The Hidden Horrors of Psychological Abuse
One of the most subtle forms of abuse in a relationship is emotional abuse. Physical abuse is something that can be easily recognized (although, not always); however, emotional abuse is often an unseen terror. The signs can be hard for people on the outside to recognize AND oftentimes for the victim themselves to see […]
How to Choose YOUR Word of the Year
In my last blog, I mentioned my annual tradition of carefully choosing a word each year as a sort of mantra to help shape my goals and values. Mine for 2023 is bittersweet. It is so eloquently said by Susan Cain, who authored the book by the same name, “Bittersweetness is a tendency to states […]
EMDR – an Answer to Trauma
You can’t think or talk your way out of trauma. Trauma is not cognitive. The mind and body are connected, and you need both to heal. The nervous system is affected by your experiences, so you need to include your nervous system in the healing process experience. EMDR therapy is designed to incorporate the mind […]
How to Handle Being Homesick at College
Leaving for college is typically a time of excitement for students, one that represents new opportunities and, for many, their first venture out on their own, living away from family. But with that newfound freedom may come feelings of homesickness. “With little exception, all students will feel homesick at some time, usually in the beginning,” says Tamar […]
Word of the Year
It is that time of year where it behooves us to take inventory of the year that is coming to a close and, at the same time, begin making plans on how we want to embrace the next chapter (albeit, a calendar-based transition). I love the feeling I get during the second half of December […]
Blended Christmas
This year we will have fourteen people at our Christmas dinner table. This includes my mom and her husband, as well as our six kids plus four of their significant others. I can only imagine the additional pandemonium at our home once grandkids are part of the picture. It is fun to have a buzzing […]
Five Tips for Working Through Difficult Emotions
Almost everyone knows the expression, “Don’t worry. Be happy.” The idea might be catchy, but it is certainly not good advice. And yet, someone in your past had probably told you not to worry at a time when you were at your lowest – when you didn’t feel happy. Chances are, that expression made you […]
Connection is Key
This week on our new podcast, Spilling the Thera-Tea, Jess and I interviewed our very own couples’ counseling expert at KDM Counseling Group, AnnLee Allen. We were excited to get into the nitty-gritty of an area of therapy about which we all feel passionate. It is overwhelmingly clear that more couples need help navigating difficult […]
What Twelve Step Programs Can Teach You About Dealing with Chaos
Twelve-step programs have helped millions of adults who felt like their life was spinning out of control. Even if you’re not addicted to alcohol or gambling, their philosophy may help you when external events make your situation seem unmanageable. Maybe your life has been disrupted by health issues or job loss. Maybe your relationships are […]
9 Things Emotionally Healthy People Do
9 Things Emotionally Healthy People Do You know a few emotionally healthy people. Their relationships seem to go smoothly. They get their work done on time. Happiness appears to be their most common emotional state. They don’t have financial challenges. They maintain healthy body weight. They don’t seem to be any more talented or intelligent […]