Have you ever stopped to consider that many people spend more time taking care of their physical health than their psychological health? Ignoring psychological injuries (failure, rejection, loneliness) can worsen just as much as ignoring a recurring migraine or strained muscle. In his TED Talk, “Why We All Need to … Read More
Comfort, Presence and Grief
Responding to another person’s grief can be incredibly difficult, not because we don’t care, but because we simply don’t know what to do. Often, that’s because there isn’t much that we actually can do. We can’t change the death of a loved one or alter a devastating medical diagnosis. Given … Read More
Relationship: The One Thing You Need for a Happier Life
It’s not wealth, fame or even success in your career. According to this Washington Post article, Harvard researchers have found that the key to the happy life is…relationship. The 75-year-old Grant Study is the oldest of its kind. It has followed the lives of men from Harvard University and Boston … Read More
Fight the Good Fight
Conflict has gotten a bad rap. Often clients seek counseling in hopes of eliminating or minimizing fights. They may want to reassess conflict before hitting the dismiss button. Interestingly, conflict can actually benefit a relationship and an individual’s identity, if addressed well. The truth is that there is no real … Read More
Strengthening Your Stepfamily: Part 4
In newly formed stepfamilies, the standard advice that I give to the couple is for the parent to take the lead with discipline. There is a great deal of research supporting this stance. The most helpful role for step parents during the early years of stepfamily formation is to nurture … Read More
Putting an End to Victim Blaming
Victim blaming is a practice that is harming not just victims but our society as a whole. Part of the problem is that many people do this automatically, and it has become so prevalent. In order for this to change, we are going to have to be intentional about helping … Read More
The Beauty in Consistency
We as humans are drawn to predictable patterns and people. We like to be able to understand our world, and categorize things into neat little boxes in our minds. It helps us to relax and feel safe when we feel like we know what is coming and how we need … Read More
Strengthening Your Stepfamily: Part 3
While the step-couple may be experiencing the bliss of their new relationship, children are likely experiencing a myriad of emotions. When a stepfamily forms, changes often happen too quickly for the children. According to Dr. Patricia Papernow, this presents a common challenge that stepfamilies encounter: Children are dealing with losses, … Read More
Yours, Mine, and Ours: 5 Tips for Merging Two Families
When families blend and stepfamilies are created, it is not uncommon for problems or conflict to arise. This adjustment process comes with its own unique rewards and challenges. Research findings suggest that a stepfamily takes several years to develop into a family unit. In order to increase your best chance … Read More
Healthy Habits For A Happy Mom
If you’re a mom, you are likely very familiar with interrupted sleep, endless laundry and housework, tantrums, busy schedules, cooking, and very little time to yourself. In the midst of constant demands, many hardworking and selfless women forget that in order to be a good mom you must make yourself … Read More
