Stuff happens. As we travel down the river of life, we inevitably hit some rapids. Sometimes we see them coming, but sometimes they’re around a…
Forgiveness, Part 2: Forgiving Ourselves
“Forgive yourself for not knowing what you didn’t know before you learned it.”–Maya Angelou Have you ever found yourself feeling guilty, even when you may…
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…
Embracing Change
I was recently having a conversation with a friend about a significant life decision and she was providing me with all sorts of congratulatory statements.…
Therapy for People in a Hurry
Perhaps you have heard of the book “Astrophysics for People in a Hurry,” by Neil deGrasse Tyson. If not, I recommend it. It’s really good.…
The Golden Rule, for Yourself: The Wisdom of Self-Compassion
As a child we learn many different rules: Don’t talk to strangers, play nicely, share, say “please” and “thank you,” always ask permission, eat your…
The Power of Saying “No”
A statement I often hear from my clients is, “I don’t feel like I’m appreciated.” Feeling appreciated is one of the most rewarding, warm feelings…
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…
Conflict Avoidance: Sink or Swim
When baby sea turtles are born, they begin their lives by struggling to get to shore by themselves. It’s a difficult time, and it’s possible…
Pathological Altruism: When Giving Causes More Harm than Good
Giving and putting others first is heralded as a loving act, a way to show how much you care for another person, a way to…
Rethinking New Year’s Resolutions
By this point in the year you may be making great strides toward your New Year’s resolutions, feeling frustrated that you haven’t made as much…
