News and Insights

Happy New Year to you. It’s time to purge out the old and start anew. Well at least that is the tradition – but why should this only be highlighted in the new year. This could be a daily habit if you think about it. You know, discovering what no longer serves you in your life and remedying it. This is the foundation of therapy. What do you want out of your life? Resentments? Harsh feelings...

This was an interesting article to write about the current national affairs. Let’s face it. We are polarized to the point of it feeling like the beginnings of a civil war but the real reasons are a bit unclear. Why are we as a nation at odds? Is it because the average person doesn’t feel heard? Is it because of righteousness – meaning I am right and they are wrong? In all actuality, this is...

Blurry eyed, I am writing an account of what went down during our move to Everett Washington over the holiday season. I forgot how difficult moves can be – if difficult can come close to describing it. Why the Move Our expensive lease was up and what started out as an adventure to downsize and save some extra money each month, turned into a monster. It seemed like it was the perfect time to...

The day after Christmas, after the Zoom parties, the nice meals, and the exchanging of presents, I got bad news one after the other. My fiancée from twenty years ago was found dead in her apartment probably due to alcoholism. She had just turned 60. Alcohol had put a chasm in our relationship back then and probably took her as a victim now. A bitter pill to swallow because we had been very...

Serious times have hit and now throw into the mix – the holidays. We are all going through something that is so unusual, so desperate, and how in the world can we feel merry and gay? The holidays have always been the time to share our hearts with loved ones, give gifts, and plan for a prosperous new year. It feels like this pandemic has put a stopper to this.   What was your progression as you...

When I began my career in 12 Step Recovery a whole new world opened to me. It was what I liked, being around a lot of people, people opening up and talking about their difficulties, and others lending support. The 12 Steps were new to me because my recovery was basically white-knuckling it and praying the cravings would go away. My recovery was simply five months of pacing my apartment and...

It is the time of year to reflect on the people and experiences of the past year and the impact this has had on you. Though, what a trying year it has been for us all. I just saw a report on the increase in mood disorders, substance use, and domestic violence cases which saddened me greatly. I often wonder how people can turn their back on their problems and celebrate the holiday season....

In 1994 I began treating people with substance abuse and mental illness problems. From this time, I have always looked for that secret ingredient, that special something, that would “heal all”, as hopefully, most therapists are doing. Just because I’ve had amazing success, I guess that desire, to perfect what I am presenting, is still ingrained in me. Therefore, I am always tweaking my...

Every Psychological approach has its own theory of healing. Take Behavioral Psychology, for example, here it is believed that doing the correct behaviors will heal you. The 12 Steps of AA is based on this. Reality Therapy is one behavioral approach where the focus is creating a plan of action and follow it to a tee. This helps individuals focus on doing the right behaviors to heal. More or...

I have hesitated writing about my viewpoints on the political atmosphere in this country for many reasons. First of all, I am a therapist and not a Political Scientist. I don’t have any knowledge of politics at all but have sure been learning an earful through my clientele.  Secondly, I am in this profession to empower people in making the best choices they can for themselves. People are the...