In the therapy world, our ears become attuned to our own distinct language, one that we sometimes forget is our own. We throw around terminology like “transgenerational trauma” and “stress mechanisms” and forget that the rest of the world doesn’t routinely speak that way. We insulate ourselves with these terms, and tend to understand one … Continue reading Three Reasons We Shame One Another, And Why We Should Stop.
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The Whole Thing Counts (Thoughts on Loss)
In the therapy room recently, a client shared her experience of the loss of a close family member. She reported that her grief, raw and tender, felt especially intense because the relationship had not been optimum when the person had passed. Because of this, she also carries guilt, remorse, and regret, along with the heaviness … Continue reading The Whole Thing Counts (Thoughts on Loss)
Your Very Own Monster-In-A-Box
Therapists come up with all sorts of terminology to name this and that - we work with the same problems and ideas repeatedly, and need images and language to describe human experience. Sometimes we come up with our own labels and concepts. The Monster-in-a- box is one of mine. The Monster is the thing that … Continue reading Your Very Own Monster-In-A-Box
Therapy is my calling, but writing is nurturing my soul.
Like many of my colleagues that feel deeply connected to the practice of psychotherapy, I believe that I was built for this kind of work. When in the therapy room, I feel capable, confident, and clear – this is what I have always done; this is what I do. When I attend trainings on methods … Continue reading Therapy is my calling, but writing is nurturing my soul.
Is “Powering Through It” Really A Good Thing?
I recently received a text citing a friend doing something that was hard for him, and struggling with it. “It’s ok, though,” said the text, “he’s powering through it.” “Blech,” I thought to myself. Then I typed “Is that really actually good, though?”. And then I deleted it, because nobody was asking for my opinion … Continue reading Is “Powering Through It” Really A Good Thing?
