Some people may think that feeling that everything is "fine" is a sign that they're "healed" and therapy is no longer necessary. Ask a therapist, however, and they'll probably tell you that this is where the therapy actually begins. For what does "fine" really mean? We say it on auto-pilot probably 5 times a day: Coffee shop clerk "hi, how are you today?" you: "I'm fine, and you?" clerk: "Fine, what will you have?" office mate: "Mornin', how are you today?" you: "I'm fine, an

This is why I love bringing art into the therapy room. Not literal pieces of art that someone else has made-although that's certainly nice to look at! I'm talking about art prompts and projects for my clients to work with in session. Why? Art--drawing, molding with clay, creative writing, painting, dancing, making music, etc, is not only good for focusing the mind and expressing oneself visually, but it's also healthy for the brain, and healing for the soul as well. Personall

Yesterday I talked about being present in This Moment. Today, it is the death of This Moment, and the birth of the Next Moment. This is the rhythm of life-Birth...Period of Life...Death. Did you realize that each moment is a simultaneous death of something old and a birth of something new? Perhaps it's a death of a thought or belief system, and the subsequent birth of a new thought or believe system. Perhaps it's something more or something less. For those of us at or near th

Remember the phrase "It takes a village?" Well I've been thinking a lot about that lately. It takes a "village" of doctors, nurses, family, friends, pets, nature, and prayer warriors to support a person through cancer treatments. It's taken a "village" of supervisors, clients, trainers, friends, family, pets, nature, and prayer warriors to get me through my internship. You know what else takes a village? Putting your life together after a tragic loss or traumatic event. Creat

I want to chat about with you an article I found on Oprah's website. I like how the author points out hiding places that are not exactly obvious, but are serious triggers for flashbacks, hyper startle, and perhaps feeling as if you're in the situation that initially created your pain in the first place. These are all symptoms of PTSD. It really gets you thinking, doesn't it. Where's my pain hiding out? What is the pain behind my perfectionism, my defense mechanisms, or even m

#listening #respect #therapist #witness

What are the coolest things about seeing a therapist? You get to talk to someone who's like your best friend, but you don't have to listen to any of their problems. Therapy happens in a safe "container", meaning the therapist's office is your safe place to: express yourself, ask or say the things you're afraid everyone else will question your sanity for asking/saying, practice new ways of being in the world. You have the freedom to be 100% YOU-no judgments. #beinghuman #liste