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 …
“I’m so negative,” my clients often say. “You’re so human,” is often my first response. The truth is, aside from illnesses like depression or someone’s naturally more easy going persona, all people’s minds are wired towards negative thinking patterns. Humans give more importance to negative experiences than positive ones, often referred to as a negativity …
Dr. Daniel Amen uses the pneumonic BRIGHT MINDS for 11 risk factors that can result in symptoms of anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions. Often, the DSM-V guides clinicians to assess solely from a psychiatric lens, but there is an abundance of evidence of physical illness, trauma, over medication, mimicking mental health …
BRIGHT MINDS: Neuroscience to decrease symptoms of mental illness? Read More »
I savor sessions in which we talk about attachment styles. Understanding the degree to which bonds with our caregiver effect our intimate relationships is fascinating. Still, language like “dismissive attachment” or “anxious attachment” feels, at best, stale, and at worst, deficit based. Recently (and if I’m being honest, in my own therapy), I learned about …
An Original Look at Attachment Styles: Waves, Islands or Anchors? Read More »
