Self-Doubt and Low Self-Esteem Not sure if you’re all that sexy and attractive? Do you constantly need approval from others? Are you never sure that you…

Imagine the following scenario: You are in a large, beautiful interior space with everything you need to accomplish any task that is put before you or…

Are you spending too much going out to eat? Trying to eat healthier, but getting either bored or overwhelmed with the process of meal planning and…

Filtering Difficult Experiences I’m a big fan of the emotional equivalent of “emptying the trash.” By writing in a journal people get in touch with their…

Happy Mother’s Day! “If it’s not one thing, it’s your Mother!” There’s a saying in psychotherapy that goes “If it’s not one thing, it’s your Mother.”…

Many of you will be able to actually hear the GPS system’s voice in your head when you read the words: “You have reached your destination!”…

In the progress of personality, first comes a declaration of independence, then a recognition of interdependence. ~Henry Van Dyke So where do you place yourself on…

I have been using a Life Planner for decades, switching between different types to see which one worked best for me. You may have done the…

Being Sick Sucks The greatest wealth is health.  ~Virgil Whether it’s a bad chest cold, or a serious diagnosis of a cancer tumor, being sick is just the worst….

You know them… snarky people. The masters of that combination of sarcastic and cynical that ends up being smugly critical and absolutely unbearable to human beings after…

The Submarine Expert My husband tells this awesome story: Something’s gone wrong on a nuclear submarine and they call in “the expert” to help figure it…

Do you think that you’ll be happy when you finally lose those 15-20+ pounds? Do you think that when you find the perfect man/woman, that’s when…

“So, how was your day?” Fine. “What happened in school today?” Nothing. You’re trying to connect. You’re trying to get them to open up. But even…

“I’m Tired of Taking These Pills!” You want to stop taking your medication. It’s too expensive.  You’re feeling the stigma at the pharmacy, thinking people are looking…

If you spend much time online, especially on social networking sites, you’ll get a chance to meet a troll. Okay, not a “real” troll. But in…

Many people feel shame and want to know what they can do about that awful black feeling inside, with good reason. Feeling shame is toxic. It…

Have you survived something very difficult in your life? A tough childhood? A major trauma? An abusive marriage? It takes a lot to go through the…

Got Critics? Do you have people in your life who are, shall we say, “unsupportive” of you? How about downright discouraging? Critical? Judgmental? Dismissive? It may…

You and I both know you are not a human Bento box. Trying to “unpack” your health experience by neat packages of symptom categories is not…

COMFY? How Stable is Your Relationship? Take your typical 4-legged wooden stool. It’s nice and stable…if it’s got all 4 legs. You can probably even manage…

“No pain, no gain!” Is psychotherapy supposed to hurt?  Is it necessary to wear waterproof mascara to every session?  Are you going to be a royal…

A Controlled Burn I live in Florida and lately, we’ve been in a drought. In order to decrease the likelihood of serious forest and brush fires…

I’m Not IN LOVE Anymore I know you’ve heard this. You might have said it. “I LOVE her, but I’m not IN LOVE with her anymore.”…

Elusive Sleep Insomnia for many people has become a frustrating fact of life.  30% of the population suffers from it, and more than half of Americans…

There are over 100 million Americans who suffer from chronic pain.  If you have ever experienced severe pain that lasts over a week, you know the…

Most people I know complain about their pace of life being too fast. “Crazy-busy” fast. They are trying to find a way to add that 25th…

Mental Health Medication If you take psychotropic medications, meaning anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medications, mood stabilizers, or anti-psychotic medications, it’s not unusual that at one time or another…

A Beautiful Day for A Trip It’s a beautiful day. The sun is shining, a light breeze… a perfect day for boarding the train to take…

“You Look Fine To Me!” What is it like to live with an invisible illness? It’s different from living with something that everyone around you can…

Have you ever decided you were going to make a change in how you eat or how active you are and you make a plan and…

I’m Just Not Feeling It So, I asked, “You have to wait until you’re able to “get into” doing a chore before you can do it?”…

The Holidays Are Coming! For many people, that means increased contact with family and extended family members… a source of love and support for some, a…

Happy Birth Day! Our daughter turned 12 this week, and I’ve been reflecting on what I have learned about parenting since the day she came into…