Blog

I’ve come to know these themes both personally and professionally over the last few years. It happens that the circumstances of our life mirror what resides inside. And that inner world is a representation of the collective, including our current societal themes as well as spiritual rhythms of generations upon generations and the earth in … Continue reading Contraction & expansion

When emotional pain starts to pull us down, we tend to react in ways to rid ourselves of the feelings by suppressing, dismissing, judging or trying to think our way out of them. We try so desperately to move against the experience, to resist. In the process, we dredge up past regrets and conjure up … Continue reading Moving toward

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based treatment to help provide stabilization to people struggling with chronic suicidal ideation and usually, childhood experiences of trauma. These experiences, among other symptoms, were later categorized into the diagnosis we now know as Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Dr. Marsha Linehan’s research not only established hope for a previously … Continue reading My soapbox on DBT

Though there is nothing traditional about this year, our mind’s internal “speeding up” process is as we think through the list of to-dos that correspond with the holidays. Forging ahead into the holiday season is hardwired into the fabric of our society. There are so many longstanding rituals to include decorating, cooking, hosting, and gift-giving. … Continue reading Pump the brakes (holiday alert)

Can therapy really make things worse?  You’re probably thinking this would mean it’s time for a new therapist, am I right?  Sometimes this is true, and it would be irresponsible to assume otherwise.  However, we will cover that a bit further into the discussion.  We will first explore the inherent bias within the process of … Continue reading When therapy makes things worse

What has not yet been said about our current health pandemic?  I’ve been turning to my favorite writers, thought-leaders, and spiritual enthusiasts for guidance and grounding during this time.  I’m not here to offer much wisdom toward what faces our global community.  Undoubtedly, you have been inundated with enough external input. Today I am simply … Continue reading COVID-19

Mindfulness is a westernized term for formal meditation, derived from ancient Buddhist practices.  Mindfulness has also been coined “awake meditation.” Before we fully define and explore this, let's start with the origin of mindfulness meditation, how, and why this powerful practice has been adopted by our western culture and specifically, within the field of psychology.  … Continue reading What is mindfulness anyway?

Any 12-steppers out there?  This is a popular phrase in the recovery community and is often introduced as a way to shift a discontent mood state.  In other words, it is a prompt to offer kindness or empathy to others to un-attach from the self-focused nature of our own minds.  We can initiate the opportunity … Continue reading The attitude of gratitude

"I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing light of your own being." -Hafiz “Self” is a foundational concept within the Internal Family System’s model.  Self is a precious resource inside the psyche that is unscathed by stress and trauma.  It is a well of wisdom, joy, and … Continue reading Self-energy meditation

We usually think about the experience of grief in the context of the death of a loved one.  Of course, this is one of the most painful, incomprehensible events that we go through as humans.  Our minds aren’t constructed in a way that allow the concept of death to be easily grasped.  The sudden disappearance … Continue reading Grief & loss