Using Problems to Heal
Before I begin, I would just like to thank all of the patrons who have trusted our facility and continue to do so. This is the second week in a row that all of our time slots have been filled, and we appreciate not only your attendance but also your efforts in the sessions. Today’s topic is on using negative judgments towards other people and oneself to heal. Each person has 20,000 to...Learn More
Trauma Treatment
Trauma treatment needs to be handled carefully, or a person can be re-traumatized again and again. This has been happening to a person I am treating in family therapy, by their personal counselor. The old models of healing trauma can cause more trauma because, in an approach named Gestalt therapy, a patient is asked to relive the situation from as many angles as possible. Regression is a...Learn More
Re-Centering
When the stormy days hit, when you don’t even like yourself, there are a few things you can do to get yourself through until you find that happy foothold again. Spiritually speaking, it is easy to be spiritual on the mountaintop. However, the real challenge is taking that spirituality into the valley. If you find your heart racing, feel dizzy, like you’re going to pass out, and fear you...Learn More
Feelings of Frustration
I am beyond frustrated. I just had my computer wipe out the article I was preparing, and “frustrated” doesn’t begin to describe the feelings shooting through me. It was going to be the greatest paper ever created, but no—my computer had another agenda of its own. So now I am faced with a decision: either be angry and complain to my staff, or take it in stride and see the computer glitch as...Learn More
Conscious Living
What’s familiar is familiar, no matter what it is. Bad relationships, addictions, bad habits. If it is a daily experience then trying to change it takes effort. Are you willing to do so? Hey, I get it. I too have been stuck in the same ol’, same ol’ time and time again, so being stuck in what we call ‘Limiting Behaviors’ is not an experience reserved only for...Learn More
Overcoming Anxiety
It’s about time to talk about my battle with anxiety. Anxiety was thought of as a burden that everybody had to carry. I looked at it as the cross I had to bear for the rest of my life. As most of my friends did, I turned to drugs to numb my fears, but after years of doing so, I became a prisoner and felt there was no way out. Because of my drug use, my personality began to change. I became...Learn More
Try These Psychological Tools
Do you know how to calm yourself naturally? We live in a fast-paced society and want quick results but the quick fix may not be that beneficial for you. I knew I was doing damage to myself when using substances, but somehow I forced myself to make a stand and fundamentally heal. To be honest, this was probably the greatest gift I ever gave to myself and I readily share what I have learned...Learn More
The Positives of Depression
When I graduated from the University of Santa Monica with my master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, the famous cancer surgeon Dr. Bernie Siegel was our graduate speaker. I still remember the speech vividly because he wished pain upon us all. In explaining this, Dr. Siegel stated that pain can be an incredible motivator. Our university taught us to see problems as a blessing for...Learn More
Have You Avoided Therapy for Years?
Years ago I saw a billboard that said “We cater to dental chickens.” Did chickens have teeth? I was confused. I asked a friend, who laughed at me. Of course, this was in my substance use years, but as my mind cleared, all I did was laugh at myself. I was going to title this article, “Catering to Therapy Chickens,” but knowing my state of mind back then I decided to play it straight. If...Learn More