Surviving a Major Ailment
Whether it be from an illness, ailment, or something life-threatening, the most important healing aspect is you. We are very powerful Beings and it is our thoughts that can heal us or destroy us. Working through something serious can be used as an opportunity to heal yourself not only physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The first step is getting in touch with your body,...Learn More
Helping our Children
The pandemic has wreaked havoc on our nation in many ways. Now the latest report is the devastation it has caused for our children. For a child to grow up normally, they need love and attention from their primary caregivers – usually their parents, they need to have fun, and they need their social needs met. Object Relations Theory states that all mental illness has its root in early childhood...Learn More
Bridging the Gap
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...Learn More
Emotional Healing 101
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...Learn More
Teaching the Old Dog New Tricks
When I was in graduate school, they asked us to create our own theory of healing. With 200 plus students, you can only imagine the responses. I didn’t take it seriously, wanted to be my silly self and took in my life-sized stuffed bear as a prop. Luckily my fellow students were kind as I sang out The Bear Necessities of Healing. Twenty-some odd years later I have thought in depth about this...Learn More
The Mental Health Minute
In being asked to be on KRKO Radio and share my psychological knowledge, I felt excited, like a little kid! I grew up watching the TV show Frasier and always thought it would be fun to be a radio talk show host in Seattle myself. Okay, so this isn’t a radio talk show, but still, a minute seemed like a good start. Helping people seems natural to me and the thought of reaching more people at a...Learn More
The Benefits of Intensive Outpatient Treatment
If you need treatment for an addiction or a mood disorder and have been considering attending residential treatment, there is another option – Intensive Outpatient Treatment. Let’s be honest, it can be humiliating packing up your bags, leaving home, and being confined in a facility that limits your phone calls, computer access, and freedom. Oh yes, some of the residential facilities are very...Learn More
If You Are a New Counselor
This article is written for people just starting out in the helping profession. My passion is teaching students and graduates the fine art of counseling. I simply want to pass on the knowledge. Right off the bat, I want to extend a thank you to all people who want to make a positive change in this world. My advice is for you to put aside all the tools and procedures you’ve been taught and...Learn More
Journey of Self-Discovery During COVID-19
When seat belts were mandated, I rebelled at first but got into the rhythm of wearing them. When masks were recommended, I rebelled too. Why did I do this? This recently took me on a journey of self-discovery. There is a rebel inside of me that I cannot deny. When I track it back in time, it probably started when I was 15 years old and trying to be my own person. At the time I was extremely...Learn More