General
Boundary Setting – How Do I Say No and Mean It?
Saying “no” can sometimes be challenging and evoke feelings of guilt or discomfort. However, setting boundaries and learning to say “no” when necessary is essential for your well-being and personal growth and to have healthy relationships. In her book, Dare to Lead, Brene Brown lists boundary setting as one of the key elements for building…
Read MoreAre You Caught in a Drama Triangle?
When we continue to enable dysfunctional behavior, we fall prey to the Drama Triangle. Developed by Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UC, San Francisco Stephen Karman, the Drama Triangle consists of three roles, Victim, Rescuer, and Persecutor. While you might see yourself and your loved ones as a specific role, in truth, each person…
Read MoreMeet Bruno, Therapy Dog
I have always believed in the healing power of animals. There is something about communicating with another species that is grounding, healing, and special. I grew up with German Shepherds who were always protective of me. They went right along with all manner of girl-play I foisted on them – playing dress up, carrying dolls…
Read MoreFrom Fear to Freedom – How Counseling Can Help You Thrive
As a psychotherapist with over 25 years counseling experience, I’ve developed some habits, for better a worse, as a counselor. One of the better habits is ending the first session early to leave more time for wrapping up and preparing for the next session I usually start by saying something like, “We need to close…
Read MoreStop Repeating the Same Mistakes of Enabling Bad Behavior
Have you ever become frustrated because you find yourself in the same (or similar) predicament over and over with a loved one who will not change? How many times do you realize, often too late, that as careful as you thought you were being, you made choices that led you down the same old path…
Read MoreEffective Communication – Responding to Criticism
Whether talking to your spouse, boss, a friend, or the clerk in the check-out line, conversations can become difficult and sometimes that difficulty is because of your actions. Sometimes we have to hear critical feedback from others. Responding to criticism can be difficult but it’s an opportunity to learn and grow, especially if you approach…
Read MoreImprove Your Life with Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback, also known as EEG biofeedback or neurotherapy, is a non-invasive, evidence-based treatment approach. It involves the monitoring and self-regulation of brainwave activity to improve brain function. By utilizing real-time feedback of your brain’s activity, neurofeedback teaches your brain how to modify how fast or slow it fires. This, ultimately leads to enhancing your mental…
Read MoreWhen Helping Hurts – Enabling the Addiction of Your Child
When I was a beginning therapist and working in community mental health, I witnessed an example of what happens when families fall victim to enabling the addiction of their children. One of our services to the community was to help complete the paperwork for involuntarily hospitalization for a loved one’s treatment. Two families came in…
Read MoreHelping Our Children Leave the Nest – Parenting Adult Children
I recently read an article about Bald Eagles. The most interesting part of the article was how they raise their young and how their young become independent. Baby eagles remain in the nest for about 12 weeks, with the parent eagles bringing them food. During this time, eaglets gain a pound every few days until…
Read MorePride?
June is the month in which the LGBTQ+ communities come together in pride to celebrate the advances of the movement. It also brings awareness to the obstacles that remain to achieve the ultimate goal of equality. Pride is about love, friendship, and comradery for members of the LGBTQ+ communities and their allies. Gay Pride parades,…
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