If you sometimes wonder why it’s so hard to get through to others, you’re not alone. Relationships are hard work, and so is communicating effectively.…
Five Books That Transformed My Life
When I was younger, I enjoyed reading all genres of books from mystery and adventure to historical fiction and biographies. No topic was off limits,…
Living a Values-based Life
Did you know that examining your values can change your life? In recent years, mental health practitioners have become increasingly aware of the importance of…
Five Things Your Therapist Wants You to Know before Your First Counseling Session
Almost everyone knows someone who has been in counseling, but that doesn’t mean they’ve talked openly about what the experience was like. If you’ve never…
Forgiveness, Part 1: Forgiving Others
Love and forgiveness is not for the fainthearted.—Meher Baba What is forgiveness? The formal definition of forgive is to stop feeling angry or resentful toward…
The Opportunity of Discomfort
Thinking we can find lasting pleasure and avoid pain is what keeps us miserable, caught in a hopeless cycle of suffering–Pema Chödrön, When Things Fall…
Getting Unstuck
Have you ever had the thought, “I feel stuck”? If you haven’t, consider yourself lucky. This is a very familiar and common feeling for a…
Making It Through Your First Breakup
I remember sitting in my office one evening as a young woman told me about her recent breakup. She said, “He is the one who…
How to Identify Passive-Aggressive Behavior
By Marilee Feldman, LCPC, CADC Most people who come to me for counseling—whether it’s for anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, substance abuse, or stress management—are on…
I Feel Crazy, But Am I? Understanding Gaslighting
We hear all the time that physical aggression is abusive; what we don’t often hear or recognize is that emotional abuse can be equally damaging.…
Validation: the Key to Successful Relationships
By Marilee Feldman, LCPC, CADC “Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person, they are almost indistinguishable.” —David Augsburger If…
Coping with the Reality of Chronic Pain
Do you feel that your chronic pain rules your life? Are you having trouble adjusting to the limitations of your pain? You are not alone.…
