And you’ve been successful! No one noticed that the smile isn’t genuine. You’ve been able to converse with others, and provide support to them....
In a past struggle with depression, a friend who enjoyed gardening told me to, “Stop, and smell the flowers.” My first thought was, “I barely have the time to do everything I need to do. Where am I going to find time to stop, and smell the flowers?” (I want to assure...
We can grieve about so many things: the death of a loved one, the loss of an opportunity, our health, the loss of a relationship, the loss of innocence, the lack of having a childhood, the death of a dream, the loss of functioning, and the ensuing dependence on...
When women say this, they think their partner is cheating on them. But more often, it’s the little things they’re thinking, and most men don’t know this. Lack of trust and broken promises can lead to thoughts of cheating and betrayal. Does he keep promising to do...
