A Round of Applause

My 14-month-old daughter claps for just about everything these days – a song on the radio, the sight of our dog, strawberries at lunch, etc. Of course I think this is charming, but lately I am finding her generous reception to be quite wise. When we receive applause or appreciation of any kind, it reinforces […]

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A Lenten Discipline

Traditionally Lent is a time of reflection and a time of change when we commit ourselves to stretching into new behaviors. It’s also often a time of cleansing our bodies and spirits to prepare a place for the divine to be more present in our lives. Consider the following to help bring the spirit of […]

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Simplify With CBT

In their practical workbook, Mind Over Mood, Greenberger and Padesky state that cognitive therapy “emphasizes the examination of the thoughts and beliefs connected to our moods, behaviors, physical experiences, and to the events in our lives.” To simplify, if we think pleasant, calming thoughts, we will feel and act calm. If we begin thinking negative […]

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It’s the Economy, Scared?

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said that sometimes “money costs too much.” If you haven’t felt the cost of the economic crunch lately, then you probably know someone who has. I don’t need to go into detail about how bad things are; we hear about it constantly. Still, think for a moment about how you’ve been […]

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Spotlight on Joanne Comstock, PhD

A typical therapist’s “to-do list” is often bogged down with paperwork, case consultations, licensure maintenance, and continuing education requirements. As a result, considering the spiritual and clinical implications of her work might often come in last. But since the fall, The Imago Center’s Dr. Joanne Comstock has built such reflection into her work week through […]

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Anger Management: Referral Corner

Although most of us know that anger is a natural emotion, in our culture there is little tolerance for those who cannot control their tempers. As a result, many learn to keep anger inside and ignore its roots, while setting themselves up for spontaneous, and often damaging, outbursts. PC&CC’s Kathleen Scheg is specially trained in […]

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Anger Management

Although most of us know that anger is a natural emotion, in our culture there is little tolerance for those who cannot control their tempers. As a result, many learn to keep anger inside and ignore its roots, while setting themselves up for spontaneous, and often damaging, outbursts. PC&CC’s Kathleen Scheg is specially trained in […]

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A Better Valentine’s Day

Most of us could admit having a love-hate relationship with Valentine’s Day. We might remember the excitement of getting roses from a new love or trading candy hearts with childhood friends, but we also can’t forget old heartbreaks or ignore new loneliness. And the holiday’s presumptive focus on those who have a “special someone” can […]

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Male Rites of Passage and Initiation

Young men and boys in Western culture rarely have formal opportunities for connection and support with peers and mentors as they face the challenges of growing up. Despite global history and substantiating the value of male initiation rituals, Western cultures continue to eschew such rites of passage, sending the message that young men simply are […]

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‘Resolutionary’ Optimism

The beginning of any new year brings a host of possibilities, plus the nagging memories of bygone resolutions. Whatever happened to last year’s promises of change that somehow never happened? In the Washington Post, evolutionary biologist Lionel Tiger, explains that people continue to make promises about changes they won’t keep because of our hunter-gatherer beginnings […]

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