Archive for October, 2008

Good News for Same-Sex Couples!

October 27th, 2008

No – marriage equality hasn’t spread across the country…yet.  However, Dr. John Gottman of The Gottman Institute has learned some interesting things in his study of lesbian and gay couples.  And it appears that same-sex couples have something to teach straight couples. 

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Hiding a Serious Illness from Your Child?

October 27th, 2008

Living with cancer, HIV/AIDS, or another serious illness is difficult.  Living with an illness and having a child in the home is beyond words.  We as parents want to shield our children from pain, harm, and fear.  Medical emergencies makes this hard to do.

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Coming of Age

October 22nd, 2008

I recently facilitated a “Coming of Age” group for adolescent boys, ages 13 and 14.  What a fun experience!  But what a reminder of the influence peers have on our children.

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Making Relationships Work

October 21st, 2008

I’ve been reading up on Couples Therapy lately.  It’s quite interesting what a specific researcher is saying.  Dr. John Gottman at the University of Washington in Seattle has been researching couples for years.  He has found the qualities that make or break a couple – and they’re not what we’ve come to expect.

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More Than Teen Angst

October 20th, 2008

Is your teenager or adolescent driving you crazy? Are you finding her or his behavior out-of-control or self-destructive? Do you battle over every little thing? Has your son or daughter changed…becoming depressed, reclusive, or uninterested in activities he or she used to enjoy? Are you concerned about your child?

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Worried About Your Drinking?

October 20th, 2008

People can often wonder if their drinking is creating a problem in their lives.  They can be hesitant to call themselves an alcoholic.  They simply find themselves questioning an embarrassing thing they did at a party or wondering if their desire to have a drink is taking too prominent a role in their lives. 

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Counseling Across the Color Line

October 20th, 2008

Understandably so, many People of Color are most comfortable seeing a therapist of their own race. This makes intuitive sense. However, African American folk seeing Caucasian therapists need assurance that their therapist is both culturally competent and anti-racist. Otherwise, therapy will be ineffective.

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Being Honest with Cancer

October 20th, 2008

Living with cancer is hard.  It challenges us in so many different ways – physically, emotionally, spiritually.  It touches almost all aspects of our lives too, from work and leisure to connecting to family and friends.

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Questioning Gender Identity

October 20th, 2008

People questioning their gender identity need to be assured that their therapist is affirming and knowledgeable. I have educated myself, gained training, and have experience working with transgender folk and people uncomfortable with the gender they were assigned.

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Grief Therapy

October 20th, 2008

Grief and loss comes in many shapes and forms. It can be the death of a loved one, a death of a pet, the loss of health. It can also take the shape of a damaged relationship.

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