A few years ago, I was teaching a course on therapeutic techniques used with children and teen clients. We were becoming aware of the marked increase in anxiety, depression and suicidality in kids, which led to discussions on contributing factors. The emerging literature showed a correlation between [...]
Saying farewell to one chapter and beginning a new one: we know what we are leaving behind but do not yet know what we are gaining. To experience the pain of letting go alongside the thrill of the adventure ahead is a bittersweet journey. Throughout the process of my move [...]
There are many parts to the “self”, which make up our overall identities. Some of these parts are in balance, strengthening our egos and allowing us to interact well in the world. Other parts, typically the ones we are less aware of, represent more of our shadow sides – limiting [...]
I am returning to some of my favorite self-reflection books during these uneasy times as a way to keep centered and grounded amidst the chaos. Yoga and the Quest for the True Self was an obvious choice in the line-up as this book is filled with words of beautiful wisdom [...]
I recently came across David Whyte’s poem,” Vulnerability”, which touched me personally as well as inspired me professionally in my current work with clients. Vulnerability has often been negatively associated with the human experience. To be vulnerable is to be weak, fragile or small. The alternative, especially when viewed through [...]
I often find the best way to communicate a message or a meaning is through the poetic words of someone who already said it best. I thought it would be fun to compile many of my favorite quotations (from many of my favorite books) read over the years, which I [...]
When my husband and I began dating almost 14 years ago, he gave me a copy of Kahlil Gibran’s volume entitled Tears and Laughter. A gesture that I often refer to as “the moment I knew I wanted to marry him” – a symbol of our shared experience of life. [...]
After my grandpa passed away, my grandma liked to sleep next to me during our visits. Those few nights resembled the slumber parties I would have as a young girl – talking late into the night about whatever came to mind. On one of those occasions I asked my grandma, [...]
The small man Builds cages for everyone He Knows. While the sage, Who has to duck his head When the moon is low, Keeps dropping keys all night long For the Beautiful Rowdy Prisoners. Are you a builder of cages or a dropper of keys? I often think of this [...]
I am often asked how I came to practice psychotherapy from a mind-body perspective. During my time in graduate school there was a minor focus on holistic approaches to mental health but it was definitely not emphasized. Mindfulness practices were also not mainstream as they were still in the process [...]