Category: Therapy
Grieving a parent is complex work As infants, we rely upon our parental figures and caregivers for constant support. We seek them out for food, nourishment, love, and attention. As we grow older, we learn by exploring, expecting stability and availability from our caregivers, as we venture out in the world. Our caregivers are the […]
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How bad can it really be for you? Like many, I was aware that my alcohol consumption had been creeping up since the beginning of Covid. So I took the Dry January challenge and besides a couple of dinners out I stayed “dry” most of the month. What I discovered was I slept better, more […]
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What stops you from finding a therapist? Some of my presenting clients (particularly couples) may not be actively “in crisis.” Others did not necessarily have self-identified therapy goals they were immediately trying to reach. Rather, imagine that everyone just had a therapist on their list of helpers, right along-side their hairstylist/barber, mechanic, or babysitter. Unfortunately, […]
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How to weather the holidays with acts of self-care.
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Brilliant Adaptations As adults, other people’s character traits trigger us in intimate relationships Take a closer look at the characteristics that precipitate our mean-spirited response with those closest to us. Meanwhile, in other settings, we display a loving, conscious, and empathetic pattern. We respond to triggers with the traits that we most need. Defense responses […]
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Getting help with grief never occurred to me My father died by accidental drowning six months before my wedding. The idea of seeking counseling or attending a grief group was never suggested. I couldn’t process the loss at the time, or what it meant for my mother. I was 28 years old, absorbed in my […]
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Mind Your Party Manners I grew up hearing the reminder to remember my “party manners” every time I left the house, even when I joined the soccer practice carpool. My politeness and concern for how others perceived my behaviors is a marker of my Midwestern upbringing. The phrase “Minnesota Nice” is more than a little […]
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Life Happens This time of the year can be incredibly challenging if you are in the storm of a breakup. Over twenty years ago I sat in that seat. I never imagined this would be my journey. Why would two reasonably intelligent people travel down this road? When it was me, I found myself coping with […]
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Change your lens, change your relationship! First of all, how would your relationship be different if you approached your partner reflecting on two questions: What can I celebrate in my partner? and 2. What’s right with our relationship? This sounds challenging, right? We are not programmed this way! Our default is looking for what’s not […]
READ ARTICLEReality shows and Relationships I love watching reality dating shows. Especially the more immersive, experiential ones (nod to OWN’s Ready to Love and Put a Ring on It, Lifetime’s Married at First Sight (MAFS) and 90-Day Fiancé, and Netflix’s Love is Blind, just to name a few). And kudos to the on-screen licensed therapists, relationship coaches, and […]
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