Tips to Get Your Child Back-To-School Ready
As summer break draws to an end, the excitement of a new school year can sometimes be accompanied by feelings of anxiety for children. School anxiety and school refusal are common issues children face this time of year. Such behavior may become a routine problem in a small percentage of students. Some children with school refusal may have an earlier history of separation anxiety, social anxiety, or depression.
Emotional Connection
Emotional connection is a form of vulnerability and intimacy that couples need to have in order to maintain healthy and secure attachments. It is more than saying “I love you” or having consensual sexual relations with your partner, but it is allowing your partner to see and be present with you in all forms of emotion, including ones that require vulnerability, such as pain, sadness, shame, loneliness, or fear. These emotions can come from our personal triggers, unresolved past experiences, or attachment needs not being met. However, sharing and understanding one’s emotions can be difficult and does not come easily for everyone.
Want To Know the Secret to a Happy Marriage?
Surprisingly, the answer ISN’T a lack of conflict between a couple. Whether it’s about not having enough sex, the dirty laundry, or spending too much money, conflict is inevitable in every marriage. Happiness lies in the “positive affect” a couple has during the conflict. So what does that mean?
What Sex Therapy Can Teach Us
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend my first conference with the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT), which “provides training, community and visibility to promote the understanding of human sexuality and healthy sexual behavior.” While I am not an AASECT-certified sex therapist, I attended this conference to better my understanding of and ability to effectively work the concerns related to sexuality that are central to the human experience and that I see clients wrestling with every day in my office. On reflecting on the experience, I have three takeaways to share
Self-Care in 30 Seconds
“Self-care” has become a buzz word in our current society, but what if I told you it doesn’t have to mean what you might think. Getting a massage, taking a bath, going for a walk, doing yoga, etc. are common things we may think of when we hear the word “self-care”, but self-care doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming.
You’ve Got Dragons: An Upcoming Story Time at Wasatch Family Therapy
My colleague, Amy Lambert LCSW, and I are hosting a one-day workshop for kids ages 6-11 who experience anxiety in learning how to help themselves increase their ability to access their rational brains, meaning they will be better able to problem solve what to do when they feel overwhelmed by their anxiety.
Breaking Barriers: Exploring the Role of MDMA and Ketamine in Relationship and Sexual Wellness
As a psychotherapist specializing in sex therapy, couples counseling, and the therapeutic use of psychedelic medicines, I'm fascinated by the increasing evidence showing how certain substances can significantly assist in overcoming many psychological barriers that cause distress in our relationships and sexual lives. I want to share a brief overview of one such substance - MDMA, and its potential to facilitate a breakthrough in therapeutic settings.
Ask Alice: LDS Garments and Eroticism
Today’s question:
My question is in regards to LDS garments, and the effect they have on purity culture and our sex lives in marriage. My husband and I have been working really hard to improve our sensual relationship. In realizing after 13 years of marriage that we have fallen victim to a lifetime of culture (from the world and our church), and it is time for us to individually really connect with the innate sensual sides of ourselves. One suggestion from an article was to just simply mentally check in with our sensual beings in simple ways throughout the day. I loved that suggestion but instantly realized my garments have become a block to me. When I have them on I simply don't allow myself to feel sensual, or sexy. How can I get over this block?
Exploring Comprehensive Solutions for Male Sexual Problems Beyond Medication
While medications like Viagra® have been crucial in addressing male sexual issues, it is essential to recognize that non-biological factors also contribute to male sexual concerns. Some of the reasons include a partner's disinterest in sex, their discomfort with medication-assisted erections, the patient's misunderstanding of proper use, and the medication not working as expected.
Rachel Rose, LMFT, on Type A Personality Traits
Wasatch Family Therapist Rachel Rose, LMFT, was recently featured in a Forbes article on type A personality traits. She helps conceptualize some of the most common traits associated with this personality type, as well as pros and cons, and comparisons with other common personality types.
The Power of Listening Part I Babies: Listening to Pre-verbal Children
Caregivers are key in children’s development. One of the things you notice the minute you start studying infants and those who care for them is the interactions or exchanges between the two. A typical baby is born with pretty good hearing and pretty poor eyesight. Yet that underdeveloped eyesight’s one spot of focus is about 8 inches away from the baby’s own face; usually about the place a mother or father’s face will be when the baby is held. Nature sets us up to focus on the people who will keep us alive and teach us about the world.
MDMA-assisted Therapy: A Promising Treatment Option for PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after a person experiences a traumatic event or prolonged exposure to stress. Although available treatments may not work for everyone, recent research suggests that a combination of therapy and MDMA administration could be a more effective approach for treating PTSD.
Reparenting & Healing Your Inner Child
In recent years, the expression "inner child" has made its way to the general public. But it is rarely well understood. Yet it is a personal development tool commonly used in therapy. A person who is cut off from their inner child is parasitized by many toxic feelings, they may experience emotions such as shame, abandonment, guilt, feeling of helplessness without consciously knowing where these emotions are coming from.
How Self-Awareness Can Help You as a Parent
What you go through in childhood impacts how you show up as an adult today. Experiences that hang out in our brains and bodies without being fully processed become unresolved issues. Sometimes a state of avoidance and/or dissociation can be preferred; it might feel safer to ignore past experiences or maybe you have a hard time recalling that experience altogether. The tricky thing about trauma, is that even though it seems like you've disconnected from hurtful experiences, the pain is still there and may trigger unexpected or unwanted emotional responses.
Melting an Ice Sculpture: A Metaphor for Treating Depression
Depression is a real struggle that affects millions of people worldwide. It can be tough to deal with and can leave you feeling sad, worthless, unmotivated, and uninterested. Many of us know from experience that these feelings can be overwhelming and lead to a sense of helplessness and despair. But, don't lose hope! Much like melting an ice sculpture one degree at a time, depression may not show progress until it reaches a specific threshold, but gradual efforts towards mental well-being can lead to significant change.
Ring Theory: Supporting Individuals in Crisis
When we are in crisis, whether from grief, trauma, or illness, we need support. It can sometimes be difficult to know what kind of support we need, and it can be hard to let support in due to feelings of overwhelm, pain, and shame. Sometimes people offer us “support” that doesn’t feel quite right, and we may not be sure how to tell them or set boundaries that we need. At other times, we might want to support someone else that is in crisis but feel unsure of what to say or do that will ease suffering and not contribute to their distress. This is where Ring Theory can be helpful.
Eating Disorder Myths vs Facts
Ever since I started working with individuals who suffer from eating disorders, I have noticed that there are many myths and stigmas that people believe about eating disorders, diet culture, etc. These myths and stigmas perpetrate harmful stereotypes and ideas that harm all of us, especially individuals struggling with eating disorders and body image issues. For that reason, here are a few big myths I have noticed as a therapist working with this population that perpetuate harm.
Healing Sexual Trauma with Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
Sexual trauma is an unfortunate reality for many individuals, often leading to a myriad of mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and difficulties with intimacy. Traditional therapeutic approaches can sometimes be limited in effectiveness, but recent research into psychedelic-assisted therapy has shown promise in treating PTSD and other trauma-related disorders.
Therapy Resources for Autistic Children and Teens
Though autistic people have existed throughout history, research and discussions about how to support autistic children are relatively new. Adults who are trying to navigate how to parent and support their autistic children may be unsure of where to start. As a child therapist who specializes in working with autistic and other neurodivergent children, I’ve compiled this reference of my most recommended resources for parents of autistic children. Every child is different and has unique needs, but hopefully, this list will provide a place to start and experts to reach out to learn more.