Am I a Monster: Hidden Fears and Harm OCD
Thoughts about OCD usually are accompanied by stereotypical images of someone scrubbing their hands or straightening a crooked picture frame. The truth this, OCD exists in many dimensions. Contamination and symmetry are two of the better-known dimensions where people with OCD may struggle. However, they are not the only two areas that exist. Two other dimensions where OCD can reside include harm and unacceptable thoughts. Although these areas may be lesser known, they are also very common.
Ketamine for Depression
Ketamine is a medication traditionally used as an anesthetic but has recently gained recognition for its potential as a treatment for depression. Studies have shown that ketamine can have rapid and significant effects on depression symptoms, even in patients who have not responded to other treatments.
Play Therapy for Adults: How Play Therapy Can Help Your Healing Journey
When people hear that I use play therapy with my clients, frequently I am asked if I ever use play therapy with adults. And the answer is yes! The questions that follow are, “Really? What is that like? And why is that helpful?” Play therapy is an approach that uses play to access emotions and beliefs in order to facilitate change and healing. Though it may look different at each life stage, play is essential for all ages. And play therapy may look different for each life stage as well.
Creation and Telos
Creation stories have always been a bit of an obsession for humanity. The ancient Greeks told of the original Chaos from which emerged Gaia (the Earth) who birth Uranus (the Sky). The Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) teach that God created the Earth over six days, beginning with the separation of the heavens and the earth. The tradition of Jukurrpa or “The Dreaming” of the aboriginal people of Australia describes ancestral beings (human and animal) who wandered the deserts, bringing form to the land and establishing culture. We also tell stories of our own lives and where we come from.
10 Steps for Defeating Procrastination
I am a great procrastinator. I like to over-analyze whether I am actually procrastinating in different situations or whether I am being productive (this is a great procrastination behavior, by the way). Sometimes I like to think that my excuse for procrastination is that I have too many other things to do… I cannot know for sure whether this is true. Notice, when I over-analyze my procrastination, I am not actually taking steps toward doing the things that I need to get done. It is really easy to be tempted to then analyze why I know I am not doing things that need to get done…which leads me to further procrastination. Since I have experienced procrastination myself, I totally can understand if/when you choose to procrastinate AND I have specific steps you can take that WORK to resolve procrastination.
“Have You No Shame?”
Shame is a common motif in the world of psychotherapy. It is one of the most pervasive and malignant psychobiological processes that I see walk through my door as a therapist, and yet, it can be one of the most challenging and painful strategies to let go of even when we know letting go of the way we shame ourselves leads to self-love, compassion, peace, ease, etc.
Our Rating and Review World
Customer feedback isn't a new phenomenon. Years ago, businesses would ask customers to leave feedback about their products or services. Today, the Internet has taken customer feedback to a whole new level. Public ratings and reviews have become part of the consumer's new normal. It seems ubiquitous for shoppers to "look up a rating" and "read the reviews" about a product or service before making a purchase decision. This circumstance comes with some challenges for mental health providers.
Living in the Grey
You are right, they are wrong. They are right, you are wrong. What if I told you both can be right?
Derived from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), dialectical thinking helps us view issues from multiple perspectives and assign validity to both sides. All or nothing has become a prevalent thought in society, leaving many people feeling there is no room for in-between thoughts. You’re all in or you’re all out, it’s either this or that. But is it really?
7 Signs of Affective Codependency
Generosity, kindness, empathy…without these qualities no relational growth would be possible. The qualities and traits that often foster healthy and supportive relationships can also move into codependency when they become imbalanced in our life because any excess can quickly turn toxic. Here are some signs that you may be experiencing emotional co-dependency.
The Magic of Therapy
When it comes to improving your mental health, personal relationships, or personal development, you have a lot of options. There are self-help books, medications, pod-casts, talking to a friend or family member, and more. Skills can be learned from self-help books or podcasts. Insight can be gained from talking to a friend or family member. Finally, medication has a good chance of impacting how you feel. With so many other, and potentially cheaper, options why do people continue to choose therapy?
Common Humanity: A Doorway to Self-Compassion
Do you tend to be hard on yourself? When you make a mistake, do you notice that self-blame and judgment end up making everything worse? Do you feel isolated and lonely? Do you struggle with perfectionism? Do you feel embarrassed or overwhelmed by your emotions? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may benefit from a Self-Compassion practice.
Your Body is Worth More Than Just How it Looks: How You Can Begin Believing it.
Samantha Roundy, MSW Intern, writes about body neutrality.
Psychedelic Therapy
Jeff Lundgren, CMHC, writes about the growing interest in psychedelic therapy.
5 Skills to Improve Communication with Your Child
Christina Da Costa, CSW, writes about Parent-Child Interaction Therapy and its benefits.
8 Signs You Might Need Therapy:
Rachel Wininger, LCSW, writes about how we can tell it is time to seek therapy.
Silent Drowning: When High Functioning People Struggle
Sarah Hunter, LCSW, writes about the signs someone may be struggling.
Picket Fences and Cement Walls: Why Boundaries are Not Selfish
Alice Roberts, LCSW, writes about boundaries.
What is the ‘Window of Tolerance’?
Brecka Walker, LCSW, writes about the window of tolerance.
