Developing our language for trauma, safety, abuse, integration, and other emotion / relational concepts can help us develop and understand our own experience – here I talk briefly about the way these realities of safety, connection, trauma, can be understood on a “spectrum.” A few examples to supplement what I share in this video: Some … Read more
Chances are, that ex or the in-laws you’re dealing with aren’t diagnosable with narcissistic personality disorder. This is in reference to the many, many posts, articles, social media articles diagnosing and assessing whether someone has NPD traits, or otherwise. Similarly, many self-diagnose themselves with some severe clusters of symptoms (bipolar, OCD, etc) when they may … Read more
In this video, I talk about the “gap,” “safety” as an internal experience of the “real,” labeling, and how we can more effectively notice and verbalize in ourselves our experience, needs, and internal sensations as it relates to safety. The Irish, instead of saying “I’m sad” will say “I have a sadness.” Similarly, we can … Read more
Somatic awareness refers to the practice of cultivating a deeper understanding and connection with your body, sensations, and physical experiences. As a therapist, I believe that developing somatic awareness can be a powerful tool for self-exploration, healing, and personal growth. Throughout this post, we will delve into the significance of somatic awareness, its benefits, and … Read more
I grew up with a lot (!!!) of anxiety. Little bursts of anxiety on the bus on the way to school. Shut down reactions in seemingly mundane social interactions. I am aware of some of the reasons — my very conservative, very evangelical upbringing served to reinforce the narrative that I was never doing (saying, … Read more
There are a few pieces of therapy that are inescapable — very very few people will go to therapy when things are going well, when they are high functioning and overall enjoying life (like “maintenance,” or “a check up” type of therapy). “Doing great” and “I’m in therapy” are a rare combination. Therapy, for the … Read more
I often use “Castaway,” the Tom Hanks movie as a reference for how the counseling journey may go for some clients. In the movie, the first act shows a man working in a shipping company. After his airplane crash lands on an uninhabited island, he is left to learn how to fend for himself. Those … Read more