Blogging about the helper’s high and risking sounding like a pretensious, “look at me” person, much less clincian, took some thinking. After a super mini teeny ego crisis, authenticity always wins in my book so here, we are. Like so many clients I’ve spoken to, early in my childhood my family was low income and […]
Helper’s High: How to get a Healthy High this Holiday Season Read More »
Within the intricate maze of human emotions, sadness and depression frequently intertwine their borders blending, complicating the task of distinguishing one from the other. Each emotion bears a burden capable of tethering us to profound desolation, yet they diverge notably in their persistence, magnitude, and influence on our daily existence. From a clinical perspective, discerning
Understanding the Difference Between Depression & Sadness Read More »
Classifying how a couple behaves can be extraordinarily difficult. Diagnosing a mental health condition in an individual includes discernment of what is circumstantial, what may be physical, etc. so with two individuals, it is doubly hard. While other psychologists have attempted a classification system to support their couples counseling process (i.e. Enrich Marital System) the
We are wired for inattention, yet expected to hold our focus for long periods of time. Our brains can only focus in ninety minute increments, yet a full work day is 8 hours, sometimes longer. Attention is our brain’s primary executive function, but in modern society, it is overstimulated and overworked. Behaviorally, with a brain
Polyvagal theory is applied to the world of therapy by Maine’s own, Deb Dana. I’ll do my best to offer a brief summary here, but if you are more of an auditory learner, please watch one of Dana’s many Youtube’s here. Polyvagal Overview Polyvagal theory looks at our remarkable nervous system and how it’s evolved
Polyvagal Therapy: Trauma Healing Beyond Glimmers Read More »
Cross Cultural Ikagai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia & Francesc Miralles Loosely translated, ikagai means “a reason for living.” Garcia and Miralles look at how intersections between life domains, like what we do professionally and what we love, enhance and even lengthen life. I’m currently forcing my mom
Intimacy, in general terms, means closeness. When I reference intimacy building in therapy, however, most people seem to brace themselves for a conversation about sex, which is just one form of intimacy. Part of the difficulty in discussing this topic is that partnered people often think they lack intimacy. While there is always, always room
Intimacy in your Relationship: How to Get Closer Read More »
I made a child! Now that I’ve shared with my friends, family, and folks that work with me, it’s time to contemplate, then share vulnerably with the world. I didn’t envision motherhood for myself for most of my life, and if I’m honest, I still have no clue what it’s going to look like emotionally.
Recently, I read a critique of negative societal patterns that result in illness, The Myth of Normal (Mate, 2022) . Towards the end of the book, Gabor Mate builds on a concept I read in a book ten years prior, You Are Not Brain: The 4-Step Solution for Changing Bad Habits, Ending Unhealthy Thinking, and
Four Steps to Overcome Negative & Unhealthy Behaviors Read More »
“Therapy dogs! What about therapeutic cats, lizards, etc? Here’s an important author’s note- I’m partial towards dogs, so I’m writing about dogs. 🙂 I was so nervous about getting my dog, Biscuit. I work a lot and have a nasty habit of worrying about the future, so I wasn’t sure how I’d find the time
