February 19th, 2014

I so often write about dealing with depression, loneliness, hopelessness, and other difficult, dark times. I do this because we all go through challenging periods, but many of us rarely talk with our friends and loved ones about how we cope and find our way. Usually, I’ll write about the suggestions I give to clients, the ways my clients cope, or advice from other clinicians. This time, though, I’m doing something different, with the hope that this will be helpful as well.

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Tags: Anxiety & Stress, Depression, Anxiety & Stress, healing, hope, self-love
Posted Under | Depression, Anxiety & Stress, Grief & Loss, Therapy & Counseling | No Comments »

December 31st, 2013

I learn a lot from yoga.  I learn what my mind says I can’t do.  And what my body actually can do.  I learn that a regular physical practice keeps me grounded, or at least not as crazed as I am without it.  I also learn a few things that inform my therapy.

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Posted Under | Alcohol, Drugs, & Other Addictions, Depression, Anxiety & Stress, Grief & Loss, Relationships, Couples, Polyamory, Kink & Sexuality, Uncategorized | No Comments »

March 11th, 2013

I’m not one much for sporting analogies, but in this case, it seems apropos.  As a therapist, I’ve been a part of many boxing matches – watching clients logical brains spar with their emotional brains.  People often think that if they can understand their emotions, they won’t have to experience them.  Logic beats emotion and, in theory at least, makes life easier. And for many beginners in therapy, the logical brain wins.  I’m not always celebrating this accomplishment.

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Posted Under | Depression, Anxiety & Stress, Grief & Loss, Therapy & Counseling, Uncategorized | No Comments »

November 30th, 2011

Have you seen the movie “Like Crazy” – a film about two young lovers who keep attempting to have a relationship with each other, even when it seems in vain?  It’s not an unusual story.  In fact, the couple’s experience is very human.  As a therapist, I found some very useful lessons in it.  But first:  Spoiler alter!  Don’t read on if you don’t want to know the storyline…

Tags: grief, Grief & Loss, hope, therapy
Posted Under | Alcohol, Drugs, & Other Addictions, Grief & Loss, Relationships, Couples, Polyamory, Kink & Sexuality, Therapy & Counseling | No Comments »

November 7th, 2011

Have you ever experienced overwhelming grief?  If you’ve gone through an extremely difficult loss, you know what I’m talking about.  Feeling on the verge of tears – more often than you’ve ever experienced.  Feeling sad and depressed much of the day.  Or experiencing a surge of sadness unexpectedly.  You find yourself angry and bitter and don’t quite understand this change in your perspective.  Perhaps you react strongly to things that would have gotten a much weaker response from you at a different time.

Tags: grief, Grief & Loss, loss, relationships
Posted Under | Cancer, HIV and Other Illnesses, Depression, Anxiety & Stress, Grief & Loss, Relationships, Couples, Polyamory, Kink & Sexuality | No Comments »

April 13th, 2010

Grief is depression in proportion to circumstance; depression is grief out of proportion to circumstance.  So saysAndrew Solomon, the author “The Noonday Demon” (Scribner, 2001).  Mr. Solomon then proceeds to detail his often devastating experiences with major depression.

Tags: Anxiety & Stress, Depression, Anxiety & Stress, grief, loss
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February 2nd, 2010

I spent the weekend at a workshop exploring insights from mindfulness practices and psychotherapy.  Mindfulness practices include meditation, yoga, contemplative prayer, and a host of other activities.  One of the things that stuck with me was how both mindfulness practices and psychotherapy can help a person cultivate a mind like a sky.  But what exactly does that mean?

Tags: hope, mindfulness, therapy
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November 21st, 2009

What do you do when things get tough?  When you’re going through a difficult illness, experiencing a loss, or feeling depressed or anxious?  Many people follow the adage – “When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.”  While there is some value to this, I offer a different path.

Tags: Anxiety & Stress, cancer, Depression, Anxiety & Stress, grief, hope
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October 19th, 2009

“In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.”~ Albert Camus

Tags: Anxiety & Stress, Depression, Anxiety & Stress, grief, hope
Posted Under | Grief & Loss, Therapy & Counseling | No Comments »

August 24th, 2009

Have you ever felt lonely, confused, angry or sad?  Of course you have.  These are all normal, human emotions and experiences.  Are you comfortable feeling this way?  Perhaps not.  So, what do you do when faced with them?  Do you stuff them, avoiding them through negative self-talk, eating, drinking or some other behavior?  If so, there is another way.

Tags: counseling, hope, therapy
Posted Under | Alcohol, Drugs, & Other Addictions, Cancer, HIV and Other Illnesses, Depression, Anxiety & Stress, Grief & Loss, Sexual/Physical Abuse & Trauma, Therapy & Counseling | No Comments »