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
Achieving Mental Wellness During COVID-19
Elisabeth Kubler Ross & David Kessler are well known for their model of the stages of loss. The five stages of loss are Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. Which stage are you currently in with this COVID-19 pandemic? A number of clients were angry about the imposition this pandemic has caused them my mind began to think about the stages theory. Hey, we lost our normal...Learn More
The Healing Power of Comedy
What helped me get through difficult times is helping me once again – comedy. Years ago, when I was an addict and on the street, I got involved in a comedy group that literally changed my life. I think I am the only person that can say that my substance treatment was performing Comedy live at the top comedy clubs in Hollywood. This took place in the early 1980s when MTV was starting out...Learn More
Improving Emotional Health During Quarantine
How do we survive the daily reminders that we are living in troubled times? It is blasted in the media everywhere. Shoot, I see these bulletins on my computer all day and night providing me with the latest COVID-19 updates. It’s in our face. We are living in troubled times. What have you been doing to cope? Are you binge-watching? Raiding your refrigerator all hours of the day? Having a bit...Learn More